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 Writer's Week
Society of Professional Journalists
Cleveland Pro Chapter Newsletter
July 4, 2013
Deadline For Next Edition: July 11
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President's Message
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A pencil in God's hands ...
Dear friends:
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Cheryl D'Mello
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Swiftly, sometimes tremulously, my year as president of SPJ's Cleveland chapter has swept past. Months were strung together with vibrant board meetings, trainings, a conference, agendas, events and of course, food.
How did I land in journalism and SPJ? Where did my journey begin? Everyone's story is different. For me, it began with my love of reading. Huddled daily in the school bus going home in New Delhi, India, I devoured Jane Austen and Dickens, later sipping slowly on poetry by T.S. Eliot, Auden and Keats. What would I chose to do with my life? Mostly write, I decided, stumbling first into copywriting in an ad agency, and then, fortunately, into journalism. I loved the challenge of interviewing, reporting, scribbling notes in my peculiar shorthand, asking disconcerting questions, unveiling truths. I discovered the power of the written word - to inspire, to change lives, to change hearts, to wreak havoc and to bring peace. I found that words can merely sparkle like crystal, or cut like a sword to reveal deceits. They can smother the truth or be used as a refuge. They can spread like a searing flame through social media, igniting minds and hearts in a frenzy. Yes, the right words can make all the difference, take us high, take us low, plunging us into worlds unexplored.
But why rant about writing when there is much work to be done? News rages around us constantly. Our beloved Plain Dealer is changing, the Internet is king, and all of us writers have to reinvent ourselves, again and again. Let's not hesitate to learn new skills and ask for help. I cannot forget that "I am a pencil in God's hands," as Mother Teresa once said. My tryst with writing is far from over. In fact, the journey has just begun ...
At our Nostalgia Night event last week, we welcomed our new board. Rodney Bengston is our new president, and Tom Moore, once more, our secretary-treasurer. Carrie Buchanan, our faithful editor for Writer's Week, Cliff Anthony, Anup Kumar (who handles the Porter Scholarship), Rich Exner, Stan Bullard, Betty Clapp, Tony Kozlowski and Maria Shine Stewart will continue as board members. We bid adieu to Jerry Masek, who has been an adviser and cheerleader. He will continue to be a resource and guide. Kaye Spector joined the board (Welcome, Kaye!). Without our hard working board, we would never have achieved what we did. A big thank you to the team!
I invite you to join SPJ and become board members. It's a challenging and rewarding experience. And please keep on writing! After all, as Doris Lessing said, "You can only learn to be a better writer by actually writing."
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Remembering radio news "back in the day"
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(left-right) Tom Moore, Tim Taylor, Ed Byers, Joe Mosbrook, Vivian Goodman, Cliff Baechle at "Radio Days, SPJ Style"
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By Tom Moore Let's take you back to the days when WHK radio was known as "Color Channel 14," AM 1100 had the call letters WKYC and later WWWE, and WGAR was at 1220 on the AM dial. If you came to SPJ's annual Nostalgia Night on Thursday, June 27, you would have taken that trip in time with some of the people who delivered the news on Cleveland radio back in the day. Nostalgia Night was filled with quips and stories from some of those who worked in Cleveland radio news in the 60s, 70s and 80s. Tim Taylor, best known recently for his years as a Fox 8 news anchor, talked about his time as news director of WHK 1420 back in the 60s. The station was owned by Metromedia, and while it played top 40 music, Tim says news was taken seriously, as he covered events such as the second Sam Sheppard trial, the Hough riots, the election of Carl Stokes as mayor, and even the troubled Apollo 13 mission. Tim admits that some of the others at WHK "were nuts! I was the only one fairly sane." Joe Mosbrook came to Cleveland in the late 60s to work at WKYC radio and TV, which at the time were both owned by NBC. Joe said WKYC was considered as a bureau for NBC News, and part of his job included producing an hourly NBC radio newscast that was heard nationally each afternoon. One thing Joe says is quite different about radio news in the 21st century is the lack of reporters. "We had 10-12 reporters on the streets at that time," he recalls. After WKYC radio was sold and became known as WWWE, Joe stayed with WKYC-TV as a news reporter. Ed Byers is currently in the corporate PR world, but his radio roots go back to the Youngstown market before he came to Cleveland, where, using the air name Ed Richards, he had two stints at WGAR, both when it was at 1220 AM and later at 99.5 FM. WGAR was a music station, but took news seriously. He admits radio news people could be a little off beat. "There was gallows humor. But if you did not laugh, you'd go crazy. The murders, homicides, it takes a toll. You can't take it home." Vivian Goodman is currently a reporter and producer for WKSU in Kent, and has also spent time at WCPN in Cleveland, but did her share of work in commercial radio, having been at WJMO (then at AM 1490) as one of the station's few non-black employees, and later at WERE (then at AM 1300) as a host and news director. She's been in the business long enough to see the technological changes, saying there's more creative freedom when you produce radio news packages digitally as opposed to recording on magnetic tape and editing it with razor blades. Also taking part was Jim McIntyre, who is now news director of the current incarnation of WHK, but in the 80s and early 90s was with both WERE and WWWE (which is now known as WTAM). In recent years, Jim was best known as "Info Man" on WDOK 102.1 along with morning show host Trapper Jack, who came along with Jim to the event. The two worked together for 17 years at WDOK. Cliff Baechle also attended. He spent parts of his career at WTAM, WHK and WGAR (as well as The Cleveland Press, the subject of the 2011 Nostalgia Night). The event was coordinated by chapter secretary-treasurer Tom Moore, whose radio career in Cleveland dates back to the late 80s, with one year as news director at WBKC in Painesville, followed by five years at WERE (with both Vivian and Jim as his news directors) and 18 years - so far - at WTAM. Tom told everyone, "Radio is different from what it used to be, but still quite fun," in an era when, thanks to the Internet, you can literally create your own radio station. Many thanks to Tim, Joe, Ed, Vivian, Jim, Trapper and Cliff for attending, and making the chapter's annual Nostalgia Night another time of bringing back great memories.  | |
Trapper Jack and Jim McIntyre, who missed the group photo above but were also speakers at the event
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Excellence in Journalism
breakout sessions announced
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The list of Breakout sessions for the national SPJ "Excellence in Journalism" 2013 conference has been announced. Sign up here soon to make sure you can attend your first choices. There are also some pre-conference workshops planned for Aug. 24. Seating is limited so you will need to sign up soon to attend.
Here's the breakdown by subject. For more detailed information click here.
Social Media
- Digging Deeper with Social Media
- 15 Social Media Ideas Newsroom Leaders Can't Live Without
- From Online to On Air: Getting Much More Out of Your Best Digital Content
- Our Digital Shadows: Journalists and Online Reputation
- Curation Station: Effective Use of Social Tools for Breaking and Big-Issue Reporting
- Facebook Usage Survey
Latino
- From MayDay to Occupy: Covering Latino Social Movements Around the Country
- The Latino Vote
- The Growth and Future of Hispanic Broadcast Media
- Latino Digital Media Space
- Portrayal of Latinos in Hollywood
- What is Latino? Hybrid Latinos
- Ética Periodística en la Cobertura de Sucesos Note: This session will be presented in Spanish.
- Retos y oportunidades de la educación de periodismo en Españo. Note: This session will be presented in Spanish.
- Scoring With Latinos
Ethics
- Making the Right Call: The Ethics Challenge
- It Takes a Village: Working Together to Prevent Plagiarism and Fabrication in News
- Drones: The New Airborne Reporter in Your Future
Immigration
- Immigration Coverage Beyond the Fence
- Immigration Law Fundamentals
Writing Skills
- Understanding the Fundamentals of Fiction (or Everything I Know About Writing I Learned from Romance Novels)
- Talk The Copy
- Write This Workshop
- Shorter, Sharper, Stronger: How to Write Broadcast News Better
Career
- Striking Out Alone in the World: Winning Strategies for International Freelancing
- Revolutionize Your Career: How To Get A Journalism Fellowship
- Calling the Shots: Becoming a Manager in the Newsroom
- Changing Times, Changing Terms: Claiming Your Power in the New Media Newsroom
Journalism Skills
- The Perfect Interview: Explore the Secrets of Interviewing and Gain Effective Interviewing Skills
- Upping Your Game in Sports Reporting
- Excellence in Financial Reporting: How Award-Winning Journalists Get it Done
- Diversity Data-Mining: Finding Important Demographic Trends in Census Data
- Every Mind Matters and It Matters How We Report
- The LIVE Shot
- Reporters and PIOs: Improving the Relationship
- Journalism - Daily Stress, Lasting Impact
Freelancing
- Talking Shop: Honest Freelancing Perspective From a Writer and Editor
- Freelancing for Radio & TV
Saturday, Aug. 24 sessions
If you haven't registered yet you can still qualify for Early Bird pricing until July 25. For more information and to register click here
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| Job opportunities |
Thanks to Kelly Blazek for her dedication and commitment in seeking out many of the jobs posted below.
To receive Kelly's full newsletter (we only excerpt media-related jobs) see the separate box headlined Cleveland Job Bank at right.
YWCA Greater Cleveland seeks participants for 2013-14 Women's Leadership Initiative programs
Leadership development programs assist Northeast Ohio women to achieve their career potential. The YWCA Women's Leadership Initiative ( http://tinyurl.com/lj9fvr6 )empowers women to become effective leaders by providing essential skills and strategies for professional and personal growth. As a part of our portfolio, we offer three carefully tailored cohort programs that are designed to support women in all phases of their careers - and to ensure that organizations are prepared to do the same. They are: Boot Camp: Ideal for individual contributors and technical experts who need to influence others to achieve their goals. More info and application here: http://tinyurl.com/kjlf72cQuest: Ideal for new managers, experienced managers who have not had formal training and those who could use support managing the transition from individual contributor to a leader of others. More info and application here: http://tinyurl.com/m2uuf9k Momentum: Ideal for women who have extensive management experience and those in mid- to upper-management roles who aspire or are new to executive leadership. More info and application here: http://tinyurl.com/n4murwm I welcome the opportunity to tell you more about these fantastic programs and can be reached directly at 216.881.6878 x 233, or emerritt@ywcaofcleveland.orgKey benefits for participants: * Increased understanding of leadership strengths and talents to solve business problems * Improved leadership skills in communicating, negotiating, and building and managing relationships * Enhanced credibility and presence as a leader * Expanded network of professional relationships with peers from corporations and organizations across Northeast Ohio Key benefits for organizations: * Seamless integration into talent management strategy * Support for diversity initiatives & women's initiatives * Attraction and retention of top performing women * Increased internal bench strength and leadership capacity * External network development as a powerful business driver * Participants equipped to effectively: - Lead organizational change
- Develop talent and leadership qualities in others
- Foster and leverage organizational diversity and
- Achieve key business success
CITY EDITOR - SIOUX CITY JOURNAL The Sioux City Journal, named one of Editor & Publisher's "10 that do it right" for 2013, is looking for an aggressive, creative city editor to lead the local news report.
Our next city editor will be:
* Passionate about guiding reporters to do their very best work for our print and digital audiences;
* Comfortable running a digital-first newsroom that acts quickly in breaking news situations;
* A strong line editor who spots holes in stories and demands clarity and context;
* Committed to watchdog reporting and helping readers better understand their community;
* A pro at alternative storytelling and digital journalism techniques; and
* Excited about the future of our rapidly changing industry.
The Journal, part of Lee Enterprises Inc., has won numerous state and national honors, including the 2012 Local Media Association Newspaper of the Year award.
Sioux City, on the banks of the Missouri River, is a thriving community in Northwest Iowa, with fantastic schools, a stable economy and affordable housing. Our downtown has a vibrant collection of restaurants, museums and entertainment venues that attract national touring acts and Broadway productions.
The Sioux City Journal offers a competitive compensation package including comprehensive benefits. Please apply online here or send a cover letter and resume to: The Sioux City Journal
515 Pavonia Street
Sioux City, IA 51102
Attn: Chris Coates
SALES PRODUCTION PRODUCER - WKYC TV 3
Qualified candidate will work closely with the Director of Sales Marketing to write, produce, shoot and edit commercials, long form pieces and non-traditional sales materials for use by the Sales Department. Candidate will also supervise other sales production such as FTP downloads, the workload schedule in the edit suite and will work with Sales Managers and Account Executives to manage client needs. Experience: 2 Year(s)
POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
Candidate must have prior AVID editing experience, good communications and people skills, great organizational skills and must be able to handle stress.
* Strong knowledge and experience using Avid Media Composer
* Ability to create and manage layered and nested effects within an Avid timeline
* Knowledge and understanding of Avid Media Management
* Knowledge and understanding of multiple file formats, compression codecs and settings
* Experience in using Audacity Digital Audio Editor
* Experience in using Adobe Photoshop
* Experience in using Sorenson Squeeze
* Ability to establish good working relationships with clients
Interviews will be by appointment only. To be considered a candidate - please complete the online application here NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE
COPYWRITER - F&C EXECUTIVE SEARCH Award-winning Midwest-based Creative ad agency seeks an exceptional copywriter, a virtuoso with a pen. This is a great opportunity to work on high-profile clients in a very creative environment, and be part of a well-established, yet growing ad agency. Looking for candidates with a killer book filled with ideas and award-winning copy. Salary commensurate. Info and apply here
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WRITING SPECIALIST - BALDWIN WALLACE UNIVERSITY Info and Apply Here
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Writer's Week starts
summer schedule now
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"Summer slowdown....taking a breather...lazy, hazy days". They're all clichés that call to mind this time of year and they all have one point. It's time to rest.
Here at Writers Week we relax just a bit too and, for the months of July and August, we go on a two-week publishing schedule.
So please notify us just a bit earlier than normal about your special events and look forward to keeping in touch with what's going on in the world of SPJ every second week after this issue.
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Events
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July 17
The Press Club's
Summertime Mingle
The Market Garden Brewery
1947 West 25th St.
5:30-8 p.m.
July 27
Writers, Hook Your Readers Cliff Anthony Euclid Library, Erie Room more information below at left
August 24-26
Excellence in Journalism
National SPJ Conference
Anaheim, California
More info below at left
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Apply now for NPR's
audio storytelling
boot camp
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If you are registered for the Excellence in Journalism 2013 conference, you could apply for a chance to participate in a special NPR audio storytelling boot camp.
Designed for professional journalists, the boot camp covers how to employ storytelling skills while you:
- use audio clips in your website, newsletter or blog?
- create a podcast?
- create a talk around web photos?
- create a radio story?
It is free but there's only room for six, so apply right away.
When: Aug. 24, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Capacity: Six participants
Cost: Free for conference participants
Application Deadline: July 29
Minimum Requirements: This workshop is for professional journalists in print, online, TV or radio. You will need to bring your own laptop (PC or Mac). Digital audio recording equipment will be provided.
To Apply: Please send your full name, media organization, list any media organizations to which you belong, your job title and cell phone number to audioworkshop@npr.org. Include one Web link to recent work plus a brief bio with career goals (maximum 500 words). Please do not send attachments. Put NAHJ, SPJ or RTDNA in the subject line. Deadline for applications is July 29
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Press Club plans
Summertime Mingle
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Press Club of Cleveland Summertime Mingle
Join presenters from the 2013 Multimedia Journalism education series and review the highlights of all 4 workshops while you continue the discussion. You'll be able to purchase dvds of each session to take home.
When: July 17
Where: The Market Garden Brewery
1947 West 25th St.
Cleveland, OH 44113
(Parking available on the street and behind the restaurant)
Time: Networking 5:30 - 6:00 pm and after program
6:00 - 6:30 pm - Program
6:30 - 8:00 pm Networking
Cost to attend: Free but limited to the first 100 registrants
Cash bar - feel free to stay after for networking & dinner
Reservations are required
Click here to sign up online today
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SPJ Cleveland co-sponsors
seminar
on lead writing
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We talk a lot about the body of a news story but a great intro is crucial if anyone is going to read what the article says. SPJ is co-sponsoring a seminar devoted to the all-important "lead" (or as some spell it, "lede").
Join SPJ Cleveland chapter board member
Cliff Anthony
author of the novel "Page A1"
on July 27 at the Euclid Library for a free, one-hour presentation, "Writers, Hook Your Readers." Brush up on ways to catch attention and draw people into your story from the first word.
Anthony is a newspaper veteran and associate professor of journalism at Lorain County Community College. He will use his experience and expertise to show where and how to write different types of news story leads and why each one is effective.
When: July 27, 10-11 a.m.
Where: Euclid Public Library, Erie Room
631 E 222nd St Cleveland, OH 44123
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| Internships for journalism and communication students | |
CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS GRAPHIC DESIGN INTERN - GOODYEAR
Job ID: C13029728
The Corporate Communications Graphic Design Intern will prepare visual presentations (designs and copy layouts) for Goodyear corporate communications websites, digital signs and toolkit templates.
The selected candidate must commit to working part-time (20 hrs/wk) during semester and full-time (40 hrs/wk) during school breaks.
Requirements
* Successful candidates should have at least a 3.0 GPA.
*Understanding of business and interest in the auto or rubber industries, preferred.
*Public relations or communications planning experience, is preferred.
*Experience preparing and posting web content, is desired.
*Graphic design background and layout expertise.
*Strong writing ability.
*Strong customer focus.
*Creative vision and flexibility.
*Currently pursuing a bachelors or masters degree in a related field.
*Attention to detail.
Tasks
*Collaborate on projects with internal and external communications teams within the corporate headquarters offices and the strategic business units: North American Tire; Europe, Middle East & Africa; Asia Pacific; and Latin America.
*Collaborate on projects with internal and external communications teams within the corporate headquarters offices and the strategic business units: North American Tire; Europe, Middle East & Africa; Asia Pacific; and Latin America.
*Proactively work with Global Communications clients and team members to develop engaging and functional graphics for internal web, digital signage and some print.
*Illustrate concepts by designing rough layouts of art and copy to present to clients for review.
*Work through client revisions and requests in a positive and flexible manner.
*Obtain approval of proposed concepts and finalize project materials for distribution.
*Complete projects by coordinating with team members, Creative Services, IT and outside agencies as projects require.
*Create, schedule and publish content for digital signs.
*Publish content to the intranet news site (prepare photos for publication in Tridion content management system).
*Contribute to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.
Apply here
CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS INTERN - GOODYEAR
Job ID: C13029729
The Corporate Communications Intern will prepare written communications for publication in Goodyear's multimedia platforms, including websites and digital signs; support the content management team in developing and publishing content.
The selected candidate must commit to working part-time (20 hrs/wk) during semester and full-time (40 hrs/wk) during school breaks.
Requirements
*Successful candidates should have at least a 3.0 GPA.
*Understanding of business and interest in the auto or rubber industries, preferred.
*Public relations or communications planning experience, is preferred.
*Experience preparing and posting web content, is desired.
*Major in Public Relations, Journalism, Communications or related field.
*Superior writing and editing skills; knowledge of Associated Press Style.
*Completed upper-level writing courses.
*Excellent organizational skills.
*Previous internship experience or history of writing for student newspaper or credible online publication (blog or social media site, etc.).
*Graphics experience: digital photography, Adobe PhotoShop and InDesign.
*Ability to multi-task, completing several projects and assignments simultaneously.
Tasks
*Collaborate on projects with internal and external communications teams within the corporate headquarters offices and the strategic business units: North American Tire; Europe, Middle East & Africa; Asia Pacific; and Latin America.
*Collaborate on projects with internal and external communications teams within the corporate headquarters offices and the strategic business units: North American Tire; Europe, Middle East & Africa; Asia Pacific; and Latin America.
*Develop, research, write, edit and publish news stories for Goodyear's global intranet, Goodyear Online (GO).
*Edit and create graphic content for Goodyear's digital signage and intranet.
*Work with multiple online content management systems daily.
*Be challenged creatively and professionally.
Apply here
COMMUNICATIONS INTERN - LAKE ERIE MONSTERS Info and Apply Here
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Laurie Mitchell Marketing & Communications
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Laurie Mitchell Marketing & Communications Executive Search
has been retained for the following assignments:
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Cleveland Job Bank
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Check Kelly Blazek's website for advice on job-hunting and details on jobs in marketing, public and media relations, development, media, graphics/web design and more. Many of the jobs listed at left are reprinted from Blazek's newsletter.
To subscribe and get the full list (we only excerpt journalism-related jobs), email Cleveland Job Bank. For more information, go to the website. Also see the website for listings of out-of-town job search websites.
Please Note: The jobs on Blazek's list are ONLY in communications related occupations.
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 Writer's Week is a service of the Cleveland chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. This e-newsletter is edited by Carrie Buchanan, assistant professor, Tim Russert School of Communication & Theatre Arts, John Carroll University, and assistant editor Elaine Wilson, who is studying editing and design.
Please send news items and job & internship postings to spjcleveland@gmail.com
Street Address: Cleveland SPJ, 4337 Chanticleer Drive, Fairview Park, Ohio 44126-1906
Chapter email: Cleveland@spj.org
President: Cheryl D'Mello
Chapter web site: www.spjchapters.org/cleveland/
The Society of Professional Journalists works to improve and protect journalism. SPJ is dedicated to encouraging the free practice of journalism and stimulating high standards of ethical behavior. Founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi and based in Indianapolis, SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to a well-informed public, works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists, and protects First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and of the press.
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