NTA Cleveland Chapter News - October 2003
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Terry Peterson is New Cleveland NTA Chapter President

Hello my name is Terry D. Peterson and I am your new Chapter President. I am honored to serve in this capacity and look forward to the coming year. The Cleveland Chapter has a strong team of Officers and Governors who are committed to building a stronger Chapter with greater recognition and presence in the television and public community. Recently we finished an extensive planning session. I will share some general comments about that in the next edition of the newsletter.

You will see later in this edition more information about the current Governors and new Officers. It’s important to remember that this chapter's success does not rely solely with the leadership, but instead is with you, the members. One of my primary focuses as president is to make the chapter more responsive to current and emerging needs for our general membership. This can only take place when you take an active role in the chapter's activities and volunteer opportunities.

To gauge areas that need attention and to remain current and vital, we will soon be rolling out a new website. This website is designed to be a resource center for members and visitors. It is also being used as a vehicle for your feedback and input. Please take advantage of this site and let your thoughts be known.

We all know the business is changing and there are many challenges and opportunities which lie ahead. I am not going to make promises that I can't keep, but I will do all I can to build upon the foundation, which has been established by the previous president. This chapter will evolve to meet the demands of the industry and give you more value-added benefits and career advancement opportunities, through education, networking and seminars, for your membership dollars.

Soon there will be an e-mail list available on the website so you can contact other chapter officers, your Governors and me. I welcome your suggestions, criticisms and your contributions of time and participation. Thank you for your membership with this Chapter and good luck in next year's Emmy's.
 


Beachwood Studios Produces Award-Winning Audio Program for Akron’s Roadway Express

Beachwood Studios recently won a Tranny Award of Excellence for a joint project in producing an audio communications program for Roadway Express.

Awarded by the Transportation Marketing and Communications Association, the Tranny Awards honors excellence in marketing and communications in the transportation and transit industries.

The program, “Behind the Wheel,” is a quarterly, hour-long program, featuring a lively radio show format. Roadway Express drivers are entertained as well as informed. It features company news, interviews top Roadway executives, conducts “You Make the Call” and “Think First” safety quizzes. Drivers who have safe driving records are honored and there are recaps of special events such as Roadway Express, moving presidential documents from the White House to former President Bill Clinton’s library in Arkansas.

 


Former Station Manager to Offer NTA Column

Richard Sullivan, former station manager at WOIO/WUAB, will offer frequent columns in future Cleveland NTA newsletters, looking at television industry trends and how those trends will affect local broadcasters. Those articles will tie in with his newly launched website.

He recently started www.thetvguru.com, a TV consulting firm dedicated to helping broadcast television stations become more focused, better branded and uniquely local. The website is a spin-off of his electronic publication, TV Marketing Weekly, which promotes the same “guru” philosophy.

Sullivan is an accomplished TV station manager, marketer, programmer and program producer. He’s contributed to the rapid growth of stations in Jacksonville and Cleveland. He’s also won Emmy and Addy awards, served on the Board of Cleveland NTA, and in 2001 was inducted into the Northeast Ohio Broadcast Hall of Fame.
 


New Advanced Awards: A First for NTA

The National Television Academy will, for the first time, recognize work in Advanced Media Technology. The ceremony will take place at the Plaza Hotel in New York City on October 23, 2003. With these newly created Advanced Media Technology Emmy Awards, the Academy will honor work being done in Interactive Television, New Media and related programming and technology.

The Emmy for Outstanding Achievement in Advanced Media Technology for the Enhancement of Original Television Content will recognize work in areas of Advanced Media Technology that enhance or improve programming intended for delivery and display by traditional broadcast means, including: network, cable and satellite distribution.

The Emmy for Outstanding Achievement in Advanced Media Technology for the Creation of Non-Traditional Programs or Platforms will recognize work developed for delivery and display by non-traditional and/or non-linear programming, including: Systems, EPG’s, User Interfaces, one-screen or two-screen applications, CD-ROM, DVD, computer and video games with broadcast components, etc.
NTA President Peter Price says emerging technology is reshaping the programming and viewing experience of the consumer. “The creation of these two new awards acknowledges the important new paradigm of advanced media, ” says Price.

For more information log onto: www.emmyonline.org.

 


Spotlight On NTA Board Members


Steve Wisinski

Steve Wisinski has been Manager of On-Air Promotion at WKYC-TV, Gannett’s NBC affiliate in Cleveland, since May 2000. He had been the Senior Writer/Producer in WKYC’s Creative Services Department since November 1997. Prior to that, he served as a Writer/Producer from 1995-1997.

Wisinski began his career at KFDM-TV in Beaumont, Texas in 1992 as a Production Assistant. Within a year he was promoted to the title of Director/Producer. His responsibilities included shooting and directing local commercials, station promotion spots, and long format videos. He also directed newscasts and live sporting events.

Wisinski is a 1991 graduate of the University of Dayton. He, his wife, Francine, and their son Benjamin live in Garfield Heights.


 


Charles E. “Bud” Ford, Jr.

Bud’s broadcasting career began in Seattle as a child actor in radio dramas. Later in Spokane, he was an announcer and sportscaster on KFIO in 1943. Joining the Army the following year, Ford served as a Japanese interpreter in Japan, and was later assigned to Armed Forces Radio to construct WVTO and WLKH in Sasebo.

After graduating from Washington State University, he attended Northwestern University where he helped build WNUR-FM, and was the first program manager.


Bud came to Cleveland in 1950 with NBC’s WTAM & WNBK. He produced “Noontime Comics” and “Johnny Andrews Sings for Your Supper” on WNBK. He was producer and director of such programs as “NCAA Football”, “Colgate Sports Newsreel, and “Pepsi Cola Camp Shows” on NBC radio network, and from 1952-54, “The Morning Bandwagon” on WTAM.

In the mid-50’s, Bud moved to WNBC, NY, as producer/director of the “Bill Cullen Show,” and was promoted to Director of Operations. In 1962, he was appointed Director of Operations for WJZ-TV, Baltimore, and a few years later, became Director of Operations for the Overmyer TV Station Group and Vice-President/GM of WECO-TV, Pittsburgh.

Bud returned to Cleveland in 1967 as General Manager of Visual Techniques, a film and multi-media company, and by 1970 was Executive Producer/Controller for Bell & Howell’s Wilding Studios.

He joined Meldrum & Campbell Advertising in 1972 as Director of Radio/TV. He produced award winning commercials and revamped “It’s Academic” into the long-running ‘Academic Challenge” on TV-5, and was appointed Vice President of AV Services at M & C. After Meldrum & Campbell merged into Marcus Advertising in 1985, Bud produced seven Emmy Award commercials and public service announcements, and was appointed Vice President of Broadcast Production. In 1987, he helped create “The Cash Explosion” show originating at WEWS-TV for a state-wide TV network.

Elected to the Cleveland NATAS Board of Governors in 1986, Bud has chaired chapter committees for Membership, Bylaws, Nominating, Silver Circle & Finance, and served as 2nd and 1st Vice-President, alternate National Trustee, and National Trustee. He has been a member of the Executive Board of the Cleveland Council of Boy Scouts, for many years was Council Camping Chairman, and continues in various Scouting leadership positions. Bud is a long time volunteer at the Cleveland Play House where among other activities he has served as Treasurer of the Men’s Committee.

 

Christy E. Frederick

Christy Frederick is the director of public relations and government affairs at Cox Communications Cleveland. She is responsible for planning and implementing communications strategies that support current and future Cox business plans. Frederick heads the company’s involvement in local educational, community and government support, and oversees the community-programming department.

Prior to joining Cox in March of 2003, she was a principal in the StrongForce Group, a Chicago-based public relations firm formed to meet the communications needs of technology and business-to-business companies. Previously, she was vice president and co-founder of PR21, a high-tech public relations firm. Ms. Frederick also worked with Kemper Lesnik Communications, and was an independent marketing consultant for the former Andersen Consulting.


Frederick received a bachelor’s degree in psychology at the University of Notre Dame and a master’s degree in Integrated Marketing Communications from Northwestern University.

Her work has won numerous awards including: PRWeek “30 Under 30” Award, Public Relations Society of America Skyline Award, Publicity Club of Chicago Silver Trumpet Award, Superior Achievement in Branding and Reputation Award, PR News Award and an International Association of Business Communicators Spectra Award.

She is executive director on the Board of the Judd Goldman Adaptive Sailing Foundation and is actively involved in the Notre Dame Alumni Club of Cleveland.
 


From the Editor: Cynthia Barnes

The recent nip in the air has undoubtedly caught many of us off guard and got us thinking about the upcoming Holidays. However, before that, the all-important November book will come around again. With the last book of 2003, also comes a key election, November 4th. New issues will be given the thumbs up, some the thumbs down; new faces will take office January 2004.

The airwaves will be inundated with commercials. Political analysts will offer their spin on the issues. Opponents will take jabs at one another to convey a point of view. As these scenarios and many others unnamed play out, as journalists covering the story, we have a responsibility to present all sides and let the viewer be “judge” and “jury.” Should we make an effort to do this, it will be a job well done.

Regards,

NTA Editor, Cynthia Barnes

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