Media Moves

El Sol de Alaska shuts down

2009-11-03T13:21:00.001-08:00

After more than 10 years providing information to Hispanics in Alaska, publisher Gil Sánchez was forced to shut down his Web site El Sol de Alaska.

Gil tells me that he had two main reasons for calling it quits: "The first reason was all the hate mail, malicious viruses and attacks on the Web site. Secondly, the demand of time in order to do a good job was ever increasing."

Gil points out there was also a cost issue involved in hosting the site and as he did it as community service, he wasn't even charging people to advertise on El Sol de Alaska.

Arizona paper to shut down

2009-11-03T08:55:00.000-08:00

The East Valley Tribune in Mesa, Arizona will stop publishing both its print and online editions on Dec. 31. About 140 people will lose their jobs.

E&P reports Freedom Communications, the paper's parent company had put the Tribune up for sale but failed to get decent offers. Facing a $770 million debt, the company filed for bankruptcy protection in August.

The Tribune this year won a Pulitzer for local reporting.

De León promoted to regional VP

2009-10-30T05:57:00.000-07:00

Araceli de León, who was named President and General Manager of Telemundo stations KTAZ-39 and KHRR-40 in Phoenix and Tucson in May of 2008, has been handed the reins of 2 more stations.

Promoted to Regional Vice President and General Manager, she will now also oversee sales, news, programming, marketing and operations of KBLR-40 in Las Vegas and KDEN-25 in Denver.

Araceli originally joined the Telemundo Arizona station as VP and GM from February 2003 to January 2005. She spent 2 years in Los Angeles, as VP and GM of KWHY-22, but returned to Phoenix in 2007.

Before joining Telemundo, she was GM of KORO-28, the Univision station in Corpus Christi. Prior to that she was Assistant News Director at KENS-5, the CBS affiliate in San Antonio.

Araceli began her career in 1978 at KENS in the Engineering department. She would later be recruited as Associate News Producer in NYC.

Morales named VP Content at WNJU

2009-10-29T18:10:00.000-07:00

José Morales has landed the newly created position of VP of Content, at Telemundo's O&O in New York. He will be in charge of the news department, creative services and all digital platforms.

It was just 2 weeks ago that Telemundo announced layoffs and restructuring of its news operations, which included the elimination of the news director position at WJNU-47, leaving Hugo Balta without a job.

José comes to WJNU after working a year as Director of Digital Content for Telemundo Local Media. He was previously Director of News Operations for the NBC Television Stations Division, where he managed the broadcast division and several internet operations for the O&O's. Before that, he was Director of News Operations for the Telemundo Television stations. Prior to joining Telemundo, he worked as News Director for Univision in Puerto Rico and as Assistant News Director for Univision NY.

Newsday to charge for online access

2009-10-29T11:39:00.001-07:00

Newsday online readers will have to pay up if they want to get the paper's content. The pay wall site was launched yesterday, allowing full access only to print subscribers of the newspaper and to customers of Cablevision's high-speed internet service Optimum Online.

Only subscribers will see stories, photos and video. Others will catch a glimpse of a headline and summary and will have to log in with a password in order to get more info. Those who are not subscribed to the paper or Optimum Online can pay $5 per week to view the online content. According to E&P there's just one exception. All users will have free access to classifieds, entertainment listings, weather and obits.

News Website to launch in D.C.

2009-10-29T11:35:00.001-07:00

Allbitron Communications, the parent company of Politico, ABC affiliate WJLA-7 and NewsChannel 8 in Washington, D.C., plans to launch a new Web site in the spring of next year that will cover local news in the area. The company plans to staff the new project with 50 people. Content will be shared with the 2 TV stations.

In a staff memo published on Politico, chairman and CEO Robert L. Allbitron wrote he was committed to making the "new enterprise among the nation's most ambitious and innovative projects of its kind," and that the launching of the new model "will test ideas for harnessing the power of the Internet."

The Web site will be run by Jim Brady, the former executive editor of WashingtonPost.com.

Latina blog relaunches as news site

2009-10-28T08:29:00.000-07:00

Marisa Treviño's Latina Lista blog today relaunches as a multimedia news site. Founded in 2004, her blog has been delivering political analysis with a "Latina perspective."

Latina Lista's editorial mission is to feature stories about Latinos not found in mainstream media. The site will showcase news videos, documentaries, films and webisodes. It has also struck partnerships with regional Hispanic English-language publications, bloggers and a network of women writers from South American countries.

Rodriguez, Iglesias win Emmys

2009-10-26T16:44:00.000-07:00

Telemundo's Janet Rodriguez picked up her first Emmy on Saturday, for best General Assignment Report. Janet is part of the Telemundo Production Center news team, which also won Best Newscast - daytime or evening for "Decisión 2008." Pablo Barragán, also from TPC, won in the On-Camera Talent - Anchor News category.

Univision's Erick Iglesias (right) won 2 Emmys - one for Feature News Report and the other for best Human Interest Feature. He also picked up a third shared win in the News Special category, along with Patricia Benavides and Mario Barraza, who also got his own Emmy for best Photographer - News and Sports.

Janet and Erick are both based in Phoenix.

Other wins from the Rocky Mountain Emmys include: KPHO-5 photojournalist Serjio Hernández and TPC editor Oscar Gómez. From KNXV-33 (Univision): editor Ramona Ramos, writers Lissette Martinez and Rubén Pereida, and for Journalistic Enterprise, María Tomasch.

Univision Radio business manager guilty of embezzling

2009-10-26T12:55:00.000-07:00

Anselmo "Sam" Potter, the business manager for Univision Radio Florida pleaded guilty to 6 counts of wire fraud and embezzling about $550,000 from the company. He faces 2-4 years in prison. His sentencing is Dec. 30.

According to the Miami Herald, the money was embezzled between Dec. 2004 and Jan. 2009.

CNN's Latino in America disappoints

2009-10-23T17:44:00.000-07:00

CNN's "Latino in America" series missed an opportunity to paint a more accurate picture of the largest minority in the United States. The 2-part series starts with a story on the anti-immigrant sentiment in Arizona and how a sheriff in that state has become an immigration enforcer.

That story seems to set the tone for the series as if the Latino experience in America is mostly one of illegal immigration, desperation, poverty and bad choices. With the exception of 2 success stories - one of a chef and the other of a Cuban-American senator, Latino in America seems to give the impression the majority of Latinos are unwilling to learn English, assimilate and effectively improve their lives.

The series didn't explore other aspects of legal immigration, didn't even mention the numerous contributions of Latino doctors, attorneys, scientists, entrepreneurs, educators and politicians to this country, and failed to delve into the economic importance of this ethnic minority. It failed miserably in showing positive and more of middle-class Latino culture stories and there are definitely a lot of them out there.

Also missing from "Latino in America" - historical background of Latino migration waves, the differences between the diverse Latino nationalities and first, second and multi-generational Latinos.

With the amount of time and resources allegedly spent and the hype, I definitely expected more. Any comments?

Changes at Mega TV

2009-10-23T10:25:00.000-07:00

Starting Monday, October 26, Mega TV will be doing some changes to its programming, including some on-air talent shuffling.

Six months after bringing Fernando del Rincón on board to be one of the hosts of "Paparazzi TV Sensacional," the former Univision newsman has been pulled off the 7 pm show and switched to the 10:30 pm slot to host Mega News late edition.

Poncho de Anda, who was hired in August to co-host "Los Implicados," described by Mega as an "infotainment" show, was moved to "Paparazzi." The show will now be hosted by Camilo Egaña and recently hired Angie Pérez Capoblanco.

Ruiz heading to Seattle

2009-10-22T06:02:00.000-07:00

After almost 2 years on the job, Joe Ruiz's last day as a news editor for ksat.com is tomorrow. He landed a new gig as Lead for News - Associate Producer at seattletimes.com.

Talk about a short turnaround... Joe is leaving San Antonio and moving to Seattle on Sunday and starting his new job on Monday morning!

Joe says he's thrilled about the move, even though he's leaving his home state. "It's my first time out of Texas, so the move is going to be a little shocking for sure, but it should be fun moving to a new part of the country. I'm prepared to miss my favorite Mexican dishes and will have to learn how to make them like mom."

Before his KSAT job, Joe worked as a sports freelancer for the San Antonio Express-News for 2 years. He was also a professional blogger and worked for various Web sites covering sports.

Prisa buys stake in V-me

2009-10-22T05:37:00.000-07:00

Spanish media group PRISA has bought a 12% stake in the V-me television network as part of its North American expansion plans and global strategy.

With the deal, according to a PRISA press release, the Spanish company foresees taking over control of V-me in the future.

More layoffs at L.A. Times

2009-10-21T14:31:00.000-07:00

Rumors have been swirling since Monday that the L.A. Times was axing more jobs this week. According to Kevin Roderick from L.A. observed, staffers are expecting 35-40 positions eliminated in layoffs and "voluntary escapes."

Apparently staffers who were laid off yesterday were given packets that identified the elimination of 10 positions: 5 reporters, 2 producers, a photographer, a librarian and a Web producer.

New Spanish-language show to launch in Colorado

2009-10-21T14:10:00.000-07:00

"Allimite," an entertainment show targeting young Latinos, will be taping its first show this Sunday, Oct. 25 in front of a live studio audience. The show will air on Thursdays at 10 pm on Azteca América in Denver.

The program's host is María Paula Ramirez.

NYT to cut staff by 100

2009-10-20T12:17:00.000-07:00

The New York Times plans to cut 100 newsroom jobs by the end of the year. It will be offering buyouts and will resort to layoffs if the company doesn't get enough people to leave voluntarily. The entire newsroom will get buyout packages and will have 45 days to decide whether or not to apply.

The paper has been making cuts in other non-newsroom departments, but according to a story in the Times, the drop in ad revenue "has forced cuts in the news operation as well." Budgets for freelancers have been reduced and employees took a 5% pay cut for most of 2009.

The current headcount at the Times is 1,250 - larger than any other U.S. newspaper.

Telemundo NYC news director update

2009-10-16T14:23:00.000-07:00

A spokesman for Telemundo tells me the company eliminated the news director position in New York and created a VP of Content position "to oversee the news department, creative services and all digital platforms. This way we have one person overseeing all content created locally regardless of who produces it at the station."

The VP of content will oversee the news department, Acceso Total, the web and cell phone platforms. Applications for the new job are currently being reviewed and Telemundo will announce who's taking over the gig when the selection process is completed.

Balta among Telemundo casualties

2009-10-16T10:04:00.000-07:00

Hugo Balta, news director for Telemundo's WNJU-47 in New York, also got pink-slipped during the company's latest round of cuts.

Hugo had a 14 year career with Telemundo and NBC. Prior to his move to New York, he worked at WTVJ-6 (NBC) in Miami. He was part of the integration team assigned to Telemundo during the merger with NBC. Before Miami, he worked at MSNBC and WNBC in NYC.

Hugo is the VP of Broadcast of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.

Telemundo layoffs nationwide

2009-10-15T11:50:00.000-07:00

I reported yesterday of layoffs at KVEA-52 in Los Angeles, but the cuts weren't just there. In an email, Telemundo network spokesman Alfredo Richard tells me "the Telemundo Station Group moved forward with a head count reduction across several stations and multiple functions."

In all, he said about 40 positions were eliminated from the Telemundo workforce. He did not provide a breakdown of how many people were cut from each station. He stressed the "reductions are not related to the performance of these employees, but are necessary adjustments we have to do to navigate through these difficult times."

Layoffs, canceled newscasts at KVEA

2009-10-14T18:30:00.000-07:00

The Telemundo station in Los Angeles today went through another round of cuts. Inside sources tell me in addition to layoffs, KVEA 52 canceled its 6 to 7 am morning newscast, anchored by José Ronstadt and Azucena Gómez.

Telemundo also eliminated the 1 pm news show of its sister station KWHY-22. The newscast was anchored by Dunia Elvir (pictured right).

I'm told that there was no big staff meeting to announce the layoffs. Employees were individually called in to HR to be notified of their termination. The names of those laid-off today are trickling in. Among the first: Juan Mena, Jaime Sanchez and David Gomez, editors; Nelson Vignolles, producer; Sara Eustache, promotions. More names will be made public soon.

No word yet on talent layoffs, but 2 newscasts have been taken off the air, so it remains to be seen if there will be some in-house rearranging before other job cuts are announced.

A KVEA-52 official refrained from commenting on today's cuts.

Fiesta Latina @ the White House to air on Telemundo

2009-10-14T05:13:00.000-07:00

The Latino celebrity-studded "Fiesta Latina" concert at the White House commemorating Hispanic Heritage month will be shown as a television special on Sunday, Oct. 18 at 6 pm EST.

UNITY president Olmeda resigns

2009-10-13T12:05:00.000-07:00

Rafael Olmeda resigned from his role as president of UNITY. As to why, Rafael, who is the past president of NAHJ, writes in his blog:"I did so for the most transparent of personal reasons: to concentrate on my job and family."

He is replaced by former NABJ president Barbara Ciara.

ZGS opens sales office in L.A.

2009-10-13T10:43:00.000-07:00

ZGS Communications, a Hispanic media owned company that owns or operates 12 Telemundo affiliated stations announced it is opening a national sales office in Los Angeles.

Jasmine Rezai, named national sales manager, will head the office, based out of the Telemundo Network facilities in L.A.

$300,000 shorfall threatens to shut down NAHJ

2009-10-09T14:38:00.000-07:00

The gravity of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists's current financial woes has forced its president, Ricardo Pimentel, to send a fundraising plea to its members. NAHJ has raised $75,000, but that's not enough to keep the organization running. It needs to come up with another $225,000 before the end of the year.

"If we don't raise more funds now, NAHJ will have to cease operations and stop all programs for the rest of the year," writes Ricardo in a letter sent to members today. He also mentions that NAHJ has recently announced furloughs for its entire staff.

NY Post's firing of Guzmán sparks controversy

2009-10-07T10:28:00.000-07:00

Associate Editor Sandra Guzmán was let go from the New York Post last week. Employees at the paper believe she was fired because she publicly spoke out against a controversial cartoon the Post published February 18 likening the author of the stimulus bill to a rabid chimpanzee. At the time, everyone thought it was referring to President Obama.

The Huffington Post, which first got wind of Sandra's termination, got an official statement from the Post saying she was dismissed because the paper ended publication of Tempo, a monthly in-paper insert section she was editing.

Sandra was the most high-profile employee to speak out against the cartoon sending staffers an email, partially published on the HP, that said: "Please know that I had nothing to do with the Sean Delonas cartoon. I neither commissioned or approved it.... I have raised my objections to management."

Sandra had been at the paper since 2003. Before that, she worked 3 years as editor-in-chief of Latina magazine.