WKYC Studios General Manager Micki Byrnes named SME Cleveland 2020 Business Executive of the Year

Special to the Director's Cut Blog
By Dave "Dino" Denatle, wkyc.com

Sales & Marketing Executives Cleveland (SME Cleveland) has bestowed its 2020 Business Executive of the Year award to our own Micki Byrnes, President and General Manager of WKYC Studios.

The award acknowledges excellence in sales and marketing achievement and is based on the demonstration of the highest business, professional and ethical standards. It will be presented at the 59th annual Distinguished Marketing and Sales Awards gala banquet on Thursday evening at Executive Caterers at Landerhaven.

WKYC Studios VP/General Manager Micki Byrnes

“I’m truly honored,” Micki says “I came up on the marketing side of the business so to receive this particular honor from SME was truly special to me.”

Micki joined 3News in 1997 as Director of Marketing and was named Vice President, Advertising and Promotion in 2000, and Station Manager in 2014.

She has held broadcast management positions in Boston, San Francisco, Atlanta and Orlando. Byrnes is a past Chair and Director of PROMAX, International, the television industry’s premiere marketing association. She has also served on the marketing advisory boards of CBS Television, ABC Television and Fox Broadcasting and is the past Chairperson of the NBC Affiliate Promotion Committee.

Byrnes is only the second woman to ever win the SME Cleveland Business Executive of the Year and is proud of helping to continue the growth of women as leaders of business and industry.


The award will be presented on Thursday evening at Executive Caterers at Landerhaven.

“I’m old enough in this world and in this career that I have been ‘the only’ in many ways,” Micki explains. “There’s more that has to happen to open doors to get women into senior leadership. Personally, I just went for it and didn’t let the fact that I was ‘the only’ in a room hold me back.”

Micki has also distinguished herself in community service. She was a member of the 2005 class of Leadership Cleveland and continues to serve on their Selection Committee. She helped create the US Marshal of Northern Ohio’s Posse for Community Outreach and was a member of the FBI Citizen’s Academy class of 2012.

Micki currently serves as a board member of the Cuyahoga Community College Foundation, In Counsel with Women, the Greater Cleveland Chapter of the American Red Cross, The Cleveland Leadership Center, Destination Cleveland, the Ohio Association of Broadcasters and Coats for Kids.

Micki has won numerous regional Emmy, Telly and Addy Awards. She was inducted into the Cleveland Association of Broadcasters’ Hall of Fame in 2013 and was named a 2016 YWCA Woman of Achievement and a 2016 Crain’s Woman of Note. She was also named 2016 General Manager of the Year by Broadcasting & Cable magazine.

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Classic WKYC Promos: Channel 3 News in 1986

By Frank Macek

@maceknewsnation

Check out these classic promos featuring the Channel 3 News Team featuring the main talent of Leon Bibb, Doreen Gentzler, Shane Hollett and Kevin Mackey from Cleveland State University from 1986.

How many of these do you remember on the air?

Our special thanks to David Hrvatin at WKYC for digitizing these promos here at WKYC Studios.

3News' Jim Donovan celebrates 35 years at WKYC

Special to the Director's Cut Blog
from wkyc.com

Cheers to 35 years!

On Thursday's What's Next, WKYC Studios paid tribute to one of our own. The month of February marks Jim Donovan's 35th year at WKYC.

Growing up in South Boston, Jimmy had a love for sports, especially the Bruins, watching games alongside his father. Jimmy graduated from Boston University in 1978, shortly after taking jobs in Vermont and Minnesota.

In 1985, as a curly haired sportscaster, he began his journey here in Cleveland. Jimmy arrived in Cleveland and never looked back.

His life was hectic, covering all areas of Cleveland Sports from the Browns, Cavs and Indians to the Cleveland Marathon and even Soap Box Derby. His work eventually landed him a job with the NBC Network, travelling all over the country calling NFL games every Sunday.

In 1999, Jimmy was named the "Radio Voice of the Cleveland Browns." As he prepares for his 22nd season, think about this: the browns have had 10 full time head coaches, dozens and dozens of starting quarterbacks, but only one voice.

It's a job Jimmy cherishes and doesn't take lightly for the most loyal fan-base in all of sports.

Boston may be home, but Cleveland is where his heart is.

It's been a wild ride for our colleague and friend, let's take a look at Jim's continuing incredible ride in the player below:

Exciting changes for WKYC Studios: Sara Shookman brings fresh Insight & new addition Laura Caso joins 3News

WKYC Studios’ President and General Manager Micki Byrnes announced exciting updates to the 3News evening lineup.

“As WKYC continues to explore new ways to engage with the audiences of Northeast Ohio, we are excited to share that Sara Shookman will be joining Jim Donovan as co-anchor of Front Row,” said Byrnes.

Front Row, weeknights at 7 p.m., gives viewers a closer look at the news makers and taste makers that are shaping our Northeast Ohio community. Then, Sara will continue her co-anchoring responsibilities with Russ Mitchell at 11 p.m. on Cleveland’s top rated “What’s Next.”

Sara Shookman

"Like any long suffering Browns fan, Jimmy's voice has gotten in my head,” said Sara. “Now I'm thrilled to sit next to him and give you a Front Row seat to all that's important, interesting, impactful and happening in our community. We want to connect you with the news makers, our community critics and cheerleaders, and ask your questions."

Sara is one of 3News' go-to storytellers, covering local, national and international news. Sara is a thought leader in the community and uses the 3News platform to make sure the voices of powerful women and girls are being heard loud and clear.

“Sara has always had a gift for identifying the most compelling and newsworthy stories and people,” said Director of Content Adam Miller. “We’re excited for Sara to give a “Front Row” seat to viewers as she shines a light on Cleveland’s best and brightest.”

“3News is also very happy to announce that journalist Laura Caso will be joining the 3News family as co-anchor of What Matters Most at 6pm,” Byrnes said. “Laura is an award-winning journalist who will be joining the team from WAVY-TV in Norfolk, where she currently anchors multiple evening shows.”

Laura Caso (Photo: Courtesy: WAVY-TV)

“Laura’s inherent desire to sincerely connect with people and immerse herself in a community, seeking out the stories that matter most – is a strength uniquely suited for our mission here at 3News,” added Miller. “We’re thrilled to welcome Laura to Northeast Ohio and know that viewers will quickly welcome her with open arms.”

Laura began her career by way of Elmira, NY where she anchored the morning news for WENY-TV. After exploring the Twin Tiers, she moved to Jacksonville, FL where she served as weekend anchor and reporter for TEGNA on First Coast News. The next step in her journey took her to WAVY-TV in Hampton Roads, Virginia where she contributed to the launch of two new evening newscasts. Laura is beyond thrilled to return to TEGNA and focus on what the company does best, hard-hitting journalism.

"Sharing stories that matter, not simply scratching the surface of a topic but delving deeper, that is why I choose this career,” said Caso. ”I am so proud and excited to be joining the WKYC team, a station with an impeccable reputation that understands the significant impact local news can have on a community."

3News’ Evening News Lineup:

5 p.m.: “What’s New” with Betsy Kling & Jay Crawford
6 p.m.: “What Matters Most” with Russ Mitchell & Laura Caso
7 p.m.: “Front Row” with Jim Donovan & Sara Shookman
11 p.m. “What’s Next” with Russ Mitchell & Sara Shookman

More about Laura Caso

Laura is an Emmy-nominated journalist for her report on breaking News Coverage and throughout her career has been honored with several awards at local and state levels. Most recently, she was awarded by the Associated Press for Best Coverage of a Spot News Story. She also received an award for Best Newscast at a Large Television Market by the Virginia Associated Press Broadcasters.

While in Virginia, Laura covered the arrival of President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence on two separate occasions and contributed to team coverage of several high-profile stories including the tragic mass shooting in Virginia Beach. She has anchored wall-to-wall coverage during tornadoes and hurricanes in Virginia, North Carolina and beyond. Yet, it is the more human accounts that touch Laura the most and hold a place in her heart forever. Laura's continuing coverage in 2019 of a young boy's battle with cancer allowed him to find the life-saving liver he needed – allowing Laura to experience first-hand the life-changing positive impact her work can have.

Laura is a proud alumna of University of Miami where she majored in Music and Broadcast journalism. A Massachusetts native, Laura’s love for music was woven throughout her childhood - singing at a Boston Red Sox game with her school choir remains a cherished memory. Laura began creating children’s stories at a young age as well, and this is undoubtedly where her passion for journalism and writing blossomed. In the fifth grade, Laura’s book entitled “Chicken Pox Explosion” was published and her first book signing remains one of her proudest moments. She continues reading to children along the east coast and whether it is hard news copy or a fairy tale, Laura thrives on telling a good story. Laura is an advocate of children's literacy and over the last several years, has also supported Alzheimer’s and AIDS awareness, suicide and drug addiction prevention and of course childhood cancer awareness.

When Laura is not in the studio or reporting on a story, you will find her exploring Cleveland and its delightful and diverse neighborhoods. She and her husband love to travel and spend time with their pup, Sadie. Her deep Italian roots have instilled in her the importance of family, friends and of course, food. Laura enjoys cooking and baking and hopes to one day master her mother’s homemade pistachio cake. She is thrilled to serve Northeast Ohio and looks forward to getting to know the amazing people who call it home.

More about Sara Shookman

Sara’s anchoring, and in particular her strengths in the field, won her a 2017 Emmy for talent. She’s won five regional Emmy awards and a regional Edward R. Murrow Award. Cleveland Magazine named Sara one of the city’s most interesting people.

Sara's become a vocal advocate for cancer research, since losing her father in 2015. She's spearheaded Team WKYC's efforts in Cleveland Clinic's Velosano ride, and raised more than $150,000 with her family's team, Spreading Scott's Smile. She volunteers alongside a variety of nonprofit organizations through events, station initiatives and personal visits. She's served on the Northern Ohio chapter of Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Board of Trustees, the Board of Directors for Towards Employment, and as part of the capital campaign committee for Stewart’s Caring Place, a cancer care center in Akron. She’s also passionate about volunteering with The Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland and the SeriousFun Children’s Network’s Flying Horse Farms in Mt. Gilead.

Sara grew up in Akron. She’s a proud graduate of Manchester High School and lover of the Portage Lakes. She’s glad to be back at 3News, where she first worked as an intern during her college years at Ohio University. She graduated summa cum laude from the E. W. Scripps School of Journalism. Prior to 3News, Sara was reporting and filling in at the anchor desk at WVLT in Knoxville, Tennessee. Sara got her start in television at WOUB in Athens, Ohio.

When she's not at work, Sara wants to get outside and on the water. She enjoys standup paddle boarding, gardening and cycling in the summer, and cross-country skiing in the winter! She and her husband love to travel and try new restaurants in the CLE. They're expecting their first child in May 2020.
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