August 2016
In This Issue
2016
Board of Directors

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE


President
Ed Byers
Medical Mutual


Vice President
Thom Fladung
Hennes Communications 


Secretary
Amy McGahan
Dix & Eaton 


Treasurer
Carol Kovach
Diocese of Cleveland 

TRUSTEES

Rita Andolsen
MetroHealth 
 

John Betchkal
Retired, GE Lighting 

 
Mary Lou Brink
The Plain Dealer

 
Toni Garbo
Fox 8 News


Jennifer Keirn
Keirn & Co
 
Russ Mitchell
Russ Mitchell
WKYC - TV3 


Lee Moran
The News-Herald 


Kathleen Osborne
Hathaway Brown School 


Mary Patton
Patton Public Relations 


Denise Polverine
WKYC - TV3 


Joe Pulizzi
Content Marketing Institute 


Todd Schneider
FirstEnergy 

Past President

Michael Bennett
Cleveland Leadership Center 

ADMINISTRATION
Lynn Bracic
Professional Management Concepts, Inc. 
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From the President - Ed Byers

August greetings!

I hope you are enjoying your summer! What a summer it has been. The Cavs break the long and painful "curse" and we proudly pulled off a safe and successful RNC. I was gratified to see the city portrayed in such a positive light by the visiting national media. Indeed, we made a lot of new friends. Rightfully so.

We will take a closer look at the RNC with a great event on August 31 as The Press Club of Cleveland presents a luncheon discussion, "The Party's Over: Media and PR Lessons from the RNC," at the Music Box. See the info below for details on how to register for this event featuring a panel of all-stars who were on the front lines of the RNC and media professionals who covered it.

As August arrives, we are busy planning November's Press Club of Cleveland Journalism Hall of Fame induction ceremonies. There are so many "moving parts" to pulling off this annual event, which pays tribute to the Class of 2016 and the presentation of the annual Chuck Heaton Award. We are actively seeking corporate sponsors for the induction and if your company or organization would like to play a huge role in saluting this fine crop of journalists, we urge you to contact Lynn Bracic at The Press Club office, 440-899-1222.

This year's class includes The Plain Dealer's Steven Litt, Mike McIntyre of the Plain Dealer and WCPN's Sound of Ideas, Mike's "better-half," Elizabeth McIntyre of Crain's Cleveland Business, Euclid's Eva Parziale of the Associated Press, WOIO CBS 19's Romona Robinson, and iconic Cleveland photojournalist George Shuba. The Chuck Heaton award will be presented to Danita Harris of WEWS NewsChannel 5. There are a number of sponsorship opportunities available at prices your company can well afford. Please check with Lynn for details.

I always get a kick out of our previous inductees who travel to Nighttown and discover their plaque on the Wall of Fame. So it is with class of 2015 inductee Ken Robinson, of NewsRadio 1100 WTAM,  who proudly posted this picture on his Facebook page.

Next time you're in Cleveland Heights, stop by Nighttown and check out the Wall and thank owner Brendan Ring for carrying on the fine legacy of The Press Club of Cleveland's tribute to our city's journalism elite.

Enjoy the rest of your summer!

-Ed  
Coming up this month

Welcome new members
Rob Busby Jr., News Photojournalist WLWT-TV Cincinnati
 
During my professional career, I have been involved in various areas of the communications industry. For the past 32 years, I have been employed as a news photojournalist for WLWT-TV, the Cincinnati NBC affiliate. I have received 12 Regional Emmy Award nominations and have won four of the golden statues. Of those awards, I am most proud of the one won with former news WLWT Anchor Jerry Springer for a series on homelessness which led to a record breaking number of donations to the Cincinnati Freestore and several other shelters/food banks. Jerry and I spent a week under cover living as homeless men sleeping on park benches and in Cincinnati shelters. 

I enjoy giving back. I have mentored numerous young men and women who are interested in television journalism; taught media courses to various community groups, including churches and other non-profits; served on numerous panel discussions about the impact of the media providing insight into how the media works 

Thank you for the welcome to The Press Club of Cleveland family.

Local television news broadcasts have changed over the past 20 years. It would seem that the days of information that people can use has been replaced with live reports, accidents, homicides, and anything tragic that happens. Did I mention that if the report isn't a live report the story can be considered useless? This makes it hard when time to enter a contest that is based solely on Journalism.

The Press Club of Cleveland inspires working journalists to discover new ways to creatively present those day-to-day stories. Are we giving information or sensationalizing tragedy? Are we constructing the presentation to be entertaining that allows the viewer to understand? Does the information allow the viewer to make their own conclusions about how they want to feel about any given story?

The Press Club of Cleveland leads us to maintain those standards and ethics that have been the real foundation of our profession."

Rob Busby
 

Becky Voldrich, Assistant Director of Marketing, University Circle Inc.
 
Rebecca Voldrich is the Assistant Director of Marketing for University Circle Inc. (UCI), where she has worked for the past 10 years. Among the many hats she wears at the organization, Rebecca is responsible for managing print and electronic publications, developing and implementing marketing strategies for UCI's member organizations and marketing partners, and helping coordinate UCI's popular annual events such as Parade the Circle & Circle Village, WOW! Wade Oval Wednesdays, and Holiday CircleFest. Before coming to UCI, Rebecca worked for Digital Media Communications as an Advertising Associate in the company's satellite office at The Plain Dealer. 

Additionally, she was Rocky River High School's Assistant Speech and Debate Coach, and had several students qualify to compete at the State and National levels. Rebecca holds a Bachelor's Degree in Speech Communication and Spanish from Muskingum University, and a Master's Degree in Applied Communication Theory and Methodology from Cleveland State University. 

She lives in Olmsted Township with her family.
Job Opportunity

The Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland is part of the nation's central bank. We've provided many opportunities for professional growth during our history.

Manager, Editorial Services
 
Position Summary
Leads the creative direction for the editorial, design and digital services team to develop and execute innovative ideas that support the Bank's communications. Manages a team comprised of writers, editors, and technical editors, designers, and web content strategists who conceive, edit, and package compelling content that supports business function's strategic goals through a variety of platforms including print and digital platforms. 
  
Essential Accountabilities
* Strategically manages the creative process for the editorial, design and digital services team.
* Oversees communication projects from ideation to implementation.
* Provides counsel and concept ideas to clients on various communications projects.
* Manages multiple projects, deadlines, and priorities while working with all levels of responsibility in the organization.
* Manages production calendars
* Identifies needed tools and processes to ensure effective process flows
* Negotiates and manages vendor contracts and budgets for printing, software and training needs.
* Participates in Federal Reserve System workgroups in support of collaborative best practices.
* Participates in industry communications and trade organizations to keep abreast of trends in strategic communication, digital and print publishing, design concepts, and web content development.
* Performs other duties as assigned or requested.
* Adheres to the Bank's attendance policies through regular and prompt attendance.
Education and Experience
* Bachelor`s degree in related field
* 7+ years of related work experience, including 3+ years of supervisory responsibilities
 
Knowledge Areas
* Knowledge of publication editing in banking, finance economics or related areas
* Ability to manage and implement the organization's style guidelines
* Design tools and creative multi-media software
* Strong communication skills with the ability to present information in verbal, written or visual forms to inform and persuade audiences
Skill Areas
* Writing, editing, and multi-media design skills for both print and web
* Project management
* Leadership skills including the ability to motivate, coach and inspire a team
* Problem solving
Thanks to 2016 Corporate Sponsor: