The story to watch right now is KHOU 11.
Its brand new job post for Darby Douglas' former traffic job was getting lots of attention on social media this past weekend.
And this TEGNA job post has lots of edge to it as you will see below.
Here are a few items that stuck out:
"You’ll be co-hosting a brand-new morning show that will break all the rules - It will be unlike anything you’ve ever done before!"
"Be your rock-star self. We’re in the market for an awesome and authentic influencer who’s not content with simply winning the game – but who’s going to change the game."
That "influencer" word is an interesting one. It is actually beginning to have a negative connotation in the marketing world.
Ten years ago, it would have been frowned upon for a TV news talent to be an "influencer." Can you imagine anchors or reporters posting photos of themselves in bathing suits on social media back then? That's what comes to mind when I hear the word "influencer." Someone who shares their whole life on social media - every post is all about them.
I believe news management would have cracked down on that back then. Heck, I worked for a station that didn't even want employees on social media! In the old days, the news was not about the talent. Naturally social media was in its infancy in terms of television back then, but you get my point. Now social media and intimate content like bathing suit photos for TV types are the norm. My friends, we have lived through a paradigm shift.
This KHOU traffic job is a flashback to 2010 when Tribune blew up its traditional newscasts for NewsFix which is still on the air eight years later.
Except the NewsFix Executive Producer and Imaginator position that was the shot heard around the media world at the time, was way edgier than the TEGNA KHOU 11 job post:
* With a fiery passion to help re-invent the 80's rooted, focus grouped, yuppie anchors and a news desk, super doppler ultra weather style
* That is in sync with the pulse of the streets, not the PC Journalism world
* Has well honed B.S. Radar
* Who knows that most local TV News sucks and wants to do something about it
* Can survive and prosper in a modern high brilliance standards rock n roll culture
I guess history really does repeat itself when a TV company feels like its pushed its current format as far as it can go and needs to start over.
What could a new KHOU 11 morning show look like? WUSA, the TEGNA owned sister station to KHOU in Washington DC transformed its morning newscast by hiring a comedian to anchor the show. "Get Up DC!" is also anchored by former FOX 26 anchor Jan Jeffcoat.
As for Darby Douglas, I might have more news on him soon. In the meantime, people are still commenting about Douglas' abrupt departure.
YOUR THOUGHTS:
What would you want to see in a new KHOU 11 morning show?
Here is the full KHOU 11 morning show traffic anchor job post:
KHOU is looking for a Traffic Anchor/Reporter! Someone who is a social media superstar to own traffic in one of the country’s fastest growing, diverse and most exciting cities! You’ll be co-hosting a brand-new morning show that will break all the rules - It will be unlike anything you’ve ever done before!
If you think this is just a TV traffic gig, think again. You're going to be part of an all-star ensemble, rocking and rolling across multiple screens, all morning long! You'll be sharing your personal POV on the top trending stories, pop culture and all things Houston.
It's a four-part mission:
1) Use our wealth of traffic tools and technology in the midst of Houston's hellish morning commute.
2) Engage and excite our fans and followers across every single screen.
3) Keep the conversation going all day long.
4) Most importantly - be your rock-star self. We’re in the market for an awesome and authentic influencer who’s not content with simply winning the game – but who’s going to change the game.
CONTACT: Leave me a Houston or Texas media news tip | COMMENT: Click to leave your thoughts on this post here
