Mitch's Media Musings - Feb. 2019
Mitch's Media Musings
Feb. 2019
Check out CBS46 reporter Vince Sims in one of our "4 Questions Journalist Spotlight" features this month!
The Atlanta Association of Black Journalists (AABJ) hosted a panel of some of Atlanta first black TV reporters and other trailblazing black journalists at its Feb. meeting. The panelists were: Maynard Eaton, former reporter WXIA-TV; Jocelyn Dorsey, first black female reporter, WSB-TV and retired public affairs director: Emanuel Hall, former reporter, WAGA-TV (FOX 5); Collie Burnett, former reporter, WSB-AM and retiring president of AIB Network; Felecia Jeter, first black reporter, WAGA-TV (FOX 5); Walt Elder, former reporter, WSB-TV; David Gibson, AJC; Lo Jelks, first black TV reporter, WSB-TV and Vern Smith, first black Southeastern Bureau Chief, Newsweek magazine, Ray Metoyer, former anchor, WGNX-TV, moderated. Thanks to Stan Washington for this info (which I lifted from his Facebook page).
The Georgia Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) will host its regional conference on March 9, 2019 in Savannah. The theme is "trauma and stress while working in journalism." CNN's Nick Valencia is their keynote speaker. Details here: http://tinyurl.com/y24pfleg.
Atlanta Press Club -- A great program by the Atlanta Press Club this month, focused on legislative issues. The panel included Johnny Kaufman (WABE), Maggie Lee (The Saporta Report), and Jill Nolin (CNHI). Donna Lowry moderated the panel (former WXIA reporter now working during the session with GPB's Lawmakers show).
General
Cox Enterprises - 2-15-19, Cox Enterprises to sell majority stake in TV stations to Apollo. Details http://tinyurl.com/y35rwalv.
Aroundabout Local Media (ALM) - ALM received the 2019 Excellence in Customer Service award this month from the Cherokee Chamber of Commerce for "consistently demonstrating exceptional service that differentiates them from their competitors." ALM also earned the chamber’s Small Business of the Year award in 2016. ALM is owned by Jon and Karen Flaig and publishes four free monthly community magazines that offer affordable advertising to area businesses through cover stories, advertorials and display ads. The TowneLaker, which debuted in 1996, is the company’s flagship publication.
ARTSATL - The site has relaunched as ARTSATL.org. From their press release: After 10 years of providing comprehensive coverage of the arts in Atlanta, Atlanta-based nonprofit ArtsATL.com has rebranded and relaunched as ARTSATL.org. They will retain the comprehensive arts coverage and criticism that their audience depends on but will now also be developing a host of educational programs to further support, sustain, and grow Atlanta’s diverse and impactful arts. Click for all the details: https://www.artsatl.org/meet-the-new-arts-atl/
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Krystal Dixon joins as Cobb Hyperlocal reporter. She was previously with Patch.
Georgia Public Radio
Emilia Leroy moves over to GPB from WABE. She'll be producing for the "On Second Thought" show.
Neighbor Newspapers
Noreen Cochran departs her editor position for the South Fulton editions. She's been there for 17 years.
Christine Fonville moves from the DeKalb Neighbor to edit the South Fulton and Henry edition editions. No decision yet on who'll take over editing the DeKalb Neighbor.
Oz magazine - Nicole Sage joins as Managing Editor.
South Atlanta magazine - New publication. We're working on getting details, but check them out at http://southatlantamagazine.com/.
South Fulton Lifestyle - Check out the latest issue!
WABE
Tasnim Shamma departs the station. She posted on Twitter that she was leaving "to take care of a baby who needs more of my care and time."
Anastaciah Ondieki joins as producer for Rose Scott's "Closer Look" show (M-F)
John Haas is now Director of Cross-Platform Content Strategy.
Miranda Hawkins has departed the station for a job at How Stuff Works.
WGCL-TV/CBS46
Melissa Stern joins as general assignment reporter.
WSB Radio
Drew Anderssen joins as Senior Operations and Program Manager. He starts Feb. 3. He'll be responsible for managing WSB and serving as the news, talk and sports format coordinator for CMG (Cox Media Group) Radio.
WSB-TV
Kristen Holloway joins as general assignment reporter.
Sports reporter Anthony Amey has departed the station.
Jerry Goodman joins as Executive Producer for their morning news.
Reporter Jim Strickland retires after 20 years with the station and almost 40 in TV news.
WXIA/11Alive
11Alive has announced a rebranding to "11Alive: Where Atlanta Speaks." The station says "The perspective of 11Alive’s storytelling will shift more to the point of view of residents who are living through and experiencing compelling and necessary stories first-hand. See the full press release below.
Entertainment and Culture reporter Francesca Amiker was awarded an Influencer Award from The 20 ATL.
Reporter Kaitlyn Ross was recognized for her work with animals at the Valentails Charity Gala. She received an award for humanitarian service from BarkVille Animal Rescue.
Aisha Howard joins the station as the co-host of their newly rebranded 11 p.m. news show, now called "Up Late ATL." She's a Michigan State alum, and spent time at Fox59 in Indianapolis, WNEM-TV5 in Michigan, and WCTI NewsChannel 12 in New Bern, NC. She's a native of Flint, Michigan.
News from the PR Dept.
Maryjane Sutherland Stout has started a new company, offering editing and proofreading services. Learn more at https://rednbluepencil.com/.
Congrats to the Grunduski Group, voted Best of Gwinnett 2018 in the Marketing and Creative Services category.
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11Alive Launches New Brand to Reflect Atlanta In a market littered with sameness, 11Alive stands out.
ATLANTA – Atlanta is a city growing by the minute. New voices and perspectives are added to the landscape each day and 11Alive’s promise to our city and its residents has been unwavering: to be a leading source for the meaningful information that Atlanta wants. The city’s steady growth sparked a need for 11Alive to find new ways to continue to engage with our viewers in meaningful and impactful ways.
To differentiate ourselves in the marketplace, 11Alive is furthering our commitment to the residents of Atlanta by rebranding to 11Alive: Where Atlanta Speaks. What does this mean for the way we produce content? The perspective of 11Alive’s storytelling will shift more to the point of view of residents who are living through and experiencing compelling and necessary stories first-hand. “We want the people of Atlanta to know that they have a real voice in what matters,” said 11Alive Director of Marketing Amanda White.
11Alive: Where Atlanta Speaks will be visible in storytelling through diverse conversations and perspectives that reflect the community. The attributes that make the station one of the most awarded in Atlanta, and one of the most-visited digital media properties will be felt and seen throughout the city.
“Now more than ever, being aggressive in pursuit of meaningful truth and how it impacts our city is essential for meaningful dialogue,” said 11Alive President and General Manager John Deushane. “By filtering stories through the lens of how they impact the people in the Atlanta region, 11Alive’s rebrand comes at a time when it’s imperative for us to seek out a range of perspectives and voices to tell the full story.”
Visually, 11Alive’s new brand stands out across all platforms, beginning with our new logo. In a nod to our history, two tall and bold ‘ones’ feature striking, yet subtle 11-degree angles. Throughout our on-air and digital platforms, the “11” will come alive with images and portrayals of the city that viewers will recognize and embrace as part of our culture. Our new, energetic red stands out among the pack and enhances the passion and vibrancy of the city.
Catch 11Alive: Where Atlanta Speaks live on-air beginning Wednesday, January 23 at 5:00pm on 11Alive.
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