Western Reserve Public Media President’s Report · Programmer Don Freeman reports that results of...
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1 1 Programming & Local Producons 6 Educaonal Services 7 Markeng & Development 8 Outreach & Special Events 10 Northeastern Educaonal Television of Ohio Inc. Board News IT/Engineering 11 Staff News, Training & Conferences Western Reserve Public Media 1750 Campus Center Drive P.O. Box 5191 Kent, OH 44240-5191 1-800-554-4549 WesternReservePBS.org Western Reserve Public Media President’s Report The Western Reserve Public Media President’s Report is published three mes a year for the Northeastern Educaonal Television of Ohio Inc. Board of Directors, major funders of the staon and other readers interested in the organizaon’s acvies. Winter 2010 Western Reserve Public Media Web site gets electronic faceliſt Western Reserve Public Media has introduced a new look for our Web site at www. WesternReservePublicMedia.org. Major changes include a new splash page and a new navigaon system. President and CEO Trina Cuer’s idea was to create an entry page that illustrates the breadth of our services and of our partnerships. Represented on the splash page are our four broadcast services, educaonal services, regional producons, social media, video on demand, regional independent producers, our consorum universies (Kent State University, The University of Akron and Youngstown State University), our state and naonal partners and our friends in public radio. From the splash page, visitors can link to all of our resources and to the sites of our partners. The Western Reserve PBS home page is sll our “primary” site. We have reintroduced social media. Cuer will present a weekly vlog (video log) called “CEO to CEO,” based on the segment she is producing for NEOtropolis. Vice President of Markeng and Development Lisa Marnez is blogging under the banner tle “You Are What You Watch,” and Director of Educaon Jeff Good writes about media and educaonal technology in “All Hands on Tech.” We also feature blogs by NEOtropolis’ Jennifer Boresz and NewsNight Akron’s Eric Mansfield and Ed Esposito. We’ve added our Facebook link, which Communicaons is handling, and the feed from Programmer Don Freeman’s Twier site. The biggest change is yet to come. On March 1, we will launch COVE (Comprehensive Video Ecosystem), a video-on-demand (VOD) service that will blend our VOD content with naonal VOD content, including NewsNight Akron, NEOtropolis, Generaons: Cuyahoga Valley Naonal Park, Nature, Nova, Masterpiece, Frontline and much more. COVE has been described by one naonal media cric as the best-looking VOD service on the Web. It is beauful and will take our site to a new level. Congratulaons to Paula Kritz, Western Reserve Public Media’s graphic designer and webmaster, for her work on this project, and thanks to Broadcast/IT Engineer Anthony Dennis for his help with the technical details. Gospel Meets Symphony producon to air naonally Gospel Meets Symphony: Let Freedom Ring!, a 2009 Western Reserve Public Media producon, has been chosen for naonal distribuon by American Public Television (APT) beginning in February 2010. APT is the second-biggest distributor of programs for public television staons. Gospel Meets Symphony: Let Freedom Ring!, which premiered on Western Reserve PBS in April 2009, features the Akron Symphony Orchestra in concert with its 200-voice Gospel Choir celebrang Abraham Lincoln’s 200th birthday. Seventy-five staons across the country have licensed the program for broadcast, including staons in seven of the top 10 television markets.
Transcript of Western Reserve Public Media President’s Report · Programmer Don Freeman reports that results of...
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1 Programming&LocalProductions
6 EducationalServices
7 Marketing&Development
8 Outreach&SpecialEvents
10 NortheasternEducationalTelevisionofOhioInc.BoardNews
IT/Engineering
11 StaffNews,Training&Conferences
WesternReservePublicMedia
1750CampusCenterDriveP.O.Box5191
Kent,OH44240-51911-800-554-4549
WesternReservePBS.org
Western Reserve Public Media President’s Report
The Western Reserve Public Media President’s Report is published three times a year for the Northeastern Educational Television of Ohio Inc. Board of Directors, major funders of the station and other readers interested in the organization’s activities.
Winter 2010 Western Reserve Public Media Web site gets electronic facelift WesternReservePublicMediahasintroducedanewlookforourWebsiteatwww.WesternReservePublicMedia.org.
Majorchangesincludeanewsplashpageandanewnavigationsystem.PresidentandCEOTrinaCutter’sideawastocreateanentrypagethatillustratesthebreadthofourservicesandofourpartnerships.Representedonthesplashpageareourfourbroadcastservices,educationalservices,regionalproductions,socialmedia,videoondemand,regionalindependentproducers,ourconsortiumuniversities(KentStateUniversity,TheUniversityofAkronandYoungstownStateUniversity),ourstateandnationalpartnersandourfriendsinpublicradio.Fromthesplashpage,visitorscanlinktoallofourresourcesandtothesitesofourpartners.
TheWesternReservePBShomepageisstillour“primary”site.Wehavereintroducedsocialmedia.Cutterwillpresentaweeklyvlog(videolog)called“CEOtoCEO,”basedonthesegmentsheisproducingforNEOtropolis.VicePresidentofMarketingandDevelopmentLisaMartinezisbloggingunderthebannertitle“YouAreWhatYouWatch,”andDirectorofEducationJeffGoodwritesaboutmediaandeducationaltechnologyin“AllHandsonTech.”WealsofeatureblogsbyNEOtropolis’JenniferBoreszandNewsNight Akron’sEricMansfieldandEdEsposito.We’veaddedourFacebooklink,whichCommunicationsishandling,andthefeedfromProgrammerDonFreeman’sTwittersite.
Thebiggestchangeisyettocome.OnMarch1,wewilllaunchCOVE(ComprehensiveVideoEcosystem),avideo-on-demand(VOD)servicethatwillblendourVODcontentwithnationalVODcontent,includingNewsNight Akron,NEOtropolis,Generations: Cuyahoga Valley National Park,Nature,Nova,Masterpiece,Frontlineandmuchmore.COVEhasbeendescribedbyonenationalmediacriticasthebest-lookingVODserviceontheWeb.Itisbeautifulandwilltakeoursitetoanewlevel.
CongratulationstoPaulaKritz,WesternReservePublicMedia’sgraphicdesignerandwebmaster,forherworkonthisproject,andthankstoBroadcast/ITEngineerAnthonyDennisforhishelpwiththetechnicaldetails.
Gospel Meets Symphony production to air nationally Gospel Meets Symphony: Let Freedom Ring!, a2009WesternReservePublicMediaproduction,hasbeenchosenfornationaldistributionbyAmericanPublicTelevision(APT)beginninginFebruary2010.APTisthesecond-biggestdistributorofprogramsforpublictelevisionstations.
Gospel Meets Symphony: Let Freedom Ring!,whichpremieredonWesternReservePBSinApril2009,featurestheAkronSymphonyOrchestrainconcertwithits200-voiceGospelChoircelebratingAbrahamLincoln’s200thbirthday.Seventy-fivestationsacrossthecountryhavelicensedtheprogramforbroadcast,includingstationsinsevenofthetop10televisionmarkets.
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Programming & Local Productions (cont’d.)
Western Reserve Public Media in winners circle at NETA conference WesternReservePublicMediawontwonationalawardsonJan.13atanannualpublicbroadcastersconference.Theorganizationreceivedfirstplaceintwocategories,RebrandingCampaign(Corporate/Institutional)andInstructionalMediaProduct,whentheNationalEducationalTelecommunicationsAssociation(NETA)honored23publicbroadcastersduringitsannualconferenceheldthisyearatMResortinHenderson,Nev.
Theorganization’snewidentitycampaign,introducedinSeptember2008,wontherebrandingaward.TheNETAjudgespraisedthecampaignforitsuseofhumorinthepromotionalvideosandfortheattractivedesignofthenewlogo.RecognizedfortheirworkontheprojectwereLisaMartinez,vicepresidentofmarketinganddevelopment;DuilioMariola,production/localprogrammingmanager;PaulaKritz,graphicdesigner;andDianeSteinert,communicationscoordinator.
Quiz Bus: Dealing With Data,whichwontheinstructionalmediaaward,isamultimediaeducationalkitforgrades4-8.Offeringinstructioningathering,analyzingandreportingdata,thepackageincludesfivevideos,ateacherguideandaWebsiteandisavailableforusebyeducatorsinthestation’seight-countyserviceareaandaroundtheglobe.Thevideoprojectfeaturesteacherscompetinginaquizshowthattakesplaceonatravelingschoolbus.Thejudgespraisedtheprojectas“simpleandwell-executed”and“awell-doneadaptationoftheCashCabidea.”RecognizedfortheirworkontheprojectwereRiaMastromatteo,freelanceeducationcontentproducer,andDuilioMariola,production/localprogrammingmanager.
AcceptingtheawardsonbehalfofthestationwereMartinezandJeffGood,directorofeducation.
WesternReservePublicMediahaswonNETAawardsinprioryearsforBig or Small: Measure It All(2008)andConstitution Challenge (2007).
Nielsen Media Research shows growth in prime, whole-week ProgrammerDonFreemanreportsthatresultsoftheNovember2009NielsenMediaResearchsweepsshowthatWesternReservePBS’scombinedstation(WNEO.1/WEAO.1)viewershipincreased6.3percentinprimetimeand1.7percentsign-on/sign-offoverNovember2008.Wenowareaveraging204,000householdsinprimetimeand415,000householdssign-on/sign-off.
InNovember,ourthreemost-viewedprimetimenights(8pmto11pm)wereSaturdays,withBritComsaveraging21,000viewerspershow;Thursdays(Antiques Roadshow,This Old House Hour,Masterpiece Mystery!),averaging19,166viewersperprogram;andMondays(Antiques Roadshow,American Experience,variousspecials),averaging13,833viewersperprogram.
Ourfivemost-watchedprogramswereAntiques Roadshow(Thursdaysat8pm,28,500people);As Time Goes By(Saturdaysat8pm,28,000people);Keeping Up Appearances(Saturdaysat9pm,25,000people);Last of the Summer Wine(Saturdaysat8:30pm,24,000people);and Are You Being Served?(Saturdaysat9:30pm,24,000people).
InSeptemberwebeganaweeklyhour-longblockoflocallyfocusedprogramsonTuesdaysat9pm,calledRegional Fusion.InNovember,theprogramblockaveraged7,000viewersforeachhalfhour,whichisalittlelowerthantheprogrammingwehadbeenairinginthattimeperiod.Itisinterestingtonote,however,thatprogramsscheduledintheRegional Fusionhourhaveseenahigheraverageaudiencethantheirplacementelsewhereinourschedule.Thissuggeststhatourviewersareinterestedinlocalandregionalprogramsiftheyknowwheretofindthem;havingaconsistentweeklyschedulemakesthatpossible.
Feedbacktellsusthatournewchannels—Fusion,MHzWorldviewandV-me—arebecominganimportantpartofourviewers’tune-inhabits.Unfortunately,thechannelsdonotyethavelargeenoughaudiencestoqualifyforNielsenratings.
New educational multimedia projects in production WesternReservePublicMediahasreceivedfundingfromtheOhiolegislaturethrougheTechOhioforthecreationoftwonewmultimediakitsforthe2010-11academicyear.
ThefirstkitisbeingcreatedincooperationwiththeAkronArtMuseum.This5th-gradeunitdealswithtwomathematicsbenchmarks(ratio,proportionandpercentandthemeasurementofinteriorangles)andonesciencebenchmark(sound).Theratio,proportionandpercentmodulecoversbasicconceptsbylookingattheportraitworkofartistChuckCloseandthenfinisheswithaprojectthathasstudentsusethedigitalportraitstheycreatetodetermineifthefacematcheswhatiscalledtheGoldenRatio.Theinterioranglelessonsstudytheworkofthreeartistsandallowstudentstotiemathematicstoartbycreatingworkthatshowsequilateraltrianglesandquadrilaterals.Itfinisheswithaprojectinwhichstudentscreatearegularpolyhedronthattheyuseasapredictiontool.Thethirdlessondealswithsound.ThefocusisontheartandmusicofformerAkronresidentandDevobandmemberMarkMothersbaugh,whohelpsstudentsdecidewhatkindofinstrumenttheywillcreate.
Thesecondpackage addressesourchangingearthandisdesignedforstudentsingrades7,8and9.Thefirstunitdealswiththebiogeochemicalcyclesoftheearth:water,oxygen,carbonandnitrogencycles.Afterthoroughlygoingovereachcycle,studentscreateaboardgameusingoneofthecyclesastheirfinalproject.Eighth-gradestudentsformexpertgroupsanddoresearchontopicsrelatedtoplatetectonics.Ninth-gradestudentscontinuethestudyofplatetectonicsbutaddtheconceptsofconvection,conductionandradiation(heatorenergytransfer).Forafinalproject,studentscreateapresentationthatillustratestheconceptstheyhavelearned.
Theteacherguidesarereadytobeedited,andvideoscriptsarebeingwritten.Videoswillbecreatedinthemusicvideogenrealongthelinesof“SchoolhouseRock.”Aftertheeducationalsegmentofthevideo,studentswillgetinformationthatwillleadthemtodothefinalprojectineachunit.Production/LocalProgrammingManagerDuilioMariolaandfreelanceeducationcontentproducerRiaMastromatteoareworkingontheprojects.
Western Reserve Public Media Director of Education Jeff Good (left) accepts the Instructional Media Product first-place award from Skip Hinton, NETA president.
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Programming & Local Productions (cont’d.)
NEOtropolis continues to expand and reach out to businesses, organizations and community leaders
New time slots for NEOtropolis and NewsNight Akron
With16weeksofproductionunderitsbeltasoftheendofFebruary,WesternReservePublicMedia’sNEOtropoliscontinuestoevolveastheonlyweeklytelevisionprograminnortheastOhiothatlooksatthebusinessandeconomyoftheregion.
SinceitslaunchonNov.6,over40differentbusinessandcommunityleadershavejoinedhostThomasMulreadyonthesettoserveaspanelists.Theshowhasexploredawidevarietyofissuesimpactingtheeconomyofourregion,fromworkforcedevelopmenttothebillion-dollarbridalindustrytoOhio’sburgeoningfilmmakingindustry.
BeginningFeb.26,wewillintroduceanewsegmentintheshow,called“CEOtoCEO.”WesternReservePublicMediaPresidentandCEOTrinaCutterwillhostthesegmentsinwhichshemeetsCEOsaroundNortheastOhiotofindoutwhatpathstheyfollowedtotheirleadershippositions.Theon-airsegmentswillbe90secondsinlength,butthefullinterviewswillbefeaturedinCutter’svideologontheorganization’sWebsite.
SocialmediaandviralmarketinghavebecomecriticalresourcesforcreatingcontentandpromotingNEOtropolis.WehavebothFacebookandTwittersitesfortheprogram,managedbyproducersThomasMulreadyandJanisWorley.Viralmarketinghasalsobeeneffective.Thepeople,businessesandorganizationsthathaveappearedontheprogramhaveusedtheirsocialnetworkingtoolstolettheirsubscribers,followersandfriendsknowwhentotunein.ContentpartnerCoolCleveland.comhasbroughtitsonlineresourcesand80,000followerstothetablebyfeaturingweeklypromotionofupcomingprograms.Crain’sClevelandBusinessofferstheprogramasVODonitssite.
Tohelpbuildtune-in,theWesternReservePublicMediaCommunicationsstaffofDianeSteinert(communicationscoordinator),PaulaKritz(graphicdesigner)andAmandaDonatelli(marketingandcommunicationsspecialist)haslaunchedaweeklye-newsletterfortheseries,releasedeveryFridaybeforenoon.Thenewsletterincludes
theweek’sshowtopicsandguests,alistofregionalevents,videoclipsandmore.
SinceJan.1,theFridaynightshowhasbeenaveragingabout4,300householdsandtheweeklyrepeatsarepickingupanother2,100households,sowe’rereaching,onaverage,6,400householdsaweek.(Thetimechangefrom9pmto8:30pmdidnothaveanegativeimpactontune-in.)TheWebsitehashadover2,000visitorssinceJan.1.
DuilioMariola,production//localprogrammingmanager,istheexecutiveproducerandJanisWorleyandThomasMulreadyaretheproducersofNEOtropolis.
Funding for NEOtropolis has been provided by The Burton D. Morgan Foundation, Key Private Bank, KeyBank Foundation, MAGNET, Kent State University, Dominion Foundation, JumpStart Inc., Youngstown Business Incubator and The Raymond John Wean Foundation.
OnNov.6,2009,wepremieredNEOtropolis,andtoboostaudienceawarenesswescheduledtheprogramonFridaysat9pm,whereNewsNight Akronhadbeenformanyyears.NewsNight Akronwastemporarilypushedto9:30pm.InJanuarywemovedNewsNight Akronbackto9pmandNEOtropolisto8:30pm,followingWashington Week.Byallstatisticalmeasurements,NEOtropolisisprogressingwellwhileNewsNight Akron,nowinits12thseason,isstillthemost-watchednewsprograminourFridaynightschedule.
“WearefortunatetohaveastrongviewershipforNewsNight Akron,whichenabledustouseitstimeslottointroduceNEOtropolis,”saidDonFreeman,programmerforthestations.“OurWesternReserve
PBSprogrammingonFridayeveningsnowoffersacomprehensiveblockofregionalandnationalnewsprogramming,beginningwithNightly Business Reportat6:30pmandalsoincludingPBS NewsHour,NowandBill Moyers Journal.”
InadditiontotheFridaynightbroadcast, NEOtropolisrepeatsonSaturdaysat4:30amandSundaysat6:30pm.NewsNight AkronrepeatsonSaturdaysat5am.OnFusion,NEOtropolisairsonSaturdaysat9pmandMondaysat8pm.NewsNight AkronairsonFusiononSaturdaysat9:30pmandMondaysat8:30pmand10pm.
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Programming & Local Productions (cont’d.)
NewsNight Akron panel chooses 2009 Akron Newsmaker of the Year
Special NewsNight NewsMaker show honors Akron Children’s Hospital CEO AspecialNewsMakereditionofNewsNight AkrononDec.25featuredaninterviewwithBillConsidine,presidentandchiefexecutiveofficerofAkronChildren’sHospital.Considinerecentlycelebratedhis30-yearanniversaryasheadofthehospital,becomingthelongest-servingheadofachildren’shospitalinthecountryandoneofthelongest-servingCEOsofahospitalinOhio.NewsNight AkronpanelistJodyMillertalkedwithConsidineabouthiscareeratAkronChildren’sandtheexponentialgrowthofthehospitalduringhistenure.Theprogramisavailableonlineatwww.WesternReservePublicMedia.org.
Special edition of NewsNight Akron introduces new executives at area cultural organizations AspecialNewsMakereditionofNewsNight AkronoverThanksgivingweekendprofiledthreepeopleinnewleadershippositionsatAkron’siconicculturalorganizations,alongwithoneofthearea’sbest-knownartsadvocates.NewsNight AkronpanelistJodyMillerhostedapaneldiscussionwithPhilWalz,newexecutivedirectorofGreaterAkronMusicalAssociation;LindaConrad,recentlynamedpresidentandexecutivedirectorofStanHywetHallandGardens;JonTrainor,AkronArtMuseum’snewdirectorofdevelopment;andMaryAnnJackson,longtimeartsandculturalmaveninthegreaterAkronarea.Thepanelistsdiscussedthevalueandkindsofartandculturalofferingsinthearea,plustheimpactofaslumpingeconomyonallfacetsofoperationforsuchorganizations.Theprogramisavailabletoviewonlineatwww.WesternReservePublicMedia.org.
NewsNight AkronpanelistssingledoutMayorDonPlusquellicinthe2009NewsMakeroftheYearbroadcast,whichairedonJan.8.TheselectionwasmadebyNewsNight AkronhostEricMansfieldandanexpandedfieldofregularpanelists.
Thisyear,forthefirsttime,communitymemberswereinvitedtovoteforthe2009NewsmakeroftheYearattheWesternReservePublicMediaWebsite.Mansfieldandthepanelistsreviewedandfactoredinthevotingresultspriortoannouncingtheawardwinner.
Nomineesforthe2009awardwereBillConsidine,presidentandCEOofAkronChildren’sHospital;KeithDambrot,UniversityofAkronheadbasketballcoach;PhilGauer,presidentofAkron’sfireman’sunion;CraigGilbride,retiredAkronactingpolicechief;PaulHlynsky,AkronFraternalOrderofPolicepresident;LeBronJames,ClevelandCavalierssuperstar;LindaKersker,recentlydeceasedAkronmunicipalcourtjudge;TheRev.KnuteLarson,retiredco-seniorpastorofTheChapel;FredKrum,deceasedformer
directorofAkron-CantonAirport;WarnerMendenhall,attorneyandformerAkroncitycouncilmanwholedthemayoralrecallcampaign;JackMorrison,theattorneyremovedfromTheUniversityofAkron’sboardandfromtheSummitCountyBoardofElectionsforethicsviolations;LindaOmobien,newlyelectedAkronCityCouncilmember;DonPlusquellic,Akronmayor;CalebPorter,UniversityofAkronheadsoccercoach;LuisProenza,president,TheUniversityofAkron;andTheRev.BenWalker,retiringexecutivedirectorofHavenofRest.
Followingaspiriteddebate,thewinnerwaschosenbypanelistsincludingEdEspositoandLarryStatesfromRubberCityRadioGroup,SteveHoffmanfromtheAkronBeaconJournal,M.L.SchultzefromWKSUandfreelancejournalistJodyMiller.Theprogramisavailabletoviewonlineatwww.WesternReservePublicMedia.org.
PreviousNewsmakeroftheYearawardeesincludeLuisProenza,SylvesterSmallandPlusquellic.
Urban Innovators lecture series airing on Fusion WesternReservePublicMediaandNEOtropolishavebeenservingasmediasponsorsofUniversityParkAlliance’sthree-partUrbanInnovatorsSpeakerSeries.ThepresentationsofJoeCortright(“AttractingTalentThroughtheDevelopmentofVibrantUrbanCenters”onJan.12)andChuckBohl(“PlaceMaking:DevelopingTownCenters,MainStreetsandUrbanVillages”onFeb.9)havealreadyairedonFusionandareavailableonlineatwww.WesternReservePublicMedia.org.Thefinalpresentation,featuringJasonSchrieber,principalwiththeBoston-basedNelson/NygaardConsultingAssociates,willaironFusiononFriday,March19,at9pmandthenbeavailableondemand.Schreiberwillspeakon“ModeShift:MovingFromDrivingtoBikingandWalking.”
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Programming & Local Productions (cont’d.)
Pattern ID special airs on Western Reserve PBS WesternReservePublicMediapresentsitsnewestproductiononalocalartinstallationinPattern ID at the Akron Art Museum.FortheTVspecial,hostJodyMillerinterviewsartistIonaRozealBrown,alongwithfundersofthePatternIDexhibitionandgalleryownerswhohavelentartists’worksfortheoccasion.Inaddition,themuseumstaffdescribestheireffortsoverthepasttwoyearstobringtheexhibitionfromconcepttoreality,includinghowtheyselectedtheemergingartistswhoseartisfeatured.Atthepreviewparty,attendeessharetheiropinionsofthenewshowandmodeltheirown“PatternIDs”bywearingcolorful,flamboyantclothing.Pattern ID at the Akron Art Museumisavailabletoviewonlineatwww.WesternReservePublicMedia.org.
ThePatternIDexhibitionfeatures15artistsofdiverseoriginswhohaveseizedonpatternanddressaspowerfulvisualconnectorsbetweenthemselves,theirhistoriesandtheiraudiences.“Itshowshowwelivetoday;thatwemovefromplacetoplace,thatwecomefromcomplexheritageswithmanycountries,religions,ethnicbackgrounds—allcombinedandmerging,”saidMitchellKahan,AkronArtMuseumdirectorandCEO.“There’sgeographicdiversity,there’sreligiousdiversity,there’sgenderdiversityandthere’sdiversityofmediaandthatiscrucialtotheexhibition.”PatternIDopenedatthemuseumonJan.9andrunsthroughMay9.
Western Reserve Public Media working with Wild Ohio producers TheservicesofWesternReservePublicMediahavebeenengagedbytheOhioDepartmentofNaturalResources’DivisionofWildlife.Membersofthestaffwillhelpproducers increaseOhioPBSmemberstationcarriageofWild Ohio andcoordinatestations’broadcastschedulesoftheseriesinthe2010-11season;gather,analyzeandreportaudiencedatatoevaluatetune-inandschedulingstrategies;facilitateconversationbetweentheseries’producersandstationprogrammerstoimprovecontentandrelations;andresolvetechnicalissuestocreateanaffordablesolutionfordistributingtheprograminHDformat.TheprojectwillbecompletedbytheendofJune.ProgrammerDonFreemanandMarketingandCommunicationsSpecialistAmandaDonatelliareworkingontheproject.
Wild OhioisanoutdoorsrecreationseriesproducedbytheOhioDepartmentofNaturalResources’DivisionofWildlifeforbroadcastonthestate’spublicTVstations.
Western Reserve Public Media produces field pieces for PBS NewsHour’s Patchwork Nation project PBS NewsHour(formerlyThe NewsHour With Jim Lehrer)ispartneringwiththeChristianScienceMonitor’sPatchworkNationprojecttoofferauniquelookathowtheseturbulenttimesareplayingoutindifferenttypesofcommunitiesacrossthecountry.Aspartofthiseffort,PBS NewsHourandtheMonitor“arereachingouttoprovenpublicaffairsproducersincommunitieswewouldliketotrackinthecomingyear”(theirwords).WesternReservePublicMediaisoneof13PBSmemberstationsandAkronisoneof24citiesnationwideselectedtoparticipateinthisproject.
WesternReservePublicMediaiscreatingfourshortfieldreportsthatwillbeusedonthePatchworkNationWebsiteandpossiblyonaironPBS NewsHour.Thevideopackagesincludeapieceonthemoney-savingeffortsandefficienciesputintoplaceatAkronChildren’sHospital;aprofileofgreaterAkron’shighereducationinstitutions,featuringinterviewswithPresidentLuisProenzaofTheUniversityofAkronandPresidentLesterLeftonofKentStateUniversity;aprofileoftwotop-rankedlibrarysystems,theCuyahogaCountyPublicLibraryandtheAkron-SummitCountyPublicLibrary;andayet-to-be-producedfourthvideoontheregionalismmovementinnortheastOhio.WorkingontheprojectarefreelanceproducerGaryMankeandfreelanceeducationcontentproducerRiaMastromatteo.
New channel positions on Time Warner EffectiveMarch8,TimeWarnerCablewillmovesomeofitsdigitalchannelassignments,affectingsomeofWesternReservePublicMedia’sbroadcastservices.Basicandextendedbasicservicechannelswillnotchange.However,ourpositionontheHDtierwillchange.TofindWesternReservePBSinhighdefinition,add1000tothebasicchannelnumberonyoursystem.Forexample,ifyougetourstationonchannel10,ourHDchannelpositionwillbe1010.(PleasenotethatCleveland-basedTimeWarnercustomersdonotcurrentlyreceiveWesternReservePBSontheHDtier.WeencourageyoutocallTimeWarnertorequestourHDchannel.)OurFusionchannelwillmovefrom368to993andMHzWorldviewwillmovefrom369to994.V-mewillstaythesameatchannel804.Formoreinformation,visithttp://twcguide.comorcallTimeWarner.
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Educational Services
EdTech Connects sessions scheduled for spring 2010 EdTechConnects,astatewidecollaboration,continuestodeliverprofessionaldevelopmenttoeducatorsviavideoconferencing.InMarchandMay,thegroupwillpresentsessionsonGoogleandWeb2.0applications.EdTechConnectsisapartnershipamongeighteducationaltechnologyagencies,includingWesternReservePublicMedia,thatpresentsprofessionaldevelopmentstatewidetoeducators.
Western Reserve Educational Services partners with Windham schools on stimulus project WesternReserveEducationalServicescontinuesitsworkwithPortageCounty’sWindhamExemptedVillageschoolsinsupportoftheschooldistrict’sreceiptoffederalstimulusmoneythrougheTechOhio.Theproject,calledDeveloping21stCenturyLearningEnvironments,focusesontrainingandmentoringateamoffourteachersandoneadministratorwiththegoalofdevelopingcompetenceinandcomfortwiththeintegrationofeducationaltechnologiesintheclassroomandthedistrict.LealyndTuskan,our21stCenturyLearningCenterconsultant,hasbeenbusyworkingwiththegrantteamandgivingdirectiontotheproject.CompletiondateisJune2011.
Professional development sessions allow educators to earn KSU graduate credit AlongwiththetraditionalscheduleofprofessionaldevelopmentsessionsatWesternReserveEducationalServices’21stCenturyLearningCenter,thiswinter’sscheduleoffersseveralofourmorepopulartrainingsforgraduatecredit.TheDigitalAcademybeganinJanuary.Fiveeducatorsparticipatedintheclass,whichfocusedonhowtodevelopanddeliverawealthofdigitaleducationalcontentwithvideo,audioanddigitalimageresources.ParticipantsmeteveryThursdayfrom4:30pmto7pmthroughoutthemonth,andalltheparticipantstookthecourseforgraduatecreditfromKentStateUniversity.SmartBoardBootCampbeganinFebruarywithnineeducatorsinattendance.CampGooglewillbedeliveredinMarch.ParticipantsattendingthefournightsoftraininghavetheopportunitytoreceiveonehourofgraduatecreditfromKSU.
Six-District Compact educators attend sessions at 21st Century Learning Center TheSix-DistrictCompact,ateamofeducatorsfromcareertechsitesbasedinourservicearea,attendedaneducationaltechnologytrainingsessionatWesternReserveEducationalServicesinFebruary.FortyeducatorshadtheopportunitytoattendsessionsonGoogleDocsandPodcasting.ParticipantsattendingtheGoogleDocstrainingalsolearnedabouteducationalvideoconferencing,asthefacilitatorforthetrainingwaslocatedinToledo.
PBS Digital Learning Library update Forthelastyear, WesternReservePublicMediahasbeenaparticipantinaPBS-sponsoredpilotprogramcalledDigitalLearningLibrary(DLL),dealingwiththecreationofadigitalstorageofassets(videos,lessonplans,photosandmore)foruseinPreK-12classrooms.Thepilotphaseisnowfinished,andPBSisreadytobeginphasetwoinwhichschoolswillactuallytryusingtheresourcesintheclassroom.WesternReserveEducationalServiceshascontributedvideosandlessonplanstotheDLL,andourmanagementteamisnowintheprocessofdeterminingthestation’slevelofinvolvementinthesecondphase.
As one of eight educational technology agencies in the state, Western Reserve Educational Services provided information and support for educators from their shared booth at the eTech Ohio Technology Conference in Columbus in February. (Right) Director of Education Jeff Good conducts a training session on FlipVideo cameras at the conference.
Teachers in attendance at Western Reserve Educational Services’ Digital Academy learned about developing digital content through a series of after-school sessions in January.
Ohio Ready to Learn update TheOhioReadytoLearnservice,focusedonthetrainingandprofessionaldevelopmentoffamilychildcareproviders,hasbeenfundedforanotheryearandwearenowschedulingworkshopsthroughJune.Despiteareductioninfunding,theprogramwillfocusondevelopinganddelivering33ReadytoLearnworkshopsacrossourservicearea.ConsultantPamOviatt,ourprojectcoordinator,hasreceivedfacilitatortraininginthenewmaterialsandisnowfinalizingtheworkshopschedule.Moreinformationisavailableatwww.WesternReservePublicMedia.org/rtl_workshops.
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Educational Services (cont’d.)
Marketing & Development
K-12 professional development update FromSeptemberthroughJanuary,72professionaldevelopmentsessionshavebeenpresentedto290educatorsatour21stCenturyLearningCenterinKentaswellasatdistrictlocations.
CampGoogleforEducatorscontinuestobeofferedtodistrictsinourservicearea.ThirtyeducatorsfromSoutheastLocal’sprimaryandintermediatebuildingsbeganathree-daytrainingprojectinJanuarythatwillconcludeinMarch.ThesessionsteacheducatorshowtouseandintegrateGoogleapplicationsinthecurriculum.Eachofthe30educatorsreceivesanetbookaspartofthetraining,andtheyalsohavetheopportunitytoreceivegraduatecreditfromKSU.
SincethebeginningofDecember,wehavepresented14professionaldevelopmentworkshopsto148teachersonourmultimediapackages.WorkshopspresentedincludethreeonGenerations: Cuyahoga Valley National Park;twoonMath nMotion;twoonStark Contrast: A History of Stark County;threeonWho’s Your Boss?;andtwoonUbiquitous Science.Twoworkshopsthatpresentedallofourmultimediaresourceswerealsopresented.
Membership updateVicePresidentofMarketingandDevelopmentLisaMartinezreportsthatasoftheendofJanuary,weare$32,432behindgoalinMembership.However,meetinggoalbyfiscalyearendisstillveryachievable,saidMartinez.
Afewfactorshavecontributedtotheshortfall.Weeliminatedtwoofourthreeplannedacquisition(coldmail)campaignsthisyear—thefirstofthetwoinDecember.Weeliminatedacquisitionbecauseitcostsmuchmorethanitmakesinthefirstyear,sowewillsavemoneyontheexpenseside.However,Martinezexplains,“It’snotagoodideatoceaseacquisitionmailinthelongterm,asitistheonlyothersourcewehavefornewmembersbesideson-airpledgecampaigns,andmembersacquiredthroughcoldmailhavefairlyhighmulti-yearrenewalrates.”
AttheendofDecember,wereportedthatrenewalmailwasdownabout5percentandrenewaltelemarketingwasdown40percent.InJanuarywesawrecoveryinbothareas.Renewalmailisnowup1percentandtelemarketing,whilestilldown,isnowdownby27percent.Martinezexpressedconfidencethatwecancatchuponrenewaltelemarketingbyfiscalyearend.Pledgeisalsodownslightly,butafewrevenuelinesareovergoal,includinglapsedmembermail,majorgiftsandWebsupport.
Underwriting & Private Support updateVicePresidentofMarketingandDevelopmentLisaMartinezreportsthat,asoftheendofJanuary2010,corporateunderwritingandnonprofitpaidpromotionalannouncement(NPPA)salesare$150,353undergoal.Corporate,nonprofitandfoundationsupporthasbeenslowertorecoverinthiseconomythananticipated.FebruaryisshapinguptomeetthemonthlyunderwritingandNPPAgoals,anditisourexpectationthatrevenuegenerationintheseareaswillimproveasthefiscalyeargoeson.Localproductionfundingisalsoundergoal.Thisislargelyatimingissue,sowehaveflexedmuchoftheexpectedrevenueforthislineitemtotheendofthefiscalyear.Thisrevenuehasanexpensecorollary,andwedonotspendmoneyonproductionsuntilrevenueissecured.
New Membership software installed WesternReservePublicMediarecentlyacquiredanewMembershipsoftwaresystemcalledAllegiance.ThissystemreplacesScout,thesoftwarewehadbeenusingsince1990.
Inearly2008,WesternReservePublicMediawasinformedthatthecompanythatownedScoutwasgoingoutofbusiness,butthatthecompanywouldcontinuetosupportthesoftwarethroughNovember2008.Afterthisdate,theorganizationwasgivenpermissiontocontinueuseofthesoftwareinperpetuitybutatourownrisk.SinceDecember2008,oneofScout’stechnicalsupportstaffhadbeenavailableonafreelancebasistotroubleshootproblemsthatarosewiththesoftware.However,thisarrangementbecameincreasinglyriskyastimepassedbecauseScoutnolongerprovidedsupport,softwareupgradesoranykindofservicetoprotecttheintegrityoftheproduct.WemadethedecisiontouseScoutthroughtheremainderofFY09andreplaceitinFY10.
InstallationandintensivetrainingtookplacetheweekofFeb.5.MembershipSpecialistBeckyTarka,MembershipServicesAssistantPatAmbersonandVicePresidentofMarketingandDevelopmentLisaMartinezreceivedthoroughtraininginthesoftware.Otherstaffmembers–AmandaDonatelli(marketingandcommunicationsspecialist),PatWeed(communicationsspecialist)andJoanneBrooks(accountingspecialist)–werealsotrainedinsomeofitsfunctions.Broadcast/ITEngineerAnthonyDennisprovidedtechnicalsupporttogetthesystemupandrunning.
HelpwithexpensesforthesoftwarehascomethroughgrantsfromTheMaryS.andDavidC.CorbinFoundationandTheGlennR.andAliceV.BoggessMemorialFoundation.
Station welcomes new underwriters, nonprofits and foundations WesternReservePublicMediawelcomedthefollowingnewbusinesses,foundationsandnonprofitclientssinceourlastreport:CantonBallet,CovelliCentre,TheGlennR.andAliceV.BoggessMemorialFoundation,MagicArts&Entertainment,TheMaryS.andDavidC.CorbinFoundation,MillsEntertainment,SewingExpo,Ulmer&BerneLLPandTheUniversityofAkronCollegeofCreativeandProfessionalArts.
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Outreach & Special Events
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter WesternReservePublicMediahaslaunchedaFacebookfanpage,andDonFreemanisregularlypostingtweetsatTwitter.com/WRPMguy.Followusforprogramupdates,announcements,funlinksandmore.
Join us at the film festival Akron Preview Party! Incelebrationofthe34thClevelandInternationalFilmFestival,WesternReservePublicMediainvitesviewerstogetasneakpeekofthisyear’sfilmsattheOfficialAkronPreviewPartyonThursday,March4.JoinspecialguestsfromWesternReservePBSandtheClevelandInternationalFilmFestivalattheparty,tobeheldfrom5:30-7:30pmatTheAkronCivicTheatre,182S.MainSt.,Akron.Attendeeswillenjoyfreefood,acashbar,livemusic,chancestowincoolprizesandpreviewsofthisyear’sfilms.Theeventisfree,butreservationarerequired;contactAmandaDonatelliat1-800-554-4549oradonatelli@WesternReservePublicMedia.org.
Screening of new American Experience documentary to take place at National First Ladies’ Library WesternReservePublicMediaandtheCanton-basedNationalFirstLadies’Library(NFLL)willco-hostthenationalpremiereofthenewAmerican Experience documentaryDolley Madison withscreeningsonSaturday,Feb.27,at10amand1pmandaprivatereceptionandviewingat4:30pm.Allthreescreeningsarefull.MuffieMeyer,thefilmmaker,andRonBlumer,thewriter,willattendtheeventtointroducethefilmanddoQ&Aafterward.PresidentandCEOTrinaCutterwillmakeintroductoryremarksalongwiththeNFLLExecutiveDirectorPatKriderandNFLLBoardPresidentandfounderMaryRegula.
Styleicon,extravaganthostess,humanitarian,dotingmother,trustedpoliticaladvisoranddiplomat.Thesearetheroleswenowexpectinafirstlady,rolescreatedbyPresidentJamesMadison’swife,Dolley.Dolley’sbeautyattractedattention,butitwasherpoliticalacumenthatsetherapartinatimewhenwomenheldnoovertpoliticalpower.Asthe“firstfirstlady,”sheusedherunelectedpositiontolegitimizethenation’snewcapitalandtocreateapoliticalandsocialstyleforthenewcountry.
Clifford and Curious George to make Youngstown appearance TwoofPBSKids’favoriteanimalswillbeonhandfor PlanttheSeedtoReadBookFaironSaturday,March27,from10amto4pmatYoungstown’sFellowsRiversideGardensinMillCreekMetroParks.ChildrenwillgetafreephotowithCliffordtheBigRedDogandCuriousGeorgeandafreebook.Authors,illustrators,storytellersandotherspecialguestswillmakethefreeeventfunfortheentirefamily.TheeventispresentedbyWesternReservePBS,Altrusa,MillCreekMetroParksandthePublicLibraryofYoungstownandMahoningCounty.
Trina Cutter, President and CEO
Basic InfoJob description:“Thebuckstopshere”
Hometown:Canton
Random InterestsVolunteer work:StarkCountyUnitedWayWomen’sLeadershipCouncil,StarkCountyGovernmentLeadershipAcademy
Favorite PBS show:NEOtropolis(airsFridaysat8:30pm)
Hobbies/pastimes:Readingcookbooks,baking,dinnerparties,bikeriding
Favorite movie:“BreakfastatTiffany’s”
Exclusive InterviewLast book you’ve read:“AWholeNewMind”
What you wore to work today:Adress—Ialwaysweardressesorskirts.
Person you would most like to meet:Myfuturehusband
Tell us a fun fact about yourself:Iwasabossylittlegirl.
Meet Our Staff
Jeff Good Director of Education
Basic InfoJob description:Workwitheducatorstointegratetechnologyintheirschoolsandclassrooms
Hometown:NorthLima
Random InterestsFavorite book:“TheWinner’sManual”
Favorite PBS show:This Old House(airsSundaysat10:30amandSaturdaysat11:30am)
Hobbies/pastimes:Photography,workingaroundthehouse,watchingsports
Favorite musical group:ThePolice
Exclusive InterviewWhat you wanted to be when you grew up:Alandscapearchitect
Person you would most like to meet:NeilArmstrong
Tell us a fun fact about yourself:Inmysenioryearofhighschool,IplayedthepartofCurlyin“Oklahoma”
If you didn’t have this job, what would be your dream job? Beerbrewer
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WordGirl and WordWorld’s Dog meet fans at Family Reading Festival WesternReservePBSwasoneofthesponsorsofthisyear’sFamilyReadingFestival,hostedattheAkron-SummitCountyPublicLibraryonSaturday,Feb.6.PBSKidscharacters WordGirlandWordWorld’sDogdidameet-and-greetandparticipatedinstorytimewithcelebrityreadersincludingafirecaptain,apoliceofficerandAkronmayorDonPlusquellic.Eachchildreceivedafreebook.TheeventwaspresentedbyThisCityReads,acommunityallianceoforganizationstochampionandleveragethepowerofreadingtopromotethefuturesuccessoffamilies,individualsandbusinessesingreaterAkronandSummitCounty.
Fans pile into buses for December Doo Wop Bus Trip Over160WesternReservePBSmembersjoinedusonthefourthannualDooWopBusTriptoPittsburgh.BusestraveledtoMellonArenaforADooWopHolidayReunionShowVIIIonFriday,Dec.11.TheconcertlineupincludedGeneChandler,TheDrifters,TheDuprees,TheMarcelsandfourotherperformers.
Outreach & Special Events (cont’d.)
Second Cleveland Museum of Natural History Viewer Appreciation Day scheduled WesternReservePublicMediaviewerswillenjoyaspecialdiscountonticketsfortheClevelandMuseumofNaturalHistoryexhibitAmazingFeatsofAgingonSunday,April18,2010.Membersandviewerswillbegivenaspecialdiscountforentrytotheexhibition,openJan.23throughMay2.
AmazingFeatsofAgingsolvesthemysteriesofwhyandhowanimals,includinghumans,age.Visitorswilllearnaboutthebiologyofaging,agingacrosstheanimalkingdom,healthyagingandagingofthebrain;lookintothefutureastheywatchtheirfacesageupto25years;tracktheU.S.population’sincredibleincreasinglifespan;searchforthebiologicalsecretsofaging(whatcausesagingandisthereawaytoslowdowntheprocess?);andbeamazedattheastonishinggianttortoisethatneverseemstoageandotherextraordinaryfeatsofagingintheanimalkingdom.
Viewer discount for David Sedaris appearance EnjoyAnEveningWithDavidSedarisonSaturday,April21,at8pmatEJThomasHallinAkron.WesternReservePBSviewersgeta$5discountonticketsnormallypriced$44.75and$39.75.Togetthediscount,gotowww.WesternReservePBS.org/sedaris andfollowthelink.Attheticketpurchasesite,choosePromotionsandSpecialOffersandusethediscountcode“PBS.”Youcanalsogetthediscount(usethePBScode)attheEJThomasHallBoxOfficeorbycalling330-972-7570.
Withsardonicwitandincisivesocialcritiques,NPRhumoristandbest-sellingauthorDavidSedarishasbecomeoneofAmerica’spreeminenthumorwriters.ThegreatskillwithwhichheslicesthroughculturaleuphemismsandpoliticalcorrectnessprovesthatSedarisisoneofthemostobservantwritersaddressingthehumanconditiontoday.
Free Shred-It Day scheduled for April 24 WesternReservePublicMediawillcollaboratewiththelocalfranchiseofShred-IttohostafreeShred-ItDayintheorganization’sparkinglotonSaturday,April24,from9amto3pminconjunctionwithEarthDay.Thepublicisinvitedtobringuptofiveboxesofpapermaterialsforshreddingaswellascomputerharddrivesandothere-wasteforcrushing,allofwhichwillbedoneonsite.Acompletelistofitemsthatwillbeacceptedwillbepostedatwww.WesternReservePBS.org.Shred-Itwillprovidetrucksandpersonneltodotheshreddingsecurelyandinanenvironmentallyresponsiblemanner.Allmaterialswillberecycled.Whiletheeventisfree,donationswillbehappilyaccepted.
Family Expo scheduled for April Theannual SummitMall/WesternReservePBSFamilyExpo,presentedbySummitCountyChildrenServices,willtakeplaceSaturday,April10,from10amto5pmatSummitMallinFairlawn.WesternReservePBSisproudtopresenttwospecialguestsfortheevent:Buddy,fromthePBSKidsseriesDinosaur Train, andMissRosa,thenationalPBSKidshost.FamilieswillenjoyamagicalPBSKidsperformancewithMissRosaatnoon,2pmand4pmontheeventstage.Eachshowwillbefollowedbyameet-and-greet.SummitMallwillbefilledwithfamily-focusedentertainmentandinformationalbooths.Theeventisfreeandopentothecommunity.
IVIVDoo WopDoo WopC E L E B R A T I O N !
A
Doo Wop concert set for June 5 in Kent WesternReservePublicMediaannouncesADooWopCelebrationIVwithThePlatters,TheCrystalsandTheDubs.TheconcertissetforSaturday,June5,atTheKentStage,withshowsat4pmand8pm.GoldCircleticketsare$65eachandincludebest-in-houseseatsandalightdinnerreceptionandmeet-and-greetwiththebands.Regularreservedticketsare$35each.TicketsgoonsaleMarch1throughWesternReservePublicMedia.Allproceedsbenefittheorganization.
HerbReed’sThePlattersarebestknownforhitssuchas“SmokeGetsinYourEyes,”“TheGreatPretender,”“OnlyYou”and“TwilightTime.”TheCrystalsmadethechartswith“DaDoRonRon,”“ThenHeKissedMe,”“BabyIt’sYou,”“WillYouLoveMeTomorrow”and“He’saRebel.”TheDubssangtheirwaytostardomwith“BabyOhBaby,”“BlueVelvet”and“CouldThisBeMagic?”
NowahighlyanticipatedannualWesternReservePublicMediaevent,ADooWopCelebrationhasbeenasell-outeveryyear,withdoowopstarssuchasTheDrifters,TheTokens,GeneChandler,TheChiffons,TheMarcelsandothers.
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IT/EngineeringNortheastern Educational Television of Ohio Inc. Board News
Youngstown State University names new president CynthiaAnderson,vicepresidentforStudentAffairsatYoungstownStateUniversityforthepast15years,hasbeennamedtheseventhpresidentoftheuniversity.
Atameetinginmid-February,thenine–memberYSUBoardofTrusteesvotedinfavorofAnderson’sappointment.
AgraduateofYSUwhohasservedinasuccessionoffacultyandadministrativepositionsattheuniversityfor31years,AndersonwilltakeofficeJuly1.ShewillreplaceDavidC.Sweet,whoretiresafter10yearsattheuniversity’shelm.
AsthepresidentofYSU,Dr.AndersonwillalsoserveinanexofficiocapacityontheboardofNortheasternEducationalTelevisionofOhioInc.,whichownsandoperatesWesternReservePublicMedia.
Andersonwillbethefirstwoman,thefirstYoungstownnativeandthefirstYSUgraduatetoserveaspresidentinYSU’s102-yearhistory.
“Today,Dr.AndersonbecomesoneofYoungstownStateUniversity’smostprominentsuccessstories,”saidYSUTrusteesChairScottR.Schulick,whoalsochairedthePresidentialSearchAdvisoryCommittee.“ShehaslivedtheYSUdreamandwillgodowninthehistoryoftheinstitutionforenteringasastudentandendinghercareerastheuniversity’spresident.We,asacampuscommunityandcommunityatlarge,shouldbeveryproudofthatfact.”
Andersonearnedabachelor’sdegreeinbusinesseducationfromYSUin1973,amaster’sinbusinesseducationfromTheOhioStateUniversityin1976andanEd.D.ineducationadministration(highereducation)andstudentpersonnelservicesfromTheUniversityofAkronin1990.
AfterfiveyearsofteachingbusinesseducationatWestervilleSouthHighSchool,shejoinedtheYSUfacultyin1979asaninstructorofbusinesseducationandtechnology.Shewasnamedassistantprofessorin1985,associateprofessorin1990andassociateprofessorofmarketingandpublicrelationsin1994,andwaspromotedtoprofessorofmarketingandpublicrelationsin2000,apostthatshecurrentlyretains.Shewasassistantprovostforacademicplanningfrom1993to1995andwasnamedvicepresidentforstudentaffairsin1995.
Asvicepresident,shehasbeenresponsibleforallmatterspertainingtotheareasofenrollmentmanagement,studentservices,studentlifeandcampussecurity,includingrecruitmentandretentionefforts,directionandcoordinationofstudentactivities,studentgovernment,studentregistration,records,scholarshipsandfinancialaid.ShealsohasoverseentheCenterforStudentProgress,testingservices,healthenhancementandstudenthealthservices,careerservices,housing,auxiliaryservices,studentcounselingservices,academicsupportservices,disabilityservices,studentrecreationcenter,campuspoliceandmanyotherareaspertainingdirectlytoservicetostudents.
InitiativesunderherleadershipincludedevelopmentoftheEnrollmentManagementPlanandStudentRecruitmentPlan,thefirstformalNewStudentOrientationprogramknownasSOAR,thefirstNewStudentConvocationprogram,theOfficeofVeteransAffairs,theCenterforStudentProgress,theOfficeoftheStudentOmbudsman,theOfficeofCampusRecreationandIntramuralSports,thePresidentialMentorsProgram,theEmergingLeadersProgramandcampussafetyprogramssuchastheStudentThreatAssessmentTeamandtheYSUAlertemergencynotificationsystem.
New equipment to improve HD operationsThankstofundingprovidedbyeTechOhio,wewereabletopurchaseandinstallaSnell/ProBelHDMasterControlSwitcher.TechnicianJayVoltsfromSnell/ProBelassistedourbroadcast/ITengineersRickPatterson,AnthonyDennisandHoraceChongininstallingtheequipmentandthecabling.ThisunitwillallowustoaccessmoreHDprogramsourcesandairthemonWesternReservePBS.
Broadcast/IT Engineer Anthony Dennis sent back to school Broadcast/ITEngineerAnthonyDenniswillbegoingbacktoschool…transmitterschool,thatis,onMarch29.He’llbeheadingtotheThomsonmanufacturingfacilityinMassachusettsforaweekoftrainingontheoperationandmaintenanceofthe250kWchannel49ThomsondigitaltransmitterthatservestheCleveland-Akron(Canton)market.
Funds sought for master control upgrades StationManagerBillO’NeilsubmittedacapitalgrantrequesttotheNationalTelecommunicationsandInformationAdministration(NTIA)/PublicTelecommunicationsFacilitiesProgram(PTFP)onFeb.2.Ifgranted,thefundswillhelpuspurchasemastercontrolequipmentthatwillallowlocalinsertionofinterstitialsonMHzWorldviewandV-Me.(Currently,theorganizationcanonlydolocalinsertionsonWesternReservePBSandFusion.)Itwillalsoprovideequipmentredundancyforseveralcriticalcomponentsinthemastercontrolsystem.AwardswillbeannouncedinOctober2010.
Accounting software upgraded InFebruary,ouraccountingsoftwarefromSolomonwasupgradedtowhatisnowcalledMicrosoftDynamicsSL7.0.KeyfeaturesofthenewversionincludeanewmenustylebasedonMicrosoftprogramssuchasOfficeOutlook;personalizedmenus;traditionalandinteractivereports;andaccesstonewWeb-enabledprojectmaintenancethroughthebusinessportal.
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Trina Cutter to produce “CEO to CEO” segments for NEOtropolis WesternReservePublicMediaPresidentandCEOTrinaCutter
willintroduceanewsegmenttoNEOtropolis,ourweeklyseriesontheregionaleconomy,called“CEOtoCEO.”InthisweeklysegmentlaunchingFeb.26at8:30pm,shemeetsCEOsaroundNortheastOhiotofindoutwhatpathstheyfollowedtotheirleadershippositions,puttingauniquetwistonthe“businessasusual”interviewsonetypicallyseeswithorganizationalleaders.Theon-airsegmentswillbe90secondsinlength,butthefullinterviewswillbefeaturedinCutter’svlog(videolog)ontheorganization’sWebsiteatwww.WesternReservePublicMedia.org.
Lisa Martinez and Jeff Good attend NETA Conference
VicePresidentofMarketingandDevelopmentLisaMartinezandDirectorofEducationJeffGoodwereinHenderson,Nev.,inJanuarytoattendtheNationalEducationalTelecommunicationsAssociation(NETA)conference.Theconferencecoveredawiderangeofissuesimpactingpublictelevisionstations,fromnewmediatoeducationoutreachtofund-raising.Whileatthe
conference,MartinezandGoodacceptedtwoawardsonbehalfoftheorganization—oneforRebrandingCampaign(Corporate/Institutional)andanotherforInstructionalMediaProduct.Thirty-onetrophiesintheareasofprogramproduction,promotion,outreachandinstructionalmediawereawardedinall.
Good presents sessions at SOITA conference InDecember,DirectorofEducationJeffGoodpresentedtwosessionsattheannualSouthwesternOhioInstructionalTechnologyAgency(SOITA)technologyconferenceinDayton.Histwohands-onsessionscoveredcellphonesineducationanddevelopingdigitalcontent.
Good and Tuskan participate in eTech conference WesternReserveEducationalServiceswasrepresentedattheeTechOhioTechnology
ConferencebyDirectorofEducationJeffGoodand21stCenturyLearningConsultantLealyndTuskan.BothGoodandTuskanmadepresentationsoneducationaltechnologiesand
hostedaboothinthecollaborativedisplayareathatwassharedamongtheeightOhioeducationaltechnologyagencies.
Freeman attends webinar on new video-on-demand technologies
InJanuary,programmerDonFreemanparticipatedinawebinarcalled“CompetitiveEnvironmentforTV.”ThefocuswasonInternet-connectedTVsandotherunits,calledOTT
(over-the-top)byindustryinsiders.Set-topboxesconnectedtotheInternettoprovideadditionalviewerservicesarebecomingverycommon.NewmodelsofBlu-rayDVDplayersnowprovideinstantaccesstoNetflixmovies,andXboxvideogamemachines(alongwithPS3andWii)nowletuserswatchmovies,TVshowsandYouTubeusingtheirelectronics.Accordingtoexperts,thenewOTTunitswillbecomeevenmorepopularinthenextfiveyears,andthoseexpertspredictthattelevisionviewingwilldeclineby30percent,whileTV-basedvideoondemand(VOD)willincreasebythatverysame30percent.
Bill O’Neil working part time StationManagerBillO’Neilhasgonetoapart-timeworkscheduleeffectiveJan.1,2010.HewillcontinuetooverseebroadcastengineeringandITfunctionsandworkon
federalgrantsandFCCissuesforthestation.Someofhisresponsibilitieswillbeshiftedtoothers.DirectorofEducationJeffGoodwilloverseebuildingsandgroundsandthemaster
controloperations.HumanresourcesresponsibilitieswillbehandledbyconsultantLindaWilkins(seenextarticle).
TrinaCutter,presidentandCEO,said,“Billhasdevotedhisentirecareertothetelevisionindustry.Youwon’tfindamoresincere,dedicatedandcommittedbroadcaster.”
Services of human resources consultant retained TheservicesofLindaWilkinshavebeenretainedtohandlehumanresourcesforWesternReservePublicMedia.ShewillprovideamyriadofHRfunctionsincludinginternalauditsofexistingemploymentpolicies,proceduresandsystemsandwageandhourpractices;adviceandsupportinallaspectsoftherecruitmentandhiringprocess,includingnewemployeeorientationandonboarding;thedevelopmentandadministrationofaperformancemanagementsystem;supportasneededwithcommon,dailyHRissues;andsupportinotherareasasneeded.
WilkinsisanattorneyandiscertifiedasaseniorprofessionalinhumanresourcesbytheSocietyforHumanResourceManagement.SheworkswiththelawfirmofKastner,WestmanandWilkinsinAkron.Weanticipatethatshewillbeonsitesixtoeighthoursperweekandbeavailableoncall.
Staff News, Training & Conferences
The annual Western Reserve Public Media holiday party in December was kicked up a notch this year with the debut of the Prime Time Fringe Players. (Pictured left to right) Vice President of Marketing and Development Lisa Martinez as Santa Claus and elves portrayed by Director of Education Jeff Good, Broadcast/IT Engineer Anthony Dennis and President and CEO Trina Cutter serenaded (or frightened – we’re not sure which) the staff with a holiday version of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
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Western Reserve PBS ...
• Is watched by over 700,000 viewers in Northeast Ohio and western Pennsylvania each week.(Source: 2009 Nielsen audience research)ServingviewersinNortheastOhioandWesternPennsylvania,thestationnotonlyembracesregionalism,itis regionalism.WesternReservePBSistheonlylocalbroadcasttelevisionservicethatspansalmostallofnortheastOhio.Ourdigitalbroadcastservicesareavailableto4.4millionpeoplein1.8millionhouseholds.
• Is available to 99% of all households in the market. Cableandsatelliteaccessrepresents,onaverage,85%ofthosesamehouseholds.WesternReservePBSiscarriedoneverycableandsatelliteserviceinnortheastOhioandwesternPennsylvania,usuallyinatoptierposition.
WesternReservePublicMedia’sover-the-airbroadcastserviceareaisextendedbycarriageoncablesystemsandsatelliteservicesinNortheastOhioandpartsofwesternPennsylvania.
Over-the-airbroadcastreach Cableandsatellitecoverage
Western Reserve Public MediaDigital Broadcast Services
Western Reserve Public MediaP.O. Box 5191Kent OH 44240-5191www.WesternReservePublicMedia.org
A service of Western Reserve Public Media
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