CultureMap revamps editorial team

Arden Ward named editorial director and Steven Devadanam replaces Clifford Pugh as Houston editor

Arden Ward

December 4, 2017 (Houston, TX) — CultureMap.com, the leading digital provider of lifestyle content in Texas, has revamped its editorial department, announcing Arden Ward as statewide editorial director and Steven Devadanam as Houston editor.

“I am delighted to announce the promotion of Arden Ward to run editorial for CultureMap statewide,” said David Gow, CEO of Gow Media. “Arden has leadership qualities, strong editorial skills, and a deep understanding of the content that resonates with our audiences.”

Ward joined CultureMap in 2011, during its expansion to Austin. She served as executive editor in Austin before becoming network managing editor, where she played an integral role in the brand’s expansion to the Fort Worth and San Antonio markets.

Steven Devadanam

Devadanam brings a diverse set of experiences to his new role as editor of Houston. His background includes strategic roles at Village Voice Media, Modern Luxury, and NFL Network.

“We are excited to welcome Steven to the CultureMap team,” Ward said. “He is a champion of the brand and brings great enthusiasm for the city and its culture — which we look forward to sharing with our readers on a daily basis.”

Devadanam replaces Clifford Pugh, who served as editor-in-chief of CultureMap Houston since the company’s inception in 2009.

“Clifford has been instrumental in the development of CultureMap,” said Gow. “We are very grateful for his leadership and the mark he has made over the past eight years.”

Devadanam is just the latest in a series of strong additions to the CultureMap editorial team. In May, the company announced the hiring of Ken Hoffman, the longstanding popular columnist from the Houston Chronicle. And more recently, under Ward’s leadership, CultureMap hired Stephanie Allmon Merry as managing editor in Dallas, and Katie Friel as editor in Austin and Brandon Watson as food editor in Austin.

“We have been investing in the editorial team across the state,” said Gow. “With these additions, we are poised to extend our leadership position.”

About Gow Media
Gow Media, LLC is a leading sports media company founded in 2007 and based in Houston. The company owns two sports stations in Houston: ESPN 97.5 and SportsMap 94.1, as well as local sports website SportsMap.com. The company also owns one of the country’s largest sports radio networks, SB Nation Radio, which it runs in partnership with SBNation.com. SB Nation Radio provides 24/7 sports shows and sports updates to over 500 affiliate radio stations across the country, Sirius Satellite Radio, and mobile and digital partners. Gow Media, LLC is backed by a private investment group with significant experience in media ownership. The investor group includes Steve Webster, co-manager and co-CEO of Avista Capital; Patrick Dugan, vice president and general counsel of Nortex Corporation; and David Gow, chairman and CEO of Gow Media, LLC.

About CultureMap
CultureMap, founded in 2009 by Lonnie Schiller, Tod Eason, and other notable Houstonians, is the leading provider of lifestyle content in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio. CultureMap was acquired by Gow Media in February of 2017. The company provides local intelligence on dining, events, arts, real estate, society, fashion, and more, as well as fun tidbits about what's happening around Texas.

(This post taken from a release sent to me by Culturemap)

AutomotiveMap launched by Gow Media

New Digital Media Outlet to Become a Leading Source for Automotive Content

(Houston, TX) — Gow Media, a large multi-platform media company with sports radio properties ESPN 97.5 FM and SB Nation Radio and leading online destinations CultureMap, SportsMap, and InnovationMap, announced today the launch of its newest outlet, AutomotiveMap (www.automotivemap.com).

The new site will cover industry news, provide auto reviews, feature the Houston auto scene, showcase innovation, and serve as a thoughtful guide to consumers.

“We are excited to add AutomotiveMap to our portfolio of media platforms,” said David Gow, CEO of Gow Media. “We now have four content categories — culture, sports, innovation and automotive — all under the ‘map’ brand identity. And we love that each of these categories taps into the passions of our audiences.”

Gow Media has tapped Eileen Falkenberg-Hull to become editor of AutomotiveMap.

Falkenberg-Hull brings 10 years of digital publishing experience to her new position. She has covered the automotive segment exclusively for five years, with regular bylines in Trucks.com, U.S. News & World Report, and American City Business Journals. She
is a co-host of Let’s Talk Wheels on SB Nation Radio.

In her new role, Falkenberg-Hull will report to Arden Ward, vice president of editorial for Gow Media statewide.

“Eileen is an outstanding addition to our team,” said Ward. “Her enthusiasm for the auto industry is unmatched, and, as editor, she blends her extensive knowledge with an approachable voice that connects to our readers.”

“I am thrilled to become part of Gow Media,” said Falkenberg-Hull. “I have been impressed with the creative energy, professionalism, and commitment to storytelling that the team has. AutomotiveMap will be both informative and highly engaging; it will educate consumers and delight enthusiasts.”

AutomotiveMap is the latest addition to Gow Media’s ever-growing portfolio. Since acquiring CultureMap, Texas’ leading online destination for lifestyle content, in February of 2017, Gow has launched SportsMap; InnovationMap; and GiftingMap, an ecommerce
site.

“Our other site launches are going very well — we are experiencing tremendous audience and revenue growth — enabling us to step out again with AutomotiveMap,” said David Gow.

(This post was taken from a release sent to me by David Gow)

Houston media job moves 2017

Who left or joined the Houston media scene in 2017?

Rucks Russell leaves KHOU 11

Sophia Beausoleil joins KPRC 2

Drew Karedes to exit KHOU 11

Jacqueline Crea to exit KHOU 11

Brandi Smith joins KHOU

Jillian “JJ” Simmons leaves 97.9 The Box KBXX

Chase Murphy new Mix 96.5 KHMX program director

Samantha Ptashkin leaves KPRC

Dean & Rog celebrate 20 years in Houston

Chrisdyann Uribe joins Fox 26 KRIV

Dave Ward and his emotional goodbye from KTRK abc13

Brett Buffington joins KHOU 11

Ken Hoffman leaves Houston Chronicle for CultureMap

Lily Jang joins KPRC 2

Dayna Steele running for Congress

Crystal Ayala joins Martin Berlanga as co-anchor of Noticiero Telemundo Houston

Anne Elise Parks joins CBS 11 KTVT

Paulina Sodi leaves Telemundo Houston

Rebecca Suárez leaves Univision Houston; returns to HISD

Jason Cage joins Mix 96.5 KHMX afternoons

Angela Chen is leaving FOX 26 KRIV

Lance Zierlein leaves SportsTalk 790 KBME coverage

'The Buzz Lady' Roseann Rogers' new title

Josh Innes moves to mornings on SportsTalk 790

Jennifer Bauer leaves KPRC 2

Rose-Ann Aragon joins KPRC 2

Michelle Choi joins KHOU 11

Post KHOU 11, longtime Houston anchor Greg Hurst WREG News Channel 3 Memphis, TN

Former Houston Chronicle reporter, columnist and editor Alan Bernstein is going to work for Mayor Sylvester Turner

Charlie Pallilo's new radio home announced

Former KPRC 2 freelance reporter Janelle Bludau shows up at KHOU 11

KTRK abc13 reporter/multi-media journalist Tracy Clemons joins HISD press office as PIO

Former KHOU 11 reporter Leigh Frillici joins KPRC 2

Former KPRC 2 sports reporter Gary Striewski joins "morning dose"

Deneige Broom joins FOX 26 KRIV

Ron Trevino marks 35 years at KHOU 11

Cartoonist Nick Anderson let go from Houston Chronicle

James Doughty joins KAVU Victoria, Texas

Stephen Morgan joins FOX 26 KRIV

Alex Sanz named AP deputy director of newsgathering for the U.S. South

Laura Diaz leaves Telemundo Houston

Recent Houston Chronicle departures in 2017

KPRC Production Manager Andy Patterson, engineer Bill Bremer and Chief Operator and Maintenance Engineer Mike August are retiring from KPRC-TV

Dale Forbis leaves NewsRadio 740 KTRH for San Antonio

Collin Myers joining KTRK abc13

Jennifer Broome to leave KPRC's Houston Life

Kaitlin Monte new FOX 26 anchor

Jacob Rascon joins KPRC

CoCo Dominguez named FOX 26 Traffic Reporter and Lifestyle Correspondent

Jimmy Barrett joins 740 KTRH's Houston Morning News

Melinda Spaulding leaves FOX 26 for TSU

Suzanne Boase Honeycutt joins KSBJ

Mario Diaz joins KPRC

New hires at Houston Chronicle for August 2017

Nick Natario joins KTRK abc13

abc13 KTRK meteorologist Casey Curry is no longer with the station.

Is Casey Curry co-hosting KPRC 2's Houston Life permanently?

Casey Curry does weather on FOX 26 KRIV

Where is Casey Curry going to work?

Ubaldo Martinez has been promoted to lead sports anchor at Telemundo Houston KTMD

Reporter Kaitlin McCulley leaves KTRK abc13 for WHDH 7News Boston.

Radio One Houston announced Pamela B. McKay as its new Vice President, General Manager.

Ivory Hecker to join Fox 26 KRIV as a reporter from KARE-TV Minneapolis.

After being off air since July, meteorologist Lisa Vaughn made her return to FOX 26 KRIV.

Over at KPRC 2, chief meteorologist Frank Billingsley is celebrating 35 years on the green screen.

Here is a list of the former Houston journalists who were called back from the reserves to help out during Hurricane Harvey coverage.

Joe Gazin hits 40 years at KIII Corpus Christi

Courtney Zubowski working for CBS News

Jacob Rascon debuts as anchor on KPRC 2

Former KPRC anchor Courtney Zavala returns to channel 2 as Houston Life host.

Hottest Houston social media stars November 2017

Atom Smasher returns to morning radio

Erica Simon joins abc13 KTRK

VIDEO: 2017 Texas Radio Hall of Fame inductee acceptance speeches

Fmr. Houston anchor Phillip Mena debuts on NBC

Anoushah Rasta leaves KPRC 2

Lance Zierlein reunites with John Granato on ESPN 97.5

Chip Brewster leaves KPRC 2

Rita Garcia leaving FOX 26 KRIV for FOX 11 LA

Arden Ward named editorial director and Steven Devadanam replaces Clifford Pugh as Houston editor at CultureMap

Patricia Lopez leaves abc13 KTRK

Sally MacDonald named FOX 26 morning anchor

Rick McFarland retires from KPRC 2 after almost 40 years

InnovationMap launches from Gow Media

New Digital Media Outlet Covers Stories of Innovation in Houston

November 15, 2018 (Houston, TX) – Gow Media, a leading multi-platform media company that includes ESPN 97.5FM, SB Nation Radio, CultureMap and SportsMap, today launched a new digital media platform, Innovationmap.com. The content site will cover innovation spanning startups, tech, health, energy, social impact and more, and immediately becomes the leading online destination for stories of innovation in Houston.

“Houston is on a great trajectory,” said David Gow, CEO of Gow Media. “The efforts of many are coming together to develop a strong entrepreneurial and innovation economy. We think the time is right for a media outlet that focuses on innovation in Houston. We also want to highlight the vision of our presenting sponsor, BBVA Compass, a longtime leader in developing the innovation economy in Houston.”

“BBVA Compass has made its way to the front of the financial industry's digital revolution on the strength of its technology and its vision,” said BBVA Compass Houston CEO Mark Montgomery. “We embrace disruption, innovation and unique approaches that elevate vibrant cities like Houston. Highlighting these ideas through this new endeavor aligns perfectly with our mission.”

Gow Media has tapped Natalie Harms to serve as Houston Editor of InnovationMap.

Harms is a native Houstonian, graduate of the University of Houston, and worked for several years at the Houston Business Journal. In her new role, Harms will report to Arden Ward, Vice President of Editorial for Gow Media statewide.

Gow also announced that joining him on the board of InnovationMap will be Patrick Schneidau, a highly-regarded software executive and current chair of the Talent Committee of Houston Exponential; Jarred King, CEO of Swagger Agency and President of Entrepreneurs’ Organization in Houston; and Brad Deutser, President of Deutser LLC, a management consulting firm, and Deutser Clarity Institute, a think tank and learning lab, and author of the book Leading Clarity.

The new site launches with a strategic group of sponsors who have been leaders in developing Houston’s innovation economy. In addition to BBVA Compass as the presenting sponsor, other sponsors include Baker & Botts, Briggs & Vaselka, Accenture, Tony’s Restaurant, Murrah and Killough, Acme Party and Tents and others.

“We are grateful to these sponsors who have joined us here at the launch,” said Gow.

InnovationMap is the second recent addition to Gow Media’s ever-growing portfolio.

Last month, the company launched Giftingmap.com, a new ecommerce site, that is being marketed aggressively by Gow’s media platforms.

“With the growth of GiftingMap and SportsMap, and the impressive success of CultureMap, we are now in a position to launch InnovationMap. With InnovationMap, we are leveraging our digital platform, editorial approach, and our cross-platform promotional power to establish the leading voice for innovation in Houston,” said Gow.

About Gow Media
Gow Media, LLC is a multi-platform media company founded in 2007 and based in Houston. The company owns CultureMap, the leading online destination for lifestyle content in Texas; SportsMap, a leading sports site in Houston; GiftingMap, a new ecommerce site for gift-giving; two Houston sports stations, ESPN 97.FM and Sportsmap 94.1FM; and one of the country’s largest national sports radio networks, SB Nation Radio, which it runs in partnership with SBNation.com. Gow Media, LLC is backed by a private investment group with significant experience in media ownership. The investor group includes Steve Webster, co-manager and co-CEO of Avista Capital;
Patrick Dugan, vice president and general counsel of Nortex Corporation; and David Gow, chairman and CEO of Gow Media, LLC.

(This post taken from a release sent to me by Gow Media)

Texas TV and radio job moves December 2017

DALLAS - FORT WORTH


ALEXA CONOMOS FAREWELL from WFAA Marketing on Vimeo.
D-FW's list of 2017 TV newsroom exits.

WFAA investigative reporter Brett Shipp resigned to run for the United States Congress as a Democrat.

Veteran reporter Joel Thomas has ended a 14-year career at D-FW’s CBS11.

Jack Highberger from Minneapolis’ Fox-owned KMSP-TV is the latest addition to Fort Worth-based NBC5 KXAS’s reporting staff.

WFAA 8 is adding Jonah Javad to its sports staff as a reporter and fill-in anchor.

Fox O&O KDFW Dallas (DMA 5) hired Alberto Romero as a meteorologist.

Allie Spillyards joins KXAS in Dallas as a freelance reporter. Most recently, she was a reporter and weekend anchor at WIS in Columbia.
- Napoli Management Group

HOUSTON

Former FOX 26 KRIV reporter Kristine Galvan has joined KRGV 5 in the Rio Grande Valley as a reporter. Galvan tells mikemcguff.com she is in training to go in a management role.

Forty year Houston radio veteran John Wesley Downey returns to 740 KTRH. He first worked with the station back in 2002. According to his bio, in his long radio career, Wesley has anchored news and traffic, been a movie reviewer, hosted talk shows, and been a public affairs director for several Houston stations.

Grace White renews her agreement as a reporter with KHOU in her hometown of Houston.
- Napoli Management Group

Larry Seward renews his agreement with KHOU in Houston as a general assignment reporter.
- Napoli Management Group

Chip Brewster leaves KPRC 2.

Rita Garcia leaves FOX 26 KRIV for FOX 11 LA.

CultureMap revamps editorial team: Arden Ward named editorial director and Steven Devadanam replaces Clifford Pugh as Houston editor.

After 10 years, abc13 KTRK consumer reporter Patricia Lopez quits abc13 KTRK.

FOX 26 weekend morning anchor Sally MacDonald named morning anchor after Rita Garcia moves to LA.

TSU Basketball set to be broadcast on AT&T Sports Network Southwest with Butch Alsandor and former TSU Lady Tigers head coach Cynthia Cooper-Dyke.

Rick McFarland retires from KPRC 2 after almost 40 years.

Who left or joined the Houston media scene in 2017?

Top mikemcguff blog posts for 2017 by your clicks.

SAN ANTONIO

KENS-TV anchorwoman Karen Grace, a station vet of 12 years, has resigned.

KABB met Shaun Stevens bids farewell to his job of 12 years.

KENS reporter Natassia Paloma leaves for an anchor job in El Paso's KTSM NewsChannel 9.

Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. announced that Dean Radla has been named to General Manager of WOAI (NBC) in San Antonio, Texas. He will continue to be the General Manager of KABB-TV (FOX 29) and retain oversight of Sinclair's provision of services to KMYS-TV (CW 35) under a joint sale agreement. Mr. Radla has served as General Manager for KABB (FOX 29) and has been responsible for oversight of Sinclair's provision of services to KMYS (CW 35) under a joint sale agreement since 2012. Prior to that, he served as Director of Sales at the same stations since 1999. From 1997 until 1999, he was the Local Sales Manager for KABB (FOX 29). Mr. Radla has over 35 years of sales and management experience, including 27 years in the television industry in the San Antonio market where he began his television career in 1990 at KMOL-TV (now WOAI-TV). During his career with Sinclair, Mr. Radla has been involved in numerous corporate wide projects focusing on inventory management and revenue strategies. In addition, he has also performed the duties of Regional Sales Consultant, with oversight in Sinclair Broadcast's Oklahoma City market. Mr. Radla received a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and Advertising from Texas State University.

Houston native Niku Kazori has joined KENS 5 as a multi-skilled journalist. She previously worked at WVLT Knoxville, Tennessee; WCBD Charleston, South Carolina and KCBD Channel 11 Lubbock.

AUSTIN

Top 10 Austin TV/radio posts of 2017.

AROUND TEXAS

Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. announced that Matt Kaplowitz has been promoted to General Manager of KFOX (FOX) and KDBC (CBS) in El Paso, Texas. Mr. Kaplowitz has been the Director of Sales at KFOX-TV (FOX) in El Paso, Texas since 2013. He began his career in television sales working for the ABC affiliate in El Paso, Texas. Mr. Kaplowitz moved to KFOX in 2001 where he worked as an Account Executive until 2009. In 2009, he moved to Reno as a Local Sales Manager working for KRXI and KAME for three years before being promoted to Local Sales Manager of WPXI-TV in Pittsburgh. In 2013, Mr. Kaplowitz moved back to El Paso to assume the role of Director of Sales for the now Sinclair-owned KFOX-TV and KDBC-TV. Mr. Kaplowitz holds a degree in media arts from the University of Arizona.

Marco Revuelta is leaving his job as an MMJ/weekend anchor at KGNS Laredo for KWTX Waco/Temple/Killeen.

Jasmine Styles jumps 129 markets to become weekend anchor and reporter at WFTS in Tampa. Previously, she was a primary anchor at KBTV in Beaumont.
- Napoli Management Group

Daniela Pardo jumps over 70 markets to become an MMJ at KXTV in Sacramento. Most recently, she was a reporter at KTSM in El Paso.
- Napoli Management Group

REMEMBERING

Robert 'Bassman' Washington of Majic 102.1 and 97.9 the Box passes away.

Texas TV & radio job moves November 2017

DALLAS - FORT WORTH

Former KTRK abc13 intern and WXIX anchor Kara Sewell is heading to WFAA morning desk.

NBC5 KXAS has hired former network anchor/reporter Vinita Nair as a “special assignments” reporter sources have confirmed to unclebarky.com.

WFAA 8 hires Cleo Greene and Matt Howerton.

HOUSTON

PBS announced the results of its recent Board elections following its first Board meeting of fiscal year 2018. Four Professional Directors who were elected by the PBS membership in August took their seats at the meeting including Houston Public Media associate vice president and general manager, Lisa Shumate. She was elected to a second term. Shumate was elected as Professional Vice Chair. She will serve alongside Afsaneh Beschloss, founder and CEO of the global investment and advisory firm The Rock Creek Group, who was elected as General Vice Chair.

Houstonia Magazine managing editor Katharine Shilcutt leaves for a job as a Media Relations Specialist at Rice University.

Houston Public Media News 88.7 KUHF news anchor/reporter Ed Mayberry has announced his retirement to take place in February 2018.

- Hottest Houston social media stars November 2017
- Atom Smasher returns to morning radio
- Erica Simon joins abc13 KTRK
- VIDEO: 2017 Texas Radio Hall of Fame inductee acceptance speeches
- Fmr. Houston anchor Phillip Mena debuts on NBC
- Anoushah Rasta leaves KPRC 2
- Lance Zierlein reunites with John Granato on ESPN 97.5
- Chip Brewster leaves KPRC 2
- Rita Garcia leaving FOX 26 KRIV for FOX 11 LA
- Arden Ward named editorial director and Steven Devadanam replaces Clifford Pugh as Houston editor at CultureMap


SAN ANTONIO

KENS' Sarah Lucero has anchored her last newscast in San Antonio.

KENS Reporter Alicia Elena Neaves has signed off from the station.

Karen Grace's mysterious absence the latest in many changes at KENS.

AUSTIN

Tina Shively departs KVUE for new gig.

AROUND TEXAS

After 18 years at KTXS, longtime anchor George Levesque is leaving.

Meteorologist MATT HOLINER moves to mornings at KRGV in the Weslaco-Brownsville market. - Steve Swienckowski at DCA Talent.

KGBT CBS 4 hires Marybel González as weekend anchor.

Former abc13 KTRK sports anchor and KXXV Waco news anchor Bruce Gietzen to serve as director of student publications at Baylor University.

What are they hiding in Ventura County from Sean Mireskandari?