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WDIV GM Bob Ellis
WDIV's Vice President and General Manager Bob Ellis abruptly resigned this week, effective immediately, telling staff in a memo that "I believe it is time for me to take on something different and provide space for someone else to lead the station into the next chaper."
Catherine Badalamente, president and CEO of the Graham Media Group, owner of WDIV, told the staff in a memo that she’ll be filling in as the interim general manager to ensure a smooth transition.
It's unclear whether the resignation was voluntary or if Ellis was pressured to resign. Whatever the case, the staff was caught off guard by the surprise announcement and the immediacy of the departure.
Sources tell Deadline Detroit that Ellis' vision for the station may have clashed with consultants and corporate, particularly with Sean McLaughlin, vice president of news strategy for Graham Media Group. There was a sudden push to change the structure of the newsroom, with more emphasis on integrating the Internet into coverage and content.
McLaughlin did not respond to an email for comment. Ellis, Badalamente and Jennifer Wallace Canine, the news director, also did not respond to emails from Deadline Detroit on Thursday.
One source noted that Ellis oversaw WDIV at a turbulent time with the buyouts of on-air talent including Devin Scillian, Bernie Smilovitz, Rod Meloni, Paula Tutman, Mara MacDonald and Tim Pamplin, and the departure of consumer affairs reporter Hank Winchester, which the station had declined to comment on.
There has also been consternation among staff, one source said, that beloved meteorologist and colleague Kim Adams, who is dealing with undisclosed health issues, was replaced on the 11 p.m. broadcast and faces more uncertainty with the recent addition of a new meteorologist from the Flint station.
"It's a tumultuous time, for sure," said one source.
Ellis had been general manager since October 2021, according to his LinkedIn page. Before that, he was general manager of WJXT and WCWJ in Jacksonville, Fla. And before that, from 2007 to 2009, he was the news director of WDIV and assistant news director from 2002 to 2007.
In his memo to staff, Ellis wrote:
After a great deal of reflection, I have decided to resign from my role as General Manager of WDIV-Local 4, effective immediately. This decision was difficult, but after three decades at Graham Media Group, I believe it is time for me to take on something different and provide space for someone else to lead the station into its next chapter.
Serving as GM has been an extraordinary privilege. I am deeply proud of the work we have accomplished together, strengthening our journalism, and serving the Detroit community with great purpose. The WDIV team is talented, resilient, and driven, and I have full confidence the station will continue to thrive under new leadership.
Thank you for the opportunity to be a member of your team. It has been an honor.
