Ron Kershaw

Ron Kershaw (1945 – July 1989) was an American television news executive responsible for several television news innovations. Considered somewhat a genius,[1] Kershaw was the news director in several large cities across the United States including New York City, Chicago and Baltimore.

News director

In 1974, Kershaw was hired by WBAL-TV in Baltimore to shore up its sagging news ratings. He introduced the Action News format, hired young, gifted new talent and moved the station from last to first in less than a year. Sue Simmons and Spencer Christian were two of Kershaw's protégés who went on to become big names in TV news. Kershaw moved on to WNBC-TV in New York where he collaborated with Peter Sang in bringing the "control room" set into TV news.[2] Kershaw was also mentor to Bucky Gunts, now an award-winning television news director[3] who worked for Kershaw in Baltimore and Chicago.

Personal life and death

Prior to his move to Baltimore, Kershaw had been dating Jessica Savitch, a news reporter who had worked for a rival television station in Texas. Kershaw helped develop her skills as a reporter during their stormy 10-year on-again and off-again relationship.[4] The relationship was depicted in the made for television movie: Almost Golden, about the life of Jessica Savitch.[5]

In 1987, Kershaw met Giselle Fernandez, whom he had hired as a reporter at WBBM-TV. They were engaged to be married when Kershaw died of pancreatic and liver cancer in July 1989 at age 44.[6][7]

Family

Photojournalist Beau Kershaw, WBAL-TV, Baltimore

Kershaw is survived by his son, Beau Kershaw, an award winning photojournalist at Kershaw's old station, WBAL-TV in Baltimore.[8][9][10] Young Kershaw's awards include seven Emmy Awards[11] a Peabody Award and the duPont-Columbia silver baton.[12]

References

  1. ↑ books.google.com
  2. ↑ News 4 New York
  3. ↑ movies2.nytimes.com
  4. ↑ Nash, Alanna. "The Story of Jessica Savitch". Review by Bill Long. Bill Long. Retrieved 2008-05-13.
  5. ↑ "Almost Golden". International Movie Data Base. Retrieved 2008-05-13.
  6. ↑ giselle.com
  7. ↑ encyclopedia.com
  8. ↑ "2006 Emmy Award Nominations" (PDF). National Capital Chesapeake Bay Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. 2006. Retrieved 2008-05-13.
  9. ↑ "2007 Emmy Award Nominations". National Capital Chesapeake Bay Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. 2007. Retrieved 2008-05-13.
  10. ↑ "2005 Award Winners". Society of Professional Journalist-Maryland. Retrieved 2008-05-13.
  11. ↑ "NATIONAL TELEVISION ACADEMY PRESENTS". National Television Academy. Retrieved 2008-05-13.
  12. ↑ "2007 duPont-Columbia Award winners". Columbia University School of Journalism. 2007-02-28. Retrieved 2008-05-13.
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