Trading Hearst for Cox

Yesterday, FTVLive FIRST told you that WESH (Orlando) News Director Bob Longo was leaving the station and headed up I-95 to WTEV in Jacksonville.

Here is the internal memo sent to the staff at WESH announcing that Longo was leaving:

From: "Bell, Michelle D" <mdbell@hearst.com>
Date: January 2, 2014 at 3:09:39 PM EST
To: WESH-WKCF All <WESH-WKCF_All@hearstcorp.com>
Cc: "Biancuzzo, Frank C" <FBiancuzzo@hearst.com>, "Maushard, Barbara A" <bmaushard@hearst.com>
Subject: Bob Longo Announcement

This note is to let you know that after five years of leading the WESH/WKCF news operation, Bob Longo will be leaving our station. Bob has decided that it is time for a new professional challenge and has accepted the position of news director at WTEV/WAWS in Jacksonville.
 
As most of you know, Orlando was not his first stop with Hearst.  Prior to joining our staff in 2009 Bob was the news director at our Pittsburgh station, WTAE, for nine years.
 
Bob has had an impressive run with our company and at our station, highlighted by our exceptional coverage of both the Casey Anthony and George Zimmerman landmark trials.   He has come to work each and every day with the objective  of  having WESH 2 provide Central Floridians with “best in market” coverage of the  news—a goal he certainly accomplished.
 
On a personal note I very much enjoyed working with Bob and will miss his cheerful demeanor and enthusiasm for the business of news.  We wish him and his wife Laurie all the best as they transition to Jacksonville.  
 
Bob’s last day with us will be Friday, January 17.  The search for his replacement will begin immediately. 
 
Jim Carter/mdb