September 2001
A little curmudgeon and a lot of class:
JOE STEBBINS, 1953-2001
Joe Stebbins just looked and sounded like a copy editor. Active verbs, minimum prepositions. Intense. Challenging. Maybe a little gruff. Then: "Good story," he'd say, and you took that back to your desk and hung it on the invisible mantel where the uplift moments go.
As head of the Star-Telegram's projects team in the early 1990s, he directed reporters in producing award-winning stories on political corruption, tax scams and governmental injustices against the homeless. He was a key player when major news broke, deploying staff members with decisiveness and precision. His last role with the paper was as assistant city editor in Arlington.
He learned that he had cancer in February 1999. He was determined to hang on until his daughter, Leslie, graduated from Texas A&M. With trademark stubbornness, he made it, in a wheelchair, to the Aug. 10 ceremony.
He died Friday evening, Aug. 24, at home. "Until the end, he did his best to keep up with the Star-Telegram," said his friend, Star-Telegram senior editor John Gravois. "His thoughts were always with the newspaper he loved."
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MEETINGS
Next at IABC ...
Those 3 Letters After Your Name and Other Enhancers
For greater professional recognition, join IABC/ Fort Worth and Kevin Snow for lunch Sept. 11. As IABC District 5 accreditation liaison, Snow believes that becoming an Accredited Business Communicator provides a professionalism and career edge that others might not have.
In addition to his District 5 duties, Snow is a communications consultant for Pinnacle West Capital Corp., a major electric utility in Arizona. Following the luncheon, he will conduct an accreditation workshop.
* Time & date: 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 11
* Place: Petroleum Club, Carter-Burgess Plaza, 777 Main St., 39th floor
* Cost: $17 members, $22 nonmembers, $12 students; workshop $15
* RSVP by noon Sept. 7: Dan Frost at (817) 735-6157 or mailto:frostdg@c-b.com
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Next at PRSA ...
The Ins and Outs of Working with an Agency
Considering hiring an agency? Need help but not sure where to turn? Answers will be forthcoming at the Greater Fort Worth PRSA meeting Sept. 12.
Representatives from three local creative agencies will share their perspective on what makes a good agency/company relationship. Learn how to measure effectiveness, what an agency expects from a client and what you should expect from your agency: the keys to effective interaction. To have specific questions answered, send them in advance to program coordinator Laura Squires, APR, at mailto:lsquires@hsc.unt.edu.
* Time & date: 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12
* Place: Ridglea Country Club, 3700 Bernie Anderson Blvd., just off Camp Bowie Boulevard near Bryant Irvin
* Cost: $20 members, $23 nonmembers, $18 students; parking free
* RSVP by noon Sept. 10: Elizabeth Eslick at mailto:elizabeth@stuartbacon.com
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Next at SPJ ...
That was Then; This is Now; And It's All in This Book
As the overhead comes crumbling down on Lancaster Avenue, Fort Worth once again undergoes a major visual change. Most recently a place for day workers and derelicts, the area was once a gateway boulevard of pleasing urban design -- and will be again. Lancaster Avenue is just one of the places highlighted in "Fort Worth: Then and Now," a new book by author/historian Carol Roark and Star-Telegram photographer Rodger Mallison. It chronicles the city's past by comparing it to the present in a visual feast of old and new photographs.
Roark, author of "Fort Worth's Legendary Landmarks," and Mallison, who took the photographs for the Bass Hall book "Angels on High," will be on hand at the Sept.20 meeting, along with TCU Press director Judy Alter and graphic designer Margie Adkins West, to share the process and delight of taking a book from concept to the shelf.
* Date: Thursday, Sept. 20
* Time: mingling 5:30 p.m., dinner 6:15, program at 7
* Place: Water Street Seafood, 1540 S. University Drive
* Cost: $13 members, $17 nonmembers, $5 students
* Menu: choice of mesquite-grilled chicken breast, fried catfish, brandy mushroom trout or shrimp-k-bob, all served with a salad, vegetable and seasoned rice; grilled chicken caesar salad or Gulf shrimp salad; fresh-baked bread and tea, soft drink or coffee; cash bar
* RSVP: (817) 877-1171 or mailto:doti1@aol.com
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STRAIGHT STUFF
Author and futurist John Hoyle will examine "Public Relations: Visions of Virtual Vigilance" as keynote speaker at a Texas Public Relations Association seminar Oct. 12 at Texas A&M University in College Station. The seminar will focus on demographic and population trends and shaping public opinion, and will include a tour of the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library. Details at http://tpra.com or from Henry Stewart at mailto:hmsprmkt@swbell.net. ... Register online for the Dallas/Fort Worth Network of Hispanic Communicators' journalism workshop at UTA on Sept. 29. Info at http://dfwhispanic.org or from Carmen Alvarado Vasquez, mailto:cgalvarado12@hotmail.com. ... Dallas PRSA's Media Day 2001 on Oct. 12 will feature nine panels and a keynoter from PR Week. Info from Beth Ann Black, (972) 745-7638, mailto:bablack1@aol.com. ... Reminders: Former NBC News and New York Times White House correspondent Gwen Ifill will take listeners inside the Beltway for insights on key legislative issues and the first year of the George W. Bush presidency at the fourth annual Louise B. Raggio Endowed Lecture in Women's Studies, Oct. 10 at the SMU Hughes-Trigg Student Center. Tickets from Lisa Chou at (214) 768-2610 or mailto:lisac@mail.smu.edu. ... The legal profession's 18th Annual Stephen Philbin Awards banquet will feature Catherine Crier of Court TV's "Crier Live," with media tickets a third off the civilian rates of $30 per person and $300 per table of 10. Info: Lisa Biondo, (214) 220-7450, fax (214) 220-7465. ...
They're busy at PRSA. Kevin Grubbs with Sanford, Baumeister & Frazier will shed light on a basket of tax issues relating to small and home-based businesses, from deductions to setting up an accounting system to the advantages of incorporating, at the first sole practitioners' Special Interest Group brown-bag gathering, at noon Thursday, Sept. 6, in the remodeled Guinn School, which houses the Fort Worth Business Assistance Center. RSVP by Sept. 4 to Andra Bennett, APR, at (817) 336-2491, ext. 265, or mailto:abennett@fortworthchamber.com. All sole practitioners are welcome, especially members of PRSA, IABC, SPJ and the Ad Club. ... Eighteen people are needed Sept. 8 to judge annual awards for the PRSA Hoosier chapter; 15 will be needed the next Saturday to judge the Blue Ridge chapter. The only judges' requirements are professionalism and the ability to recognize effective PR strategies and tactics. Judging will last from about 9 a.m. to noon at the UNT Health Science Center on Sept. 8 and at Cook Children's Hospital on Sept. 15. In addition to good work and good company for a worthy cause (and breakfast is free), the Indiana and Virginia chapters will donate to the Greater Fort Worth PRSA scholarship fund. Contact Paul Sturiale at mailto:psturiale@pro-cuts or (817) 788-8000. ...
An hour-long, interactive seminar, "Cut Through the Clutter: How to Make Every Piece You Write Easier to Read and Understand," can be accessed right from your office chair at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 11. Ann Wylie, head of Wylie Communications, will discuss streamlining sentences, shortening phrases and conducting "sound checks." She'll tell why it's essential to write the way you speak and will explain a funnel system for editing copy. A question-and-answer period will follow. Technology requirements for participation are minimal, and only one $150 registration per location is required. Info at http://digevent.com/events/prsaseminar.html, or call PRSA at (212) 460-1459. ...
SPJ national update: winning on the gridiron, losing in the courts. The University of Oregon has reversed field and will not limit TV stations' rights to show football highlights. The university wanted to restrict stations to only 20 seconds from Ducks' games but backed off, citing public outcry and possible legal entanglements. ... SPJ awarded its single largest one-time Legal Defense Fund grant -- $12,500 -- to help a Houston free-lance writer jailed for refusing to hand over unpublished material to the federal government. Vanessa Leggett, 33, was jailed for not releasing all of her research for a book about the shooting death of a Houston woman and ensuing jailhouse suicide of a suspect. On Aug. 17, the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans ruled that the district court did not abuse its discretion in ordering Leggett jailed for contempt of court July 20; she could be held for up to 18 months. Attorney Mike DeGuerin said his client is considering whether to seek a rehearing by the entire Fifth Circuit or go directly to the Supreme Court. The LDF grant will pay half of Leggett's legal fees, which DeGuerin has capped at $25,000. SPJ is challenging news organizations across the country to make up the difference. Meanwhile, the International Federation of Journalists condemned Leggett's incarceration. ... SPJ says proposed federal "leaks" legislation would tighten the public's access to national security information and fly in the face of First Amendment rights of the public and the press. Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., is preparing to reintroduce legislation that would limit the information to which the public is privy and could pose legal entanglements for journalists, such as grand jury subpoenas. "This kind of legislation essentially makes a journalist who receives classified information an accessory to a felony," said Ian Marquand, SPJ Freedom of Information chairman and special projects editor at KPAX-TV in Missoula, Mont. "That means if some future Daniel Ellsberg passes on classified information to a journalist as a matter of conscience, and the journalist writes a story about that information, the journalist is subject to interrogation, federal charges, even jail time. I can't think of a more chilling scenario for journalists." The bill passed both the House and the Senate last fall and seemingly has support from the Department of Justice and the CIA. President Clinton vetoed the measure in 2000. The new legislation is scheduled for a Senate hearing Sept. 5. Resources: http://spj.org/news/071200_letter.htm. ... SPJ and other media organizations are fighting to revoke Utah's antiquated criminal libel law. Ian Michael Lake, a 16-year-old Milford High School student, was arrested in May 2000 under the criminal libel statute for creating an Internet Web site that posted parodic but nonthreatening remarks about classmates and teachers. "This may be mischief, but it's not criminal," said SPJ president-elect Al Cross, political writer and columnist for The (Louisville) Courier-Journal. Early this year, Fifth District Juvenile Court Judge Joseph E. Jackson refused to dismiss the charges.
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2002 GFW PRSA Slate of Officers Announced
Summer isn't even over yet, but it's already time to start planning for 2002. A major task -- developing a slate of officers for next year -- has been completed. The nominating committee of Kim Speairs, APR; Beth Park, APR; Henry Stewart, APR; and Kristie Aylett, APR, submits the following for the chapter's consideration:
Officers: for president, Kristie Aylett, APR; president-elect/membership, Roger Partridge; vice president/ programs, Hope Caldwell; secretary, Elizabeth Eslick; treasurer, Pamela Smith; and treasurer-elect, Ann Genett Schrader, APR.
Directors: Carolyn Hodge, APR (continues through 2002); Carolyn Bobo, APR (through 2003); and Marc Flake (through 2004). Assembly delegates: Beth Park, APR (through 2002), and Kim Speairs, APR (through 2004). Past president will be Mary Dulle.
As stipulated in the chapter bylaws, current PRSA members will vote at the chapter's annual meeting Oct. 10. Additional nominations may be made from the floor at that time. Any questions may be directed to nominating committee chair Kim Speairs, APR, at (817) 336-7799 or mailto:kim@stuartbacon.com.
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PEOPLE & PLACES
Baby daze! Pioneer woman Liz Stevens, still cheerfully at her Star-T station a couple of days past her original due date, gave birth to Max Jacob Ruthart at 3:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 18. Recall proud dad Scott Ruthart and his family from a wonderfully warm piece Liz did on her husband and her in-laws last Christmas. ... Things are going well for veteran PRSA member Rick L'Amie, who now calls Dallas home. He and wife Nancy added another daughter in July, and he was just named a VP in Vollmer's Dallas office. Charlotte Ann L'Amie and big sister Lauren are doing fine. ... UNT's Carmen Mitchell reports that Roy Moses' wife, Mary, is in the hospital in McKinney; she went there with a heart attack and had a stroke while she was being treated. "There are probably lots of folks in SPJ who remember Roy Moses -- he taught at UTA and UNT for a number of years," she said. "I know he and Mary would appreciate cards or e-mail." Direct same to Roy and Mary Moses, 5910 Autumn Point Drive, McKinney 75070; mailto:jrmoses@swbell.net.
Kudos & Contracts ... Carolyn Bobo, APR, with Cook Children's Health Care System is among 21 new members of the PRSA College of Fellows who will be inducted Oct. 27 in Atlanta during the organization's annual conference. ... Broc Sears and Sarah Huffstetler shared Knight Ridder employee of the month honors for their work redesigning the Star-Telegram. ... Stuart Bacon Advertising-Public Relations will create a comprehensive communications program for Texas Pneumatic Systems and its sister company, Turbine Fuel Systems. Founded in 1994, Texas Pneumatic Systems repairs and overhauls pneumatic components for the airline industry.
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GET A JOB
TCU is hiring a director of editorial services to review, write and edit university materials for accuracy and style, publish the TCU magazine, update the online university bulletins and help write and edit marketing and ad copy for admissions, athletics, fine arts and others. Requires a university degree, preferably in a communication-related major, and five or more years professional experience in writing and editing marketing and advertising materials. Send a resume and writing samples to Larry Lauer, vice chancellor for marketing and communication, TCU Box 297070, Fort Worth 76129. ... Americredit seeks a public relations manager. Bachelor's degree and at least 5-7 years in communications, PR or journalism required, plus strong writing, interpersonal, organizational, negotiation and presentation skills. Management experience preferred. Financial services background helpful. Write Staci Bailey, mailto:staci.bailey@americredit.com.
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NEW MEMBERS, WELCOME
PRSA ... Ryan Bishop, assistant PR account executive at Stuart Bacon ... Kate Mewhinney, associate PR manager at Pier 1 Imports
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COMINGS & GOINGS
Additions/shiftings ... Rachel Donahue, formerly with Branch-Smith Publishing, to the Cattle Raisers Museum as marketing director ... Linda Brooks Bagwell, formerly public information coordinator at Tarrant County College, now director of public information and public relations, Weatherford College ... Michael Bryant, formerly on the Arlington Star-Telegram copy desk, now editor of the Keller Citizen ... at the S-T: Liz Manion, with experience at Knight Ridder Productions in Lexington, Ky. (among her responsibilities was Knight Ridder News, the KRT magazine), now full time on the design/graphics staff ... Katie and Amon Award winner John Valles, with the paper since October '98, moving from the Northeast newsroom to the design/graphics department downtown ... graphics guy and Belhaven College (Jackson, Miss.) grad Dave Seymour, a senior designer for features since November '99, moving to Arlington from downtown
Exits ... at the S-T: Christy Gonzales-Gilfour, a reporter in the Arlington newsroom since 1966 and for a week an education reporter in the Fort Worth newsroom, to the Arlington Police Department as public information officer ... intern Ross Chambless of the Fort Worth desk, returning home to Utah and work covering the Olympics
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A NOTE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Mary Dulle, GFW PRSA
Congratulations to PRSA member Carolyn Bobo for being elected to the PRSA College of Fellows. This is a clear demonstration of her ability, talent and leadership. Besides all that, she's a great person and we're truly fortunate to have her in Fort Worth. Carolyn and her teamrecently won a Silver Anvil, the highest award given by PRSA, for their project that helps youngsters understand the value of philanthropy. Kudos to Beth Solomon, Susan Schoolfield, Mary Kay Glass and Carolyn.
All PRSA members recently received the nominations for 2001 officers. Our annual meeting is in October, so please plan to come and vote. If you have an alternate candidate, we will take nominations from the floor. Please be sure, however, that your candidate is willing to run and to serve before nominating him or her.
We still need folks to help with the Holiday Party in December. Please call or e-mail me if you'd like to serve on one of the committees: invitations, refreshments, raffle prizes, decorations or reception. If you have ideas for other committees, please let us know. This call for volunteers is not just limited to PRSA -- all our IABC and SPJ colleagues are invited, as well.
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PRESIDENT'S COLUMN
Cecilia Jacobs, IABC/Fort Worth
Everyone's a communicator. Just think about it. We were born communicators. When our bottles ran dry or our bottoms were wet, we communicated our distress with passion. Most of us still have a passion for communication.
My neighbor, Bob, who's far from a professional communicator, knows how to put passion in his message. The other day, he was explaining how to maneuver a riding mower to his inattentive 11-year-old son. Exasperated, Bob finally pulled back his shoulders and yelled, "That's OK! Go ahead and ride this thing the way you want. But I warn you: If you CUT OFF YOUR LEGS, don't come runnin' to me!" The message was a little mixed up, but the passion was real.
Perhaps more than anything, professional communicators struggle with passion, and no wonder. We're expected to create every day. That's why membership in IABC is so important. Networking with those who share the same successes and struggles is downright therapeutic. That's the idea behind an aggressive membership drive planned for October -- the more members we have, the more expertise to draw from and the more ideas to share.
Start now inviting your co-workers and friends to our October get-together (hey, there's a meeting this month, too). They'll thank you for the chance to join a group of professional communicators who are passionate about what they do. And the more prospective members you bring, the more chances that you'll win a really nice prize. Maybe even get your lawn done by Bob's son.
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OVER & OUT
John Dycus, Fort Worth SPJ
Nancy Bartosek, Angela Brown, Kristin Sullivan and Drenda Witt joined the SPJ leader crew following elections last month. With the crisp thinkers already on board -- president Max Faulkner, Larry Lutz, Carmen Goldthwaite, Gary Hardee, David House and Carol Peters -- that's reason for excitement. ... The chatty folks at PRSA central needed 74 words to list requirements for its College of Fellows -- essentially you have to be in PR 20 or more years and be really good at it -- but what's telling about Carolyn Bobo's honor is that she's one of only 314 fellows out of nearly 20,000 PRSA members. Now that's sharp. ... Whatever happened to thank-you cards? Received a hand-written note from scholarshipper Megan Middleton last month and a packet of productivity from Kim Gay's Louisiana internship. You're welcome, ladies. You're why we do it. ...
Sick of the gloom pervading the newspaper business? Consider this: Maine's eighth daily paper -- a five-days-a-week tab, free, heavy on local news but with feeds from The New York Times and AP -- was set to debut last month. The Portland Morning Sun will be owned by Maine residents, making it the only locally owned daily in the Portland region. Editor-publisher Ed Pickett anticipates about 20 pages a day and 5,000 circulation. Both figures are expected to increase. ... And this: The Denver Post, with one-time Fort Worth Star-T boy wonder Glenn Guzzo in charge, has dropped the Invesco Field moniker for the new Broncos stadium and will call it what everyone else calls it, Mile High. The Metropolitan Football Stadium District sold naming rights to Invesco Funds Group for $60 million over 20 years. ... And this: In 1950, U.S. newspapers sold 12 copies for every 10 homes, for a market penetration of 124 percent. Now it's 53 percent and falling, everywhere, it seems, but in Dunn, N.C., where the Daily Record's market pop at 112 percent is the highest of any U.S. daily -- an afternoon daily, at that -- verified by the Audit Bureau of Circulations. Markets are too diverse for mass appeal? Dunn is majority white but 42 percent black. Newspaper reading is fading among the less affluent? Dunn is a town of factory workers, shop clerks and farmers. The Daily Record's formula, as reported by The Wall Street Journal: offer loads of down-home news that readers can't get anywhere else. Hoover Adams, an 81-year-old World War II veteran with a high-school education, founded the paper in 1950. ... But then there's this: Media companies have laid off 100,000 this year in the United States, according to http://iwantmedia.com, which tracks the industry. Said analyst Edward Atorino: "On some bases, such as help wanted ads, it's the worst it's been in more than 20 years."