New Journalist Spotlight, Steve McCoy, AJC Changes

Former WABE and CNN reporter Josh Levs and the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs (“Committee”) announced they have reached a settlement with CNN and Turner Broadcasting over the paid paternity leave that biological fathers receive at the company.

•On September 16, The University of South Carolina opened its new College of Journalism and Mass Communications building on the campus’ Historic Horseshoe. Local Atlantan Stephen M. Brown, APR, now with Cookely PR in Atlanta, was deeply involved in making the new building a reality.

•Brown, a 1995 graduate in the Advertising/Public Relations track, was honored for his support by having his name on the new “Stephen M. Brown Student Support Center,” which helps young pros get their start in journalism and media industries.

•The new facility includes full broadcast stations, one traditional and one in a glass greenhouse, state-of-the-art computer labs, a garden terrace and windows – something that past students never had since the school used to be housed in the basement of the Carolina Coliseum.

• Students are already enjoying the new building and the Student Support Center this semester.

Creative Loafing has published their 2015 Best of Atlanta issue. Some familiar media names on the list include:

• Best TV Cameraman – Fox5’s Mike Daly

• Best local TV anchor – Jovita Moore, WSB TV

• Best Local blog – Decaturish

• Best local journalist and best local blogger – Dan Whisenhunt

• Best local journalists working for an out of state publication – Alan Blinder and Richard Fausset

• Best local weather guy – Chesley McNeil

• Best talk radio station – WABE

• Best morning drive time radio show – The Bert Show

• Best local sports radio show – Dukes and Bell, featuring Carl Dukes and Mike Bell

• Best Urban Radio Station – V103

• Best Country Radio Station – 94.9 The Bull

• Best new arts and culture web site – Wussy mag

• Best local art critic – Faith McClure (www.faithmcclure.com)

• Best local arts web site – ArtsATL

• Best fashion blogger – Alex Lord of www.darlinginthecity.com

News from the PR Dept.

• Beth Kurylo is now handling PR for CDC, supporting PEPFAR communications in the Global HIV/AIDS program. Once upon a time, Beth was a reporter for the AJC.

• Beverly Cox Clark has been named the new Director of Communications for Emory’s College of Arts & Sciences. As an alum, I’m so glad to see a talented person in that job!

• Stephen Brown has moved to Cookerly PR, where he’ll be leading media training programs, helping with crisis communications and developing new PR offerings. He was previously with Cohn & Wolfe in Atlanta.

Sept / October 2015 Media Musings

Atlanta Business Chronicle – Ed Baker steps down as Publisher, taking a position at Georgia State University. He’ll be the Executive in Residence for GSU’s J. Mack Robinson College of Business. Link to more details: http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2015/09/17/ed-baker-to-leave-atlanta-business-chronicle-to.html.

Atlanta Journal Constitution

• After 35 years, Howard Pousner has left the AJC. He writes on his Facebook page, “After 35 years, I am leaving the AJC to join the staff of the Atlanta History Center (where I will work in media relations). It’s been an amazing professional journey, made all the better by the most wonderful colleagues in the world (present and past). I thank the many people who have trusted me to tell their stories and newsroom leaders who gave me opportunities and believed I could handle them. I’m ready for the new chapter, new things to learn and people to meet, and hopefully can be a better husband, Dad and friend in the process, too. Appreciative of all that has happened and excited about the promise of the future. Humbled!”

• His loss will be felt at the paper, but we wish him success at the History Center.

Atlanta magazine — Max Blau has left Creative Loafing to join the magazine. He also works as a correspondent for The Guardian newspaper.

ArtsAtl — Freelancer Doug DeLoach is now a contributing writer for the outlet.

Associated Press

• Ray Henry has left the company. He’s accepted a position as an economist with Ernst & Young in Washington.

• Former Atlanta AP writer Erinn Haines Whack has rejoined the AP as an urban affairs writer based out of Philadelphia. She starts Nov. 2.

Best Self Atlanta – Editor Flannery Keck has left the magazine for a position as a copywriter at Brightwave. The outlet is currently searching for a new editor.

Cobb Business Journal and Cobb Life Magazine — Editor Mark Wallace Maguire has published a book of selected columns called “Letters from Red Clay Country.” It’s available for purchase through Amazon or his website at www.markwallacemaguire.com.

Georgia Voice – Darian Aaron has joined as the paper’s new editor.

• He is the Voice’s first African-American editor, best known for his award-winning LGBT blog “Living Out Loud with Darian.”

• Aaron’s journalism experience includes both print and television. He has been a contributor to numerous publications including: CLIK Magazine where he served as a staff writer, The Advocate, The LA Times, The Huffington Post, The Georgia Voice, Project Q Atlanta, The Montgomery Advertiser, AOL Black Voices, and several LGBT websites including Keith Boykin, Rod 2.0, Pam’s House Blend, and Mused Magazine among others.

• He recently completed fellowships in television and radio news reporting at WSFA 12 News and WVAS FM 90.7 in Montgomery, Alabama.

• He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Alabama State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications.

Marietta Daily Journal – Jon Gargis has joined the outlet as general assignment and education reporter.

News Radio 106.7

• We’ve added the station’s “The Good Works Show” to our database. Sponsored by Goodwill of Georgia, the show will be hosted Saturdays at noon by Elaine Armstrong and Jim Caponigro as they highlight leaders and organizations making a positive impact in the community.

• Congratulations to reporter/anchor Scott Kimbler and new wife Staci on their recent wedding. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Howard Hurston, Scott’s best friend from high school. Best wishes to the happy couple!

• Steve McCoy is no longer with the station after issues around a Donald Trump interview he recent aired. He was initially suspended but then let go the next days after the story broke.

ThisGirlTravels.com – Local freelancer Karon Warren has purchased the travel site and will be the new editor.

WABE – A list of schedule adjustments to the station’s weekday schedule is out:

• 10 a.m. BBC Newshour complements the station’s local and national coverage from Morning Edition.

• 11 a.m. – City Lights with Lois Reitzes (arts and culture)

• 2 p.m. – Fresh Air with host Terry Gross

• 8 p.m. – Serenade with Lois Reitzes. Replaces Performance Today, which will now be heard on their HD3 stream 90.1-3 weekday evenings from 8 – 10 p.m.

Friday Changes

• 1 p.m. – Snap Judgement with host Glynn Washington is a themed NPR storytelling show.

• 2 p.m. – This American Life with host Ira Glass

• 7 p.m. – The Dinner Party Download with hosts Rico Gagliano and Brendan Francis Newnam (food, culture and conversation).

• 10 p.m. – Blue Classics with host H. Johnson starts an hour earlier. NPR is cancelling the Song Travels show.

Sunday Changes

• NPR is discontinuing Bob Edwards Weekend in Sept.

• Noon – This American Life

• 1 p.m. – Snap Judgement

• 2 p.m. – Bullseye with host Jesse Thorn. Interviews with “the most revered and revolutionary people in America.” On the Media moves to 90.1-3.

• 7 p.m. – Fresh Air Weekend.

You may have heard Jim Burress working as the morning host since the retirement of Steve Goss. If you’d like to see Jim as the permanent morning host (I’m on board for that!), please email the powers-that-be (maybe the News Director!) and make your voice(s) heard.

WAGA

• We’ve added investigative photographer/producer Chris Rosenthal to our database.

WGCL-TV/CBS46

• Correction: Jason Becknell is NOT leaving the station. In addition to his duties at WGCL, he’s now co-owner of DeKalb Business Radio X. We regret the error in last month’s newsletter.

• Julian Johnson has joined the station as a reporter from KMOV in St. Louis.

Womenetics — The online business magazine has had some staffing changes lately. You’ll find the new staff members in our database.

WSB Radio — In case you were wondering if Mary Ellen Hopkins was joining WSB Radio full time, news director Chris Camp says she’s working part time at the station, reporting during the week and anchoring on the weekends.

WSB-TV

• Reporter Jessica Jaglois has left the station and is now with WKRN TV in Nashville.

• Misti Turnbull named News Director, replacing Mike Dreaden who’s been promoted to Vice President of News and Marketing for Television for Cox Media Group.

• Former reporter Jeff Dore says he’s recovering from his recent heart attack. No word yet on when he’ll be back on his bike!

WXIA

• Producer Melissa Mack departs for WNBC TV in New York City.

• Anchor DeMarco Morgan departing for CBS to be a national reporter for the network based out of NYC.

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