Station's Ratings
News Dirctors
Production Director Job details
Yearly salary
ContractStarted in April 2022, leaving in February 2024.
Paired with a photogN/A
Station market rank#1
Melissa Brunner
(Note - directors do NOT fall under the ND) Melissa's a much better leader than the previous ND. Very new to the role and while that shows, she's open to new ideas and cares about the reporters. She really cares about the product of the station, and it shows
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
There is a lot of drama... when certain people don't get along, it spreads to everyone and creates a toxic, negative environment. Some people don't do essential parts of their job and leave other people to pick up the slack.
Compared to some markets, it's not a terrible place to start for someone new. But after working here, it's clear why the newsroom has high turnover. It can get very toxic and negative very quick, people can get very overworked and burnt out, thrown into things that their position doesn't typically do. I can't discredit the efforts to turn that situation around - it is getting better compared to the leadership from the last news director - however it's not enough quite yet.
MMJ (OMB) Job details
Yearly salary
Contract2 Years
Paired with a photogN/A
Station market rank1
Jon Janes
Working for Jon can be compared to a dictatorship. It truly is his way or the highway. He does not let reporters pitch stories or get creative. His communication skills are lackluster. He is abrasive in his comments and he is rude to everyone who crosses his path.
On the surface, WIBW may look like a nice place to work. It has longtime veterans of the industry, it's in the state capital, but I can't warn against this station enough. The MMJ equipment is literally falling apart, It's being held together by zip-ties and scotch tape. The communication is awful. Often you are thrown into stories/interviews with little time to prepare.
Jon Janes
It’s his way of the highway. Jon Janes creates a negative work environment for everyone around him. His inability to u derstand basic concepts, his old-fashioned views, and his temper make WIBW one of the worst places I have ever worked at.
WIBW offers a lot of great opportunities for a starter market. You get to work with politicians in the state capital and work along some veterans of the industry who have been at the station for years. Unfortunately, WIBW has a massive communication problem. The news director creates a work environment that can be compared to a dictatorship. He never listens to your ideas and if you don’t do exactly what he wants he will ridicule you in front of everyone. He is one of the most negative people I have ever had the displeasure to meet.
Jon Janes
He yells and can be very harsh. He creates a stressful environment and sometimes you will hate yourself. But he does truly care about the news and want the best so it will force you to become better at what you do.
The only thing not positive is the ND. Jon Janes is very conservative and not open to creative ideas or ideas outside the box. He does watch the news and care about little mistakes which is good. It can be very stressful environment but you will learn a lot.
