Connecting Music to Media

ACRN is Ohio University’s All Campus Radio Network, but they are much more than just Internet radio. ACRN does everything from previewing local shows to reviewing albums.

ACRN focuses primarily on college rock. Their website, ACRN.com, is home not only to their online radio stream, but also their editorials. In the past ACRN has been able to gain access to many big name bands, such as Blink 182, Manchester Orchestra and Heartless Bastards. As far as feature their writing is concerned, ACRN tends to focus on the local music scene.

“We are in Athens so we need to focus on what is going on in Athens,” said Hannah Cook, managing editor of ACRN.

However, ACRN members strive to be more than just a music organization on campus.

“ACRN is about finding your voice,” said Cook. “We give students more chances to write creatively. That is why we focus on feature stories.”

A New Brand of Journalism

SPJ workshop teaches young journalists the importance of online branding

Grothjan demonstrates the basics of coding.

The age of journalism has gone digital. At least according to Ohio University student Sarah Grothjan, who indicates that students must find a way to brand themselves online, or they take the risk of going unnoticed.

Grothjan, a junior Carr Van Anda major and Society of Professional Journalists’ publicity chair, led an SPJ workshop Monday highlighting the importance of creating an online personal presence.

“Everyone should at least buy their own domain,” Grothjan advises. “Even if they don’t use it right now, they’ll want access to it in the future, if only for SEO [Search Engine Optimization] purposes.”

Her audience, a mixture of JSchool students from different sequences, listened intently as Grothjan guided them through the steps of creating a web page, designing the format and eventually getting it published.

Opportunity for Excellence

Students invited to submit media work

The Ohio University chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists has been given the opportunity to submit entries to the Mark of Excellence awards free of charge. Each student who is an SPJ member can submit two entries of their work and they will be reimbursed by the JSchool for the entry fee.

The Mark of Excellence awards are given annually by SPJ’s national chapter to honor the best in student journalism. The awards offer categories for print, radio, television and online collegiate media. Entries are first judged at the regional level. Next, first place regional winners advance to the national competition and are recognized at the SPJ spring conferences.

Mark of Excellence submissions are due January 25, by midnight. This is the first year that the JSchool is paying these fees. OU SPJ President Taylor Mirfendereski brought this to attention.

“Every year we never have a turnout of entries like we should with how nationally known our program is,” said Mirfendereski. “SPJ always has winners every year and we understand that money is an issue for college students. So by being allowed to have two entries paid for, students are given a tangible benefit.”

“Generation Y” Logs On, Tunes Out

The latest DIY tips, celebrity gossip and newest apps are available literally at the fingertips of smart phone users. This is a generation where social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook have become the source of news for current events both domestic and international. In technology-infused environments from the classroom to the workplace where accessing information is easier than ever, many Americans still are tuning out important information in the media.

Americans now pay less attention to international affairs and consume less foreign news. Domestic news continues to dominate new American media. According to the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press, 59 percent of Americans say they regularly watch the local news in their area. This has decreased significantly from the more than three-quarters of American who regularly watched local news in the early 1990s, but is largely unchanged from 2000.

“Our generation is so used to getting things instantly, everything is available in one click, and I think that makes us less interested in taking time to read and digest a traditional news story when we can get the gist in a 140-character tweet instead,” said Karah Finan, an OU junior studying journalism and political science.

Scripps Student Spotlight

OU broadcast student Ryan Boyd talks about his JSchool experience

It’s been written that everyone has a story. In each Inc issue, a reporter will interview and profile a J-school student, asking him or her about extracurricular involvement, past experience, and future plans.

Name: Ryan Boyd

Year: Sophomore

Sequence: News and Info Gathering (Broadcast Journalism)

Q: What programs or organizations are you involved in here at Ohio University?

A: I am an anchor for “Ohio Sports Zone” with AVW Productions. Another AVW production show I’m on is “life and adams.” I am the color commentator and writer for Ohio Hockey. Something I have that doesn’t necessarily count for Athens but for my career is I write for an NHL website called ice insiders.

Q: In your opinion, how does being involved benefit not only you as a student, but for you future career as well.

A: “Being involved is important because it gives you opportunities that classes can’t give you. I know classes are important but there are so many general requirements and classes like that, that truthfully don’t do a lot for your major. So I have the opportunity to work with other people who are interested in the same things and I get to learn first-hand how to be on TV, be on the radio those types of things; not only does it better my experience here for classes I’m going to be taking in the future but it also benefits me for the future because it’s what I plan on to be doing for the rest of my life.”

Column: Scripps Students Face the World Head On

Senior year is a busy time for every Scripps student. After almost four years of newswriting classes, unpaid internships, and lectures from our parents about the real world, it’s time for us to try it out for ourselves. The long holiday break is over and final tuition payments are coming due. It finally feels like the beginning of the end of college. It’s enough to make us want to sign up for another year … or three.

Last quarter I was lucky enough to get a taste of the real world a little bit early. Like many Scripps students, I took a quarter off for an internship. The change to intern with NBC’s Today Show in New York City was truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I was gone all fall quarter, getting accustomed to both the brand new task of living in America’s biggest city and working for a national morning news program.

For college students in general, the thought of working in the so-called “real world” is intimidating. It feels like a big change. Even though we work hard in our classes and strive to learn more in our extracurriculars, nobody really knows what to expect. The 6 a.m.’s seem daunting, a stark contrast to the 11 a.m. or noon starting times we’ve been able to schedule as upperclassmen.

But if the experience I had last quarter is any indication, there’s good news for Scripps students: we’re far more ready than we think we are. Working with shining stars in the field (like former OU student) Matt Lauer and Ann Curry, it was hard not to feel a little intimidated at first. I had experience internships beforehand, but never on a national scale.

I was smart to brace myself; they kept our schedules packed. No busy work for us. The other interns and I accompanied reporters and producers on local shoots, answered wacky calls from viewers at the front desk, and logged hours of tape. We came early and stayed late, learning firsthand about the time demands required in the news business. We were all lucky enough to spend at least two early mornings a week in the control room, running errands and watching the senior producers coordinate a four-hour show. I can’t say I got much sleep during my time in Manhattan, but I’m not sorry about it. It was the best way to learn.

Tackling the Transition

Scripps faculty members discuss the benefits and challenges of the transition

Ohio University will transition from quarters to semesters in 2012. For some, that sounds like a broken record, but for others it is scary, unfamiliar, territory.  Whatever your take on the switch, have no fear, Inc. is here!  This week, Inc. spoke with E.W. Scripps School of Journalism Director Bob Stewart  and Professor Hans Meyer to set your questions to rest.

What is the purpose of creating a plan with my advisor?  Does this plan lock me in until I graduate?  And when will I be notified to create one?

Scripps School of Journalism faculty gather to discuss the logistics of the transition.

“Scripps is being required by the university to show a pathway to graduate under semesters, in essence, if the student follows the plan then they are guaranteed to graduate at that time,” Stewart said. However, it is important to keep in mind that it is difficult to plan these things because it relies on numerous factors.”

By “numerous factors,” Stewart essentially means that “life happens.”  Things come up, classes become full, and sometimes students are just not able to take on the course load they anticipated.  However, the plan is simply to show people that they can graduate on time, Stewart said.

Free Press brings media awareness to Scripps

Sarah Grothjan, Contributing Writer

Free Press CEO Craig Aaron discusses the future of public media.

Last Thursday, Ohio University students and faculty filled the seats of Baker University Theatre to discuss the future of public media and the quality of journalism.

Craig Aaron, CEO and founder of Free Press, a nonprofit organization working to reform the media, led the discussion.

Free Press launched in 2002 as a nonprofit and relies solely on support from its members to continue running.

“We started Free Press, as some of you know, because we believe in real change on any issue that matters,” Aaron said. “It is impossible (to promote change) if we don’t discuss these media issues.”

The change Aaron referred to is the reversal of various media platforms operating under the ownership of only a few corporations.

Free Press works to ‘promote diverse and independent media ownership, strong public media, quality journalism and universal access to communications,” according to freepress.net.

“Democracy requires journalism. We can’t have journalism without democracy,” Aaron said. “But also, journalism requires democracy.”

Aaron said the current media crisis will actually determine whether democracy in the U.S. continues to flourish.

He presented multiple clips from several different news outlets to show just how many stations utilize the same anchors and even the same newscasts. He emphasized the point that the need for independent news stations is more critical than ever.

“Change comes from mobilizing the public at critical junctures, and we’re at one of those junctures right now,” Aaron said.

And while Aaron said he believes the current public media system is one of the best solutions to filling the gaps left by commercial journalism and the mainstream media, inadequate funding is slowing its progress.

Only one dollar is currently spent per capita on public media, ranking the U.S. as one of the lowest funded public media systems, Aaron said.

A public media trust fund bringing money from small device taxes or even regular auctions is one solution to the meager funding efforts, Aaron said.

“The money is already out there, we’re just spending it on other things,” Aaron said. “What’s missing is the public will.”

Bridging the fields of professional outlets

Story // Nicole Spears, Reporter

The uncertain future of journalism is causing many changes in the industry. Some resolves are being found in changing technology, or changing business structures, but what is bringing journalists to change their entire careers paths as a whole?

The careers of journalism and public relations call for a common skill set: strong writing, communicative skills and knowledge of social media. Yet many professionals in the fields could agree that these two careers require different specialties as well. To be successful in either area requires a fine-tuned discipline and reputable personality, or a “brand.”

Ohio University alumnus Bruce Cadwallader spent thirty 30 years in the journalism industry before making his recent transition to Peritus PR, a communications firm. After being barred from promotions and watching several colleagues be let go due to the declining revenues in the print industry, Cadwallader decided it was time for a change.

“I chose to investigate public relations as a career because of the skill sets I had developed over the years for event planning and marketing, communication skills and leadership,” Cadwallader said.

Out of hopes for the rebound of his print employer, Cadwallader made the transition to a career in public relations. He found that his journalistic background was more of a help than a hindrance.

“Journalism is a great teacher of focused writing and preparation. It helps me create messaging points that are succinct, meaningful and accurate,” Cadwallader said.

He reported that the marketing aspect has been one of the biggest challenges, along with figuring out how to appeal effectively to the public.

“Trying to motivate total strangers to take action on an issue has been challenging,” Cadwallader sayssaid.

Overall, his experience serves as proof that the transition between careers can be a smooth one.

“I have yet to find a client I couldn’t work for, and that is satisfying,” Cadwallader says. In his case, the strong writing and accurate reporting skills attained by his journalism experience helped in the transit to PR.

If switches like Cadwallader’s becomes a recurring trend in the professional field, it is likely to be reflected in the JSchool as well. Theresa Ianni, a Freshman pursuing the PR route in the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, always knew she wanted to delve into the field of communications.

“I was convinced early on in high school that I was going to do journalism,” Ianni said. But her experience writing for her school newspaper, an online magazine and also  being on student council revealed to her a new set of preferences.

“I realized I loved planning and promoting events and activities. You can do so much with PR that I feel like I’ll be able to incorporate a lot of things that I love, like event planning and writing,” Ianni said.

As for the possibility that many students may be gaining interest in public relations, Ianni explains this as others exploring what they truly want to do. She does believe, however, that PR is an appealing major.

While it’s known that journalists and PR professionals work great well together, they surely do not serve the same purpose. The two careers not only require different strengths, but also different personality traits.

“I think a PR person needs to have a lot of negotiating skills along with patience, creativity. You have to really consider all the possible ways to better represent and sell an event, organization or product,” Ianni said.

Cadwallader, however, believes the knowledge of journalism can suffice when carried over into the world of PR.

“I have always believed good journalists make fine public relations professionals, but I’m not sure some of my new PR colleagues could say the reverse,” Cadwallader said.

Regardless of varying opinions, it seems that many journalists will not fear testing the waters. As more common ground is found in terms of social media and also multi-media skills, the two professions are only growing closer.

“I have found the lines between the two industries are constantly merging, and I’m dealing with many of the same people on a daily basis, just from a different perspective,” Cadwallader said.

While the uncertainties may at first seem threatening, these ties may bring new opportunities to the fields of both journalism and public relations.

INC columnist reflects on time as a busy Scripps student

Column // Nicole Spears, Reporter

English paper, history reading, French grammar, journalism articles and the occasional job or scholarship application — that’s quite a mountain to climb on a drowsy Monday night. Yet, this is only the beginning of the weekly to-do list many journalism students face.

After hours of rushing from class to class, it’s hard to find a second of stability before the stress of the week to come washes over you, no matter how you may resist. Everyone can concur that this cycle gets old. So, before you let the current take you, enter this storm well-equipped. Amidst the sea of over-stressed, under- rested college students, remember: it’s all about perspective.

If college has taught me anything, it’s been the true value of self-determination. With the temptation of an episode of my favorite show always lingering in the back of my mind, I once had a rough time finding the determination to focus on my priorities. But now, when it’s time to get things done, I’ve learned a few tricks to fall back on that are sure to change wandering mind-set.

Putting your mind in the right place is the first step to a more productive and organized lifestyle, but that’s exactly all it is—the first step. If you know what you want, one way or another, you’re going to have to put yourself out there to get it. The right perspective is the foundation for success, but only after personal commitment and, most likely, some hard work. The first approach I’ve found to be effective is taking homework personally. Not to say that you should be offended when your professor hits you with an unexpected assignment (although I’ve done that, too). Rather, take each task as a trial. Take the challenge upon yourself to do something, and to do it well. After all, who are you here for? Most of us are working toward a higher education to better ourselves and to provide for our futures. Seeing tasks as challenges brings this to the forefront of your mind. And let’s be honest, you are usually your top priority.

Another method that I’ve turned to is something I’ve adopted from the speech “Everybody’s Free (to wear sunscreen)” written by Mary Schmich, a columnist for The Chicago Tribune. “Sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes you’re behind. The race is long, and in the end, it’s only with yourself.”

Delineate the challenges that you face throughout your continuing education as a competition with yourself. “The race” is the reason you’re here; it’s the reason you sacrifice hours of sleep and nights out with friends. But in a competition, you keep your eyes on the prize. Bringing this philosophy to academics will not only keep you motivated to do your work, but to do your best work.

Sometimes it’s easy to lose sight of your long-term goals. And while slacking should really be avoided, there’s a lesson to be learned in rolling with the punches. In the end, you want a solid GPA, and you want a great and unforgettable college experience. Getting discouraged by a rough day only puts these goals off track. So, while the “being behind” part is hard to face, keep in mind how exhilarating it is to get ahead.

Everyone can be tough on him or herself and get behind in the work to be accomplished. But, next time you’re feeling the urge to slack, remember that it’s all about attitude. As the pressures of finals week pile up, try out these tactics that offer a change of pace.