Monday, February 22, 2010

Jobs, jobs, jobs!

The Arizona Republic has posted three job openings:

Community News Online Platform Manager

We are looking for a dynamic individual to oversee several online community sections. The individual will be directly responsible for planning and maintaining the microsites, with timely and useful content, packaged and presented in a way that best serves our online audience.

The person will lead and manage the coverage of breaking news, as well as creation of unique online content. In addition, the individual will manage special projects and refine the workflows and systems needed to keep the microsites current and relevant.

The role involves working with a multitude of elements, from stories and photos to videos, graphics, databases and other visual/technical features. It also involves working with producers and other platform and content editors to ensure accurate and complete coverage.

The individual must be able to draw together multiple elements and effectively, accurately and quickly post information to the microsites. Strong editing skills are required, as are the abilities to prioritize, communicate, organize and work under the pressure of multiple deadlines and assignments.

Interested candidates should contact Abe Kwok by March 5.

Reporter positions open

The Peoria City Hall reporter works out of the Arrowhead newsroom. This reporter has major responsibilities for covering a northwest Valley city that has to serve a redeveloping urban core and a newer, growing northern region. The reporter has responsibility to provide coverage of city government and community issues for the Peoria Republic and the Arizona Republic, including Valley & State, the front page and Business. The reporter must be able to develop sources inside and outside City Hall and emphasize watchdog and enterprise coverage. Candidates interested in applying should contact West Valley Community Editor Venita James by Friday, Feb. 26.

The Queen Creek reporter works out of the Mesa newsroom, covering Queen Creek government and neighborhoods. Queen Creek is about to be governed by a new mayor and newly reconstituted town council and starting a branding campaign to encourage economic development. The beat requires a solid self-starter who is as much at ease tackling local government issues as writing about important and interesting people, places and events in the community for The Gilbert Republic, pinal.azcentral.com, the front page and Valley & State. Interested candidates should contact Southeast Valley Community Editor Paul Maryniak by Feb. 26, briefly outlining your qualifications and your vision for implementing this unique government-neighborhoods beat.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Magazine cliches

I attended Ann Videan's ALWAYS meeting yesterday and one of the funniest moments to come out of it was our conversation on magazine cliches.

I mentioned that I see the same tired old ideas daily on HARO and wonder how these writers keep selling this stuff. Lori Baker countered with the fact that editors continue to think that's what readers want. She said every magazine article on losing weight has the same obvious advice: Don't eat such large portions. Don't snack all day. Etc. Duh.

Then Lori said, gee, maybe that's why magazines are folding! Good insight, Lori.

So what are your favorite magazine cliches? I personally love the totally useless "get fit for swimsuit season" articles that claim you can get a flat belly in 10 days.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Can you do hard news?

Joan passed this along:
"The SanTan Sun News needs another strong, hard news writer to take a story or two per issue. Send a resume and clips to Laurie@SanTanSun.com.
Laurie Fagen
SanTan Sun News
Chandler"

The SanTan Sun News, based in Chandler, is an excellent and well-read community paper. It focuses on southern Chandler and Ocotillo, but provides thorough coverage of downtown and city goings-on as well. I strongly believe "local local" papers and news sites (their web site is high-quality, too) will be major players in journalism as we move forward through these uncertain times, and the SanTan Sun is a prime example of how well they can do. They have a large ad base and beefy sections.
However, I have no idea how much they pay because I've never worked for them. I tried a few times to contact Laurie, but she never returned my calls or e-mails. So don't bother to use my name if you want to reach her, because apparently I hold no clout (or I did something to really cross her at one point, although I can't remember doing so).

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Meet AP bigwigs

Thank you to Alan for this...
Discover the Associated Press
on January 28, 2010

Pauline Arrillaga, National Writer, Associated Press and Josh Hoffner, Deputy West Editor, Associated Press, Phoenix

Pauline Arrillaga, National Writer, Associated Press, and Josh Hoffner, Deputy West Editor, Associated Press, will lead a panel from the newly established AP hub in Phoenix. Attendees will:
  • Hear an overview of the Associated Press (AP)
  • Understand the new AP hub in Phoenix.
  • Learn how decisions on newsworthiness are made.
  • Determine how AP subscribers select material AP releases.
  • Find out the media perspective on the book world.
  • Grasp the process for submitting review books, CDs, DVDs or eBooks.
  • Discover best way to approach AP without being a pest.
  • Hear how an author can be recognized as an expert for interviews.
  • Get the scoop on how you license an AP photo for use in a book.
  • Learn how to gain permission to use an article or an excerpt in a book.
The Associated Press is the backbone of the world's information system serving thousands of daily newspaper, radio, television and online customers with coverage in all media and news in all formats. It is the largest and oldest news organization in the world, serving as a source of news, photos, graphics, audio and video.

AP's mission is to be the essential global news network, providing distinctive news services of the highest quality, reliability and objectivity with reports that are accurate, balanced and informed. AP operates as a not-for-profit cooperative with more than 4,000 employees working in more than 240 worldwide bureaus. AP is owned by its 1,500 U.S. daily newspaper members. They elect a board of directors that directs the cooperative.

AP supplies a steady stream of news around the clock to its domestic members, international subscribers and commercial customers. It has the industry's most sophisticated digital photo network, a 24-hour continuously updated online news service, a state-of-the-art television news service and one of the largest radio networks in the United States. It also has a commercial digital photo archive, a photo library housing more than 10 million images.

AP has received 49 Pulitzer Prizes, more than any other news organization in the categories for which it can compete. It has 30 photo Pulitzers, the most of any news organization.

The Associated Press is the essential global news network, delivering fast, unbiased news from every corner of the world to all media platforms and formats. Founded in 1846, AP today is the largest and most trusted source of independent news and information. On any given day, more than half the world's population sees news from AP.

Radisson Hotel Phoenix Airport North
427 N. 44th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85008
Phone: 602-220-4400
For the the exact location, visit Mapquest.com

Program (includes dinner) 5:30 p.m–8:00 p.m.
Early Registration (by Jan. 21): $25 members $35 non-members
At-the-Door Registration: $35 members $45 non-members
Advance payment is required for registration; no refunds after Jan. 21, 2009.

Join us for this powerful program!

To register for the monthly meeting:
http://azbookpub.com/abpa-education/january-28/
Prepayment is required for registration.
Please register above or
RSVP to the ABPA hotline (602) 274-6264.
Questions? Email info@azbookpub.com.

Remember to submit Arizona Book Award entries by January 30!

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Glance Magazine?

Do you know of Glance Magazine? I'm trying to find out if they are legit?
Thanks,
Rhona

Checklist needed

Hi all,

I have a potential gig that (part of which...) would involve me taking the research and draft work of interns and turning it into high-level articles... I want to create a checklist for the interns that includes the things they have to sign off on, ie, have checked copyright laws, have double-checked facts, etc. Does anyone have anything like that that I could use as a basis for what I need?

Thanks!

Best regards,

Paula

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Copy editing rates

Easy question:

"Does anyone have the going rates for a copy editor. All online. No other details.
Joan"

I wouldn't bid on a job unless I had more details. If it's technical copy, I'd want at least $75, maybe $100 an hour. For something simple, probably $50 would do.

Anyone else want to chime in?