Media Ramblings

Rambling About the Media and Using the Media to Ramble

Archive for tv

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.

Comments

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.

Comments (1)

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

Comments (3)

Gettin It On 4 Ya

August 2, 2008 at 8:12 am · Filed under online video, opportunities, portfolio, tv, webisode and tagged: , , , , , , , , ,

I produced this video over the last couple days for an Edelman Studios project meant to emphasize the BK Late Night concept.  There are several different projects available on the site but this one hit home for me.  

Late Night hunger?  You’re talking to the guy who constantly battles that beast.

As a night jock I am hungry at weird times and that long, dark ride home can be even longer and darker with a grumbling, mumbling stomach.  A BK that is open late can satisfy the craving instantly.  

So the concept is basically that a night DJ is granting requests all night long while searching for a cure for his hunger unsuccessfully.  On the ride home he finally gets his request granted by a BK that is working later than him.  I believe it shows the “BK Late-Night” concept in a creative and unique way that will relate well to the late-night fast food audience.

It’s obviously longer than a typical TV commercial but whatever, call it a webisode.  

Take a look and let me know what you think!

Comments (2)

Internet Causing Insomnia

July 1, 2008 at 2:26 am · Filed under new media, newspapers, tv and tagged: , , ,

Download Audio MP3

People are losing sleep over the Internet.  

I’m not talking about students researching papers that are due the next day or obsessive compulsive fan boys waiting for midnight to strike so they can see the new Slipknot masks.

I’m talking about TV and Newspaper executives.  

I came across an interesting article at Variety.com that speaks to the changing media landscape.  It details a study that finds the average age of those watching Live TV  is older than ever before.  I say Live TV because this study didn’t measure delayed viewing or DVR use.

What’s the age you ask?  50.  Yep, the people who watch TV the most are half way to 100 years old.

Okay that last sentence is total “Internet Sensationalism.”  50 isn’t close to 100.  As a matter of fact if 50 is old than to get to 100 you would have to live a whole other 50 years to get there!  So you would have to be a whole other 50 year old older.  That makes 50 seem young.

Just thought I’d call myself out on an obvious spin.

This is actually interesting for a few reasons.  First of all, it’s the first time that the average age of TV viewers has fallen out of the coveted 18-49 year old age demographic.  Secondly,  it marks another sign that more and more people are getting their entertainment and news from other media sources like the Internet.

Why stay up late to watch one of your favorite comedians on The Tonight Show when you’ll be able to watch it and discuss it tomorrow at your leisure on YouTube or the network’s web site?  Tonight Show viewers by the way have a median age of 54.  

Check out the article for more specific and interesting stats on different shows such as the average age for viewers of Supernanny is 41 and Nightline viewers are 52.  Hey did you know that the median age for U.S. households is 38?  

Okay I’ll stop.  

The Washington Post  points out that newspapers are also feeling the hit from the new media.  Circulation is down, jobs are being slashed and designs are changing all in an attempt to compete with the Internet.  

Will it work?  The article makes a good point when it states that Newspapers can’t beat the Internet at it’s own game.  

Physical newspapers are not going to be able to be updated at any time throughout the day, have readers comments and ideas added instantly or be able to transform into another paper instantly.

One of the big arguments against the Internet is that it is too shallow and catering to an A.D.D. mindset where sound bytes matter more than substance and research is second to sensationalism. There are cases to be made for that to be sure but the truth is that you can find EVERYTHING on the Internet.  

If you want shallow, sensational sound bytes you can get your fill but you can also splurge on in-depth, well researched articles.  That’s the real strength of the Internet.  You create your own experience. You can get whatever you want, when ever you want it with just a click of a mouse.  

How can anything compete against that?

Comments