WDIV-Local 4 Honored With National Edward R. Murrow Award

WDIV-Local 4, a Graham Media Group station, won the prestigious 2022 National Edward R. Murrow Award for Best Newscast (Local 4 News at 11 p.m.) for coverage of the Oxford High School shooting.

National winners were announced Thursday, Aug 11, by the Radio Television Digital News Association.

“We are truly honored to be the recipient of this national award that holds newsrooms to such high standards in journalism,” said WDIV News Director Kim Voet. “Our team handled the coverage of this tragic event with compassion and sensitivity for the Oxford community.”

“This day will forever be etched in all of our hearts,” said Vice President and General Manager Bob Ellis. “Although our news team had an important job to do during that horrific time, they covered it with grace, compassion, and respect. Since then, we have built relationships with the families and school community in Oxford, and we will always be here to tell their stories as they continue to recover and heal.”

The RTDNA has been honoring outstanding achievements in electronic journalism with the Edward R. Murrow Awards since 1971. Murrow's pursuit of excellence in journalism embodies the spirit of the awards that carry his name.

This honor comes after receiving a Regional Edward R. Murrow Award in May and another distinguished tribute in March -- the Michigan Association of Broadcasters Station of the Year Award – which WDIV-Local 4 won for the eighth year in a row.

About WDIV-Local 4

Local 4 News is currently the No. 1 newscast at 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m., and 11 p.m. in Nielsen ratings for the Detroit television market and is honored to be named Station of the Year by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters for the eighth year in a row. WDIV is the No. 1 NBC affiliate in the top 20 LPM markets. In addition, Local 4's ClickOnDetroit.com is a top breaking news and weather website in Michigan and the No. 1 news website in Metro Detroit.

Local 4 honored with nine awards at the 2022 Michigan Emmys

WDIV-Local 4, a Graham Media Group station, was recognized for its exemplary work at the 44th Annual Michigan Regional Emmy Awards.

“I couldn’t be prouder of our team, both in front of and behind the camera,” said News Director Kim Voet. “They give it their all every single day to bring viewers the important news that affects their lives.”

Congratulations to the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Michigan Emmy award winners:

Sports Story, News Feature (Catching up with Mike Utley)

• Justin DePrekel, Ben Bell, Bernie Smilovitz, Ro Coppola

Children/Youth/Teen, News (A Mascot’s Moment)

• Nick Monacelli

Weather, News - single shift (125 Years Ago: The Great Cyclone Hits Oakland County)

• Paul Gross

Team Coverage (Night of the Tornadoes)

• Mia Balbin-Cuesta & Mary Burson

Reporter, Specialty Assignment (Royal Oak Remembered)

• Rod Meloni

Religion, News (All-American Muslim)

• Paula Tutman & Justin DePrekel

Breaking News (Metro Detroit deals with overnight flooding)

• Mary Burson

Investigative (Missing in the Morgue)

• Karen Drew, John Pompeo, Benjamin Bell

Reporter, Daily News

• Rod Meloni

WDIV wins prestigious 2022 Regional Murrow Award

WDIV-Local 4 is honored to receive the coveted 2022 Regional Edward R. Murrow Award for Best Newscast (Local 4 News at 11 p.m.) for coverage of the Oxford High School shooting.

Regional winners were announced Wednesday by the Radio Television Digital News Association.

“It’s an incredible honor to be named Best Newscast in the Regional Murrow Awards,” News Director Kim Voet said. “This is a true team win on one of the most difficult and tragic days our community has faced. I’m incredibly proud of our Local 4 newsroom and the quality and compassion we displayed in our coverage.”

“This day, we were confronted with a tragedy that every newsroom hopes they never have to cover,” Vice President and General Manager Bob Ellis said. “And when it happened, our team did what they do best. We were informative, measured, we asked important questions, and we were compassionate. We also made decisions not to show video or cover private moments, for which I’m extremely proud, as well. While I’m grateful this work has been recognized, it’s more important to again recognize the people of Oxford. They have demonstrated what the term 'community' truly means.”

The RTDNA has been honoring outstanding achievements in electronic journalism with the Edward R. Murrow Awards since 1971. Murrow's pursuit of excellence in journalism embodies the spirit of the awards that carry his name.

This honor comes after receiving another distinguished tribute in March -- the Michigan Association of Broadcasters Station of the Year Award – which WDIV-Local 4 won for the eighth year in a row.

WDIV named ‘Station of the Year’ by Michigan Association of Broadcasters for 8th year in a row

WDIV-TV Local 4, a Graham Media Group station, is honored to be named the Michigan Association of Broadcasters’ Station of the Year for the eighth year in a row.

The station won for broadcasting excellence in 16 categories from the Michigan Association of Broadcasters - 10 best and 9 merit awards for Market 1.

“Every employee at WDIV shares a piece of this tremendous honor,” Vice President and General Manager Bob Ellis said. “Every person here works together to serve our community, and that’s what makes this so gratifying.”

BEST AWARDS

Breaking News Story: Flooding Catastrophe

Feature/Use of Medium: I Have No Regrets

Investigative Story: Morgue Mistakes

Mini-Documentary or Series: Detroit’s Babygirl

News Reporter: Nick Monacelli

News Special: Secrets of Small Town

Photojournalist: Alex Atwell

Special Interest Programming: Summer Spectacular

Sports: Local 4 Sports Opening Day

Weathercast: Tracking Snow Threat

MERIT AWARDS

Breaking News: Tornadoes Touch Down

Community Involvement: WDIV Community Involvement

Continuing Coverage: Oxford Tragedy Continuing Coverage

Feature/Use of Medium: Finding a Fossil

Marketing Materials & Promos: We Are Stronger

News Anchor: Devin Scillian

Newscast: Local 4 News at 11

Photojournalist: Mike Tiseo

Use of New Media (Single Project): WDIV Vaccine Hunter

The Broadcast Excellence Awards recognize outstanding achievement in broadcasting by Michigan radio and television stations each year. The awards were announced online by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters.

WDIV takes home 2 Digital Innovation Awards from the Local Media Association

WDIV has been honored with two Digital Innovation Awards from the Local Media Association: A first-place win for the station's "Vote 4 The Best" campaign, and second-place honors for "4Frenzy."

The LMA contest recognizes the best in local digital media in 15 categories, such as best local website, best virtual event, best branded content strategy and more.

"Vote 4 The Best" and "4Frenzy" were honored as contests/promotional campaigns.

"Vote 4 The Best" was a highly anticipated contest that turned out to be not only successful but award-winning. It allows locals to nominate and vote for all different kinds of their favorite Michigan businesses. It builds in a bit of free advertising for area businesses, with a spot on the website and the ability to share a direct voting link.

The voting ballot remains a go-to guide of local businesses all year long. Additionally, "Vote 4 The Best" provides window clings to storefronts, and digital graphics to the top five winners in each category, which totaled about 940 in the main contest alone.

Here's a judge's note: "They took a yearly contest and added categories that were specific to the pandemic, to honor businesses that were doing great work, like (in) customer safety. This inclusion of categories that recognized added challenges of the past year led to more engagement and revenue."

As for "4Frenzy," these traditional campaigns have always been about celebrating high school students' hard work and passion surrounding sports, academics and school spirit (with a nomination and voting period each season), but this year, they needed to do something different because the pandemic changed the lives of so many seniors.

Here's another judge's note: "This news (organization) made the effort to change their yearly promotion/contest to highlight seniors who had not gotten their usual chance to sign through graduation and events."

WDIV-Local 4 names Dianna Sharpe as new Business Manager

WDIV-Local 4, the Graham Media Group-owned NBC affiliate in Detroit, has announced the appointment of Dianna Sharpe as the station’s new Business Manager. Sharpe will replace Kathy Salazar, the current Vice President and Business Manager, who announced her retirement in August. Sharpe and Salazar will work in tandem until the end of the year.

Sharpe will lead and analyze all financial reporting requirements, be responsible for all revenue recognition and reporting and support the General Manager and Department Head team in forecasting, budgeting, expense management and other business activities at the station.

For the last 13 years, Sharpe has worked for the accounting firm KPMG, most recently as a manager in Resource Management. She has demonstrated success in various areas of operations, project management, human resources, recruitment and retention, conflict resolution, change management, diversity and inclusion, and resource scheduling. Prior to KPMG, Sharpe worked for Deloitte Services, DaimlerChrysler Financial Services, and Kelly Services.

“Dianna is the right leader to continue to build an engaged, high performing, and inclusive culture at WDIV-Local 4. She has the enviable combination of great business acumen and expertise in human relations. I’m excited to have her join our leadership team,” said Vice President and General Manager Marla Drutz. “The community is who we serve as a news and information leader, so I’m thrilled that Dianna is also committed to contributing to our region in so many various ways.”

Sharpe believes in empowering the youth of today with the skills and tools to face the challenges of tomorrow. For this reason, she is currently the Treasurer of the Michigan PTA and a member of the National Association of Black Accountants. She received her Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Business Administration from Davenport University.

Sharpe lives in Southfield with her husband and children.

WDIV-Local 4 hosts virtual Education Town Hall on return-to-school plans

WDIV-Local 4 hosted a virtual town hall Aug. 13 all about education and the return to school amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Anchors Devin Scillian and Paula Tutman were joined by education leaders from across the state to answer questions about the complicated decisions being made by schools and parents heading into the 2020-21 school year.

It’s part of an all-encompassing station campaign.

Education 4 All is a multiplatform reporting and community engagement commitment by WDIV-Local 4/ClickOnDetroit.com to extensively cover the complicated issues of education, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The effects of what the station does now will have a far-reaching impact on our children’s physical and mental health, achievement, policy and state’s trajectory.

An “Education 4 All” special is planned for Aug. 31.

Currently, WDIV-Local 4/ClickOnDetroit.com is doing daily Education 4 All stories and has multiple digital reports delving into the complex issues from every angle.

Education 4 All will include:

• News reports

• Digital content

• Digital town halls and more

To watch the recording of WDIV's "Education 4 All Town Hall," click the or tap here.

WDIV, ClickOnDetroit launches effort to help local restaurants, frontline workers

Frontline workers across the country are putting their lives at risk in the fight against the coronavirus outbreak, working nonstop -- sometimes without even thinking about a meal.

WDIV Local 4 and ClickOnDetroit.com have launched Food4Frontline – a community-wide effort to help both frontline workers and local restaurants.

“Let’s support our amazing first responders that are on the front lines and working to keep us safe,” said Marla Drutz, WDIV's vice president and general manager. “At the same time, we can support our local restaurant and store workers. This is one small thing we can do as a community to mobilize behind those that are on the front lines of the fight against the coronavirus.”

The Food4Frontline effort will accomplish three things:

1. Solicit: The station has heard from so many in the community who are eager to contribute in some way. This is a chance to give back to those who are working so hard to save the people's lives. These heroes without capes are putting their lives at risk while they work long shifts. WDIV -- with the community's help -- wants to feed them.

2. Serve: WDIV is partnering with local restaurants to order meals that will be distributed to those on the front line. The hope is that this partnership will assist Detroit-area restaurants and their staffers. Partners will uphold high standards in food preparation -- always and now, during this COVID-19 pandemic. Meals for the frontline workers will be individually packaged.

3. Support: These collective efforts will show those on the frontline – hospital and health care workers, emergency responders or staff keeping store shelves stocked -- that they are appreciated for the hard work.

To donate meals to Metro Detroit-area hospitals through Food4Frontline, you can start the process here.

WDIV would like to give a special thank you to the food partners: Andiamo, Tubby’s, Antonio’s, Big Boy, Roman Village, Zingerman’s Deli, Zingerman’s Roadhouse, Miss Kim, Mario’s Italian, Slows and Detroit Bold Coffee Co.

WDIV named ‘Station of the Year’ by Michigan Association of Broadcasters for 6th year straight

WDIV-TV Local 4, a Graham Media Group station, is honored to be recognized as Station of the Year for the sixth year in a row. The station won for broadcasting excellence in 14 categories from the Michigan Association of Broadcasters -- 11 best and 13 merit awards for Market 1.

“We all do this work because we love it and we think it’s important,” Vice-President and General Manager Marla Drutz said. “It’s the people in our communities that help us strive to provide the best information possible because we know they rely on us for that. And getting recognition for what we do is always gratifying.”

First Place/Best In Category

• Breaking News: Devastating Floods
• Community Involvement: THAW, Mental Health Day, Blood Drives, Weather Radios, Help Me Hank Shutdown Survival Guide
• Investigative Story: “Trashing the City” – Local 4 Defenders (Karen Drew) ride along as Detroit Police arrest illegal dumping suspects
• Newscast: Local 4 News at 6 p.m.
• News Anchor: Kimberly Gill
• News Special: “Child Killer”
• News Reporter: Shawn Ley
• Special Interest Programming: Live in the D – “Out on the Town”
• Marketing Materials & Promos: Local 4Casters App
• Use of New Media: “Child Killer”
• Sports: Steve Yzerman Returns Home

Merit Awards

• Breaking News: Seniors Escape Raging Fire
• Investigative Story: “Charging the City”
• Newscast: Local 4 News at 11 p.m.
• News Anchor: Devin Scillian
• New Special – “Hoffa”
• Weathercast: Ice Forecast
• News Reporter: Nick Monacelli
• Photojournalist: Alex Atwell
• Mini-Documentary or Series: “Guard Rail Danger”
• Marketing Materials & Promos: Local 4 Moments
• Special Interest Programming: “All 4 Pets”
• Use of New Media: “Hoffa”
• Sports: One-On-One with Ice Cube

The Broadcast Excellence Awards recognize outstanding achievement in broadcasting by Michigan radio and television stations each year. The awards were announced at the MAB’s annual Great Lakes Broadcasting Conference in Lansing.

Click or tap here to view links to each story, project or anchor and reporter.

WDIV-Local 4 wins 2 prestigious 2019 Regional Murrow Awards

WDIV-Local 4 is honored to receive two coveted Regional Murrow Awards for Excellence in Social Media and Excellence in Sound.

Regional winners were announced Tuesday by the Radio Television Digital News Association.

“The social media Murrow win is especially gratifying. It reinforces that we are leading the way in multi-platform content distribution. This newer medium is the wave of the future and Local 4 is leading the charge,” Local 4 news director Kim Voet said. “Winning the Murrow for sound three years in a row shows our photographers’ commitment to being the best storytellers possible.”

“Our amazing news team puts out this effort on a daily basis, so it’s very rewarding to be recognized with this prestigious award that celebrates the best in our industry,” Vice-President and General Manager Marla Drutz said.

Station awards:

Excellence in Social Media

Social media manager Ken Haddad’s strategy is a multi-platform approach to covering the big stories of the day, and frequently, the station’s posts land at the top of the social media charts compared to those from across the country. Highlights include: coverage of Aretha Franklin’s passing, the meteor in Michigan, 2018 election coverage, the digital Jason Carr Live show, the Boblo Boat fire and the Central Michigan University lockdown.

Excellence in Sound: Criss Cross Crash

Video Journalists Alex Atwell and Hans Ihlenfeldt enhance the viewers' experience of this story using multiple cameras, multiple microphones and sounds of the crowd’s reaction to car and school bus racing in Flat Rock, Michigan. This is the third year in a row the station has won this award.

WDIV-Local 4 is the only large-market TV station in Michigan to win in our region. Both entries will now go head-to-head with the other regional winners for the National Murrow Award.

The RTDNA has been honoring outstanding achievements in electronic journalism with the Edward R. Murrow Awards since 1971. Murrow's pursuit of excellence in journalism embodies the spirit of the awards that carry his name.

This honor comes at the heels of WDIV-Local 4 winning the MAB Station of the Year award for the fifth year in a row.

WDIV-Local 4’s specials double the North American International Auto Show excitement

Photo taken Jan. 15, 2019, by Scott Olson/Getty Images.

DETROIT – Technology is taking center stage at the North American International Auto Show and WDIV-Local 4/ClickOnDetroit is covering the show from all angles. Viewers will get a trip to the show floor with two specials -- “Dateline Detroit: All About Autos,” airing Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. and “Charity Preview” airing Friday at 7 p.m.

Local 4 News anchors Devin Scillian and Kimberly Gill host “Dateline Detroit: All About Autos,” from Cobo Center covering auto reveals, the latest breaking auto news and more.

“All About Autos” highlights:

· The significance of this marking the last of the January auto shows

· Autonomous vehicles and the moral ethics of artificial intelligence

· Will your compass also act as a moral compass?

· Driving in a “hangover” suit with Ford Motor Company -- and why it’s sometimes just as dangerous as driving drunk

“Charity Preview” takes viewers live to one the most exclusive and high-profile events in the nation.

Scillian and Gill host this one-hour special, along with Rhonda Walker, Evrod Cassimy, Ben Bailey, Jon Jordan and Kim DeGiulio. The special showcases concept cars of the future, the latest reveals and high-fashion glamour at this black-tie affair, benefiting a wide range of children’s charities. Local 4 talks one-on-one to the local and international auto industry leaders who make this world-class event happen.

The Official App of the North American International Auto Show, powered by Local 4 and ClickOnDetroit, is the navigation link to it all. The NAIAS app is a must-have tool for car enthusiasts heading to the Auto Show. Users have the information they need right at their fingertips -- and it’s free to download on Apple or Android devices by searching “WDIV Auto Show” at the app stores.

The app provides:

· Map of the Auto Show floor at Cobo Center

· Livestream video of vehicle unveilings on your phone

· Official news updates from ClickOnDetroit and the NAIAS

· Information about the show, ticket sales and more

The Official NAIAS app is presented by the Detroit Auto Dealers Association, WDIV-TV Local 4 and ClickOnDetroit.com and is sponsored by Oakland University.

ClickOnDetroit.com sets record for unique visitors to website

Jason Carr anchors for Local 4.

WDIV-Local 4 had more viewers than any other Metro Detroit TV station on Election Day. Starting in the morning and going throughout the night (6 a.m. on Nov. 6 to 12:30 a.m. on Nov. 7) the station averaged 100,000 people (adults ages 18 and older), and peaked as high as 200,000 (in the same demographic) during the evening coverage.

WDIV-Local 4’s website, ClickOnDetroit.com, set a record with the highest number of unique visitors for the year, with nearly 1.1 million users.

More than 800,000 Facebook users engaged with Local 4’s election videos and stories, and nearly 50,000 people viewed WDIV’s livestream coverage online.

“The number of people looking for election information on all of our platforms, whether it was watching it on TV, online or through social media was phenomenal,” said Marla Drutz, Local 4’s vice president and general manager. “The night was a culmination of two things -- our commitment to encouraging voter participation prior to the elections and on being a station that provides news on any device people want.”

“It’s a massive effort, and everyone’s dedication is what makes it all come together,” news director Kim Voet said. “From our reporters out on the streets to our newsroom team compiling results throughout the night, this is the good, honest journalism that our community craves.”

Added digital executive producer Dustin Block, “Months of planning led to a record night on ClickOnDetroit. Every department at WDIV and our Graham Media Group digital team came together to deliver accurate, timely results.”

ClickOnDetroit.com is also the No. 1 TV website in Metro Detroit, according to the most recent comScore delivery (September 2018).

Mara MacDonald reports for Local 4.

WDIV-Local 4/ClickOnDetroit to host Gubernatorial Debate between Bill Schuette, Gretchen Whitmer

WDIV-Local 4 will host “Decision 2018: Gubernatorial Debate” between candidates Bill Schuette and Gretchen Whitmer at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, October 24.

Devin Scillian and Kimberly Gill will moderate the hour-long debate at the WDIV-Local 4 studios in downtown Detroit. Questions will be determined by the moderators and include opening and closing statements.

The live event will air on WDIV-Local 4 and stream live on ClickOnDetroit.com.

The debate is expected to be simulcast in most parts of the state on other television stations.

WDIV-TV Receives NAB’s Service to America Award

WDIV-Local 4 has been honored, above all local broadcast stations in the country, with the National Association of Broadcasters Service to America Award.  The prestigious award presented by the NAB Education Foundation acclaims WDIV's ongoing commitment to outstanding community service.  

The NAB Service to America Award recognizes the efforts of the entire station as a leader in serving the public with significant contributions from every department.  
Hallmarks of this station-wide commitment:

*    Year-long coverage of the Flint Water Crisis which included an unwavering news focus, a primetime special and travel to Washington, D.C. to cover developments on Capitol Hill. Using the power of local television and the support of a strong and caring community, the station organized the Flint Water Crisis 4 Our Families statewide telethon and raised $1.13 million.
*    Help Me Hank: The School Project is a commitment to improve the physical environment of Thurgood Marshall Elementary-Middle School in Detroit.  The station's consumer unit, Help Me Hank, partnered with the Detroit Public School Community District to identify a school that was in crucial need of building renovations.
*    Arab in America with Sandra Ali is a series of news reports showcasing the personal stories of Arab Americans in Metro Detroit.  
*    True Blue is a series of stories dedicated to showing life as a police officer and putting a face with the badge. The Local 4 Defenders are trying to bridge the gap between police and the community to stop future violence.
*    Support of The Heat and Warmth Fund, Komen's Race for the Cure, Red Cross, JDRF, Bookstock and other community organizations.
*    Strong locally produced long and short-form programming that showcases the heart of our community. Highlights include the North American International Auto Show, America's Thanksgiving Parade, Live in the D, The Ford Fireworks, Flashpoint and the Local 4 Film Challenge.

"This award reflects the hard work and contribution of every single member of our WDIV/ClickOn Detroit team.  I couldn't be more happy and proud of what we do here at this station," said Vice-President and General Manager Marla Drutz.

In the NABEF's press release announcing the award recipients it was stated, "Through news coverage, philanthropy, and community service, WDIV puts the needs of viewers first."

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