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November 20, 2009

History Today: 1889—Astronomer Edwin Hubble was born in Marshfield, Mo. Hubble changed existing perceptions of the universe by observing the existence of other galaxies and proving that the universe is continuously expanding.

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Surviving the e-reader
As the e-reader revolution makes its way into the digital present, the existence of magazines as we know them becomes hazy. As we look toward the future, will the glossy, perfect-bound magazine still occupy an aisle at the grocery store and continue to grace doctors’ offices everywhere?

“So long as printosaurs are around, we’ll want magazines to thumb through in doctors’ and dentists’ offices,” said Carol Schwalbe in an e-mail interview. A self-proclaimed “printosaur,” the Arizona State University professor of magazine journalism said she is hopeful that magazines will always be around. “I like the tactile experience of holding a magazine and not having to look at it on a computer screen because I spend so much of my day tied to electronic devices.”...READ MORE

Also in the inVocus Media Blog:
Another community steps up
Magazines now on sale
Some papers keeping business coverage alive

Protect against fires in December
What: Elementary school children usually learn about fire safety, burn prevention, and how to call 911. But did you know that a national nonprofit is behind these efforts to encourage emergency preparedness? Fire departments across the nation educate children though programs developed by the National Fire Council, which celebrates its 30th anniversary on Dec. 7.

Story Pitch: Retailers and organizationscan encourage fire safety by promoting safety products for the home, while technology companies can market the latest product in detecting carbon monoxide and other alarm equipment. The upcoming holidays provide a time to campaign for children’s safety as trees, lit candles, and decorations create fire hazards...READ MORE

Daily Media Moves

Magazines
New old-style magazine debuts

Ivy Baer Sherman
Vintage Magazine
(212) 627-8098
ivybaer(at)vintagezine.com
www.vintagezine.com

Inspired by the 1950’s publication Flair, Vintage Magazine has recently made its debut. By examining art, music, fashion, food, travel and culture, the magazine looks back on historical influences that have impacted today’s culture. Leading the publication is editor in chief Ivy Baer Sherman.

Vintage Magazine will be published twice a year. An official Web site is set to launch later this month.

newline

Newspapers
Editor rejoins Washington Post
Maralee Schwartz
Washington Post
(202) 334-6000
schwartzm(at)washpost.com
www.washingtonpost.com

Maralee Schwartz will rejoin the Washington Post on Dec. 1 as political editor. She returns to the paper on a contract basis after taking a buyout from the Post last year. At the time, she was the paper’s economics editor. Schwartz worked for the paper for almost 29 years and oversaw the paper’s political coverage for almost a decade.

Blade staff launches new paper
DC Agenda
kevinnaff(at)yahoo.com
www.dcagenda.com

Following the closure of the Washington Blade on Monday, staffers have launched the DC Agenda in order to continue providing news to Washington, D.C.’s LGBT community. Working on a volunteer basis, the group published a slim edition and debuted an accompanying Web site today. Former Blade editor Kevin Naff continues to lead the staff.

The Washington Blade was previously owned by Window Media, which closed all of its gay and lesbian publications this week. Several of those publications are expected to return under different titles and ownership.

newline

Television
Oprah Winfrey to end talk show in 2011
Oprah Winfrey Show
(312) 633-1000
www.oprah.com

Oprah Winfrey's daytime talk show will end its run when her contract expires in 2011. The show’s last episode will air on Sept. 9, 2011, after its 25th season concludes. The “Oprah Winfrey Show” began in 1986 and is watched by an estimated 42 million U.S. viewers per week. It is broadcast in 145 countries.

Winfrey and Discovery Networks have a partnership to convert “Discovery Health Channel” into the “Oprah Winfrey Network.” It is expected to launch in 2011 and Winfrey may host a show there. But the “Oprah Winfrey Show” as it is today will not be seen on that network.

The “Oprah Winfrey Show” is a nationally syndicated daytime talk show that features celebrity interviews, Oprah's Book Club and discussions of social issues, health, and spirituality.

Phillips to sign off
Tappy Phillips
WABC-TV
(212) 456-3173
wabctv-newsdesk(at)abc.com
www.wabc.com

WABC consumer reporter Tappy Phillips will sign off for the final time tonight on the station’s 11 p.m. newscast. The “7 on Your Side” reporter is retiring after 24 years of reporting at the New York station. Phillips started on the consumer beat in 1996, ten years after she joined the station. News director Kenny Plotnik says the “7 on Your Side” franchise will continue, but has not named a replacement for Phillips.

WABC-TV is an ABC affiliate serving the New York viewing area.

Marsden to leave WMAR in December
Mary Beth Marsden
WMAR-TV
(410) 435-8477
newsroom(at)wmar.com
www.abc2news.com

WMAR anchor Mary Beth Marsden had decided to step down after 21 years on the air. Marsden, who anchors the 5, 6, and 11 p.m. newscasts, started at WMAR in 1988. Her last day will be Dec. 2.

WMAR-TV is an ABC affiliate serving the Baltimore viewing area.

newline

Radio
San Antonio’s KAJA announces new program director, host
Travis Moon
KAJA-FM 97.3 (“KJ-97”)
(210) 736-9700
travismooncountry(at)hotmail.com
www.kj97.com

Former WUBE-FM and WYGY-FM program director Travis Moon has been tapped to handle similar duties for KAJA. He replaces George King, who exited the station last month. In addition to his new role as program director, Moon will host the afternoon shift.

KAJA-FM is a Country station serving the San Antonio, Texas area.

The industry’s only Pitching Tips selection featuring

Podcasts. Click to hear pitching preferences directly from the media contact.

newline

Magazines
Richard Venola, contributing editor
Guns & Ammo
6420 Wilshire Boulevard
14th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(323) 297-2282
richard.venola(at)imoutdoors.com
www.gunsandammomag.com

Richard Venola covers firearms and related topics, including law enforcement, home defense, training facilities, shooting ranges, hunting, shooting sports, and modern and antique firearms. He says Guns & Ammo serves as an umbrella publication for the firearms industry and does “everything from target shooting to defensive to pistol to tactical to hunting water fowl, shotgun sports, upland game [and] big game hunting in Africa.” He is also interested in publishing testimonials of current and past combat veterans of the conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia. Venola does NOT want press releases about air rifles or in-line black powder guns.

For feature stories, he requires 14 photos, with a resolution of 300 dpi, in either JPEG or TIFF format. For technical articles featuring a particular gun, seven photos are required, including one showing the gun completely disassembled. Materials should be sent via postal mail on a CD-ROM that includes an MS Word document with numbered photos and captions. Do NOT put the number on the photograph itself. Pitches should be received three months in advance.

Guns & Ammo focuses on the practical applications of sporting firearms. Its monthly circulation is approximately 450,000.

newline

Newspapers
Harry Esteve, political reporter
The Oregonian
(503) 221-8226
harryesteve(at)news.oregonian.com
www.oregonlive.com/oregonian

Harry Esteve primarily covers state government and political issues for The Oregonian. He also contributes regularly to PolitickerOR.com, an all-politics, Oregon-based Web site that offers original reporting, analysis, commentary, daily press releases and news summaries. He appreciates receiving information that is local and relevant to his beat. “If it’s something I’m working on closely,” he says, “I’ll take just about anything.” Story ideas should always have an Oregon hook to them. Esteve notes, "Ninety percent of what I get I don't have time for or interest in." Pitch him by e-mail; photos and attachments are accepted. He is on deadline every afternoon.

newline

Television
Dennis Morrice, farm director
KMEG-TV
(712) 277-3554
dmorrice(at)kmeg.com
www.kmeg.com

Dennis Morrice covers farming and agriculture for the station. He says he is particularly interested in receiving information “from any farm commodity organization or farm group that has relevance to our broadcast area.” This includes reports on commodities such as corn, soy beans, cattle, and hogs, as well as news on local union meetings and government policies affecting local farm groups. He prefers to receive press releases that are timely and relevant to his audience, which includes farmers in Iowa, South Dakota and Nebraska.

Morrice advises PR people to establish a relationship with him and offer information about the organization they represent. "Offer any assistance," he says. If “you can provide some video that I can't get to myself, that would be great." Pitch him by e-mail; he accepts high-resolution images and attachments. He welcomes a follow-up call, as well as a reminder the day before an event. His weekly deadline is Thursday at 8 a.m. Morrice prefers to receive press releases one week before an event.

KMEG-TV is a CBS affiliate broadcasting to Sioux City, Iowa, and the surrounding area.

newline

Radio
Anne James, program director / host / producer
KZIN-FM
(406) 434-5241
annejames(at)gapbroadcasting.com
www.k96fm.com

Anne James writes, produces and hosts "Etcetera," a weekly three-minute local news feature. She also produces the daily news program, titled "This, That and the Other," and serves as the station's program director. For "Etcetera," press releases should pertain to what "the listeners would find interesting," says James. Stories should be "fairly light, more human interest, not so much political," she adds. Pitch her by e-mail. High-resolution images and attachments should be 1 MB or less. Follow-up calls are discouraged. Send press materials with "as much lead time as possible," says James.

"Etcetera" airs Sundays at 8:30 a.m. on KZIN-FM, a country music station serving Shelby, Mont. James also serves as a host on KZIN’s sister station, Oldies KSEN-AM.

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