Media Ramblings

Rambling About the Media and Using the Media to Ramble

RedEye Article

January 6, 2009 at 10:03 pm · Filed under John Marshal, Loyola, Metromix, NIU, Redeye, career, chicago, education, industry, interview, jobs, law school, marketing, new media, online experience, opportunities, radio, social media, tv

So if you’re here after reading the article in Redeye, first let me say welcome and second, let me say I hope I came off well.  You never really know how you’re going to be portrayed in an interview until you actually see what is written so…fingers crossed.

If you’re wondering why I haven’t read it myself that is because it isn’t out yet.  I am writing this in anticipation of it being published and new people checking out my blog once it is available which I have been told will probably be Wednesday or Thursday of this week.

If you have no idea what i am talking about let me catch you up real quick.  I was contacted by Alexi Elejalde-Ruiz who writes for the RedEye (a free Chicago newspaper thingy put out by the Tribune Co.) about being interviewed for an article dealing with people looking for jobs and dealing with being laid off.  She found me via this blog and contacted me via email.  The interview was done on the phone and BAM, you’re caught up.  Go pick up a copy of the mag or check out their website http://redeye.chicagotribune.com/

Now, let me fill you in on what’s going on with me in case the article left some stuff out.  I have been in radio since graduating from Columbia College Chicago in 2002 and have worked at stations in Colorado (KKNN), Joliet (WLLI), Georgia (WIXV) and Chicago (WZZN, WTMX).  After being laid off due to budget cuts from WIXV in Savannah, Ga I have moved back home to Chicago with an eye towards the future.

I was accepted to Loyola for the MSIMC program (Masters of Science  in Integrated Marketing Communications) and have chosen to defer to the Fall in order to make sure I know all of my options before making a decision.  I also took the LSAT (Law School Acceptance Test) and recently received my score and yes, I am pleased with the result.

No, Harvard isn’t in my future but NIU or John Marshall might be a possibility.  I should find out if I am accepted to a law school in the next 4-6 weeks.

I am also working in radio again at The Mix (WTMX, 101.9 FM) in Chicago doing weekends and filling-in whenever I can.  I have to say that radio is my first love and I am very lucky to be able to work in Chicago at such a  great station.

The Mix has always been cool to me, has been around for a while and is always a top performer in the ratings which provides some comfort and a sense of stability in an otherwise volatile occupation.  You can listen live anytime at WTMX.com

I have to say that even though I am looking towards other careers, a full-time gig on the radio in an exciting market like Chicago would be a dream come true but it is somewhat rare to see a part-timer make the leap to full-time at the same station. I’ve seen it happen but I’ve seen it not happen more.

Who knows?  Time will tell if that is something that is available to me at some point or not and in the meantime I have to prepare for the possibility that it won’t be by exploring other opportunities. For now I am just enjoying whatever time I get on the air and being thankful to get it.

While I was in Savannah, Ga. doing radio I also hosted a couple TV shows on the local NBC affiliate WSAV, “The Savory Coast” and “Savannah Heat.”  I had a blast doing that and you can see clips of my hosting segments on my YouTube Channel, www.youtube.com/lukewalkertv.

Recently, I have sent off some emails trying to get in touch with MetroMix to see if I can do some hosting stuff there.  I think it would be a great fit and hope to hear back but again, who knows?

Everything is a crap shoot.

If you happen to know of any interesting opportunities you think I may be a good fit for please don’t hesitate to contact me via email @ lucaswalkerhere@gmail.com

Thanks for checking out my blog and be sure to add me on Facebook if you want to know when I am on The Mix, I tend to let people know via status updates.

I am also on Twitter and LinkedIn so feel free to get in touch any way you prefer.  Links to all of those things are in the next column over.

Okay, enough about me, feel free to explore the rest of my blog too.  I have a lot of posts on here, including interviews of OTHER people so check it out and I’ll catch ya later.

**UPDATE**

Article is available to read now, check it out here.

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Back in Chicagoland

October 29, 2008 at 3:00 pm · Filed under Uncategorized and tagged: , , , ,

Thought I would bang out a quick post today to let you know I am back in Chicagoland.  I loved the Savannah area but there was really nothing there for me once I was laid off.  Chicago is really my home anyway and it’s great to be back.  The drive across country was so much fun, especially with Sirius Satellite Radio.

Obviously with being laid off, things other than Media have been taking up my time.  Education is a big factor in determining what my next step is.  I am taking the LSAT in December and preparing for that by taking a Kaplan prep class that lasts through November.  I have already applied for a Masters program at Loyola Chicago and I am waiting to hear if I am accepted.

Really, I guess you could say i am throwing everything against the wall and seeing what sticks.  I have been in contact with WTMX and will be back on there soon doing weekends (probably after Thanksgiving) but I am done with pursuing radio outside of larger markets, it just isn’t worth it anymore.  Quite honestly, radio in general is sort of just a hobby for me now unless a serious offer comes along.

I am also meeting for lunch with some contacts I have been consistently networking with the past year or so including a job recruiter and an Edelman public relations contact in Chicago.

Today I filed for unemployment to hold me over but I am hopeful that I will be back on my feet in no time. I still love media and technology, just have to deal with some more pressing issues for the time being.  It’s cool, I have always loved a challenge and I am looking forward to overcoming this one.

Also today is the first day I volunteer at the Lazarus House!  After volunteering at The Old Savannah Mission I made a promise to myself to always try and get involved in giving back to whatever community I live in whatever way I can.  If nothing else, it builds some good karma and makes me feel great.

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Laid Off

October 13, 2008 at 9:57 pm · Filed under Uncategorized and tagged: , , ,

Today I was laid off from my job of the last two years due to budget reasons. The economy is bad now so it wasn’t totally unexpected but of course it still isn’t exactly ideal. Regardless I am now available if anyone is looking to hire. I think you can see from my blog here that I am passionate, driven and at least semi-intelligent and intellectually curious.

I would love to hear from anyone. Please pass it along.

Thanks!

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**Update**

October 9, 2008 at 2:16 pm · Filed under Uncategorized

Hey everyone, just a quick update to let you know I have not abandoned my blog or passion for media and technology. I am just very busy with all kinds of other things and haven’t been able to put together a new post.

I will try my best to get back in the groove as soon as I can but right now more important things are taking up my time. I’ll be back!

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Twitter Helping During Hanna

September 1, 2008 at 11:35 pm · Filed under hurricane hanna, new media, online experience, opportunities, social media and tagged: , , , , , , , ,

A friend of mine, Barbara Nixon, messaged me today and suggested we set up a twitter account where we could update people on Hurricane Hanna as it relates to Savannah, Georgia.

Obviously I thought it was a great idea and set up twitter.com/savannahhanna

There are rumors of an evacuation starting as early as Wednesday so if nothing else this Twitter page will reflect some basic knowledge and updates that may reach a population of people not reached by traditional means. I have already had one person mention that they didn’t even know there was a threat until she read our Twitter page.

Please feel free to spread the word to anyone living in the Savannah, Georgia area and if you are curious to follow this social media outreach and contribute any news we may be missing please start following us here.

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A Glimpse of the Future?

August 27, 2008 at 1:10 am · Filed under new media, online experience, opportunities, politics, social media, tv and tagged: , , , , , , , , , ,

I was inspired to write this post because I feel on some level I experienced the future of television tonight.

Most people understand that media is evolving rapidly and that television, along with other mediums, will have to change in some way to accommodate and adapt to the new media.

Sure there will be expansion with On Demand programming and eventually I believe you will be able to view whatever you want whenever you want.

However, television will need to be way more interactive in order to maintain it’s relevancy and fit into the new dialogue being propelled by social media.

The question is how will it do that?

Tonight I once again twittered with CNN Host Rick Sanchez on Twitter while watching the Democratic National Convention. Not only does he utilize Twitter to interact with viewers while he is on the air but he also does it when he is off the air and watching with the rest of us.

He expressed some opinions, others did the same and a real dialogue was expressed. Last night we discussed Michelle Obama’s speech:

“she may have actually raised the bar for her husband though luke, don’t you think?”

Tonight I made a suggestion regarding his use of Twitter and he let me know he would look into it with his producer, Chris, while giving me a nickname:

“chris and i will work this out tomorrow for sure, u got it luker.”

How cool is that?

So what does this do? I have seen the Rick Sanchez show on CNN before and never really made any connection with it. It wasn’t bad by any means but I didn’t feel any real bond with it. It was just another show to me.

So what has changed?

What is it now?

How has this little bit of interaction on Twitter changed my perception and awareness of the show?

It is perceived as current and able to communicate with me the way I prefer to communicate. I now feel like I have a connection with the show and have become aware of when it is on and feel like I should watch.

I feel like my opinions are valued and I know they are heard because I actually hear back. The host is now a Tweep (Twitter friend) and not just a talking head and the show has moved successfully from simply another dull and mundane monologue to an interesting, relevant and direct dialogue.

The means may change drastically in the years to come but the idea will remain the same: honestly connect and interact with your audience in the way they prefer to communicate. Social Media is making that easier than ever and shows that don’t utilize it are passing up a huge opportunity to expand and improve their brand along with their ratings.

Just wanted to take the opportunity to tip my hat to a mainstream show attempting to utilize the new and social media. I’ve learned to speak up and encourage good ideas when I see them.

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Media in 2020: Allie Osmar

August 24, 2008 at 6:14 pm · Filed under new media, newspapers, online experience, social media and tagged: , , , , , , , ,

Download MP3

Today I interviewed Allie Osmar, a Social Media Analyst (cool job huh?) at Edelman Chicago, regarding Media in 2020. This is the second interview in the series and be sure to check out her blog and podcast at www.thecreativecareer.com

The interview was done on Skype and this is my first interview using that application. The audio sounds very “tinny” so I apologize upfront for the sound.

If anyone can shoot me some tips on making Skype sound better please don’t hesitate to send me an email or leave a comment.

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CNN Utilizing Social Networks LIVE

August 24, 2008 at 6:13 pm · Filed under new media, online experience, social media, tv and tagged: , , , , ,

I happened across Rick Sanchez on CNN last night and was surprised to find him discussing his Twitter page and asking for people to contribute to the discussion via their favorite social networks.  As the night went on he also utilized Facebook and provided links to other sites he is on.

At one point they showed a close up of his screen and there was my avatar!  Yea, I saw my Twitter tweet live on CNN.  Talk about interactive.  

The fun part of following him is that he also uses it when he isn’t on the air so after the show ended I discovered he went home and watched Silence of the Lambs before going to bed. Twitter really helps give insight into a person that you wouldn’t get otherwise and adds a certain something that makes watching a show more interesting.

I guess that is what social media does right? It makes things more interactive and personal.

Watching the MSM (main stream media) attempt to utilize the growing social networks and incorporate them into their established programing is interesting. It should definitely be done more often and odds are it will be if they want to remain as relevant as possible.

I have to give props to Sanchez, he is the first person I have noticed doing that on such a huge network.  You can join the conversation too.  Start following him @ twitter.com/ricksanchezcnn

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Vegas Skydive

August 17, 2008 at 12:50 am · Filed under new media, opportunities, sports, vacation and tagged: , , ,

This is a case of using the media to ramble instead of rambling about the media.  I just had to put the video of my first skydive experience up for all to see.  It was really cool, thanks to my brother for footing the bill.  It was a birthday gift.

Check it out:

Okay so I feel a little guilty about not referencing some media angle on this post so I will say that Vegas Extreme Skydiving (VES) is doing themselves a great service by offering the DVD’s to people.  Not only do they make sure to start the video with a good few seconds focused on their contact information but when I uploaded mine to YouTube I noticed a bunch of others from VES as well.

If you search for skydiving on YouTube you are bound to come across a few from VES and possibly be influenced to do your jump there.  I think they should even offer to upload your video to YouTube for you.  I’m sure some less computer savvy people would love to be able to embed their video on a blog or email a link to a friend without all the hassle of doing it themselves.

That way friends and family could see your jump immediately after your done instead of waiting for you to come around with your DVD.  

“Free YouTube upload with purchase of DVD!!”

Makes sense to me.

What do you think?

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A Little Too Proud

August 16, 2008 at 3:17 pm · Filed under marketing and tagged: , , ,

You know how when someone talks too much about being something it is usually an attempt to cover up being something else entirely?  

Welcome to the new Budweiser campaign, “The Great American Lager.”

As everyone knows Budweiser has been sold to a Belgium company for billions of dollars and is now officially a foreign owned company, but now Budweiser is attempting to downplay that fact by stressing how AMERICAN they are in their current crop of commercials.

I have no problem with companies being owned by foreign companies but I do find it funny how our individual tendencies crossover into huge marketing campaigns.  Companies truly do have personalities and right now Budweiser is obviously making up for something.  

If this doesn’t work they can always stick an American lapel pin on each can right?

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