 |
||||||||
 |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
WTSP changes general managers
© St. Petersburg Times, When Noreen Parker took over as general manager at WTSP-Ch. 10 in August 1998, it was a quick, surprising event, announced to staffers in the same breath as the resignation of her predecessor. Parker was replaced abruptly Thursday in a similar way. Executives from station owner Gannett Television flew in from Virginia to notify staffers of the change and introduce WTSP's new general manager, Sam Rosenwasser (Parker was not present). Rosenwasser, 48, is a senior vice president for Gannett Television and also is responsible for stations KXTV in Sacramento, Calif., and WZZM in Grand Rapids, Mich. He said the change is the result of Gannett's decision to bring all its senior vice presidents in television into general manager positions. "This way, you really get into the nitty gritty of running a TV station," said Rosenwasser, who had overseen WTSP as part of his duties before the change. He weighed in on major decisions such as the station's new studio set and the hiring of morning anchor Christine Haas. Parker, reached at her Tampa home, declined to comment on whether Gannett's decision indicated a lack of confidence in her leadership. She also refused to discuss how she learned of Rosenwasser's appointment or what challenges he may face in the position. "I'm proud of everything we've accomplished at 10 News," added Parker, who said she is "considering other options" for employment within Gannett. "I wish everybody the best." When Parker took over at WTSP, she was hailed as a rising star, the first female general manager to run a TV station in the Tampa Bay area. But seven experienced or high-profile employees have been let go since January -- including sportscaster Al Keck, morning anchor Lynna Lai and weather forecaster Linda Gialanella -- leading to speculation about cost-cutting. The station also still faces an ongoing age discrimination lawsuit filed by former anchor (and current Tampa Tribune editor) Pat Minarcin. The steady stream of departures has lowered morale among some. Rumors of Parker's possible departure have been circulating among local TV industry types for months. Last week, Parker and news director Jim Church told staffers that two longtime behind-the-scenes managers had resigned. But departed executive producer Denise Rich said she was removed from her job in the middle of a newscast. Rosenwasser, a 10-year Gannett employee who has run stations in Sacramento and Austin, Texas, said Parker resigned Thursday. He plans to come to WTSP permanently Aug. 21, moving his wife and child to the area from Sacramento. "I'll be reassessing everything (at WTSP) and making the decisions that make the most sense," he said. "I'm looking at maximizing every resource we have." One thing Rosenwasser expected to maintain was an alliance with the St. Petersburg Times that includes references to upcoming Times stories during WTSP's 11 p.m. newscast and inclusion of the station's top weather forecaster, Dick Fletcher, on the newspaper's weather page. "One always hopes that smart business decisions can weather the test of leadership changes," said Marty Petty, Times executive vice president. Despite all the behind-the-scenes upheaval, Rosenwasser expected that WTSP viewers wouldn't see much on-screen change initially. "I'm not on the air, (so) I don't know if they'll notice a difference," he said. "Certainly, they're not going to see any changes today."
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 
|
From the wire |
