Media Frenzy

By Rob Holbert Managing Editor

There’s a new head honcho on Azalea Road. WPMI TV-15 announced last week that Bob Franklin has joined the station as vice president/general manager.

Franklin comes to the NBC affiliate from WTWC-TV in Tallahassee, Fla. where he served as GM since 2003. He has also held general manager positions at stations in Tampa, Charleston, W.V. and San Jose – San Francisco – Oakland.

Franklin brings more than 30 years of broadcast experience to WPMI and he replaces Donita Todd, who recently moved to San Antonio to take a similar position with a station there. He has previous experience as a studio cameraman, news photographer, editor, executive producer and news director.

“Bob’s wealth of knowledge and experience makes him the leader of choice to navigate Mobile’s analog and digital channels through the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in our constantly changing industry,” Josh McGraw, Clear Channel regional vice president , said in a press release.

Franklin is expected to start at the station by Oct. 4.

New additions at WPMI

Catching up with some new additions at WPMI, astute viewers may have noticed a few new faces on the air lately. Clement Townsend is the station’s new number three sports reporter/anchor. Deitra Tate is the number four meteorologist and Andrea Ramey has joined the station as a general assignment reporter.

Grip to speak at BC

WALA anchor Bob Grip is traveling to Boston Oct. 2 to speak at Boston College about the station’s Hurricane Katrina coverage. Grip, who is an alumnus of Boston College and who also teaches broadcast journalism at Spring Hill College, says he was asked to speak by a group of communication arts professors from Jesuit colleges and universities who recently met at Spring Hill.

“They toured our studios, and from that, I received an invitation to speak to communications students at my alma mater, Boston College,” Grip said.

Foster a mother again

WPMI anchor/meteorologist Kelly Foster is expecting her fourth child any day now. She and her husband already have three daughters. We wish them the best of luck with their new arrival.

New talk show

Myronda Reuben, WBLX-FM’s program director and morning on-air personality has started a local talk show that will air on Comcast’s Port City 6 Sundays at 6 p.m. The show is called “In the Spirit” and is a Christian-based show for women.

“We’re trying to help women live every aspect of their lives in a Christian way,” Reuben said.

Her first show aired Sept. 24. Her Oct. 1 show features an interview with WALA anchor Anissa Centers. The show is slated for a 13-week season.

Stuart passes

Former WKRG-TV5 chief meteorologist Bob Stuart died Sept. 12 after a lengthy illness. He started with the station in 1981 and was on the air until suffering a stroke in 1994. Stuart was 73.

Correction

In the last media column, in a story about the new station, The Pirate, I stated that WZEW was purchased by dot.com media. Barry Wood, who has owned both WZEW and WAVH, now The Pirate, e-mailed to say I had made a slight technical error in the story.

“If I could make one tiny quibble, it would be to note that I still own and love WZEW. The ‘award’ of WZEW to .com+ LLC in April was actually just that I got court approval then of the contract to sell WZEW to Ken Johnson’s group. We still have an FCC process to finish and a formal closing to complete until ownership of the station will pass to them. In the meantime, I’m responsible for all disasters & blunders at WZEW. Successes and coups can be credited to Ken, Sean Sullivan and Tim Camp,” Wood said.

Hopefully that clears things up.

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

Archives