By Paul Greeley
817-578-6324, Paul@NewsBlues.com

News Blues reported last week that Jason W. Holloway, who’s been with Hearst since 2013, is the new creative services director at WESH, Hearst’s NBC affiliate in Orlando.

Hearst reports that Steve Rifkin will remain as CSD leading the marketing team for WKCF, Hearst’s CW in Orlando, as well as guiding the recently relocated staff of WMOR, Hearst’s independent station in Tampa.

Rifkin plans to retire at the end of 2026, so this staffing change provides crossover, allowing \ Holloway the benefit of Rifkin ‘s market insight, Hearst says.

Hearst also has a transition to report at KHBS/KHOG, Hearst’s ABC and CW affiliates serving the Fort Smith, Fayetteville, Springdale, and Rogers markets.

Ken Bauer, the longtime CSD at KHBS/KHOG retired at the end of 2025.  Clint Gooch, the Assistant CSD, got promoted to CSD on January 3rd.

Also, Ben Bryson, was promoted from Senior Producer at WVTM, Heart’s NBC affiliate in Birmingham, to Assistant CSD.

His promotion was announced this week. Bryson has spent the majority of his career at WVTM, starting in production, moving to news as a photographer, before making the transition to creative services 11 years ago.

Bryson replaced Brent McGough, who became ACSD at WJCL, Hearst’s ABC station in Savannah back in November, 2025.

NOTE: With Jason W. Holloway’s move to WESH in Orlando, Hearst is seeking a Creative Services Director for KMBC, its ABC affiliate in Kansas City.

TV News Director Fills in as Weekend Anchor Due to Staff Shortage