Media Frenzy

By Rob Holbert Managing Editor

It was a particularly busy year in local media news, with at least a couple of events that qualify as being unprecedented. Readers of this column were treated to plenty of staff changes and station swaps, some Internet threats and lots and lots of firings. Here’s my list of the top media stories of 2007.

1. Two weeks of harassing and threatening e-mails directed at WPMI-TV and its employees culminated in the June 15 arrest of Daniel Leonard, 38. Leonard was the roommate and boyfriend of then-WPMI reporter Richard Allyn, and authorities say he was responsible for a spate of e-mails that culminated with a threat that he had guns in the station’s building and would make the Virginia Tech shootings “look lame.” Allyn subsequently left the station and Leonard was additionally charged with allegedly misappropriating money at the Alabama School of Math and Science where he worked.

2. On March 9, WPMI did the unthinkable, firing all three of its main evening anchors. Peter Albrecht, Drexel Gilbert and Kim McCrea were all released on the same day, reportedly because the station’s ratings were not what management thought they should be. News Director Joe Raia followed his anchors shortly afterwards, resigning from the station.

3. WKRG reporter Glenn Austin was fired Jan. 30 for allegedly plagiarizing a story that ran on the station’s Web site. Austin claims he had simply sent the story around via e-mail for informational purposes and the Web master mistakenly posted it to the site under his byline, and it was only online for a few minutes. WKRG took the additional step of reporting Austin’s firing on its news broadcast. Austin is currently suing WKRG over the dismissal.

4. The introduction of three new “niche” publications by the Press-Register was a big move in 2007. ‘Zalea, Bay Family and Current all began publishing early in the year. Current, an “alternative newspaper” format didn’t last long, though. After just seven months, Current was folded due to lack of advertising.

5. The movement of Sean Sullivan and Wayne Gardner from WZEW/WNSP to WAVH “The Pirate” was one of the big radio stories of the year. Sullivan’s father purchased the station that had long been in bankruptcy protection, and both Sullivan and Gardner must work out non-compete agreements in their contracts before appearing on the air for “The Pirate.”

6. After six years together running WABB-FM’s morning show, Matt McCoy and Jay Hasting abruptly resigned together March 2, citing “irreconcilable differences” with the station’s new management. Hastings had been at the station more than a dozen years.

7. After 11 years, WALA’s Anissa Centers left the market to move to Atlanta with her husband who has taken a job there. As she has just left the market, it’s hard to say what the effect will be, but Centers has been a popular broadcaster.

I can only guess 2008 will be a calmer year. But let’s hope not. Now onto some current media news.

Finch to head conservancy

The Press-Register’s environmental editor and assistant managing editor Bill Finch has announced he has taken a position as director of The Nature Conservancy in Alabama, beginning Jan. 1.

Finch, who has overseen the P-R’s award-winning environmental reporting for the past 15 years said the move will give him an opportunity to be involved in helping to protect land across the state. He also hopes the Conservancy will be instrumental in protecting Alabama’s waterways.

Finch, 48, will continue to write his popular gardening column for the P-R. It appears Fridays on the Garden & Home page.

New sales head

WALA/WBPG announced Jerry Hogan as their new director of sales Dec. 10. He comes to Mobile from another LIN Television station in Greenville, N.C.

Hogan has also had General Sales Manager responsibilities in Evansville, Ind. and Richmond, Va. Hogan began his broadcasting career in the Roanoke-Lynchburg, Virginia market.

Hogan replaces Mike Kelly.

Walton to mornings

WPMI-TV 15 made Varion Walton’s move to mornings official recently, announcing she would officially be filling the morning co-anchor position vacated when Kym Thurman moved to evenings.

Walton, who is probably best known for her “Restaurant Scorecard” feature at WPMI, joins Pat Greenwood on the morning anchor desk, according to a press release from the station.

Gordon joins WPMI

James Gordon, who finished a nearly 10-year stint at WALA a few years ago, is returning to the Port City to work as an investigative reporter for WPMI. Gordon comes back to Mobile from WINK in Ft. Myers, Fla.

Gordon will report primarily for the 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. broadcasts and will provide consumer, investigative and in-depth reporting. He started Dec. 10.

Schamber out

WPMI’s assistant news director John Schamber was released by the station last week after a dozen years’ work, and he’s claiming it was because he needed back surgery.

In a letter to Clear Channel, which owns WPMI, Schamber claims he was fired simply because he needed back surgery. Schamber also made his letter available to Lagniappe.

In part, the letter read: “During my 12 years at the station I had excellent performance reviews. As a salaried employee I worked 10, 12, 16-hour days. 20 times I slept on the floor, and worked around the clock to keep the station on during Tropical Storm and Hurricane Coverage. In fact, during Hurricane Dennis Mobile County was under a mandatory evacuation order and I was among several station employees who volunteered to stay and work despite the fact our lives were at risk.

“My point – as someone who dedicated his life to your company, risked his life for your company, and invested in your company, I’m deeply saddened the one year I’m enduring health problems and asked for the company’s help I was fired.

“The situation is causing me great mental distress and putting me in a serious financial bind. I am now facing surgery and numerous doctor follow ups which are very costly. Since my company benefits are ending, I will now be forced to pay for COBRA health coverage which will cost me approximately $300 a month.”

WPMI General Manager Bob Franklin said the station could have no comment on Schamber’s departure.

Rob Holbert is Lagniappe managing editor. Contact him at rholbert@lagniappemobile.com.

Archives