Anna Davlantes brings familiar face to WGN Radio

Anna Davlantes

Anna Davlantes

Just because Anna Davlantes is joining WGN AM 720 as a contributor to Steve Cochran’s morning show doesn’t mean we’ve seen the last of her on television.

As happy as she is to land the gig behind the mic at the Tribune Media news/talk station, the veteran Chicago news anchor says she’s actively pursuing other opportunities in front of the camera as well. Adds Davlantes: “Stay tuned — for sure.” Continue reading

Why one winning producer swore off the Emmys

Jeff Hoover (2006)

Jeff Hoover (2006)

Local Emmy Awards have always been an exercise in self-congratulations, to be sure, but somewhere along the way they lost their luster — and their relevance.

Today they’re little more than a moneymaking enterprise for the Chicago/Midwest chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, which rakes in thousands in membership fees, entry fees, dinner ticket fees, program book fees and additional statuette fees under the dubious claim of recognizing “excellence in our industry.” Continue reading

ABC 7 trailblazer Theresa Gutierrez ‘moving on to next chapter’

Theresa Gutierrez

Theresa Gutierrez

Hispanic women were all but invisible on television news when Theresa Gutierrez got her start as a production assistant at NBC-owned WMAQ-Channel 5 in 1971 and shifted to ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7 the following year.

Now, 43 years later, she’s stepping down from ABC 7 after an inspiring career as a general-assignment reporter, public-affairs host, program producer and, perhaps most importantly, role model. Gutierrez announced on the air Tuesday that October 31 will be her last day as an Eyewitness News reporter and host of "The Ñ Beat,” the Hispanic public-affairs series. Continue reading

Tribune Media CEO’s $8.8 million payday

Peter Liguori

Peter Liguori

The top man in Tribune Tower made nearly $8.8 million last year, according to a filing posted Monday on the Securities and Exchange Commission website.

Peter Liguori, who led the historic transformation of Tribune Co. and emerged as chief executive officer of the newly named Tribune Media, made close to $1.5 million in salary and close to $7.3 million in bonuses and other compensation for a total of $8,757,914. Continue reading

U. of C. names WGN’s Robert Jordan first journalist-in-residence

Robert Jordan (Photo: Bart Shore)

Robert Jordan (Photo: Bart Shore)

Robert Jordan, the veteran news anchor and reporter at WGN-Channel 9, has been named the first journalist-in-residence at the University of Chicago’s Careers in Journalism, Arts, and Media program.

While continuing his full-time anchoring and reporting duties for the Tribune Media station, Jordan will spend much of the fall quarter on campus, where he’ll conduct a series of workshops, lead panels with other Chicago producers, editors and news directors, and meet with students who hope to pursue journalism and media careers. He also plans to work with staffers on the Chicago Maroon, the university’s student newspaper. Continue reading

New co-anchor called ‘real win’ for Telemundo Chicago

Anabel Monge

Anabel Monge

With the hiring of Anabel Monge from the Univision station in San Antonio, Telemundo Station Group’s WSNS-Channel 44 returns to a dual-anchor news format at 5 and 10 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Alfonso Gutierrez, who’s been anchoring “Noticiero Telemundo Chicago” solo since Edna Schmidt left in October 2013, will be joined next month by Monge, whose hiring was announced Thursday. Continue reading