Media General pulls plug on Skirt Birmingham

Staff vows to continue women’s magazine

Another Birmingham magazine faces a setback today. Skirt, a Morris Communications national publication based in Augusta, Ga., launched in Birmingham in April 2008.

Its closest competitor, Lipstick, folded in February. Its publisher, Media General, cut jobs at NBC 13 in March. During that same round, Media General folded Skirt in Tampa. (It continues as an online-only venture.)

Today, NBC 13 vice president and general manager Gene Kirkconnell sent this e-mail:

Over the past year the creativity and hard work of our Skirt Staffers here has produced a Magazine of the highest editorial standards.

Unfortunately, a very challenging economy has prompted the division to cease publication. July 2009 will be the final edition of SKIRT Birmingham.

We wish Anna, Cory and Terry all the best.

Editor Cory Bordonaro announced via Skirt’s Twitter feed just after noon today:

You heard it here first. Media General is hanging up skirt! We’re moving on, however. This skirt has a lot of wear left.

It’s unclear whether the women’s lifestyle magazine will continue publishing both print and Web versions, or if at all. The Terminal references a tweet from Skirt general manager Anna Alford Nelson that says “skirt! Bham is moving forward just without Media General.“

The Birmingham Business Journal reports that Media General plans on transferring its license to publish Skirt to a yet-to-be-determined market.

But Heather Nagel-Doughtie, digital director for Skirt, says Morris now has the Birmingham license and says on the site, “We love Birmingham and are very committed to finding a solution to keep the skirt! voice alive in this great city.” Compare this to her more decisive plan of action when the Tampa print edition was dropped:

Next month, you will begin to see significant changes to the local Tampa Bay site including a new redesign.  We plan to enlist the help and support of local women and writers.

Bordonaro has invited those interested to e-mail her at corybo[at]gmail.com.

BABJ workshop: Surviving the New Realities of the News Business

Surviving the New Realities of the News Business

Open to everyone interested in the media business. Portion of proceeds go to BABJ Scholarship Fund. Sponsored by the Birmingham Association of Black Journalists.

With all the turmoil in the media, you need to know to survive?  This special half-day session gives you some answers.

It will take a hard look at what’s happening in the media business and why; offer advice from people who know on how to reinvent yourself; and give you practical tips on how to start your own business if you no longer want to work for a company that may be forced to lay you off.

In addition to getting the real deal from people who have been there, you’ll also get a chance to share best practices with each other.

• When: Saturday, June 27
• Where: The Birmingham News, 2201 Fourth Ave. N. [map]
• Cost: $15, includes continental breakfast and box lunch.
• Register by today, June 24, or notify Vickii Howell by e-mailing editor[at]birminghamview.com by June 25.
• For more information, e-mail Willie Chriesman at willie[at]chriesman.com.

Schedule
9–9:30 a.m.: Registration
9:30–10:20: Opening Panel–The State of the Industry

• Gene Kirkconnell, GM, NBC 13
• André Natta, Internet entrepreneur
• Scott Mauldin, Former NBC 13 Reporter
• George Daniels, Assistant journalism professor, University of Alabama
• Nichele Hoskins, Heart & Soul Magazine, former senior editor at Southern Progress Corp.

10:30–11:20: Reinventing Yourself for the New World of Media

• André Natta, Internet entrepreneur
• Atticus Rominger, Former Fox 6 reporter
• Marie Sutton, Former Birmingham News reporter

11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.: Going Out on Your Own

• Edith Ingram, Central Alabama Women’s Business Center
• Malena Cunningham, former NBC 13 anchor
• Vickii Howell, former Birmingham News reporter
• Scott Mauldin, Former NBC 13 Reporter

12:30–1: Lunch/Networking

Event info on the BABJ site.

Visiting journalists needed for Alabama high school workshop

A note from Meredith Cummings, director of the Multicultural Journalism Program at the University of Alabama:

The University of Alabama’s Multicultural Journalism Program is just around the corner. Fifteen students will be on campus from June 12-21 for the annual workshop.

The annual Visiting Professionals Day will be on Wednesday, June 17. I wanted to ask if you would be interested in being a part of this day.

Visiting Professionals arrive around 9 a.m. in Tuscaloosa and spend most of the day hanging out with students in the lab, helping them figure out what they have in the way of a story, and helping them get started with the writing process. (They will have completed their reporting from the Black Belt the day before.) Each student is assigned their own professional to help them write, edit and polish their story.

Each professional also speaks to the group of students briefly about their background. Lunch with the students will be provided during the day, and the work is usually done by mid-afternoon.

If you would be interested in helping us with the special event, please let me know by e-mailing mjp[at]ua.edu or calling 205-348-2772. Thank you so much.

Possible SPJ workshop on social media and journalists

A note from Jenn Rowell, president of the Alabama chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists:

Save the date for our next program, June 24 and/or June 25.

We’re going to focus on Twitter, social media and how journalists can use those tools to enhance coverage and generate Web traffic. Some of us use it, some of us don’t, so let’s discuss pros and cons, best practices, neat tricks, how-tos and lingo. (See “The Twitter Explosion” from the American Journalism Review.)

Here are possible plans:

• Host one in Prattville, since it’s sort of (although not really) a halfway point for Montgomery and Birmingham folks.
• Or host one in Montgomery and one in Birmingham (like we’ve done on several occasions).

If y’all could weigh in on what you would prefer and if any of you use Twitter and social media on a regular basis and would like to help facilitate discussion, let me know at AlabamaPro.SPJ[at]gmail.com. I have a few in mind, but am always looking for fresh faces!

Thanks!

June event: Keep Hops Alive

• June mixer: Keep Hops Alive
• Tuesday, June 16
• 5:30 to 7 p.m.
• The J. Clyde, 1312 Cobb Lane, Southside [map]
• $1 (see note)

The hops have been freed. We shall enslave them again … in our tummies.

Join us on Southside at The J. Clyde any time between 5:30 and 7 p.m. Invite your friends and colleagues in media (print, broadcast, online, etc.), public relations, advertising and marketing.

Note: You must RSVP for this event. Admission is a paltry $1. You can pay with your credit card or e-check via Paypal.

(It all goes to Eventbrite, none goes to Media of Birmingham.)

Please RSVP by Monday, June 15, 5 p.m.

Reserve your spot

Questions? Contact us or leave a comment.

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.

EXCLUSIVE: Southern Living lays off editorial staffers

Media of Birmingham has learned that Birmingham-based Southern Living has laid off five to seven staff members today on the editorial side of the magazine, including employees in the food, travel, home, art and photo departments. The cuts leave about 85 staff members in place in editorial.

The magazine lost 26.9 percent in ad sales comparing the first quarter of 2008 and 2009.

Southern Progress Corporation, which publishes Southern Living, shed 200 people in the last quarter of 2008, reducing its staff in Birmingham to 500 employees. It also closed Cottage Living magazine.

Unlike the previous rounds, we’ve heard that supervisors informed laid-off employees to pack and leave the building by 5 p.m. today, rather than the two to four weeks transition time given to eliminated employees. No word on whether they were offered severance packages.

Earlier this week, the Birmingham News reduced salaries and cut part-time positions.

• • •

Update 6/9/09: After laying off a Homes staffer on Friday, Southern Living posted an opening for an assistant homes editor just four days later (June 9): [It appears the job listing was taken down shortly after discovery by magazine employees.]

Job Title
Assistant Homes Editor – Southern Living

TimeWarner Division
Time Inc.

Industry
Publishing

Location
United States – Alabama – Birmingham

Requisition #
112776BR

Position Type
Full Time

Posting Job Description

Southern Living is seeking an assistant editor to help produce stories and write for the Homes section.

Duties: Emphasis on writing and packaging our monthly homes line-up with a fresh voice that reaches out to a younger reader. Will also coordinate photography with photographers and stylists. Attend monthly story conferences, previews, and issue reviews. Develop a strong network of homes and/or garden contacts around the South. Stay abreast of homes topics and trends.

Requirements: 3-5 years experience at a lifestyle title or equivalent with top-notch writing, editing, and design skills. Ideal candidates will possess a four-year degree in English, Art, design or other related field. Hands-on experience in interior design or architecture a plus. Should have strong organizational skills. High energy, flexibility, and an ability to work as part of a creative team a must.

• • •

Update 7/8/09: The ad returns a month later. The wording is exactly the same, except for the title, assistant/associate homes editor (instead of associate homes editor). Looks like the magazine is bargain hunting …

Have a news tip? Let us know!

EXCLUSIVE: Birmingham News cuts salaries through 2010, eliminates most part-time positions

Most part-time positions eliminated; furloughs ended

Media of Birmingham learned through Twitter that the Birmingham News is cutting salaries. Our newsroom sources indicate that salaries will be cut 5 to 8 percent, based on salary level, through 2010.

Also, the News has offered voluntary buyouts to employees with five or more years experience. The newspaper offered its first ever round of buyouts in 2008 and started mandatory furloughs and a benefits freeze in March.

The News has ended its furloughs.

In addition, the News is cutting most part-time positions in the coming months. No word on how many positions will be affected.

Lastly, it appears that the News is dropping internships, too, according to a Twitter update from University of Georgia student Daniel Shirey.

The budget cuts come at an odd time: While print and online readership are both up for the Birmingham News, advertising remains down.

Also: Kyle Whitmire at the Birmingham Weekly has more specifics on the salary cuts. The Weekly is also reporting that the Birmingham News will close suburban bureaus by the end of summer.

Update: Publisher Victor Hanson III says, “It is imperative that we maintain a robust, independent voice for news and commentary in Birmingham, as well as an effective vehicle for our advertisers.” (Birmingham News: “Birmingham News announces employee pay cuts”)

• • •

Also, Anniston-based Consolidated Publishing cut salaries 10 percent today for all employees at all of its newspapers, including the Anniston Star, (Talladega) Daily Home and the Jacksonville News. The news comes from a series of tweets by Daily Home reporter Katherine Poythress.

The Star laid off 15 employees in November.

Photos from the Redmont Rooftop Roundup

Redmont’s newly renovated rooftop bar, Above, was the perfect setting for our May mixer. Thanks to Gordon Bell for all the photography.

Be sure to check out all the great photos, and if you’re in them, let us know! (Or tag yourself in the Facebook album.)

Bob

Wade, Laura, Cary

Laura, Robert

Cary, Mykel, Ann

Ray, Cutressa, Tim, Julie

Brent, Ray, Cherie

On the Redmont rooftop

James, Emily

On the Redmont rooftop

Looking for sponsors

If you have a bar or a restaurant in the Birmingham area, Media of Birmingham would love to bring our thirsty crew of journalists, advertising pros, PR and marketing members and new media experts to your space.

We meet for drinks and networking on the third Tuesday of every month.

Sponsor our events, and receive promotion via our site and mailing list. We usually have at least 20 attendees at each event. We’d like to have drink specials and discounts and appetizers.

If you’re interested in partnering with us, contact us today.

How a UAB student blogger scooped Birmingham mainstream media

When a car sped through a busy UAB campus green and crashed into the dining hall window, the news went out quickly on Twitter and Facebook. But not a single mainstream media outlet responded.

Instead, UAB student blogger Andrew Stone posted the story and photos to his site, Iloveuab.com. That single post, “BREAKING NEWS! Car crashes into UAB Commons!” led to high traffic and queries from those media outlets.

We asked Stone to share how the story came together, and how he managed to build on that one fateful post.

Reporting

April 27 was a normal day, and as usual I was brainstorming about what I needed to write for the day. I’m sure you know how it is: Sometimes, there’s tons to talk about, and other times, you have to force the words to flow from your fingers. However, all that changed very quickly!