Mitch's Media Musings August 2023
Mitch's Media Musings
July 16 - Aug. 15, 2023
General
We seems to have a lot of new journalists joining this month, so it's a great opportunity to re-share our "How to Sound Like A Local" guide. If you have anything to add, please let me know!
Renowned Atlanta Ray Metoyer has died. We worked with him a bit at WGCL TV (now WANF). He died after a battle with cancer, according to this article from the NABJ. The article notes that Metoyer "... anchored and produced newscasts in the Denver, Houston, Atlanta, Greenville, and Spartanburg, South Carolina television markets. He also was a pivotal force behind the news operations at The Black Family Channel and Soul of The South. Metoyer owned the production company Townhall Productions in metro Atlanta, producing and developing content for an array of companies."
Atlanta writer Kelundra Smith has been named Managing Editor of American Theater magazine.
Rich Eldredge writes about Atlanta radio veteran Steve McCoy and an upcoming fundraiser, "Stand Up for Steve." McCoy was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 2008 and the Aug. 27 fundraiser at the Punchline Comedy Club will raise money for his medical care. Here's a link to his GoFundMe page.
Atlanta Press Club - Congrats to all the winners at the APC's Awards of Excellence event on Aug. 8. Click here to see all the winners. Kudos to Executive Director Julia Boyd for a great event.
Atlanta Business Chronicle - Savannah Sicurella reports that the AJC is in conversations to move its HQ back into the midtown area. Link to the story is here.
Atlanta Daily World - Check out the work of Executive Director AR Shaw!
Atlanta Jewish Times - Kaylene Ladinsky, Editor and Managing Publisher of AJT, and a founder and director of operations of the Atlanta Jewish Life Foundation, was recently selected as the Top Editor and Managing Publisher of the Year 2023 by the International Association of Top Professionals (IAOTP) for her outstanding leadership, dedication, and excellence in the publishing industry.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Mike Jordan has been named Senior Editor for the paper's Black Culture team. Details.
The paper this month fired reporter Alan Judd related to stories around UGA's football program. Axios provides details.
Justin Toscano takes over the Braves beat
AJC hires Bill Nigut for daily radio show that'll air on WABE. Details here.
Janel Davis returns to the AJC after time spent with the Washington Post. She'll be Managing Editor for Features, Food, and Sports.
Adam Van Brimmer joins as a political writer. The AJC says he'll "contribute to and edit the Jolt, the AJC’s morning politics newsletter, and will cover state politics and issues from Savannah, where he lives." More in this story.
Bisnow Atlanta - Jarred Schenke talks about the ten biggest office buildings in Atlanta and the space they have to fill in this recent article. Metro Atlanta's 173.5M sf office market is 28.2 percent vacant. Check it out. Link: https://tinyurl.com/2dyyrpgn
Brightside Cobb - We're adding Cathy Lipsett to the database
Cabbagetown Neighbor - We're adding this local outlet to the Leff's Atlanta Media database. Kyle Bidlack is the editor. Shoutout to Rose Scott because I learned about this publications while listening to her her "Closer Look" show on WABE Radio.
Capital B Atlanta - Editor Gavin Godfrey departs.
CNN - Big changes to the lineup at CNN, including shows in Atlanta, DC, and NYC. Details here.
Cobb Courier - They've switched their newsletter to a daily news summary. www.cobbcourier.com.
Equally Wed - Check out this article featuring editor Kirsten Palladino in the NYT.
Georgia Public Broadcasting - Bert Wesley Huffman has been appointed the new Chief Executive Officer for GPB. The vote by the Georgia Public Telecommunications Commission was unanimous. He's been with GPB for almost ten years.
James Magazine - Insider Advantage is now James Magazine
Marietta Daily Journal - We've added Jake Busch (staff writer), Joel Elliott (staff writer), and Jordan Howard (sports) to the database
Neighbor Newspaper - Skyler Heath is the interim editor
NewsNation - Former Atlanta producer Janel Forte is now a reporter at WFAA TV in Dallas.
Rough Draft - They've consolidated all their social media under @RoughDraftATL
Scripps News
Tracy Carmony as been promoted to Director of Newsgathering
We've added guest booker Mya Seals to the database
Skye Estroff - Estroff is launching a new podcast, Skye's the Limit. It'll dive into food trends, social media, entrepreneurship, travel, pop culture, and cool stories from cool people. Look for it at this link.
WABE - The station has announced a series of four new podcasts.
Montgomery & Co. - (Aug. 12 launch) Renee Montgomery, WNBA champion and part-owner of the Atlanta Dream, is bringing her acclaimed weekly talk show to the WABE 90.1 radio lineup Saturdays
The Boom - (Aug. 18 launch) A weekly look at Atlanta’s growing film and television industry, through trending topics and origin stories of local filmmakers, cast, and crew. Entertainment and culture reporter Jewel Wicker hosts.
Calls for Justice - (Aug 28 launch) - As part of Science Gallery’s JUSTICE exhibition, an interrogation of justice in media through democratized voice and ownership. Each episode is constructed from contributors who leave reflections on justice using a phone booth installed in Science Gallery.
Wake Up and Create - (Aug 28 launch) - Features curated excerpts from the CreativeMornings Atlanta speaker archives, diving into a short selection of the most powerful, insightful, and light-hearted stories. Listen in for inspiration and a jumpstart to your day from Atlanta-based creatives, entrepreneurs, doers, and thinkers.
WAGA / Fox5
Justin Felder starts a new position as Sports Anchor & Executive Producer
Congrats to anchor Courtney Bryant on the birth of her daughter!
Miles Garrett is now the station's "Bulldog Final" show on the weekends.
Victor Prieto joins as Sports MMJ/Reporter covering the Falcons, Braves, UGA, etc.
WANF TV
Rob Hughes departs for a position with ABC7 in Chicago where he'll be a weekend anchor and weekday reporter.
Former reporter Melinda Roeder has been named News Director at WTAJ TV in Pennsylvania
WSB Radio - Cheryl Castro has been named the Morning News Anchor.
WSB TV
Heather Catlin departs for a job at Chick-fil-A. Rodney Ho reports.
WXIA TV / 11Alive
Zach Merchant joins as Investigative Reporter. He joins from WUSA TV in Washington, DC. I'm told he earned a law degree while working full time at the station! Oh, and he began his career at WMAZ in Macon.
We've added producer Lauren Wortman to the database (7 p.m. newscast)
Producer Danielle Carter-Ford departs for a position at CNN
Grace King joins as a new investigative reporter. She's most lately from WBIR. Fun facts: She's an FAA certified drone pilot, a skilled figure skater ... and she designs her own dresses.
News from the PR Department
PRSA Georgia has named Chris Reinolds Kozelle at its Chapter Champion for July. She's the PR Director at Berry College. Kyna Lee Willis is August Chapter Champion, recognizing her work on the DEI Committee.
Congrats to Neil Hirsch who starts a new position as Senior Director, Communications at Labcorp
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