Mitch's Media Musings Nov. 2023
Mitch's Media Musings
Oct. 16 - Nov. 15, 2023
General
PRSA Phoenix Awards - I had the honor of introducing Bob Hope this month as he was inducted into the Order of the Phoenix. Thanks also to our event MCs from WSB TV, Wendy Corona and Jorge Estevez.
Georgia State MAX Awards! Call for Entries: Georgia State University’s 28th Marketing Awards for Excellence (MAX Awards). The Department of Marketing at Georgia State University’s J. Mack Robinson College of Business will honor the best in new products, services and ways to market developed in 2022-2023 at the 28th Marketing Awards for Excellence (MAX Awards) on February 29, 2024.
MAX Award entries are judged on innovation, marketing support, and marketplace success by a panel of judges comprising members of the Robinson College of Business Marketing RoundTable, chief marketing officers, and senior marketers from Georgia companies. Awards will be presented in three categories: established firms, startups, and nonprofits.
Early bird entry deadline is Nov. 30 ($100 registration); final entry deadline: Dec. 15 ($150 registration). Enter at https://bit.ly/28thMaxAwards. Questions? Contact maxawards@gsu.edu. The MAX Awards will be presented during the 2024 Future of Marketing Conference on Feb. 29, 2024 at the Georgia Aquarium (conference details).
Atlanta Press Club
Dec. 11 - The APC and PRSA Georgia will hold a joint Holiday Party at Manuel's Tavern (details here). The party is sponsored in party by Leff's Atlanta Media (our Atlanta media database) and everyone who subscribes at the party gets three months free on the subscription!
The APC held a great event recently focused on AI and journalism. The panel included Maija Ehlinger (Hypepotamus), Ravi Nessman (AP), Niketa Patel (Online News Association), and David Schweidel with the Goizueta Business School. It was moderated by the new editor of the AJC, Leroy Chapman.
The 2023 APC Hall of Fame inductions honored five journalists: Patricia Janoit (CNN en Espanol, Telemundo), Scott Slade (WSB Radio), Robin Meade (CNN/HLN), Corey G. Johnson (ProPublica, Tampa Bay Times), Jack Nelson (Los Angeles Times).
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Gavin Godfrey has been named diversity and culture reporter
Sara Gregory joins as a staff writer covering DeKalb County
Ariel Hart and Helena Oliviero received the Friend to Children award from the American Academy of Pediatrics Georgia Chapter. Hart says the AAP "cited our dedication as heath care journalists to getting accurate information out."
We've added Digital Content Producer Ebony Williams to the database
Katherine Landergan joins the paper's investigative team. She'll continue reporting on safety net issues.
Jim Wooten, former editorial director at the Atlanta Journal and later a conservative columnist for the merged Atlanta Journal-Constitution, has died. Story from AJC. He was diagnosed in February 2020 with a very aggressive form of Lew Body Dementia, a progressive neurological disease.
The AJC this month premiered its new documentary "The South Got Something to Say," focused on the 50th anniversary of hip-hop and Atlanta's role.
Rosie Manins departs Law360 and joins the AJC covering Georgia courts and other legal topics.
Burnaway - The magazine celebrated its 15th anniversary in October
CBS News - Dave Malkoff joins the Atlanta Bureau as a National Correspondent based in Atlanta
Gainesville Times
Added reporter Ben Anderson and managing editor John Chambliss (thanks for subscriber Meredith Fletcher of Fletcher PR who attended a recent event at the paper)
Georgia Entertainment - Publisher Randy Davidson has announced the "Georgia Entertainment: The Creative Economy Journal." This twice yearly publication will provide an important medium to drive further advocacy and intentional relationships for their partners. Also, they'll be holding their next Georgia Entertainment 100 event on Dec. 14 ahead of the start of DreamHack Atlanta.
Gannett News - Georgia reporter Abe Kenmore departs for a new, non-profit politics outlet in South Carolina associated with States Newsroom.
Georgia News Network (iHeartRadio) - Scott Kimbler has been promoted to Executive Producer - Southeast State Radio Networks. He tells me there will be some new hires!
Georgia Public Broadcasting - Orlando Montoya is now hosting a new podcast, Narrative Edge.
Marietta Daily Journal - Joe Adgie joins as a general assignment reporter. His byline should be familiar from his time with the Henry Herald, Newnan Times Herald, Clayton News Daily, and the Valdosta Daily Times.
Take Pride in Retirement - Matt McClure launched a new podcast, focused on providing retirement resources to the LGBTQ community. He says the goal is "to help listeners and clients create the retirement they have always dreamed of." Details in the Leff's Atlanta Media database.
Scripps News
Steve Graddick departs, joining Fox5 DC as a morning anchor
I'm hearing that there will some changes, additions to their daily show schedule. More to come on that.
WABE - Marissa Mecke joins as environmental reporter. She was previously with the Savannah Morning News. Oh, and in case you get into trouble while hiking, she's got her Wilderness/Remote Location Advanced First Aid certification.
WAGA / Fox5
Morse Diggs retires after 41 years at the station. Here's a video that Fox5 put together.
Ryan Beasley departs Good Day Atlanta
Georgia Chambers joins as a sports reporter covering the Falcons
WANF TV / Atlanta News First - Reporter Zac Summers departs for a weekend anchor role at KCTV, the CBS affiliate in Kansas City, MO.
WSB Radio
Matt McClure has joined the station as a morning reporter/anchor. He was previously with iHeartRadio.
Steve Summers joins as reporter in the afternoons
WXIA
Paola Suro been selected as one of Georgia’s 50 Most Influential Latinos by the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Former Sports Director Art Eckman died this month at age 81. Jerry Carnes notes that "Art loved sports and kept busy long after he left 11Alive, commentating on motorsports and later leading the sports information department at Kennesaw State.
News from the PR Dept.
Denim Marketing brought home 8 Gold awards at this year's Obie Awards.
Leff & Associates would have brought home a PRSA Phoenix Award for client MomoCon again this year, but apparently the guy submitting the entry screwed up somewhere in the process.
Congrats to Nora DePalma and her agency, Dialogue Marketing. They won a PRSA Georgia Phoenix Award for their work with client Vine to Bar in the category of Integrated Communications - Food and Beverage.
And congrats to Pat Check and her agency, Latitude 34, for a Phoenix Award win for client Lenbrook!
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