You know that the Producer shortage is bad when CBS creates a position at the company called Vice President of Producer Development at CBS Stations.

CBS sent out a press release that announced the hiring g of Kari Patey to the VP role.

In the release, the network says Patey will be responsible for supporting the recruitment, development and retention of news producers at CBS Stations’ 14 local newsrooms across the country. In addition, she will work closely with Laurie Orlando, senior vice president of talent strategy at CBS Stations, on initiatives such as developing new-hire onboarding programs and providing training opportunities for producers within the group who aspire to become news managers.

Patey will be based at WCCO-TV, the CBS Station in Minneapolis-St. Paul, where she has served as vice president and news director since 2017. She will continue to lead the day-to-day operations at CBS News Minnesota until her successor is hired.

 “I am deeply honored to receive this opportunity to pursue my professional and personal passions by taking on this new role,” Patey said. “Being able to work more closely with (CBS News and Stations president and co-head) Wendy McMahon, Jennifer Mitchell, Adrienne Roark, Laurie Orlando and the leaders in our markets across the country, and play a role in breathing new life into how we go about recruiting, training and retaining the producers at our stations, truly is a dream come true.”

The fact that CBS has created this job shows just how difficult it is for stations to find Producers.

If you’re a Producer, you hold a very strong hand and should not be afraid to play it.

It’s a good bet that you should be making more than you are. Don’t be afraid to get what you are worth, and if your station doesn’t pay it, find a station that will.

If you need help in that area, drop me a note and I will be glad to point you in the right direction.