December 1999
UPCOMING
Next PRSA/IABC/SPJ meeting ...
Joyful Time in Hops Heaven: Brewery Hosts
Christmas Book Benefit for Hospitalized Children
The Fort Worth Public Relations Society of America, International Association of Business Communicators, Society of Professional Journalists and Ad Club are throwing one of the best Christmas parties of the century at the Miller Marketplace and Brew Kettle Museum, and their members won't be the only ones to benefit.
Admission is $15 or equal value in children's books, which will be donated to JPS Health Network. Spanish and bilingual books are encouraged.
In the invitation, Barnes & Noble in Sundance Square has again included a coupon for 20 percent off the purchase of children's books. Proceeds from a silent auction and cash donations will be used to buy additional books for the hospitalized kids.
Bookmark the date -- Wednesday, Dec. 8, 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the brewery museum off I-35W at the Sycamore School Road exit -- and the menu: a Spring Creek Barbeque dinner, beer, wine and soft drinks. RSVP by Dec. 3 to (817) 9AdClub -- that's (817) 923-2582 -- or e-mail moirib@adclubfw.org.
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Western Writers Polish Signature Flourishes
for Book-signing Bash in Sundance Square
for Book-signing Bash in Sundance Square
Former SPJ chief and Associated Press ace Mike Cochran, now with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, and Dallas AP bureau chief John Lumpkin will write "you're my buddy" on your own personal copy of their oversized tome, "West Texas" (Jerry Flemmons called it "probably the only coffee-table book that anybody will actually read'') at the Western Writers of America's National Book Signing Day from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 27, at Barnes & Noble in Sundance Square.
Former S-T staffer Cissy Stewart Lale also will be on hand to autograph "Sweetie Ladd's Historic Fort Worth," 38 painted history lessons -- many buildings depicted are no longer standing -- by Cowtown's version of Grandma Moses. Cissy did the text.
"West Texas" wraps 60,000 words of prime copy around 100 photos, most from AP member newspapers. Its newspapermen-authors will share the day with the dean of Western writers, Elmer Kelton, plus area novelists Jack Ballas, John McCord, Kerry Newcomb and James Reasoner. A passel of authors will put their hand to page on first books from crime to cooking, travel guides and true stories about the West's lawmen and bad men.
The Cochran-Lumpkin book-signing express has two other stops planned: Friday, Dec. 3, 4-7 p.m. at the 20-author TCU "Autograph Extravaganza" at the Dee J. Kelly Alumni Center on Stadium Drive; and Wednesday, Dec. 15, at Rick's on the Bricks, 3716 Camp Bowie. Rick's start time is 5:30, and food will be provided.
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Big D Journalists Offer Conviviality for a Cause
Dallas SPJ is hosting a holiday "Meet, Greet and Help" for professional and student journalists Thursday, Dec. 9, 6:30-8 p.m. at The Stoneleigh P, 2926 Maple Ave. Revelers and the merely curious should bring canned goods to be donated to a local food pantry. RSVP to Katherine Garner, (214) 977-6658 or (214) 871-0892. First round of drinks is on Dallas SPJ.
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PRSA Spring Conference Set for Grapevine
Need a change in career scenery? Get out! Out-standing, that is. Outstanding professionalism. Outstanding relationships. Outstanding leadership. Participants can find it all at the 2000 PRSA Southwest District Conference.
The conference will be Thursday and Friday, Feb. 17-18, in Grapevine at Embassy Suites Outdoor World. The registration packet will be mailed soon. Contact Kim Speairs, APR, with the PRSA Fort Worth chapter, (817) 336-7799 or kim@stuartbacon.com.
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STRAIGHT STUFF
Let the Games Begin: Channel 11 Contract in Hand,
Rowlett Eager for Metroplex News Battle with Belo
by Brenda Davis
A packed crowd of SPJ members and news media last month heard KTVT-TV Channel 11 managing editor and news anchor Tracy Rowlett outline plans that he hopes will boost the local news market past the year 2000 and into the next millennium.
Making his first public appearance since ending his 25-year association with WFAA-TV Channel 8, Rowlett discussed the reasons behind his leaving and issued a challenge to other area news outlets.
"I want to see the Star-Telegram challenge the Morning News," he said. "Then I want to see Channel 5 challenge Channel 8. I want to see the market be about journalism again and less about the bottom line."
Rowlett, who will begin his Channel 11 on-air duties Jan. 1, left the A.H. Belo Corp. station after contract negotiations collapsed. Rowlett has repeatedly expressed his determination to ensure his son's future -- 13-year-old Michael is profoundly autistic -- but said the contract talks did not hinge on dollars.
"It was not about money," said his attorney, Steve Malouf, who also answered questions during the 60-minute session. "The dollar amount was so close to what we wanted. I would have told Tracy to sign if that were the only issue."
According to Rowlett, he was unhappy with the direction the station was taking in its reporting. He didn't agree with what he called Belo's excessive reliance on media consultants who, in his assessment, determined news content. "It's up to us to decide whether we use the consultants' input or not,'' he said. "I think I know, at least sometimes, what's best for the market."
He also didn't care for the "without cause" clause that Belo wanted in the last two years of the four-year contract it offered. "Basically, they could fire me or let me go without reason. I had to think about my family, what was best for them. I couldn't exist knowing that if viewer ratings went down, I would be without a job."
Concerning the noncompete clause in his Channel 8 contract that is keeping him off the air, an arbitrator decided the Jan. 1, 2000, return date; Belo wanted July 28. (The arbitrator did not award attorney fees to either party but did charge Rowlett with other costs for the proceedings. WFAA-TV counsel Robert E. Sheeder writes in a certified letter: "Typically, costs are only awarded to the prevailing party in such matters.")
Rowlett's negotiations with Belo began in January. CBS purchased Channel 11 a few months later. After learning that Rowlett might be available, the network made an offer and Rowlett accepted. His contract with the CBS affiliate is reportedly for seven years at $1 million a year. And, yes, he signed a noncompete clause.
"I want to do for Channel 11 what I had some part in doing for Channel 8," he said. "I want to build a reputation for reporting the news, fairly and accurately."
Rowlett praised his new colleagues at Channel 11 and indicated that he intends to revamp the way they generate stories. He favors a beat reporting system based on the same principal that newspapers use.
"While there is a certain risk in using beat reporting, I don't see it becoming a problem," he said. "We won't use a story if we have to rush it. Getting the correct story is more important than expediency.
"We will not try to compete with the entertainment industry," he added. "A good, responsible newscast will always be important."
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Job Bank Delivers Up-to-date Employment Info
For anyone wondering if her salary reflects industry standards, America's Career InfoNet (www.acinet.org) has some answers. Citing figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Texas Workforce Commission, the Web site lists the 1997 median wage for a marketing, advertising or public relations manager as $53,300 in the United States and $56,200 in Texas. The median salary in Dallas was $63,800 and in Fort Worth-Arlington $46,200.
Compared to the other 50 states, Texas salaries in marketing, advertising and PR ranked eighth. New Jersey had the highest median salary ($74,300) and Wyoming the lowest ($33,600).
A 34 percent increase in the number of marketing, advertising and PR manager jobs was projected from 1996 to 2006 for Texas, in contrast to an anticipated 29 percent increase nationwide. Average 1996 annual job openings in marketing, advertising and public relations totaled 22,590 in the United States and 1,800 in Texas.
So how do you find one of these jobs? Grab a phone. The Communicators' Job Bank, (972) 362-3301 -- also accessible via www.dallasiabc.com -- is a never-sleeps job listing for public relations, advertising and communications positions in Fort Worth/Dallas. The hotline is updated Monday and Thursday evenings.
Employers may place a two-week listing on the hotline for $50. The listing will appear on the Web site for three weeks at no additional charge.
For more information, contact Jerrod Resweber, GFW/PRSA job bank coordinator, at (817) 831-2111 ext. 139 or e-mail jerrodr@aol.com.
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PEOPLE & PLACES
Beth Park, APR, and Kim Speairs attended the PRSA National Assembly in October in Anaheim, CA, and filed a detailed report. Read it at the GFW/PRSA Web site, www.prsafortworth.homepage.com.
A new GFW/PRSA slate of leaders is in place: president, Kim Speairs; president-elect/membership, Mary Dulle; vice president/programs, Roger Partridge; secretary, Kristie Aylett, APR; treasurer, Hope Caldwell; treasurer-elect, Jerrod Resweber; directors Julie Hatch, APR, Laura Squires, APR, and Carolyn Hodge, APR.
Recent UTA grad Roy Hayhurst Jr. has accepted a higher calling. Currently a communications specialist for Grand Prairie's American Eurocopter Corp., in January he begins study toward a master of divinity degree at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Mark Woolsey has left KLIF and Metro Networks after three years and is actively seeking employment in radio, television, print or on-line work. "Maybe all four simultaneously," he says. Call him at (817) 467-4515.
Executives at Witherspoon and Associates are all smiles over being selected by Phoenix Property Co. and Trammell Crow Residential Services as their strategic marketing partner for downtown Fort Worth Upper West Side. Also, Witherspoon will create communications materials for the First United Methodist Church capital funds campaign and recently developed a Web site for Atlantic Financial Group. Ditto the upbeat mood at Stuart Bacon, which will develop and implement a comprehensive communications program for obstetrical services at GINTEGRIS Bass Baptist Health Center.
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COMINGS & GOINGS
Promotions ... Alan Comtois to senior art director at Witherspoon and Associates ... Cathy Cooper to public relations account executive at Stuart Bacon ... at the Star-Telegram: art beat/feature writer Andrew Marton to art critic ... Maricar Estrella to Sunday senior design editor ... Pete Alfano to assistant features editor ... Jesse Sanchez, eight months with the Arlington Hometown Star, to the Arlington Sports Zone.
Shiftings ... Mike Bambach, S-T night sports editor the past six months, returning to Sunday sports editor.
Additions ... at the S-T: Diana Andro, previously news editor, designing page 1 and the metro section at the Port Arthur News; Arlington design desk ... Anthony Andro, also from the Port Arthur News; Hometown Star sports reporter ... Jeena Jacob, previously with The Kansas City Star and a former Knight Ridder intern; Arlington photographer ... Crystal Yednak, previously a reporter at the Daily Southtown outside Chicago; night general assignments reporter ... Chip Somodevilla, previously with The News-Sentinel in Fort Wayne, Ind.; NE photographer ... Jan Friedberg, previously with the Post-Tribune in Gary, Ind.; Hometown Star photographer ... Charean Williams, previously with The Orlando Sentinel, where she covered the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the NFL and motorsports; general assignments sports reporter ... Arthur Garcia, previously with the San Antonio Express-News, where he covered the Big 12, San Antonio Spurs, Women's World Cup and TV/media news; TCU beat reporter.
Exits ... at the S-T: sports reporter Donald Emmons, to The Blade in Toledo, Ohio, as a general assignments sports reporter ... sports reporter Stacey Feducia, moving to Arizona with her fiancee ... Paige Sanders, to The Dallas Morning News universal copy desk.
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PRESIDENT'S COLUMN Paul Sturiale / PRSA
More than a dozen PRSA members made the Business Press' list of Who's Who in Business/1999. It was a tribute to the quality of talented practitioners we have in this area -- and this chapter.
But I didn't need the Business Press to tell me about the excellence of our members. All I had to do was look around the Board of Directors. It has really been a pleasure working with such talented professionals.
At every turn, people stepped up to tackle time-consuming and maddeningly intricate tasks to make the chapter more efficient and cost-effective. They waded through mountains of government paperwork to secure our nonprofit status. They created an e-identity and e-tools that will serve our members well into the 21st century. They accepted responsibility for the routine duties that are noticeable only in their absence, but that make everything else work. One person always stepped up, and plenty of others were ready to help whenever help was needed. It was truly a team effort.
Every board leaves a legacy. Some special aspect that it's noted for. I hope this board's legacy is its team spirit. Like most special gifts, that's something money can't buy.
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PRESIDENT'S COLUMN Jan Gary / IABC
Welcome to the IABC newsletter in a fresh (for us, at least) format. SPJ and PRSA have one merged issue under their belts, and now we're joining to bring you a packed report each month on three of Cowtown's major communications groups. Hope you like our new look.
As a 13,700-member not-for-profit association, IABC is a community of professionals committed to improving their effectiveness through strategic communications -- corporate, employee/ employer, marketing, media relations, public affairs and government relations. One hundred ten chapters, linked by an expanding electronic network, serve members in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Belgium, Slovenia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Mexico, The Netherlands, New Zealand, the Philippines and South Africa.
These chapters have marked their calendars for June 25-28, 2000, when Vancouver will welcome the IABC world as host of the annual convention. You can bet Fort Worth will be represented.
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OVER & OUT John Dycus / SPJ
CBS settled its suit with the state of Texas over release of its unedited interview with Shawn Allen Berry, the third man tried in the dragging death of James Byrd Jr. CBS producer Mary Mapes did not have to go to jail for contempt of court. Berry was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison. Sketchy details at www.reporters.net/dallas.
Many thanks to Dan Jensen and Peggy Sims at the University of North Texas Health Science Center for helping make the November meeting such a success. They are as gracious as their building is elegant. And the meal served by Ronnie Holcomb and crew was superb.
Congratulations to KXAS-TV for its two first-place Katie Awards, to WBAP-AM for its five and to the S-T for its four (five if you count work Mike Cochran did before leaving the AP). The Dallas Press Club recognized Channel 5's Scott Murray, Brian Jensen, Sean Hamilton and Corrie Harding and WBAP's Lance Liguez, Rick Hadley, Steve Cumming, Jim Jackson, Ralph Strangis and Daryl Reaugh. The S-T staff won for its undocumented immigrants series, John T. Valles in newspaper illustration portfolio, Etta Hulme in editorial cartoon and UTA grad Steve Wilson in news-related Web site graphics. Cochran won for stories on West Texas that he produced with John Lumpkin.