BREAKING: robert mak to greg nickels' office

Robert Mak of KING5's Upfront will go to Seattle mayor Greg Nickels' office as communications director of the City's communications directors.

This is effective immediately as continuing his political reporting when he's leaving for a job in politics wouldn't be kosher.

It's another hit taken by local media programming.

We're hearing that the "overall mood at the station is very low. Newish news director, Mark Ginther is widely regarded as being clueless, and a number of long-time KING people are looking for other options.

They've had a hiring freeze in place for several months, and the word is that the big layoffs are coming very soon.

Here's Mak's e-mail to his KING5 colleagues:

It has been an exhilarating ride at the home team. When I joined KING-TV in 1992, we edited tape in the basement, tracked on reel-to-reel and went live from our microwave truck-a diesel Suburban. Reporters had no pagers or cell phones, and I still remember when the assignment desk got a special new computer to connect to the World Wide Web.

Through two ownerships, a half dozen news directors and 23 garage gate arms, KING-TV has been an exciting place to watch the growth of the Pacific Northwest. Together, we've shared some remarkable stories: The dot-com era, APEC, the Pang fire, the spotted owl, a stadium controversy or two, a handful of monorail votes, WTO, the Keller arson spree, not to mention all those elections and initiative campaigns.

After 21 years as a television reporter, 16 years at KING and nearly seven years on KING 5 News Up Front, it is time for me to make a change and meet new challenges. Thank you all for guiding me along the way. I will miss working with the talented people who have made this station #1 for an unprecedented number of years. I leave with some wonderful memories and
friendships in a community I'm proud to call home.

Comments

[AuthenticAndrew]

Good for him, he seemed too collected and capable for a news show that shared time slots with infomercials. If I had to observe politics for a living I'd eventualy want to get involved like Gene Goddin did (although I wish she hadn't).

I can't grasp that bit about the news director "not getting" Up Front. If the show received OK ratings what more is there to get? If the show had poor ratings why would anyone need to get it?

What's the deal with the gate arms? Do poeple realy drive right through those - and that frequently?

[ginger]

At least we've still got John Curly. He's fair and balanced, just a little lite, that's all.

[Duffman]

Oh My! Why couldn't Jean Enerson take the City job as director of directors. I love Jean but her time has passed and I would like Sabrina Register to take over the anchor at KING 5. Too bad, I like Robert Mak...could going to the City of Seattle possibly be a step up?....methinks he might have fallen a step...can you imagine working for hizzoner...Robert if you don't already prepare for riding the bus. Good Luck to ya!

[AuthenticAndrew]

Sabrina Register is happily married and has kids Duffman.

[AuthenticAndrew]

Sabrina Register is happily married and has kids Duffman.

[Duffman]

I'm well aware of that AA...but that doesn't affect her talent and I thing she is being wasted on NW News Ch. I don't want to date her...I want her as anchor at KING5...dig?

[coiler]

You just have a thing for milk, duffs, you know, women with big juggs who can breast feed you the news as you want it. You make no sense on Enersen.

[RedmondDem]

Why am I not surprised that Duffboy prefers the pretty face over years of experience?

[Duffman]

Obviously you're not familar with Sabrina Register...'big juggs' not quite...re-coil but do continue your analysis...haha

[coiler]

I haven't 'checked' her out like you have Duffmilk, so I'll leave the comparison in your hands.

[Duffman]

do that re-coil; cause I'm far more capable of judging talent than you....OBVIOUSLY.

[mercifurious]

Coiler, please treat Duffman with more respect. The US soymilk industry owes him for his giant sacrifice. On Memorial Day, I took a moment of silence to honor his service: Because of my lactose intollerance, it was the least I could do for our half-black, left-leaning independant.

Remember: If we don't fight the milk industry there, they'll follow us home!

[Lindner]

god, this is a vile site.

[Duffman]

...just Nate acting out again..haha; normally we're more subdued...

[KS]

Robert Mak was a class act. He will be missed and hard to replace with Up Front. Maybe he can talk some common sense into Nickels - I realize that is a pipe dream though. A big loss for KING-5, KONG IMHO.

Duff - You can watch Sabrina Register on NW Cable News.

[joanie hussein]

Mak was good. Just a sign of the "please don't inform - I need to be entertained" times.

Duh-ff is obviously finding his entertainment on NW Cable News. Happy viewing, duh'ff.

BTW, have you ever thought of listening to Enerson instead of watching her? If I were her, I'd prefer that you stopped watching me. You're obviously looking for something other than news...

[boobie trap]

Yet another Seattle 'journalist' goes to work for a Democrat.

Rumor has it that King 5 is in negotiations to start a whole new show: "Up Rear, with John Carlson."

[busdrivermike]

It has been all downhill for K5 since Boobs McGee went to K7 to do weather.

I would like to thank Robert Mak for all those hard hitting questions he never asked over the years. You are just going to be perfect at Mayor Quimby's office. I see a city paid Sting concert in your future!

[Gay Gary]

Who's Robert Mak?

[lou pate]

give me his job radio is boring