Author Archives: Media of Birmingham

Red Cross new media presentation at IPSA on March 4

“Blog it and they will come … From Face to Face to Facebook”

Osborne will show how the American Red Cross has to change with the times, trends and population. Osborne will review what they are doing locally, nationally and internationally to solicit support and update media outlets including the role of “new media.”

Osborne was formerly an award-winning reporter and videographer at ABC 33/40 and one of the founding members of the news team. He has worked 19 years in radio and television in Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois and Alabama. Osborne was the first black on-air personality at WCRK-AM in his hometown of Morristown, Tenn.

In 2007, Osborne launched a new career with the American Red Cross as the organization’s Public Affairs Officer for the Birmingham Area Chapter. Recently he was promoted to the senior management position of Chief Branding Officer. In that role, he is responsible for, among many other things, internal/external communications, community outreach, media relations, website/social media content and serves as the agency’s representative with Project SHARE which helps elderly and disabled citizens with utility bills.

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Media of Birmingham: “Commercial to feature former ABC 33/40 reporter Chris Osborne”

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Photos from Going (to) Rogue

Vodpod videos no longer available.

Our first mixer of the year was a big success, with more than 20 MOBsters in attendance at Rogue Tavern downtown. Thanks to Bob Farley of f8 Photo for the photography.

David and James

David and James

Tom and Stacey

Tom and Stacey

Kathy, Susan, Sally

Kathy, Susan, Sally

Lauren and Janet

Lauren and Janet

David and Javacia

David and Javacia

Lindsey and Kevin

Lindsey and Kevin

Kevin and Amber

Kevin and Amber

Emily and Crystal

Emily and Crystal

Lauren and Janet

Lauren and Janet

Rick and Tom

Rick and Tom

Wade and Jeff

Wade and Jeff

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See more photos from other MOB events.

February event: Media Outlets Unleashed

Update: See photos from this event.

What are Birmingham media outlets doing right in new media? How can they improve, and make money at it?

Join us for our panel discussion:

Our moderator:

Join us on the Samford campus for lunch, networking and a lively discussion with your questions.

  • 11:30 a.m.-noon — Networking
  • Noon-1 p.m. — Panel

Invite your friends and colleagues in media (print, broadcast, online, etc.), public relations, advertising and marketing.

Special: First five registrants can buy 2 tickets for the price of one!

Please RSVP by Thursday, Feb. 11, 5 p.m.

Note: You must RSVP for this event. Late fee is $20; fees go to W Social Marketing.

Please RSVP by Thursday, Feb. 11, 5 p.m.

Special thanks to our sponsors, Samford University Brock School of Business and W Social Marketing. Also thanks to J&M Photography and Design for shooting this event.

Questions? Contact us or leave a comment.

Samford University Brock School of Business W Social Marketing

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Want to sponsor a MOB event? It’s easy.

January event: Going (to) Rogue

Update: See photos from this event.

  • Tuesday, Jan. 19
  • 5:30-7 p.m.
  • Rogue Tavern, 2312 Second Ave. N., downtown [map]
  • Free, but you must RSVP (else, $10 late fee)

It’s either the latest 2009 Election Day or the earliest one in 2010. Either way, celebrate the end of campaign season with a drink before covering the election returns.

Start the new year with fun and networking with Media of Birmingham!

We’ll meet at Rogue Tavern downtown.

Invite your friends and colleagues in media (print, broadcast, online, etc.), public relations, advertising and marketing.

Please RSVP by Monday, Jan. 18 (MLK Day), noon.

Note: You must RSVP for this event. Late fee is $10 + service charge; fees go to W Social Marketing.

Please RSVP by Monday, Jan. 18, noon.

Special thanks to our sponsor, W Social Marketing.

Questions? Contact us or leave a comment.

W Social Marketing

P.S. Please join our free mailing list for all the updates straight to your In box.

Want to sponsor a MOB event? It’s easy.

Investigative reporting workshop, Jan. 23-24 at UAB

Investigative Reporters and Editors is holding a series of Watchdog Workshops across the country to train journalists. Birmingham is one of only six cities scheduled to play host for the two-day seminar.

Seminar topics are:

  • Effective use of the Internet
  • Breaking down the walls
  • Paper and database trails
  • The art of the interview
  • FOI/Open Records
  • Managing and juggling your time to do watchdog stories
  • Bulletproofing a story
  • Computer-Assisted Reporting

Expected speakers are:

  • John Archibald, The Birmingham News
  • Rosalind Bentley, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
  • Mark Horvit, IRE/NICAR (National Institute for Computer-Assisted Reporting)
  • James Pewitt, Johnston Barton Proctor and Rose LLP, Birmingham
  • Alison Young, USA Today
  • Scott Zamost, CNN

The Birmingham Association of Black Journalists is a sponsor.

  • Who: Investigative Reporters and Editors along with the Birmingham Association of Black Journalists
  • When: Jan. 23-24
  • Where: UAB’s Heritage Hall, 1401 University Blvd. [map]
  • Cost: $50 for professional journalists: $35 for BABJ members; $25 for students. Fees include a 1-year IRE membership. Optional: computer-assisted reporting workshop on Jan. 24 is $30.
  • To reserve your spot: Register online.

UAB professor Minabere Ibelema wins Sigma Delta Chi Award from SPJ

Minabere IbelemaMinabere Ibelema, associate professor of communication studies at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, won the Sigma Delta Chi Award for Research. He was the sole winner from Alabama and also serves as undergraduate journalism director.

He won the award from the Society of Professional Journalists for research on his book, “The African Press, Civic Cynicism, and Democracy.”

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WordCamp Atlanta coming Jan. 8-9

For those interested in blogging and WordPress in particular, startup conference WordCamp Atlanta will be among the first WordCamps of 2010.

It’s an opportunity for beginners and advanced users to network and learn more about using WordPress for Web site creation, blogging, content management and more. For example, the Media of Birmingham site runs on WordPress.

The two-day event takes place Jan. 8-9 on the Georgia Tech campus, with short lightning-round talks on the first evening and sessions throughout the second day. Registration is $45.

(MOBster Wade Kwon will be one of the featured speakers.)

Addy award submissions due Jan. 6

The 52nd annual Addy Awards, recognizing the best among Birmingham’s advertising community, wants your entries.

The deadline is Jan. 6, just 3 weeks away. (Late entry deadline is Jan. 11.)

Entry fees range from $55 to $90. The entry drop-off location is Think Positive Advertising, 100 Grandview Pl., Ste. 110, Inverness [map].

Full details can be found on the Addy Awards site and the American Advertising Federation-Birmingham site.

For more information, contact Carrie Pearce at carrie@thinkpositive.tv or call 262-2832.

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Read more Birmingham media updates.

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SPJ Alabama selects Dennis Pillion as chapter president

The Alabama Pro chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists has selected new officers for 2010:

  • President: Dennis Pillion, sports producer, AL.com in Birmingham
  • President elect: David Joyner, executive news editor, Community Newspaper Holdings Inc. in Birmingham
  • Secretary: Meredith Cummings, director of the Alabama Scholastic Press Association, journalism instructor at the University of Alabama
  • Treasurer: Jill Nolin, city/county reporter, Montgomery Advertiser

From left, Pillion, Joyner, Cummings, Nolin

The other current board members are:

  • George Daniels, assistant professor of journalism, University of Alabama
  • Abigail Morrow, attorney, Taylor Ritter P.C. in Birmingham
  • Jenn Rowell (immediate past president), military reporter, Montgomery Advertiser
  • Matt Stanley, producer, “Today in Alabama,” WSFA-TV, Montgomery

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Birmingham Entrepreneur on Tuesday

Getting Noticed and Working with the Media

Atticus RomingerAtticus Rominger, a consultant with Rominger Media and MOBster, shares insights and tips on getting media coverage for your business. The former Fox 6 reporter will give insider’s view of how the newsroom really works and what will help you get noticed when working with the media.