WXYZ: TV news, writer, producer, news director.
Walter Kraft, former News Director of WXYZ-TV in Southfield, Michigan, now Vice President for Communications with Eastern Michigan University. The first pitch thrown out at Comerica Park on July 22, 2015.
After nearly 17 years at Eastern Michigan University, 10 years at Caponigro Public Relations, and 19 years in one of the finest newsrooms at WXYZ-TV, I’m preparing to begin an exciting new chapter: retirement.
I do so with immense gratitude for the colleagues, mentors, friends, students, clients, and family who have been part of this journey along the way.
To those I’ve had the pleasure of knowing and working with over the years, I hope you’ll join me in celebrating this special milestone!
Eastern Michigan University names Kraft vice president for communications
YPSILANTI – Eastern Michigan University has named Walter Kraft as its new vice president for communications, pending approval by the Board of Regents. The appointment is effective August 10, 2009.
“I’m pleased that Walter will be joining Eastern Michigan,” said Susan Martin, president of EMU. “His knowledge of the media landscape locally and nationally, and his background as a leading communications executive in the region will help us tell the stories of Eastern’s impact in Michigan. He brings energy and passion to the position and will help us to effectively communicate the excellent education, accessibility and programs Eastern Michigan University provides.”
Kraft said, “Eastern Michigan University plays a vital role among Michigan’s universities. Given the economic and education environment we are in, it is more important today than ever before to provide thoughtful and intelligent information about the University and its programs. I’m looking forward to working with Dr. Martin and the entire Eastern Michigan team.”
Kraft has been executive vice president of Caponigro Public Relations in Southfield, Mich., since 2002. His experience includes working with clients in education, health care, banking and transportation where his responsibilities included leading media relations efforts, strategic planning, crisis management and a wide range of external and internal communications activities. Kraft started at Caponigro as a vice president in 1998. He was named senior vice president in 2000.
From 1992 – 1997, Kraft was news director at WXYZ-TV7 in Detroit, where he was responsible for day-to-day editorial coverage and supervised a staff of 100. During his time at WXYZ, he created award-winning special projects/ investigative units, which won several national awards including the Alfred I. DuPont Columbia University Award for Excellence in Broadcast Journalism. Prior to his work as news director, he was a writer and producer at the station and earned three Detroit Emmy Awards.
He received a bachelor’s degree in telecommunications from Michigan State University.
Kraft has been active in several community organizations. He is on the board of the Mental Health Association in Michigan and is past board chair and current advisory board member of Volunteer Impact. Previous board involvement includes Habitat for Humanity-Detroit, the American Red Cross of Southeastern Michigan and the International Association of Business Communicators. He also is a graduate of Leadership Detroit.
Kraft, who currently lives in Berkley, has three children. His salary will be $160,000.
- WXYZ Station’s Annual Ski Trip
- WXYZ News Team
- WXYZ GOP Convention 1980
- WXYZ Alumni Met at Roy Hobbs Baseball
Walter Kraft Facebook Walter Kraft and Glenn Therrien Roy Hobbs Baseball November 2021 “Special for my WXYZ-TV Channel 7 friends!! Playing baseball this week with our colleague Glenn Therrien in the Roy Hobbs World Series in Ft. Myers, FLA. A great week with a bunch of great guys. Special thanks to Gary Gavlinski for the great job managing! Made it through the first round of playoffs with a standout mercy win over some tough competition and finish with an overall 4-3 record!” – Walter Kraft
- Top Notch Newsroom Crew
- Producers of the Evening Newscast at Work
- Ummm… another planning session?
- PR Newswire – Michael J. McCanham
Press Release from June 29, 1993. SOUTHFIELD, Mich., June 29 /PRNewswire/ — Michael J. McCanham has been named assignment manager for WXYZ-TV/Channel 7. McCanham’s appointment was effective Monday, June 28. The announcement was made by WXYZ-TV/Channel 7 News Director Walter Kraft.
Most recently, McCanham was assignment editor for WDIV TV/Channel 4 in Detroit. Previously, McCanham worked as assignment editor for WJBK TV/Channel 2 and as a news producer/broadcast coordinator for WWJ News Radio 95. Both news outlets are located in Southfield. Prior to that, McCanham worked as a reporter for Metro Newswire in Garden City, Mich., and producer/reporter for WCAR Radio also located in Garden City.
WXYZ-TV/Channel 7 News Director Kraft said: “Responding to news quickly and effectively is the trademark of Channel 7 Action News. The addition of Mickey McCanham to our assignment desk further strengthens our position as Detroit’s news leader.”
WXYZ-TV/Channel 7 Director of News and Operations Bob Giles said, “Mickey’s knowledge of the Detroit area, and the people who make it work, makes him a valuable asset to our already strong assignment team … joining Steve Kay, Bob Kuszynski, Melissa Kufel, Tim Meloche and investigative producer John Trafelet.”
McCanham is active in the community and is also a member of the Citizens Advisory Board for the Farmington Hills Police Department.
In addition to WXYZ-TV, Scripps Howard Broadcasting owns and operates television stations in Baltimore, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Kansas City, Memphis, Phoenix, Tampa, Tulsa and West Palm Beach. It also operates cable television systems in California, Colorado and Florida, with 267,400 basic subscribers.
6/29/93CONTACT: Robin Hardin-Bailey of WXYZ-TV/Channel 7, 313-827-9307
- Walter Kraft and Bill Bonds
Teaming up at the 2013 WXYZ Staff Reunion.
Walter Kraft Water Kraft and Bill Bonds WXYZ 2013 Reunion - Walter Kraft and Bill Bonds
Covering political conventions was always a thrill for the staff of WXYZ.
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