June 2000
MEETINGS
Next at IABC ...
S-T's Sanders to Headline Luncheon
Honoring Bronze Quill Winners
Bob Ray Sanders of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and KERA public television will address the Bronze Quill Awards luncheon June 13. The entries will be available for up-close viewing at 11:30 a.m. Sanders will speak at noon, followed by announcement of the winners.
IABC/Fort Worth's Bronze Quill Awards honor the creators of top work in more than 40 categories, with the emphasis on design, writing and printed materials. Winners often advance to the Silver and Gold Quill competitions. IABC chapters in Missouri, Mississippi and Oklahoma judged this year's entries.
* Time & date: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, June 13
* Place: Petroleum Club, UPR Plaza, 777 Main St., 39th floor; garage is at Seventh and Commerce streets
* Cost: $20
* Reservations by June 9: Barbara Johnston at (817) 467-3406 or mailto:barbjohnston@juno.com
-----
Next at PRSA ...
How to Prepare a Winning Contest Entry:
Content + Selection + Packaging = Pow!
Everyone likes to win contests. Two Houston communication pros -- Julie B. Fix, APR, and Tom Overton -- know how and will share their secrets at the June PRSA meeting.
Fix, who heads her own firm, Fix & Associates, Inc. Public Relations, has won awards for writing and successful communications programs from the Texas Press Association, Texas Public Relations Association, the Houston Press Club and the Houston PRSA chapter. An adjunct instructor at the University of Houston, she also is president of the TPRA and has been a PRSA member since 1991.
Overton has won dozens of local and regional awards from the TPRA, PRSA and IABC. Two entries won PRSA Silver Anvils, and another won an IABC Gold Quill Award. Formerly with Edelman Public Relations and Rives Calberg Advertising and Public Relations, Overton handles internal communications for Williams Gas Pipeline.
* Time & date: noon Wednesday, June 14
* Place: Dee J. Kelly Alumni and Visitors Center, 2820 Stadium Drive across from the TCU student center
* Cost: $16 members, $19 guests, $15 students
* RSVP by noon June 12: (817) 347-8649 or mailto:roger@ctmf.org
-----
Next at SPJ ...
The Future of News: Challenges, Rewards Unobscured
by Light Pizza-Grease Coating on Crystal Ball
Where will the news business be in 20 years? How will fact-gathering methods change? Presentation? What emerging skills will young journalists need to get that first job, and seasoned pros need to stay marketable? Three news professionals with experience in both print and broadcast -- Mitch Carr at KVIL-FM, Karla Stanley at KXAS-TV and Bob Ray Sanders (he's everywhere, this guy), for six years a reporter then columnist with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and the former host of the topical movers and shakers interview show "Between the Lines" on PBS -- will take a shot at the answers when Fort Worth SPJ meets in June.
Carr is Ron Chapman's sidekick (wait, is it the other way around?) at KVIL. A Missouri native, his radio career includes a four-year stint with American Forces Radio in Japan and local stints at KLIF, KTXQ, KTCK, WFAA-AM, KMGC and Metro Traffic before joining KVIL in March 1985. Stanley, meanwhile, came to town five weeks ago as NBC 5's director of interactive content, overseeing the people who shape and ship the station's Web site. Except for a brief stint in marketing, she has been in news all her professional life, including six years as news director at WXIX-TV in Cincinnati.
* Date: Thursday, June 22
* Time: mingling 6:30 p.m., dinner and program 7
* Place: hospitality room, Coors Distributing Co., 2550 McMillan Parkway, east side of I-35W just south of Meacham Boulevard
* Cost: $15 members, $20 nonmembers, $10 students
* Menu: pizza and spirits
* RSVP: (817) 877-1171 or mailto:doti1@aol.com; no-shows will be billed
========================================
STRAIGHT STUFF
State Rep. Glenn Lewis; Fran Fuller, chairman of the Board of Directors at John Peter Smith Hospital; Judith Redd, JPS vice president for community and human resources development; and Brian Levinson, former communications VP at Harris Methodist Health Plan, will lead a discussion on "Food for Thought in the Age of Healthcare Services" at the PRSA Healthcare Special Interest Group's first brown-bag meeting Thursday, June 8, from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the All Saints Community Room, 1400 Eighth Ave., Building A. ... Partners Together for Health, the foundation for JPS Health Network, is in the market for a donor coordinator and a grants development coordinator. Contact Janet Neff, (817) 534-7200 or mailto:jneff1@airmail.net. Along that line, the Communicators' Job Bank Hotline -- (972) 684-8301 -- offers listings in advertising, PR and related fields. Go to http://dallasiabc.com or contact Wendy Dunn, (972) 831-4731 or mailto:wdunn@bsmg.com. ...
PRSA is collecting school supplies for Fort Worth children to use this fall. Bring notebooks, crayons, paper, pencils -- cash, too -- to the luncheons through August. Info: Eliz Hopkins, mailto:ekhopkins@mail.com.
-----
Despite Winfrey Verdict, 'Veggie Libel' Suits Still Threat
Oprah Winfrey is on safe legal ground if she wants to criticize hamburgers, but journalists are still subject to food disparagement ("veggie libel") lawsuits. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals recently upheld a lower court decision that threw out a libel action brought against the popular talk show host over a 1996 show on "mad cow" disease. Texas cattlemen sued Winfrey based on comments made during the show, claiming that their product -- cattle -- had been disparaged. The court said that statements made by vegetarian activist Harold Lyman were based on facts.
SPJ signed onto a friend of the court brief in the case hoping that the Texas law would be modified to inhibit future lawsuits. Instead, the decision was very narrow and applied to Winfrey's show only.
"If Upton Sinclair had written 'The Jungle' today, no doubt he would have been sued under food product disparagement laws," said SPJ national president Kyle Niederpruem. Added Bruce Brown, the SPJ First Amendment counsel: "There are still some demons lurking out there. The Texas law is still on the books. SPJ will continue fighting actions brought under the Texas law or in other states where veggie libel statutes have been passed." Thirteen states have veggie libel laws.
========================================
PEOPLE & PLACES
PRSA members are growing their families. Brett Lawson Squires, brother of Cameron and son of Richard and Laura Squires, debuted at 8 pounds 14 ounces Feb. 26. Kara Claire Norman was born April 20, weighing 7 pounds 4 ounces. Parents are Brent and June Norman. June plans to return to her public relations activities in July. ... Good news from former SPJ prez Doug Jumper (mailto:djumper@wicsc.tdh.state.tx.us) and wife Kirsten. In a note headlined "Jumper becomes ward of the state!" Doug updates from beautiful downtown Jonestown in the Hill Country: "Please let the FW gang know that I am gainfully employed at the Texas Department of Health as a writer/editor, mainly for the WIC program (Women, Infants & Children). Making more than I ever did in newspapers, with state benefits, a set-in-stone 8-5 work day and time off for lunch! It doesn't get any better than this!" Doug also is in his second term as president of the Jonestown Area Chamber of Commerce. ... Former KLIF and Metro Networks newsman Mark Woolsey and his family have moved to Atlanta, where he is now a broadcast meteorologist at the Weather Channel. "My thanks to the Fort Worth SPJ chapter and a whole slew of dedicated members," he writes, "for a lot of great times and solid professional development over the years." Good luck, Mark -- may your isobars be pleasantly spaced and your tornado sirens never triggered by committee. ...
From Lewisville, Lance Lamberton sends a Reader's Digest version of his resume: "Experienced PR pro seeks full-time employment: Over 18 years communications experience in the corporate, nonprofit and government sectors. Most recently a senior communications specialist with Lockheed Martin in Fort Worth." Reach Lance at mailto:lancelamberton@mailtexas.com. ... Larry Shannon envisions his DFWMagazine.com as a showcase for local writers' "short stories and articles of all kinds." Writers will retain copyright. More from mailto:larryshannon@usa.net. ...
Kudos & Contracts ... PRSA members Kristie Aylett, APR, and Susan Schoolfield, APR, have received the Camp Fire Boys and Girls' Good News Award as volunteers who further Camp Fire's message of youth development to the public. Kristie served on media committees in 1998 and '99, helping create brochures for the "Keeping Kids Healthy" program and Corporate Champions recruitment. Susan was promotions chair of Dining for Camp Fire for two years, and last year, when the marketing director was hospitalized just weeks before the event, she picked up the ball and took on even more responsibilities. ... For the second time in three years, the UTA Shorthorn has been named best in its class in SPJ Region 8. The TCU Daily Skiff was named best college daily by the Texas Associated Press Managing Editors, which also gave the Fort Worth Star-T a sweepstakes plaque and honored UTA Shorthorn grads Brad Loper (sports photo), Tom Fox (photojournalism series) and Danny Woodward (sports writing), all at the Arlington Morning News, with first places. ... FW Weekly's Betty Brink was an IRE award finalist for her Dec. 9 story, "Cruel and Unusual," on the treatment women receive at the Carswell prison hospital. Colleague P.A. Humphrey: "Betty is 65-plus and never stops working. She talks to 30-50 sources for every story she does, digs through files and cons everybody into thinking she's a sweet little granny. After hitting up the warden with some hard questions, she was banned from the prison -- for life! I want to be Betty when I grow up." ... North Hills Mall has selected Stuart Bacon to develop a promotions program for its $100 million expansion, and First Financial Bankshares, a bank holding company based in Abilene, selected the PR firm to create its 1999 annual report. Stuart Bacon also is developing University Christian Church's $5.7 million capital campaign and Web sites for the Amon G. Carter Foundation; Webb Air Conditioning, the oldest air conditioning company in Tarrant County; and Flying Star Transport, a common carrier of petroleum products based in Amarillo.
========================================
NEW MEMBERS, WELCOME
IABC ... Karen Reid, who transferred her membership from a New Jersey chapter ... Renee Flinn, marketing communications manager for Milltronics in Arlington ... Scheretta Scott, a public education specialist with the Fort Worth Water Department.
========================================
COMINGS & GOINGS
Additions ... at the S-T: TCU grad Ellena Fortner, formerly an S-T correspondent; NE municipal affairs reporter ... Mark Thompson, previously a sports writer at the Weatherford Democrat; NE Hometown Star features/news writer ... Ruben Martinez, NE Hometown Star sports writer.
Shiftings ... Julie Trowbridge, to Carter & Burgess as marketing manager ... Debbie Young, formerly with JPS Health Network, to Freese and Nichols as a business development editor ... Carol H. Murray, APR, to the Fort Worth Museum of Science & History as marketing director ... Leigh Wambsganss, formerly with GTE Service Corp., to PurePacket Communications as marketing communications director ... at the S-T: Rex Seline, to managing editor-metro newsroom ... Kathy Vetter, to managing editor over the enterprise team ... Steve Kaskovich, to senior business editor ... Scott Nishimura, to assistant business editor ... Bryon Okada, to transportation reporter.
Exits ... at the S-T: NE's Carol Lewis, to The Sun News in Myrtle Beach, S.C., as assistant city editor.
========================================
FROM THE PRESIDENT Kim Speairs / PRSA
The end of the school year always signals a time to say goodbye, to look forward, to plan for the next year and to begin the assigned summer reading. At PRSA, we, too, are facing the same.
* A fond farewell *
We wish all the best to hospitality chair Becky Poer, who begins an exciting new era in her career as she and husband James move to Atlanta. Becky has done an excellent job coordinating the monthly luncheons, handling the reservations and initiating the greeter program. Becky, we'll miss you and your bright smile. Thanks for all you've done for the chapter.
* Studying for scholarships *
Our scholarship fund grew impressively thanks to a contribution from Norwest Bank/Wells Fargo. Now the real work begins as awards chair Henry Stewart, APR, researches how other nonprofits structure and implement their scholarship programs. Details in future E-Chasers.
* A bright future *
In May, I joined the TCU PRSSA chapter for its end-of-the-year celebration. We discussed ways to increase interaction; look for new programs this fall. Led by incoming PRSSA president Lisa Capote, the chapter is sure to prosper during the 2000-2001 school year.
* Summer assignment *
Sign up for the fall accreditation exam. You have three months to lounge by the pool reading Cutlip, Center and Broom and studying. Application deadline is Aug. 7; the test will be Sept. 7-17. Study sessions begin in August. I know you've been thinking about taking the test, and now is the time to just do it. If you have questions, don't hesitate to call accreditation chair Carolyn Bobo, APR, at (817) 885-4243 or me at (817) 336-7799.
Let the heat wave begin!
-----
PRESIDENT'S COLUMN Jan Gary / IABC
A survey of 675 members and 200 prospects in Canada, Europe and the United States last year shows a lot of things right about IABC. Compared to a 1997 poll of members and lapsed members, members now are more satisfied with IABC (97 percent, vs. 94 percent in '97); more likely to participate (62 percent went to a chapter meeting last year, and 48 percent attended a seminar or conference); more interested in professional growth (in prior years, networking was the primary reason for belonging); and more likely to renew membership (72 percent plan to renew, vs. 60 percent in '97, and another 20 percent will probably renew). Prospects surveyed were aware of IABC (80 percent), with 37 percent saying that they are likely to join this year. Seventy-seven percent of employers pay their workers' IABC dues.
As if to prove the survey on target, IABC/Fort Worth is growing, with several people joining in the past few months. Individuals sign on for business opportunities and networking, and they stay involved for the information and content IABC provides and because IABC is responsive to their needs, provides meaningful programs and helps with career advancement.
My term as president ends the second Tuesday this month. I thank all of my board members who worked so hard to make my year as president easy.
-----
OVER & OUT John Dycus / SPJ
Thank you, Jerri McMillan at Coors, for hosting our June gathering. ... Regional meeting news: Last year, chapter delegates voted to have 2001 in San Angelo, hosted by the West Texas pro chapter. Last month, they voted to let Region 8 director Todd Gillman decide the location. Front-runners are Austin, where The Poynter Institute plans another writers workshop April 7-8; San Angelo, a city arguably short on bright lights but where the chapter vows to throw a bang-up, cost-effective affair; and New Orleans, a pricey city ablaze in bright lights (reflecting off all those beads) but lacking a chapter. If New Orleans gets it, SPJ likely will hold its own writers workshop there. Bet the beads win. FW rep Kay Pirtle: "The Austin members are still after some facts about the terms of executive director Jim Gray's contract that have not been shared with SPJ membership. It's not the money he makes or the perqs, but the fact that national is keeping secret some pertinent information. Conversation ended in a dead heat, with the Austin chapter and everyone else no further along on this issue."
Lifted from national prez Niederpruem's April newsletter: "Notebooks Closed," a West Texas pro chapter program where reporters have lunch with civic leaders; first session was with the mayor. Chapter chief Holly Henry, a San Angelo Standard-Times staff writer, says guests can "talk candidly about anything and everything without having to worry about seeing a story in the next day's newspaper." Even with the relaxed setting, the newsmakers do offer story ideas. Nifty idea.