Mitch's Media Musings

Oct. 16 - Nov. 15, 2021

General

SPJ Georgia - SPJ did a launch event on Oct. 28 for its new national/local initiative, "Sources of Color." It's designed for journalists interested in reaching out to a more diversified group of sources. It's also available to marketing and public relations people wanting to connect more sources of color to their clients. People of color who are industry or topic experts are welcome as well. Link to more info: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/193197588187

GABBY Awards - Congrats to the 2021 winners of the GA Association of Broadcasters Awards. Link to all winners: https://www.gab.org/2021-gabby-and-merit-award-winners/.

Appen Media

Appen Media Group is looking for a Reporter to cover local news in the north Atlanta area. Interested applicants should send their resumes to carl@appenmedia.com.
The Alpharetta Roswell Revue has been named the official legal organ of the city of Roswell.

ArtsATL - Howard Pousner and Gillian Anne Renault join as Senior Editors. The publication notes that "Pousner will oversee ArtsATL’s theater coverage, in addition to film and TV. Renault will be in charge of art and design coverage, in addition to dance."

Atlanta Civic Circle - Saba Long joins as the pubs first Executive Director. Details: https://www.pr.com/press-release/847009. ACC is a nonpartisan, nonprofit, civic journalism organization. It launched at the beginning of this year.

Atlanta Business Chronicle

Meagan Smith joins as Digital Editor
Chris Furhmeister is now Housing and Restaurants reporter
Savannah Sicurella joins as reporter

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A number of changes in the paper:
- Weekly "Inspire Atlanta" section on Fridays
- More local content online and a new County by County section on Tuesdays
Chris Wilkins of Root Baking Co. and Pizza Jeans joins the food team as columnist of their new "Bake Better" column
Former WSB Radio sports anchor Jay Black has joined the AJC and Audio and Program Podcast Manager.

Capital B News - Capital B is a Black-led, nonprofit local and national news organization reporting for Black communities across the country, launching early 2022. They're adding staff to their Atlanta bureau including Gavin Godfrey as Atlanta Editor, Adjoa Daniso as Community Engagement Editor, and Jewel Wicker as Editor-At-Large.

CW Atlanta - Michael King joins as digital media strategist. He was previously with 11Alive.

Georgia News Network

Mark Woolsey has rejoined the Georgia News Network/iHeart News Bureau in Atlanta after retiring from there in 2019. He's doing GNN anchoring on weekends and filling in during the week doing newscasts for Georgia and other southeastern states.

Oconee Radio - Jonathan O'Brien joins, replacing Rahul Bali who moved to WABE Radio.

Oz - Editor Brooke Sonenreich departs. She's now the marketing manager at the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival.

Salvation South - Chuck Reece, who several years ago created the Bitter Southerner, has launched a new publication, Salvation South. Reece says "the new publication will be for people who believe that our region — the American South — actually could become the “beloved community” envisioned by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Salvation South will ask you questions and welcome your answers, because we believe the beloved community can be built only through a persistent dedication to conversation — even, sometimes, with people who disagree with you." Learn more at https://www.salvationsouth.com/.

Saporta Report - Derek Prall departs Atlanta Civic Circle. He'll still be writing for the Saporta Report.

Univision - Univision promotes Gianncarlo Cifuentes to VP and Regional News Director of Tampa and Orlando stations

WABE

John Haas departs the station.
Patrick Saunders joins as Digital Editor.
Sam Whitehead, who's been the station's health reporter for several years, and the host of the podcast "Did You Wash Your Hands?", is moving over to Rose Scott's "Closer Look" show to be the show's Senior Producer.
Emily Jones joins as Climate Reporter.
Sam Gringlas joins as Political Reporter.

WAGA / Fox5

Congrats to meteorologist Joanne Feldman, who graces the cover of Best Self magazine's "Over 40 and Fabulous" issue!
Christopher King is back! The former CBS46 reporter is back as a general assignment reporter at Fox5, after a stint anchoring at KGAN TV in in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and at KTVN in Las Vegas as an anchor/reporter

WGCL TV / CBS46

Savannah Louis joins as weekend anchor and reporter. She's worked previously in St. Louis and San Antonio.
Vince Cellini joins the sports team
Former reporter Katie Brace is now an anchor/reporter at Boston's NBC affiliate.

WSB Radio

Congrats to Belinda Skelton, featured in Best Self magazine's "Over 40 and Fabulous" issue!
WSB Radio this month was named Legendary Station of the Year at the 2021 National Association of Broadcasters’ Marconi Radio Awards.

WSB TV

Maureen Sheeran departs. She's now an ecommerce insights and communications producer for Pitney Bowes.
Anchor Jovita Moore dies after a being diagnosed with brain cancer. Moore had been with Channel 2 Action News since 1998. She is survived by her mother, her two wonderful children and stepdaughter, who she called the most important accomplishments of her life. Details: https://tinyurl.com/yfvhgbsk.
Michelle Newell joins as an anchor. She's coming from WPXI-TV in Pittsburgh and starts in November.
Reporter and Anchor Carol Sbarge retires after 29 years with the station, and 39 years in the news biz.

WXIA TV / 11Alive

Natisha Lance departs the station
Newly departed reporter Chenue Her, now an anchor for WOI TV in Des Moise, Iowa, has been getting some great national press as the first male Hmong news anchor. Check out this clip from CBS: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1476823639342395.
Francesca Amiker, who with Ryan Dennis and Raymond Tubb built the A-Scene entertainment franchise at the station, has departed. She's heading for Los Angeles as a reporter with E!.
Cheryl Preheim moves to an anchor role on the morning show.

News from the PR Dept.

Hilary Hansen McKean departs Ketchum PR after 30 years.

At this year's PRSA Georgia Phoenix Awards, several awards will be made:

Distinguished PR Award – Renee Montgomery, Vice President, part-owner and investor of the Atlanta Dream, and retired American basketball player and sports broadcaster
Luminary Star Award – Kristie Swink Benson, APR, Director of Communications, High Museum of Art
Shining Star Award – Rachel Cushing, Media Director, Lenz Marketing
Rising Star Award – Kristen Ellis, Account Supervisor, MSL