The Buffalo News reports today that WXIA has hired Ellen Crooke as its new news director. Crooke has been VP of news at WGRZ Buffalo. The News describes Crooke as “the architect of the revival” of WGRZ’s news. Crooke won’t show up at WXIA until September.
WXIA reporter Julie Wolfe previously worked with Crooke at WGRZ. Crooke has been there six years. Both stations are owned by Gannett.
From the Buffalo News article:
“Her leadership, creativity and execution have been key to WGRZ’s growth over the last several years,” said Channel 2 General Manager Jim Toellner. “We have been on an upward curve in ratings, content and quality ever since she walked in the door. We will miss her greatly.”
H/T to RF.
So far, I’m not impressed. The lead for the first 6 minutes of Friday’s 4PM newscast was UGA football being named #1 in a preseason poll, including live shot with Adam Murphy from a local bar displaying his large UGA banner (“I’m finally able to do this”). The next three minutes was Dagmar.
That would be WGNX (46) — not XIA!