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!

News anchor – WERC (960 AM)

Our pal Paul passed this along:

News Radio 960 WERC is in search of our next great news anchor. Candidate must have experience in radio news and have a keen awareness of news, current events and pop culture.

The right candidate

• is a powerful communicator who can stamp a personal imprint on the news product;
• is relatable and likable while projecting a sense of authority and command of the content;
• thrives in a deadline intensive environment;
• writes creatively;
• able to ad-lib well in breaking news situations:
• and can immerse themselves in the community and the Alabama political landscape.

Must be able to work weekends and off-hours.

Rush your resume and a sound file (less than 5MB) to jobs@960werc.com.

Or mail to:

WERC Opening
600 Beacon Pkwy W.
4th Floor
Birmingham, AL 35209

No phone calls please. Clear Channel Radio is an equal opportunity employer.

• • •

Need a job? Check our job board.
Have a job to fill? Contact The MOB for your free listing.

Next career: public relations

Birmingham journalists are facing tough times in the industry. Some are already out of work, while others are working harder than ever while facing budget and job cuts.

One option: public relations.

Washington blogger Lori Russo shares her ideas in a post called “Helping Reporters Out … In a Different Way” on her All Thoughts Considered blog. Russo worked previously as an assignment editor and sports producer at a Baltimore TV station. Now, she serves as vice president of Stanton Communications, a PR firm.

She lists attributes that journalists possess that would make them good PR practitioners:

• Blinding Flash of the Obvious – You Know the Media
• You Know the Anatomy of an Interview
• You Know How to Sell an Idea

And she writes:

For journalists (or soon-to-be former journalists) looking to launch new careers, the field of public relations is a logical place to begin. Having made the transition from television to PR 10 years ago, I can confirm that there is a great deal of cross-over between the two industries and that a journalist’s skills translate very nicely into PR. We’re all storytellers – we just happen to be on different sides of the curtain.

If you’ve made the jump from journalism to public relations, let us know how it’s gone for you.

March event: All the Way to Hoover

• March mixer: All the Way to Hoover
• Tuesday, March 17 (St. Patrick’s Day)
• 5:30 to 7 p.m.
• Wine’d Down, Patton Creek, 180 Main St., Suite 212, Hoover [map]
• Free (drinks: pay your own way)

Come all the way to Hoover to Wine’d Down in Patton Creek for our networking mixer. Wine, beer, martinis, Scotch — all available.

Join the MOB on Tuesday, March 17 (St. Patrick’s Day), any time between 5:30 and 7 p.m.

Anyone in media, advertising, PR and Web should stop by — please tell your colleagues, friends and enemies to join us. Complete details are available on the Evite.

Questions? Contact us or leave a comment.

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

February event: Lunch for Success, Making Plan B

• February lunch: Making Plan B
• Tuesday, Feb. 17
• 11:30 a.m. – noon: networking
• noon – 1 p.m.: lunch + discussion
• Urban Standard, 2320 2nd Ave N., downtown [map]
• Free (lunch: pay your own way)

Worried about the economy? Trying to survive a layoff? Looking for ideas on what to do next, or just some friendly support?

Join the MOB at Urban Standard at for our first ever lunch event, Tuesday, Feb. 17. We’ll discuss the job market, planning ahead, freelancing, networking and other strategies.

If you’d like to lead a discussion at your table, just contact us.

Anyone in media, advertising, PR and Web should stop by — please tell your colleagues, friends and enemies to join us. Complete details are available on the Evite.

Questions? Contact us or leave a comment.

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

[photo by Elaine Faith]

January event: The Inaugural Happy Hour

Update: See photos from this event.

• January mixer: The Inaugural Happy Hour
• Tuesday, Jan. 20
• 5:30 to 7 p.m.
• Rojo, 2921 Highland Ave. S.. Southside [map]
• Free (drinks: pay your own way)

A new year, a new president. Come by Rojo on Southside to celebrate this historic day with the MOB. We’ll be in the party room, right entrance.

Join the MOB on Tuesday, Jan. 20, any time between 5:30 and 7 p.m.

We’ll have happy hour drink specials and inaugural fun.

Anyone in media, advertising, PR and Web should stop by — please tell your colleagues, friends and enemies to join us. Complete details are available on the Evite.

Questions? Contact us or leave a comment.

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

December event: The Day the Mirth Stood Still

Update: See photos from this event.

• December mixer: The Day the Mirth Stood Still
• Tuesday, Dec. 16
• 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
• Bottletree Cafe, 3719 Third Ave. S. [map]
• Free (drinks: pay your own way)

Don’t let the War on Christmas, the economy, traffic, layoffs, deadlines, 401(k)s or anything else bring you down. Come by the Bottletree Cafe for one last blowout. We’ll celebrate, or commiserate, the year gone by.

Join the MOB on its new night — Tuesday — on Dec. 16 any time between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.

Merrilee at the Bottletree promises happy hour drink specials and holiday cheer.

Anyone in media, advertising, PR and Web should stop by — please tell your colleagues, friends and enemies to join us. Complete details are available on the Evite.

Questions? Contact us or leave a comment.

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

P.P.S. Stick around till 8 p.m. for Music Snob Trivia Night, hosted by Kim Waites and MOBster Brooks Brown. Just $2 to play … all proceeds go to Scrollworks. For more info, visit myspace.com/musicsnobbham.

P.P.P.S. Klaatu barada nikto, y’all.

November event: Fifth Anniversary Dinner

Update: See photos from this event.

Celebrate our fifth anniversary with a special dinner!

We’ll have the loft all to ourselves at Jackson’s Bar and Bistro [map] in Homewood, with a special menu and half-price drinks (except premium liquors).

Join the MOB on its new night — Tuesday — on Nov. 18 any time between 5:30 and 8 p.m.

You must sign up in advance on the Evite, no exceptions — capacity limited to 36, so reserve your spot today. You may bring up to one guest.

Signup deadline: Nov. 11 (after that, you’ll be placed on a waiting list).

October event: Rep. Artur Davis on Election 2008

Update: See photos from this event.

Join us for our first keynote speaker, U.S. Rep. Artur Davis. With Election Day just two weeks from our next event, it’s a great time to discuss the state of politics 2008.

Rep. Davis began his service in the House of Representatives in 2003, which also marks the MOB’s founding.

Join the MOB on its new night — Tuesday — on Oct. 21. Our first event sponsor ever is the Redmont Hotel [map]. We’ll be on the mezzanine level in the Redmont Cafe, where you can enjoy a selection of wines and beers at our private cash bar.

With an 81-year legacy of style, elegance and fame, the Redmont offers luxurious hotel and residential living in downtown Birmingham.

This event starts earlier to accommodate Rep. Davis:

• 5 p.m. – meet and greet
• 5:15-6:15 – Rep. Davis’ address
• 6:15-7 – more networking!

The event is free. Wine and beer available at our private cash bar.

Anyone in media, advertising, PR and Web should stop by — please tell your colleagues, friends and enemies to join us. Complete details are available on the Evite.

Our thanks to MOB volunteers Chianti Cleggett and Atticus Rominger for setting up this month’s event!

Here’s the press release [pdf].

Questions? Contact us or leave a comment.

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