New KMBC news director

All I know about Sherrie Brown is what I read in the press release, on the jump.

My first thought is that someone from Oklahoma City is coming in to make Channel 9 more competitive in weather.

My second thought is: Maybe it was just time for her to move up.

KMBC SELECTS NEWS DIRECTOR FROM WITHIN HEARST-ARGYLE TELEVISION FAMILY

Sherrie L. Brown has been named News Director of KMBC-TV and KCWE-TV, it was announced today by C. Wayne Godsey, President and General Manager. She will assume the position on January 1, 2008.

Brown has been News Director of KOCO-TV in Oklahoma City since 2002, and previously served as News Director of KHBS-TV and KHOG-TV in Ft. Smith, AR from 2000 to 2002. All the stations are owned by Hearst-Argyle Television, Inc.

“We are extremely fortunate to have an individual of Sherrie’s experience, capabilities and proven record of accomplishments to assume the leadership of our news organization,” commented Godsey. “Everywhere she has worked, she’s been recognized by her peers for the quality of her journalism, and viewers have been drawn to her newscasts in increasing numbers.”

After graduating with a degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Central Oklahoma, Sherrie worked as a reporter and anchor for stations in Texas before moving to KFOR-TV in Oklahoma City as a news producer. She was later a producer and Executive Producer for KWTV in Oklahoma City.

In 1995, KWTV’s coverage of the bombing of the Oklahoma City federal building, which Brown produced, received numerous honors, including a Peabody Award. Subsequent to that, she produced the station’s coverage of the Timothy McVeigh trial in Denver. In 1999, she produced the station’s coverage of the F-5 tornado which killed 44 people as it swept through Oklahoma City.

Under Sherrie’s leadership, KOCO-TV’s news department has won numerous Associated Press and Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters awards, including Best Newscast, Best Weathercast, Best Breaking News and Best Special Event Coverage. In 2006, KOCO-TV was honored with the Edward R. Murrow Award for the Best Newscast in its region. The station’s newscasts have enjoyed steady audience growth, with both its 5:00pm and 6:00pm newscasts moving from third to first place in the market.

“I am thrilled to be joining a station as rich in history and tradition as KMBC,” said Brown. “I’ve had the pleasure of working directly with the KMBC-TV staff as recently as during its coverage of the Big XII Championship football game. I look forward to joining a team of professionals that delivers broadcast journalism at its finest.”

KMBC is owned by Hearst-Argyle Television. Hearst-Argyle Television, Inc. owns 26 television stations, and manages an additional three television and two radio stations, in geographically diverse U.S. markets. The Company’s television stations reach approximately 18% of U.S. TV households, making it one of America’s largest television station groups. Hearst-Argyle owns 12 ABC-affiliated stations, and manages an additional ABC station owned by Hearst Corporation, and is the largest ABC affiliate group. The Company’s Web address is www.hearstargyle.com.