• Multimedia Minutes: “We Work So Hard But Don’t Get Credit”

    April 19th, 2010

    “We kick butt, so why don’t viewers see how much better we are than the competition?  That’s a frequent question.  Especially following a research presentation showing no progress on the content front.  Or flat ratings.

    The answer can be simple.  Doing a better job than the other guys may be obvious to you, but not to your viewers.  You have to tell them in the newscasts what’s uniquely valuable, and you don’t need to use the tired word ”exclusive” to do it.

    Here are strong examples of showcasing your competitive advantages from a couple of KEPR-TV/Pasco, Washington newscasts.  These are just excerpts.  You’ll find the key words in bold type.

    HUNDREDS OF KIDS ARE SET TO ATTEND A BRAND NEW KENNEWICK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL THIS FALL.  BUT MONTHS AGO — WE DISCOVERED A MAJOR CONCERN — ACCESS TO THE NEW SCHOOL COULD BE A PROBLEM.  AND TONIGHT — KEPR LEARNED THE NEW ROAD TO COTTONWOOD WILL DEFINITELY NOT BE READY BY THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL — AND MAY EVEN BE AS LATE AS NEXT YEAR.   

    WE KNOW YOU RELY ON US TO TELL YOU WHEN PRICES ARE SUDDENLY JUMPING.  AND KEPR FOUND THAT’S THE CASE WITH BUILDING SUPPLIES.      IF YOU WERE WORKING ON A DECK FOR THE SUMMER — YOU’LL FIND THE PRICE OF LUMBER IS THROUGH THE ROOF IN JUST THE LAST FEW WEEKS.  

    A FEW WEEKS AGO  WE DISCOVERED A WAY FOR YOU TO SAVE MONEY ON OUTSTANDING PARKING TICKETS IN HERMISTON.   SINCE THEN WE CHECKED BACK IN WITH HERMISTON TO SEE IF PEOPLE ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE SAVINGS.

    LAST NIGHT KEPR ACTION NEWS BROKE THE STORY OF A KENNEWICK FAMILY LIVING WITH BARELY ANY RUNNING WATER — FOR MORE THAN A WEEK.  TONIGHT WE LEARNED THE FAMILY IS GOING FORWARD WITH A COMPLAINT THROUGH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE.   

    WE DISCOVERED — IN THE LAST FIVE-YEARS — METH LAB BUSTS IN THE COUNTY DROPPED FROM 91 ALL THE WAY DOWN TO FIVE.   THERE’S AN EASY EXPLANATION FOR THE DRASTIC DROP — YOU NOW NEED PSEUDOEPHEDRINE PRESCRIPTION IN OREGON.  THAT CHANGE WAS MADE FIVE-YEARS AGO — AND IT’S RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DRAMATIC RESULTS EVER SINCE.  BUT WE DUG EVEN DEEPER — AND FOUND THE DRUG OF CHOICE MAY HAVE NOW GONE FROM METH TO POT.  

     WE’VE LEARNED THAT HUNDREDS OF NEW JOBS ARE COMING TO WALLA WALLA.  THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE IS GETTING MILLIONS IN GRANT MONEY TO EXPAND A GREEN JOBS TRAINING CENTER.

    You’ll notice the emphasis on key words like “learned” and “discovered.”  They speak to competitive advantage with viewers, but feel free to communicate your journalistic edge in your own words.

    KEPR-TV news director Robin Wojtanik says achieving this level of showcasing and sustaining it in every newscast takes constant vigilance.

    Put your copy to the test.  Look at the last story you wrote or last newscast you produced, and ask this question:

    “How clear is the competitive advantage — something important to viewers that they can’t get on the competition?”

    If you’re a news manager, ask the same question as you look at the local news page of your Web site.  If it looks like you’re lost in a Sea of Sameness, identify what sets you apart and take credit.  Every newscast.  You can’t tell viewers “You watched the wrong newscast.”

    Posted in broadcast journalism, Multimedia Journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists, TV news training | 4 Comments »

  • Multimedia Minutes: Going the Extra Step

    April 4th, 2010

    Setting yourself apart from the competition is what separates the winners from the also rans.  Here’s how KVAL-TV/Eugene, OR anchor Jennifer Winters did it by digging deeper.

    Contact information given by British actress Natalie Woods, star of the Broadway-style  Hairspray on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas.

    Posted in broadcast journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists, TV news training | 7 Comments »

  • Multimedia Minutes: The Power of Transparency

    October 15th, 2009

     

    How do you hold people in power accountable when they don’t answer your phone calls? 

     

    Some reporters would just drop that very important angle of the story.  But KVAL’s (Eugene, OR) Molly Blancett with encouragement from news director Jennifer Kuglin refused to let the police chief off the hook.  And she did it in a transparent way so viewers could appreciate it.   After all, it was the second fatal crash in a year involving Oakridge police.

    Who deserves the credit for this strong example of viewer advocacy and transparency?  News Director Jenny Kluglin responds:

     

     

    Molly worked with me and my main anchor, Jennifer Winters.  We both talked to her throughout the day to help figure out the best way to write and craft the story.

     

    We find that some reporters find transparency awkward.  Molly made it look natural.  Congratulations to all.

     

    You can learn from many Multimedia Minutes by clicking on the links to the right.

    Posted in broadcast journalism, Multimedia Journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists, TV news training | No Comments »

  • Multimedia Minutes: Strong Storyteller Reveals Taxpayer Waste

    October 14th, 2009

    If you want to set yourself apart, you just can’t react to the news of the day.  Let others do that.  It’s a commodity.  Instead, focus on going the extra steps — like multimedia journalist Scott Logan did in his “Truth Squad” report in Boise.

    You can’t do this every day.  Just as often as you can.  

     

    Successful multimedia journalists say a best practice is to work on several stories simultaneously as time allows.  The calls you make for information today will start paying off in the next day or two.  And if you’re asking the questions viewers want answered, “No comment” or no response makes for an ever better story. 

     

    Viewers believe government officials have a responsibility to answer questions because they’re spending taxpayer money.  And they want to know who’s keeping secrets and what they have to hide.  So report your extra steps you took to inform the public and the “no comments” you received.

     

    ———————-

     

    If you want to set yourself apart, you just can’t react to the news of the day.  Let others do that.  It’s a commodity.  You should focus on going the extra steps — like multimedia journalist Scott Logan did in his “Truth Squad” report.

     

    “Recent Posts” include more valuable information for multimedia media journalists — experienced or just getting started.  Go to the links to the right to learn and put these concepts to work for you.

    Posted in broadcast journalism, Multimedia Journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists, TV news training | No Comments »

  • Hand Over Your Camera For Great Video

    May 3rd, 2009

     

    That’s exactly what KFOR-TV/Oklahoma City multimedia journalist Galen Culver did to capture a story about bikes.

     

    Galen, who created “Is This a Great State or What!” in 1991, points out:  “This is a nice point of view story shot with a small hand held camera. The bikers took turns holding it in different positions and trading it back and forth. It made for a nice story element.”

     

    Sometimes you need the help of the subject of your story to capture the most memorable angles.

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    Posted in Multimedia Journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists | 3 Comments »

  • Asking Tough Questions as Voice of the Viewer

    April 25th, 2009

    Asking tough questions is an effective way for reporters to set themselves apart from the competition and build a valuabl brand of journalism. 

    KIMA-TV’s Melissa Wagner proved the Yakima, Washington station serves as a viewer advocate by holding an official accountable in connection with a school incident causing a buzz.

     

    You can learn from this example.  My comments are at the bottom of the screen. 

     robin_wojtanik_kepr_kima2

     

     

    News director Robin Wojtanik credits Melissa:  “She knew what to ask, she knew what answers our viewers wanted.”

    Posted in Multimedia Journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists | 112 Comments »

  • “Get Me Out of This Meeting Fast”

    April 24th, 2009

    Many multimedia journalists complain that they need to be on the street reporting and shooting.  Not sitting through long, boring editorial meetings.

    So how can you speed those meetings up without sacrificing planning?  Suggest the meeting leader ask these four questions of everyone regarding their “meatiest” story.  If the leader of the meeting doesn’t take this approach, you should.  It’ll keep you on your game, getting the best ideas from the group to make your story better.  In fact, by going the extra steps, your story will be more promotable.

    meetingqs

     

    You’ll find the first question alone saves a lot of time.  When people have to headline their story, it forces them to focus on the most important element.  If you or they have trouble capturing the story in a headline, the story is likely to lack a focus or viewer benefit.

     

    Using these questions as a guide can cut meeting time in half according to one news director. 

    Posted in Multimedia Journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists | No Comments »

  • Multimedia Journalist Delivers on a Hot Franchise

    April 16th, 2009

    One of the most powerful franchises we ever tested — and helped develop — is Crimetracker.  It alerts viewers to crime trends so they can protect themselves.  It drives many viewers to our client stations because viewers say, “My station doesn’t have anything like that.” 

    KEPR-TV, Yakima-Pasco-Richland-Kennewick, Washington, covers the news with a team of multimedia journalists, including Chelsea Kopta who broke this story about crime trends.  It helps to build the Fisher station’s reputation as a viewer advocate under the direction of news director Robin Wojtanik.  My comments are at the bottom of the screen. 

    Posted in Multimedia Journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists | 9 Comments »

  • A Leadership Imperative

    April 2nd, 2009

    Celebrating progress is andsc01160 imperative for stations transforming reporters and photographers into multimedia journalists.  It requires not only hard work but also the ability to learn new skills while “doing your daytime job.”

     

    Larry Roberts, Regional Vice President and General Manager of KCBI-TV/Boise, understands the need to recognize progress.  He does it at the monthly meetings for all employees. 

     

    What impressed me the most was Larry’s dedication to learning about employee gripes through small group meetings, sharing the problems with the staff, then detailing how he’s resolving them.

     

    In most cases, Larry reports he’s resolved the problems.  He gets down to specifics.  Call it GM Proof of Performance or strong leadership to rally the troops.  The important point is that multimedia journalists and others who are asked to work harder and smarter need this type of recognition and support.

     

    Larry explains his philosophy:

     

    The current economic crisis is forcing all of us to do business in new ways.  The result can be a cloud subtly hanging over our employees’ heads.  While clouds are good for showing off our “Pinpoint Doppler Radar”, they’re never good when they create angst and a lack of security for our team.  So now – more than ever – it’s imperative that we look for new ways to provide hope. 

     

    Hope costs us nothing.  It springs to life when we’re acknowledged for doing a good job, or reminded of how critical we are to the success of the station.  And when we celebrate the little victories that are easily ignored, but very real.  Often the things we take for granted are the most important things.  Like sight. Or hearing.  Or a live shot that works. 

     

    New ENG truck?  $150K.  New camera?  $10K.  Reminding each other of the progress we’re making … priceless.

     

    Posted in Multimedia Journalism | 1 Comment »

  • Change Leaders

    March 30th, 2009

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    Change is always difficult — especially when it seems radical to the staff.  KBCI-TV Boise news director Yvonne Simons has been overcoming challenges, transforming reporters and photographers to multimedia journalists.

     

    When I asked her how it’s been going, she wanted to share the story of one veteran reporter she was excited about.

     

    Why excited?

     

    Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?   And, don’t call KBCI-TV’s Senior Political Reporter Scott Logan an old dog!   Scott has been with the Boise, Idaho station for more than 13 years and in journalism for nearly 40 years, both print and broadcast.  

     

    As the senior reporter on staff, Scott was used to grabbing a photographer and heading out the door each morning.   But when the station announced a change that news reporters would become one man bands, he had a choice to make:   Learn new skills or perish at CBS 2.  

     

    Scott picked up the camera.  In fact, Scott has been one of the fastest adapters to a new world, shooting and editing his own stuff.  Scott’s entrée into broadcast came from a crossover from newspaper.  He didn’t start with the tiny stations that often require reporters and anchors to shoot their own stuff. He cut his journalism teeth at the Idaho Statesman and the Dallas Morning News.  He moved to television as a freelance reporter for NBC in Argentina, covering the Falklands war.

     

    Fast Learning

                                                    

    As a 50-something, he’s had to pick up brand new skills, and rapidly become competent.   He will tell you it’s been a stressful two months. And, there’s a whole new set of worries while working out a story beyond a pen and reporter’s pad, his usual tools. The world of broadcast electronics comes with hazards. He’s come back with unusable audio. Another time, his camera was blinking codes, but not shooting on tape. 

     

    He’s had to run into the hallowed halls of the state legislature toting a camera and tripod, while his competitors have a partner to shoot their stuff.   He’s had to learn to edit and get his stories finished on deadline, now an hour earlier. And there’s still the web.  He has to file his story before heading home.

    Through it all, Scott has become our most dependable one-man bander. He gets a story, shoots it, edits it, presents it, and then files to the website.  And while he probably could complain about the bait-and-switch of reporter to photographer, he doesn’t.

     

    Scott sometimes worries that his creative storytelling days are over, because he feels the pressure of time.  However, it’s not true  Just last week, Scott Logan related a budget story with his unique flair and at least once swirling motion shot with the camera that indicated the dizzy disorientation lawmakers and taxpayers feel dealing with the stimulus package.

     

    It was a wonderful effect that presented an emotion in video.  Not bad for a print guy… gone broadcast… and now videographer.

     

    Scott, turning to you, please give us a reality check.  What’s been your most difficult situation?

    scott-logan-gif

     

    My most challenging moment? It’s still here. But what was very difficult, and emotional was that we moved to the one man band concept as a result of the layoffs that so many are experiencing. So it was hard to see people I had worked with lose their jobs.

     

    I guess the most stressful time was when I just simply had to go out and shoot this stuff myself and make the deadlines for 4, 5 and 5:30. Fortunately Chief Photographer Clyn Richards was on hand if I needed to phone him because I didn’t understand what the camera was telling me.
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    Gratifying moment?

     

    Haven’t had it yet. I still am very critical of the video I bring home. But it’s true that I now feel somewhat comfortable that I can take the gear and go out and shoot a story, get it back and get it on the air. But I worry the quality of the pictures suffer. TV is all about the video. Still, I feel better each day and I am encouraged that I am starting to trouble shoot the camera problems myself.
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    Advice to others?

     

    I never thought I’d be shooting my own video. But the United States Marines have a saying: Every Marine a rifleman. In other words we all need to know how to use the most basic equipment of our profession. It’s a different world, and I lament the fact I’m not able to work with photographers for the most part. The bottom line: I want to be the best video journalist I can be. I don’t like the phrase one man band, because it lacks the dignity, I feel, that our profession deserves.

     

    More secure about your job now?

     

    Yes, I do feel some what more secure, but I am still dealing with often being distracted during an interview because I want to check the filters, audio levels, etc. and so maybe I don’t concentrate on the interview as I did when working with another photog. But we all have to multitask these days. My advice to others:  Make a checklist, and keep it handy.

     

    How do you contribute to your Web site?

     

    I file stories for the web everyday and feel comfortable doing that given my background in newspapers and the School of Journalism at the University of Oregon. I was a print guy long before TV. And I think some younger TV reporters have trouble writing for the web — grammar, sentence structure.

     

    Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments »