The News About The News: 12/01/2009 - 01/01/2010

TMZ Punk’d Over JFK Photo

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Celebrity site TMZ, fresh off its coup with its holiday-season grilling of Tiger Woods, flamed out like Icarus when it published what it called The JFK Photo That Could Have Changed History. Kennedy giving secrets to Khrushchev? Proof that Joe Kennedy bought his son’s contested election? A previously unknown photo of mobsters pulling the trigger on the Grassy Knoll?

Not quite. The photo, published on Monday, was of John F. Kennedy allegedly cavorting with nude women on a boat in the Mediterranean in the mid 1950s. Publication of such a photo, TMZ argues, might have derailed JFK’s 1960 presidential bid and changed, well, pretty much everything that's happened over the past 50 years.

Which, as Brian Stelter reports in the New York Times, would have been a great story. If only it had been true.

The trouble is that it wasn’t. The Smoking Gun debunked the photo later in the day, demonstrating that the photo was doctored from a spread that ran in the pages of Playboy magazine in 1967.

TMZ published a mea culpa later in the day, admitting that it had been taken in. What’s interesting is that TMZ claims to have vetted the photo through forensics experts and through two unnamed Kennedy biographers, who said they believed that Kennedy was on holiday in the Mediterranean around the time the photo was allegedly snapped (and about the same time that future first lady Jackie Kennedy was miscarrying their first child — but that’s another story). So why did it take The Smoking Gun only a matter of hours to expose the photo as a fake?

The incident shows the dangers of using unnamed sources, dubious photos and (perhaps) wanting so badly for a story to be true that it opened itself to attack from other media. When a story’s too good to be true, many times it probably is.

Positive Light for Tiger

Thursday, December 17, 2009

By: Chris Mars

Believe it or not, all is not terrible for Tiger Woods. Despite his recent string of bad press, Woods was awarded with the AP Athlete of Decade. Woods received 56 of 142 votes, beating out Lance Armstrong, Roger Federer and Michael Phelps.

The voting focused on the last ten years where Tiger's performance outweighed events of the last three weeks. Interestingly enough almost all top four nominees have had some bad press in recent years which goes to show there is hope for Tiger. Lance Armstrong and Michael Phelps had their run-ins with the media and scandal, giving hope to Tiger that he be able to rebound from recent events.

This is a great starting point for Tiger's PR team to build upon. Setting the stage for a triumphant return to glory in the years ahead. Although a tough time, Tiger will not be the first to come back from scandal. Other iconic sport figures like Kobe Bryant have made it back on top in recent years. It may be a long road ahead but if anyone has the ability to turn it around, it's Tiger.

Photo Credit: Associated Press

Magazines Sell With Colbert

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

By Zach Jevne

Stephen Colbert dons speed-skating tights and a tie on the upcoming Sports Illustrated cover. Why is Colbert on the cover? A couple of reasons. His show, The Colbert Report, and its fans are sponsoring the U.S. Olympic speed-skating and his face on the cover has proven to boost sales.

Colbert has appeared on Newsweek, Rolling Stone, GQ, Esquire, New York and Wired in the past few years. According to research, he boosted newsstand sales for four of those magazines, including a 38 percent increase for Wired.

In October, the primary sponsor of U.S. Speedskating declared bankruptcy. Facing a $300,000 funding shortfall, "Colbert Nation" picked up the team by taking contributions from fans. So far, more than $250,000 has been raised.

Many Americans believe that the Colbert Report is replacing "traditional" news outlets and is helping America stay informed on current events.

(Photo Credit: Newsweek)

Tiger Saga Continues

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

By: Chris Mars

Tiger Woods has now been connected to a Canadian doctor who is under investigation for providing performance enhancing drugs. Anthony Galea was arrested in Toronto on Oct.15 and the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation will look into the case.

For Tiger, this is another crack at his personal image since his car crash outside his Florida mansion. This makes one wonder how his personal image could have been preserved until now. I assumed Tiger would love to hit rewind and change the last few weeks but now it looks like he might go back a few years.

This incident now take Tiger's problems from personal to professional as he may have cheated. Was the epic win on a torn up knee really just Tiger cheating? Should his work ethic be questioned now since we're hearing this new connection?

Tiger needs to have another emergency meeting with his PR folks and figure out a new action plan. For Tiger, I hope this is the last swing in a string of blows to his image and career.

Photo Credit: Associated Press

The difference between journalism and reporting (if there is any)

Sunday, December 13, 2009

By Michelle Zimmerman

Journalism and reporting consideribly have the same criteria but what makes them different is the question being determined.

George Snell, an American media commentator claims that these two categories hold a significance difference from one another. According to Snell reporting lies along the lines of getting right to the point, stating facts, and moving on. Journalism on the other hand focuses more on the situation itself and multiple facts and descriptions that support a journalist's work.

Where do we find reporting? The Internet. Where do we find journalism? The printed press. This is yet another of the multiple difference between reporting and journalism. Any one in the media business knows that since the rise of reporting news via Internet has hurt the revenue of newspapers around the world.

It can be assumed that people search for the easiest and most sufficient ways of finding news. The generations are no longer seeking the full page story but rather the few paragraphs that give the most important details in a matter of seconds.

People will continue to gather their news whichever way is easier, therefore the newspapers have every reason to be worried.

Gillette Drops Tiger Wood's

By Keri Waterhouse

Gillette is one of Tiger Wood's sponsors, they have decided not to feature him in their marketing while he takes time off to figure out his life.

They announced this Saturday. Gillette is one of Wood's major sponsors. This is going to be a huge upse to him and his publicity.

Other sponsors are discussing and thinking about what they are going to do with Wood's and his problem that is going on right now.

He has decided to take break from golfing for a while and focus on rebuilding his marriage.

Shield Law passed

By: Mallory Tandy

The Shield Law has finally been passed. Even though it has been passed it still does not give journalists the authority to protect all the sources they want to. The full Senate still has to approve.

There is more work to be done, but atleast it is passed.

Time Warner Sheds Weight

Saturday, December 12, 2009

By: Chris Mars

Time Warner is finally saying goodbye to AOL after what was considered as one of the worst deals in corporate history. The 2001 deal allows Time Warner to become a more content-focused company and "reach new heights" according to Chief Executive Jeff Bewekes.

Even though the company has shed the extra weight of AOL they still have more cutting ahead. Bewekes says "These measures are often difficult, especially when they involve jobs and benefits, but they're sometimes necessary to keep the business strong."

Time Warner also looks to revamp their publishing division which consists of magazines like People, Time, Sports Illustrated and Entertainment weekly. This just goes to show that minor changes will not suffice and a complete makeover is needed to stay on top.

Photo Credit: Prisionplanet.com

Tweaking Facebook

Thursday, December 10, 2009

By Tessa Leone

After many user complaints, Facebook has changed it's privacy policy. People were complaining that their friend lists were public and could not be hidden from people that weren't on the friend list themselves.

Facebook listened to these complaints and evolved to accommodate its users needs.

"We have heard user concerns and we will soon enable people to hide their friend lists. Those who choose to hide their friend lists will not have their lists discoverable through search engines or viewable by other users," the company said in a prepared statement.

It's interesting to see how the public can make changes and 'tweak' the world around them if they speak out and band together. It makes me feel like the public has more control of the media than they realize.

Photo Credited to Facebook

Facebook Introduces New Privacy Settings

By: Meghan Vosberg

Before you can start harvesting your crops on Farmville, Facebook first asks you and its other 350 million users to review their privacy settings.

Though this new move is gives users more power and control over their own settings, Facebook has another motive. To stay ahead of competitors Google and Twitter in the social networking competition Facebook is using this new move to fix problems that have been accuring with it's continuous growth.

Photocredit: creative commons

SPJ Holds Personal Branding Event

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

By Zach Jevne

On Dec. 5, the Iowa chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) held an event at the Des Moines Social Club that focused on personal branding for journalists, marketers and public relation professionals.

The crowd of roughly 30 people, mostly students and people in career transistions, listened as four speakers talked about branding yourself in the industry. The speakers included Drew McLellan, Claire Celsi, Nathan Wright and David Bulla.

McLellan is the owner of McLellan Marketing Group and writes a blog called "The Marketing Minute." He recently updated his blog about his presentation and provided helpful tips to create a personal brand.

McLellan was very informative and helpful. He says that you must figure out your personal brand, but it must be organic, not fake. Your brand has to be something that's already inside of you. And you must figure out why it matters. Have people you can count on for honesty answer this question about you: "What three words describe me?"

Nathan Wright is the founder of Lava Row, which is a social media strategy and consulting firm in Des Moines. He stressed the importance of having a "robust" presence online. He reiterated some of McLellan's points, such as creating a LinkedIn profile and a Google profile. He said the advantages go to people who use those tools.

Claire Celsi is a public relations professional and operates the Public Relations Princess Web site. She made the point that it is impossible to distinguish between your personal and professional brand and should be discouraged in general. The professional and personal brand should be one in the same and authentic.

David Bulla was the final speaker and is a professor of journalism at Iowa State. He used Mitch Albom as an example of a journalist using multiple platforms to become incredibly successful. He mentioned that journalists need to have two skill sets today: 1) the analog skill - writing, photography, editing, etc. and 2) the digital skill - making use of the current media tools available and combining both.

The last hour of the event all four speakers took questions and discussed topics as a group panel. Some other highlights of the event: A personal brand is not what you do, but how and why you do it. Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are just tools and you must continue to meet people and build relationships. Be fresh and opinionated and be yourself. In essence, have a take. When you have reached the point where half the people love you and half hate you, that's the sign of a strong personal brand.

Participation and understanding media are important on blogs and Twitter. In regards to your Twitter volume, make sure there is frequent, quality content. Transparency is key to marketing your brand. Dan Schawbel is a personal branding expert with information on his Web site.

Figuring out your message and who you are is the key to beginning to brand yourself. You also need to find a way to stand out. Social media is a great way to help, but it is just tools to help "plant the seeds" of your brand.

Too Much Coverage

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

By Tessa Leone

Tiger Wood's recent misfortune has caused a waterfall effect in the media industry. Everywhere you go it seems as though you can't escape his all to public scandal. If there is a scandal at all.

The press are having a hay day with Tiger Wood's accident and love life. He is being put on trial and exploited for matters that many feel should be private. Wood's is famous for golfing, not for his driving skills and morality.

If you go to googlenews.com headline coverage of his accident is still circulating on the current news, even though it happened over a weed ago. There are three headlines to be exact.

It makes you wonder what actual newsworthy events are being bumped from the page to allow the space for these invasive and obsolete articles.

Photo Credit to USA Today

Rudolph helps CBS out

Monday, December 7, 2009

By Brianna Carlson

Last Wednesday night, "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" was shown on CBS. The movie was shown to the largest amount of viewers in prime time.

Amount 10.7 million people watched the Christmas movie.

CBS was at the top of the ratings while NBC fell behind with only 6.2 million viewers that night. Fox was right there with NBS at 6.3 million viewers.

Photo Credit: (flickr.com)

Bing – Trying To Keep Up With News

By: Amy Johnson

Another search engine is up and running. Microsoft has started up the site Bing in hopes of adding to their big list of achievements. How will they keep up with Google?

Microsoft's top search technology executive said that they will not pay users to leave Google. These comments were released a week after news came out that Microsoft had been in talks over a News Corp-led initiative that would have paid publishers to break away from Google in hopes of boosting Bing.

Bing's senior vice-president stated that out doing Google was not the point, nor was keeping information off of Google a major benefit to them in the long run.

Since relaunching its search engine under the name of Bing in May, Microsoft said that in the United States its number of visitors had risen by 16 per cent. Microsoft claimed that those relatively modest gains had marked a successful first five months for Bing. Since Google launched, no one else has grown five months in a row.

It's evident that Bing is trying to compete with Google. The new search engine is comparing many of their moves and accomplishments to that of Google. The press conference with Bing's vice-president acted as a cover up for their eagerness to discuss the anti-Google plan with News Corp. This highlights Bing's sense of urgency to gain a stronger foothold in search.

Iowa's Debt Will Climb

Sunday, December 6, 2009

By Keri Waterhoues

Iowa's government debt has grown by almost $3 billion in the past few years and it is expected to take another hike in the current fiscal year, it is said to be partly because of Gov. Chet Culver's $830 million I-JOBS program.

According to an annual report that was just released last week by State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald. Iowa's total state and local government debt is $11.6 billion. Cities had the greatest amount of debt, with $4.3 billion, followed by schools, with $2.3 billion. State government authorities and agencies have a combined debt of $2.56 billion.

This amount of debt is going to affect everyone. This is a large amount of debt and it's sad that it's just going to get worse.

Washington Times staff cuts

By: Mallory Tandy

On Wednesday, the Washington Times claimed they will cut a huge amount of their staff, possibly by 40 percent and they only have a 370-person staff.

They are hoping to make the paper different, and have more readers. They plan on focusing national political coverage that they will go in-depth when reporting. They will focus on the papers core strengths.

I fell bad that the paper is having to make such huge staff cuts, but hopefully it will help the paper in the future in their sales.

This Just In: Radio to Improve in 2010

By: Meghan Vosberg

2009 is officially the worst year for radio. Predictions show the total industry revenues at $13.3 billion at the end of the year- a 19 percent decrease from 2008. But the radio industry will improve in 2010 or at least halfway into the year.

2010 will slightly improve. Revenues will climb from 1.5 percent to $13.5billion. This is due to the large growth in revenues from online and mobile distribution. In order to reach the predicted 20 percent increase in 2010, radio groups must use new online and mobile platforms to sell advertisers on more than one level of channel campaigns.

Future of Online Newspaper Doesn't Look Promising

Friday, December 4, 2009

By Michelle Zimmerman

I blogged last month about newspaper companies straggling to find new ideas and ways to market themselves over the Internet, but a recent blog shows that there isn't much hope for those ideas.

Newspapers were expecting to make print motions towards the Internet in hope that there would be a turn around in the circulation of their news but people are still not willing to pay for the news they're offering.

Unless you are a highly respected newspaper there isn't much success on the Internet. Many people will find similar stories that are free of charge that will have a greater appeal then paying for the outlets newspapers will or could offer.

With the news of this it is still difficult to know what is to come of those passionate about the newspaper as well as though who support the newspaper. It seems that with the Internet trend people of new generations do not feel the need to pay for news that is provided freely over the Internet promptly rather than daily.

Newsworthy Tweets

Thursday, December 3, 2009

By Tessa Leone

CNN.com is a well respected, reliable source to receive the latest breaking news from. They have live video clips and striking photographs, sections for world news, health news, politics, and now they even have a section for 'Tweets of the Week'.

They showcase the top 10 twitter updates of the week that the CNN editors find most powerful or newsworthy from public figure heads, politicians, and just plain influential people.

There's quotes from ambassadors, senators, even Michael Moore...

"Did President Obama promise 2 have more troops in Afghanistan than the Soviets did durring their occupation? Well, he's topped them now. Sad".

Its good that the news industry is keeping current with the latest forms of media.

Photo Credited to Twitter

Nielsen Ratings Soon to Include Online Views

By Laura Reid

With more viewers tuning into shows online, media companies are now asking that the Nielsen Company start monitoring who is watching on the Web. The Nielsen Company is responsible for national TV ratings.

Nielsen's measurements are very important to TV ratings because they are used to sell around $70 billion dollars in advertisements a year.

This is a very important move to Nielsen. If they are able to track the number of viewers online, those who watch on phones, and other methods that are not just television, this would greatly help the advertising industry. They are constanty trying to find where to place their advertising, and if they can easily track where viewers are going, they could follow them and perhaps help the industry out of its slump.

(photo credit: search-engine-land)

Sports Illustrated Unveils Tablet

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

By Zach Jevne

Sports Illustrated unveiled a prototype of the magazine on a tablet computer. While tablet computers are not yet available, the magazine hopes this will be an important move for the industry.

SI demonstrated what the magazine would look like on a tablet and showed the features and capabilities. Live scores, video and more pictures are all features that the tablet version would offer.

There have been recent discussions about tablet computers and when they might be released by certain companies. Many believe that Apple will release its anticipated tablet sometime in 2010.

The Apple tablet would be like a large iPod Touch or iPhone, with interactive touch-screens. There have been two sizes discussed, a 9.7 inch screen and a 10.6 inch screen.

Sports Illustrated seems ready and willing to make the transition to these progressive devices that will certainly play a factor in the future the magazine and newspaper industry. GQ has already created a version of its magazine for the iPhone which sells for $2.99.

(Photo Credit: Sports Illustrated)

The Decency of Television Broadcasting

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

by: Amy Johnson

Everyone remembers the Janet Jackson “wardrobe malfunction” at the Super Bowl a few years back. CBS was heavily fined for airing the incident. This led to a major debate as to the decency, or lack thereof, in television broadcasting.

Another recent incident makes Walt Disney, co-owner of ABC, rethink the idea of live shows. During the 2009 American Music Awards, singer Adam Lambert gave a controversial performance that leaves ABC in the same place as CBS. His performance included giving the middle finger to the audience, kissed a man, and simulated oral sex.

Disney/ABC Television Group President Anne Sweeney told said that in response to Lambert's risque performance, Disney was reviewing the steps it takes when dealing with live performances by getting assurances from artists that their actual aired show will not include anything too different than their rehearsals and will use contractual obligations to hold them to their word.

ABC went as far to cancel Lambert's scheduled performance during “Good Morning America,” saying that many children watch the show and that they did not want to risk another mishap. The people in public relations for these singers have to be rethinking their jobs.

How can television stations be held responsible for the decisions singers make? It is not that television broadcasting is indecent, it is the lack of morals that artists decide to show. If the contracts that Disney is making its artists sign does not work, perhaps television will have to go to say goodbye to live performances and will have to go to a performance with a short delay.

(Photo Credit: flickr.com - kindofadraag)

Newspapers Up the Cost on Day of Thanks

By Taylor Finch

Everyone is familiar with black Friday, but the newspaper industry created what is now known as "Black Thursday" this past Thanksgiving Day.

What many of the nation's newspaper publishers were thankful for on Thanksgiving was the "bountiful harvest of holiday advertising," for which they all hoped to make more than a few extra bucks off of by increasing the price of the overall newspaper.

The Californian was one of many newspapers that went with the price increase trend on Thanksgiving, raising its price from the usual 75 cents to $1.50. But, as the paper's vice president of content, Olivia Garcia, said: "We feel that the bargain you'll get from the specials inside is definitely worth the extra charge. Happy Thanksgiving."

Many readers of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Kansas City Star more than likely also felt some shock when learning that their newspapers were priced at $2 on Thanksgiving, and even more so in Dallas where newspapers were peaking at $3.

Some may have felt that newspapers were being over zealous in their efforts to make extra money on their advertising, especially on Thanksgiving, but over charging for advertising is more than likely not the answer to the recent downfall of the newspaper industry.

(Photo Credit: farm3.static.flickr.com)

Yahoo vs. Google Round One Ding Ding...

By: Meghan Vosberg

What? Google has fallen into second place to Yahoo? Is there a new factor in what people look for in a search engine in today's society?

Actually Yahoo has taken a step up due to it's international affairs. Yahoo Japan dominates the websearch market with 56.5 percent of use compared to Google's 33.7 percent.

Since Google can't take this lying down, it wasted no time in updating its splashpage for Japan giving it links to gmail, youtube, and other services found on the internet in attempt to win back their patrons.

Google has also stepped into trying for the first time adding publicity stunts to attempt to win over customers. One stunt in particular allowed passersby to sail and float around Mountainview, Calif. with the help of 2,500 balloons.

Photo Credit: National Chiao Tung University College of Management

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