Telemundo Philadelphia has made two key hires ahead of the launch of local newscasts next year: Claribel Collazo joins the station as assistant news director and Ramon Zayas (pictured) has been named 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. anchor.
Zayas joins WWSI from Telemundo Network News in Miami, where he has been the anchor of “Un Nuevo Dia” since 2011.
“We are thrilled to welcome Ramon to our growing team,” Anzio Williams, vice president of news for Telemundo Philadelphia and WCAU, said in a statement. “He brings a wealth of journalism and broadcasting experience with him, and will play a vital role as we prepare for the launch of our January newscast.”
Collazo was most recently the news director at Telemundo Orlando.
“I’m looking forward to being a part of this news team,” she said. “I believe in connecting with the community and covering real issues with a team of trusted journalists.”
More from WWSI after the jump.
RAMON ZAYAS JOINS TELEMUNDO PHILADELPHIA / WWSI AS WEEKNIGHT ANCHOR
Zayas joins newly-hired Assistant News Director as WWSI prepares for January 2014 newscast launch
PHILADELPHIA, PA – (October 21, 2013) – Leading up to the January launch of its first local newscast, Telemundo Philadelphia / WWSI today announced that Emmy Award winning journalist Ramon Zayas has been named anchor for the 6 PM and 11 PM editions of the upcoming weeknight newscast. Zayas joins the station today. Most recently he was with Telemundo Network News in Miami, Florida, where he was anchor of the morning show “Un Nuevo Dia” since 2011.
“I’m excited to join Telemundo Philadelphia’s news team in the launch of its first local newscast,” said Zayas. “I look forward to providing our Spanish-speaking viewers with daily news, in-depth coverage, and breaking news stories on the issues that are relevant to the community.”
Zayas brings with him more than 20 years of experience in broadcasting. He has covered a range of local, national and international news stories, including Hurricane Sandy, Pope Benedict’s resignation, the succession of Pope Francis, the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, multiple presidential elections and political conventions, and many others.
“We are thrilled to welcome Ramon to our growing team,” said Anzio Williams, Vice President of News for Telemundo Philadelphia and NBC10 Philadelphia. “He brings a wealth of journalism and broadcasting experience with him, and will play a vital role as we prepare for the launch of our January newscast.”
Previously, Zayas served as an anchor and reporter for Telemundo Nueva York’s “Noticiero Telemundo Nueva York Fin de Semana” from 2002-2011. From 1999-2002 he was an anchor and reporter with Univision – WXTV, Channel 41’s morning show, “Al Despertar.” He also held roles in television and radio from 1986-1999.
Zayas holds a Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from San Francisco State University.
In addition to Zayas’ appointment, Claribel Collazo has joined WWSI as Assistant News Director. Collazo brings more than 18 years of experience in broadcast journalism. Most recently she was with Telemundo Orlando / WTMO. While there, she helped make the station the #1 Spanish-language newscast in Central Florida, and led the news team in coverage of national stories such as the Trayvon Martin case, the trial of George Zimmerman, and the Casey Anthony trial.
“I’m looking forward to being a part of this news team,” said Collazo. “I believe in connecting with the community and covering real issues with a team of trusted journalists.”
Telemundo Philadelphia is set to launch its new, high-definition Spanish-language newscast in January 2014. The live, half-hour newscast will air weeknights at 6 PM and 11 PM and will deliver Spanish-speaking viewers across the Philadelphia market the most relevant information that impacts their daily lives, including local news, weather, entertainment, sports and community news.