Mitch's Media Musings April 2023

Mitch's Media Musings

March 16 - April 15, 2023

General

Correction: Lorenzo "Lo" Jelks died this month. Jelks became the first Black television news reporter in Atlanta in 1967. The Atlanta Press Club inducted him into its Hall of Fame in 2022.

Atlanta Press Club - Come on our to the APC's Spring Member Mixer on May 2 at Manuel's Tavern, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Details on the APC web site.

Atlanta magazine - Check out this great story by Heather Buckner, "Journalist is struggling. In Atlanta, new indie outlets are finding ways to make it work - and bringing in important voices." Link to the story.

Atlanta Business Chronicle - Zach Armstrong departs.. He's moving to Los Angeles for a position as Editor at Mirror Media Group.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

• Leroy Chapman has been named Editor in Chief, replacing Kevin Riley who will be retiring. Details.

• Martha Dalton joins from WABE Radio. She'll be covering Atlanta Public Schools and Fulton County Schools. Martha's an incredible "get" for the AJC's education department! She's been covering education in metro Atlanta for almost 13 years.

• Mirtha Donestorg joins the economy team in a Report for America position, covering Black wealth, entrepreneurship, and businesses.

• The paper's "Dangerous Dwellings" series is receiving a national journalism award from Investigative Reporters and Editors. Reporters on the writing team included Alan Judd, Willoughby Mariano, Johnny Edwards, Jennifer Peebles, and Lois Norder.

Daily Report - The Daily Report has an opening for its business of law reporter position. Duties include coverage of lawyers and law firms, such as law firm/legal industry trends. It has excellent pay and benefits. Interested? For more information or to apply visit https://globalus63.dayforcehcm.com/CandidatePortal/en-US/alm/Posting/View/309.

Georgia Public Broadcasting

• Chase McGee joins as political producer

National Association of Hispanic Journalists - NAHJ has announced its new board members. Elwyn Lopez (ABC News) continues as President, Ana Johnson (Warner Media) is VP, and Paola Suro (WXIA TV) is Secretary.

WABE Radio

• Martha Dalton moves to the AJC (see above)

• Marlon Hyde joins as the station's new business reporter

• The station's "Closer Look" show has launched a new Hip Hop series, "Hip Hop at 50" hosted by Rose Scott.

WANF TV

• Managing editor Josh Morgan departs for a position as News Director at KCTV in Kansas City (see Kristin Crowley)

• The station is the broadcast partner for the Atlanta Pride Run this year

• Brendan Keefe has officially announced that he's joined the station as Chief Investigator. He's also reporting for the larger Gray TV network of stations

WSB TV

• Larry Spruill is now a full time reporter

• Recently departed anchor Justin Wilfon has launched a new company, Wilfon Media, a social media management business.

WXIA TV / 11Alive

• Kelsey Stanger promoted to Nightside Executive Producer.

• Fred Kalil retires after more than 40 years in the TV biz. Fred's been an icon on the sports scene in Atlanta as long as I can remember and he's always been one of the nicest guys to work with. The AJC's Rodney Ho has a bit more background in this story.

• Karys Belger switches from weekends to a weekday (dayside) shift.

• Kristin Crowley departs for a national correspondent position based out of Kansas City (see Josh Morgan)

• Check out Maria Martin's "Women in Sports" special. Find the link on their home page.

• Ciara Frisbie reports that their series "A Different City" is being recognized with a National Gracie Award by the Alliance for Women in Media. They'll get the award in June.

News from the PR Dept

• Sara Freeland is PRSA Georgia's Chapter Champion for March. Sara has worked in communications at the University of Georgia since 2007 and today oversees communications for 20+ units related to UGA instruction.

• Meghan Stoneburner promoted to Senior Account Manager, and Emma Smith to Account Manager at C21

• The Grunduski Group celebrates their ten year anniversary this month

• Jennifer Long is the new founding Executive Director of Create Dunwoody

• Creative Communications and its founder Claudia Brooks D'Avanzo celebrate 25 years in business this month

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