THE 2014 SILVER CIRCLE AWARDS WILL HONOR SIX DISTINGUISHED PEOPLE

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1 THE 2014 SILVER CIRCLE AWARDS WILL HONOR SIX DISTINGUISHED PEOPLE Marilys Llanos Manuel Martinez Teresa Rodriguez The Board of Governors of the Suncoast Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences voted to bestow the 2014 Silver Circle Awards to Marilys Llanos, Manuel Martinez, Teresa Rodriguez, Nelly Rubio, Craig Stevens, and Kerry Weston. This is the 26th consecutive year that these awards have been given in South Florida. Marilys Llanos is Senior Reporter for WSCV/51. She has received 9 Emmy Awards, 20 nominations and was selected by the National Hispanic Media Organization as one of the 100 Best Hispanic Journalists in the nation. She was a Congressional Angels In Adoption recipient for a series she did about international adoptions that ultimately lead to the adoption of her children, both from Guatemala. Born in Havana, Cuba she began her career in Puerto Rico. Manuel Martinez is President, Telemundo Stations. He has nearly 30 years experience in the broadcast industry. He overseas Telemundo s 16 owned local stations in the United States and Puerto Rico. A long-time Telemundo executive, Martinez was President and General Manager of NBC6 South Florida/WTVJ, and prior to that position, was President and General Manager of Telemundo 51/WSCV. He is a native of Cuba and graduated from Montclair State College in N.J. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Florida Association of Broadcasters. Teresa Rodriguez co-anchors Univision s primetime, weekly news Magazine, Aqui y Ahora. She became the first woman ever to host a national prime-time Spanish-language newscast. She is the winner of numerous awards for excellence in broadcast journalism, anchoring, reporting, writing and news integrity. Teresa graduated Magna Cum Laude with Bachelor s degrees in Economics and Marketing from Barry University.

2 THE 2014 SILVER CIRCLE AWARDS WILL HONOR SIX DISTINGUISHED PEOPLE Nelly Rubio Craig Stevens Kerry Weston Nelly Rubio is the Director of Community & Public Relations for WFOR/CBS4 and WBFS/TV33. In the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew, Nelly founded the station s Neighbors Helping Neighbors disaster relief program. That project evolved into what is now Neighbors 4 Neighbors, a non-profit organization that for more than 21 years has linked people in need with those willing to help. She has received numerous awards. Nelly graduated from Hialeah High School and attended Miami Dade College and Nova Southeastern University. Craig Stevens co-anchors 7NEWS HD at 5:00, 6:00, 10:00 and 11:00 p.m. Weeknights. He began his career in 1987 at NBC News in Washington. Beginning in 1990 he spent two years as a reporter & substitute anchor at WBBH. He joined WSVN in Craig is active in numerous charities and organization. In 2009, he was elected to the Board of Trustees for the United Way of Miami and also serves as WSVN s spokesman for Habitat for Humanity. The Emmy nominated anchor has received several honors for his work and and charitable efforts. He graduated from The American University in Washington, DC. Kerry Weston is Assignment Desk Planner at WPLG-TV10. After graduation from the University of South Carolina, she worked at WPLG as assignment editor. She then went to WPTV and came back to WPLG in Kerry is involved in community service, including the Girl Scouts, as well as a past Board member of the American Red Cross. The 2014 Suncoast Silver Circle Awards will be presented on the evening of May 4, 2014 as a formal reception and gourmet dinner at the Renaissance Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port Hotel, 1617 Southeast 17th Street, Fort Lauderdale. Tickets will be available in mid-march until all seats are sold through the Chapter web site

3 NBC 6 SOUTH FLORIDA EXPANDS WEEKDAY MORNING NEWS Following a strong response from viewers, NBC 6 South Florida announced that the 4:30 AM newscast unveiled during the Olympic Games will become a permanent addition to the weekday morning news block. We had an overwhelming viewer response to the 4:30 AM newscast we launched during the Olympics and are excited to make it a permanent addition to our lineup, said Migdalia Figueroa, Vice President of News for NBC 6 South Florida. We are committed to providing our viewers relevant local news and information when they need it and are pleased they want to start their day with us. NBC 6 South Florida Today at 4:30 AM will be anchored by current morning news journalists Pam Giganti and Jawan Strader. Meteorologist Ryan Phillips will continue to provide the latest weather information and Traffic Reporter Kelly Blanco will have the most up-to-the minute traffic reports. With the addition of the 4:30 AM newscast, NBC 6 South Florida will provide the community with 31 hours of local news each week. TONY PIPITONE LEAVING ORLANDO FOR MIAMI The Orlando Sentinel reports Tony Pipitone is leaving WKMG to work as an investigative reporter at Miami NBC owned station WTVJ. I ve worked with many fine journalists, but Tony Pipitone is at the head of that class, WKMG GM Skip Valet told the Sentinel. As an investigative reporter, he is as good as they come. Pipitone has worked at the Orlando CBS affiliate for 26 years. He s never worked at another station. Tony Pipitone He was drawn to WTVJ because NBC is making a big push for investigative reporting at its owned stations. They re going to have a serious commitment to investigative reporting, and lucky for me, they want me to be part of it, he said. Like Us on Facebook! Search NATAS Suncoast Chapter Emmy Awards and become a fan today!

4 MIAMI CREATIVE SERVICES DIRECTOR ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT Paul Kaniewski has announced his retirement from Miami ABC affiliate WPLG. In an obtained by TVSpy, WPLG GM Bert Medina told staffers, After a tenure that spans 26 ½ years of service, Paul Kaniewski has informed me of his decision to retire as WPLG s Creative Services Director, effective March 1, As we know in our industry it is rare for a broadcaster to serve the community for this length of time with one company. It truly speaks volumes for Paul s dedication and commitment to our industry and South Florida. Kaniewski has worked at WPLG since He also worked at WTVJ from and WCIX from Paul Kaniewski WFOR PROMOTES METEOROLOGIST CRAIG SETZER Craig Setzer has been promoted to chief meteorologist for Miami CBS owned station WFOR. Setzer has been with WFOR for 14 years. He will continue working on the 5:00, 6:00 and 11:00 p.m. newscasts. Craig s experience in the number one hurricane market in the country serves our news team and our viewers extremely well when it comes to tracking tropical systems, WFOR VP and GM Adam Levy said in a statement. Before starting at WFOR in January 2000, Setzer worked at KRDO in Colorado Springs, WFLA in Tampa and KSDK in St. Louis. He has appeared on CBS This Morning and The CBS Evening News. Craig Setzer JUDGES NEEDED It s easy. Judge at home or in your office. All entries are judged online and easy to access. The success of the Emmy Awards process depends on the willingness of qualified professionals to serve as judges. Call or Karla MacDonald today at or emmysuncst@aol.com. (if you don t contact her, she ll probably come looking for you!)

5 IRIKA SARGENT TO JOIN WFOR AS ANCHOR IN MAY Miami CBS owned station WFOR has announced Irika Sargent will be joining Rick Folbaum as co-anchor of the evening newscasts. We are excited to welcome Irika Sargent to CBS4, Adam Levy, VP and GM of WFOR-WBFS said in a statement. Irika will be another key addition to the talented and experienced news team we have here and we look forward to having her partner with Rick, starting in May. Sargent comes from KPRC in Houston where she is a weekend anchor and nightside reporter. She has also worked in Mobile, AL, Columbia, MO, and London, England. She is currently a member of the New York Bar Association. Irika Sargent Levy also spoke about Cynthia Demos who currently anchors the 5:00, 6:00 and 11:00 p.m. news with Folbaum and had been filling in after Shannon Hori left the station last year. Cynthia has given us an experienced and steady hand at the anchor desk during our evening newscasts the past several months and we look forward to having her continue to be a key contributor to our success. REGIONAL NEWS BILL BERRA NAMED NEWS DIRECTOR AT WFLA Bill Berra has been named VP of news for Tampa NBC affiliate WFLA. Berra left his position as VP of news for Journal Broadcasting and Milwaukee NBC affiliate WTMJ in early February. I m delighted to welcome a news veteran of Bill s caliber to WFLA, said station GM Brad Moses. He has a strong record of success increasing ratings and audience share at a number of television stations across the country. Importantly, he knows the Tampa market well, having worked in this market in recent years. Bill Berra Berra came to WTMJ from WFTS in Tampa. He s also worked at WSYX in Columbus, OH, WKMG in Orlando, KSAZ in Phoenix, AZ, and KTVI in St. Louis, MO, and WREG in Memphis, TN. He will start at WFLA on March 17.

6 REGIONAL NEWS BRETT CONNOLLY JOINS WESH AS ANCHOR Brett Connolly has joined Orlando NBC affiliate WESH as co-anchor for the 5:00 p.m. news. Connolly comes to WESH from WFXT in Boston where he was a morning anchor and reporter. Current 5:00 p.m. anchor Jim Payne will continue to anchor at 4:00, 6:00 and 11:00 p.m. With so many hours of news a day, adding Brett to the anchor team will only strengthen how WESH 2 covers news for Central Florida viewers, Jim Carter, president and GM of WESH said in a statement. Carter also said, Adding Brett will allow Jim Payne to cover more news from the field, something that we wanted to do for some time. Brett Connolly Connolly started on Monday, February 17. WESH NAMES KIRSTEN WOLFF NEWS DIRECTOR Kirsten Wolff has been named news director for Hearst owned Orlando NBC affiliate WESH. Wolff posted the news to her facebook page, I am blown away by today. 7 years ago I dreamed of becoming a News Director. I took a 3,000 mile leap of faith and landed in Orlando. Fell in love with the WESH Newsroom. Today my dream came true. I feel so much love and support from my family they kind of have to give it... and my co-workers they definitely DON T have to give it. But I feel it! Can t wait to live this chapter with all of you! According to the Orlando Sentinel, Wolff has worked for WESH s parent company Hearst for 23 years, starting as a photojournalist and working as a producer. Before coming to WESH, Wolff worked at Hearst s KCRA in Sacramento. JUDGES NEEDED It s easy. And it s always great to see the work of our peers in other markets. You can judge at home or in your office all at your convenience. Entries are judged online and easy to access.the success of the Emmy Awards process depends on the willingness of qualified professionals to serve as judges. Call or Karla MacDonald today at or emmysuncst@aol.com. (if you don t contact her, she ll probably come looking for you!)

7 REGIONAL NEWS WOFL TO TEST HALF HOUR ENTERTAINMENT LOCAL NEWS TALK SHOW Orlando FOX owned station WOFL is set to begin a six week test of a new Friday night show called The Cue. The new show will be a half-hour of entertainment local news talk hosted by WOFL reporter David Martin and co-hosted by radio personality Jayde Donovan and WOFL producer Art Miles. The press release said The Cue, which starts February 28 at 11:30 p.m., will take a witty and satirical look at pop culture and local happenings in the Central Florida area, including local current events and topics trending on the web. David Martin This fresh, new format will bring our viewers a different type of entertainment news on Friday nights, Allyson Meyers WOFL VP and GM said in a statement. David s irreverent and unscripted take on today s hot topics and the local news of the week will be a great addition to our weekend lineup. RUSSELL COLBURN LEAVES WALA Russell Colburn has said goodbye to Mobile, AL, FOX affiliate WALA. WALA announced his departure on its facebook page, FOX10 News is saying goodbye to one of our own. Russell Colburn Fox10, who joined the FOX10 family in 2011, is setting off on a new adventure. You ll be missed around the newsroom, and we wish you the best! Sources say it has also been reported by Florida News Center, that Colburn may be heading to WTEV-WAWS in Jacksonville, FL. Colburn started at WALA as a photojournalist in February Russell Colburn Like Us on Facebook! Search NATAS Suncoast Chapter Emmy Awards and become a fan today! National Television Academy, Suncoast Chapter P.O. Box Pembroke Pines, FL Tel Fax emmysuncst@aol.com

8 PEOPLE MOVES BILL BERRA has been named news director for NBC affiliate WFLA in Tampa. Berra was previously VP of news for Journal Broadcasting and Milwaukee NBC affiliate WTMJ. TONY PIPITONE joins NBC owned WTVJ in Miami as investigative reporter. Pipitone previously worked at the Orlando CBS affiliate WKMG for the last 26 years. BRETT CONNOLLY joins WESH, the NBC affiliate in Orlando as co-anchor for the 5:00 p.m. news. Connolly comes to WESH from WFXT in Boston, MA. IRIKA SARGENT will join Miami CBS owned station WFOR in May. She will be co-anchor of the evening newscasts with Rick Folbaum. Sargent comes from KPRC in Houston where she is a weekend anchor and nightside reporter. MARQUES WHITE joins WJXT in Jacksonville as the weekend morning anchor. White previously worked at WVNS in Lewisburg, West Virginia. Starting Oct. 2nd Like us on Facebook Be the first to get the low down!

9 Officers Chip Richards, President and Trustee, Production Manager, WLRN-TV, PBS, Miami John Mays, 1st Vice President and Trustee, Production Manager, WFOR/CBS4, Miami Maria Cristina Barros, 2nd Vice President and Alternate Trustee, Director of Marketing and Community Relations, WSCV/Telemundo 51, Miami Karla MacDonald, Secretary, Suncoast Chapter Administrator Betsy Behrens, Treasurer, Retired television producer Board of Governors Frank Adelson, Special Projects Editor, WTVJ/NBC6, Miami Barbara Alfonso, Manager, Programming and Community Marketing, WTVJ/NBC6, Miami Maria Cristina Barros, Chapter 2nd Vice President and Alternate Trustee, Director of Marketing and Community Relations, WSCV/Telemundo 51, Miami Joyce Belloise, Executive Producer, WPBT Channel 2, Miami Terry Bloom, Ph.D., Associate Professor, University of Miami Pam Giganti Bunge, News Anchor, WTVJ/NBC6, Miami Natalia Crujeiras, Director of Digital Media & Social Strategy for the Office of Cuba Broadcasting Tammy Darling, Director, WSVN-TV, Miami Lori Davis, Producer/DP/Director/Avid Editor, LCD Productions, Ft. Lauderdale Steve Greenberg, Freelance Producer/Reporter/VO/ Media Training, Miami Frances Hernandez, Manager, Production Administration, WPBT Channel 2, Miami John Mays, Chapter 1st Vice President and Trustee Production Manager, WFOR/CBS4, Miami Adriana Mocciola, Producer, Telemundo Network, Miami Christine Portela, Producer, Fusion, an ABC-Univision joint venture Liz Roldan, News Director, WFOR/CBS4, Miami Mel Taylor, Assignment Desk, WPLG, Miami Max Wyler, Owner, Accord Productions, Coconut Grove Committee Chairs Art & Design Stacey Panson, Designer, Ft. Lauderdale Emmy Awards John Mays, Production Manager, WFOR/CBS4, Miami Scholarship Angela Ramos, Programming & Public Affairs Director, WLTV/Univision23, Miami Karla MacDonald, Suncoast Chapter Administrator Tel TO SUBSCRIBE TO TUBE TALK: Send mail to: with the following command as the body of your message: subscribe tube talk TO UNSUBSCRIBE TO TUBE TALK: Send mail to: with the following command as the body of your message: unsubscribe tube talk Submissions related to television in the Suncoast region of Florida, Mobile, Alabama, Louisiana and Puerto Rico are welcome. Send to