Central Ohio SPJ celebrates its 70th annual Founders’ Day on Wednesday, April 17 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Join us for an evening of professional camaraderie and the celebration of good journalism at the Amelito Mirolo Barn in Upper Arlington.
We will celebrate the best of central Ohio journalism by awarding our First Amendment Award along with Appreciation, Distinguished Service and Lifetime Achievement Awards. We will also hand out the dubious Brick Wall Award for obstruction of public access to information.
This Year’s honorees include:
First Amendment Award
Columbus Dispatch Pharmacy Benefit Manager Series
Distinguished Service Award
Joe Meyer – Owner, Meyer Media
Kevin Z. Smith – Director, Kiplinger Program in Public Affairs Journalism, Ohio University
Doug Buchanan – Editor in Chief, Columbus Business First
Appreciation Award
Eugene C. “Gene” D’Angelo – WBNS-10TV
Dennis Hetzel – Ohio News Media Association
Lifetime Achievement Award
Richard W. Carson – The Columbus Dispatch
Tim May – The Columbus Dispatch
Mary Beth Lane – The Columbus Dispatch
Barbara James – The Columbus Dispatch
Gary Kiefer – The Columbus Dispatch
Eric Lyttle – Columbus Monthly
Chris Bradley – WBNS-10TV
The Brick Wall Award
The Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow (ECOT)
Social hour beings at 5:30 p.m. with an open bar and hor d’oeuvres. Programming begins at 6:30 p.m. A silent auction will also be held with proceeds to benefit the chapter’s numerous scholarships. Tickets are $45 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Central Ohio SPJ celebrates its 70th annual Founders’ Day on Wednesday, April 17 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Join us for an evening of professional camaraderie and the celebration of good journalism at the Amelito Mirolo Barn in Upper Arlington.
We will celebrate the best of central Ohio journalism by awarding our First Amendment Award along with Appreciation, Distinguished Service and Lifetime Achievement Awards. We will also hand out the dubious Brick Wall Award for obstruction of public access to information.
Speaking to a bright future for journalism, we are also handing out scholarships to a number of deserving college and high school students whose work has been deemed outstanding over the past year.
Social hour beings at 5:30 p.m. with an open bar and hor d’oeuvres. Programming begins at 6:30 p.m. A silent auction will also be held with proceeds to benefit the chapter’s numerous scholarships.
We look forward to celebrating with you!
What: Founders’ Day 2019 Where: Amelito Mirolo Barn, 4395 Carriage Hill Ln, Upper Arlington When: Wednesday, April 17 – 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Are you a freelance journalist? Have you considered becoming a freelancer? Do you wonder if freelancing is right for you? Learn more about the world of freelance journalism with an educational workshop brought to you by the Central Ohio Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists and the Ohio University E.W. Scripps School of Journalism on Saturday, March 2.
Panel discussions featuring working professionals will cover everything from how to determine if freelancing is right for you, to the ins and outs of running your own business. Panel discussions include:
9 a.m. – Is Freelancing Right for You? Speakers:
Kathy Lynn Gray, Freelance Journalist
Brock Schmaltz, Freelance Communications Professional
Jeffry Konczal, Freelance Photographer
10 a.m. – How to Market and Brand Yourself Speaker:
Laura Petrecca, Freelance Writer, Editor, Strategist. Laura Petrecca.com
11 a.m. – The Business of Being Self Employed: What You Need to Know to Establish & Run Your Business Speakers:
Jack Gravelle, Attorney, Porter Wright Morris & Arthur, LLP
Sarah Mills Bacha, SMB Communication, LTD
Ginny McCabe, Freelance Journalist and Author
Sue Schnitz, Accountant, Perfect Balance
The workshop will be held from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Ohio University Dublin Campus – Dublin Integrated Education Center, 6805 Bobcat Way, Dublin, Ohio.
Networking begins at 8 a.m. with programming kicking off at 9 a.m. A continental breakfast and snacks will be provided. Tickets are $15 for SPJ members and students and $20 for non-members.
SPEAKERS
Is Freelancing Right For You?
Kathy Lynn Gray, Freelance Journalist
Kathy Lynn Gray worked as a journalist at the Columbus Dispatch for 35 years, reporting on everything from education, real estate and federal courts to the Columbus Zoo, the Ohio State Fair and shipwreck explorer Tommy Thompson. Her journalism career began in Cleveland with the Sun Newspaper chain and she landed in Columbus with a job as a legislative intern in the Ohio House of Representatives. From there she nabbed a spot on The Dispatch Action Line before becoming a general assignment reporter covering murders, weather, and everything in between. She gave up reporting for seven years to work as a part-time Dispatch copy editor while her children were young, and took off a year to get her master’s degree in journalism as a Kiplinger Fellow at Ohio State University. Her freelance career took off in 2015 when she took a buyout from The Dispatch and began writing for publications such as Columbus Monthly, Columbus Business First, several college magazines and The National Psychologist, as well as stringing for Reuters and the Washington Post. Kathy has been a Clintonville resident since 1980 and is married to former journalist Dennis Mahoney.
Brock Schmaltz, Freelance Communications Professional
During a 20-year public relations career, Brock Schmaltz has earned a reputation as a trusted advisor across a multitude of communications disciplines. The son of a journalist, he learned the power of the press and public opinion at a young age and that background has served him well as he partners with media members on behalf of his clients. The early part of Brock’s career in both Washington, DC and Columbus, OH focused exclusively on public affairs at the local, state and federal levels. Working on behalf of private sector companies like Wal-Mart and Kidde Fire Safety as well as advocacy groups like the American Horse Council, he successfully navigated numerous legislative and regulatory opportunities in a variety of jurisdictions. More recently Brock has focused on traditional media and community relations endeavors across primarily the retail and development sectors. Past clients include outdoor lifestyle center pioneer Easton Town Center, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Columbus Downtown Development Corporation and Campus Partners (the development arm of The Ohio State University). In January 2017, Brock opened High Stakes Public Relations where he works on behalf of a variety of clients including regional grocery leader Giant Eagle and is currently ghost writing several books. A graduate of Wittenberg University, Brock resides in Sunbury, Ohio with his wife Allison and three daughters.
Jeffry Konczal, Freelance Photographer
Jeffry Konczal is a freelance photographer who works for journalism, education, and commercial clients, specializing in documentary and portrait work. He has been working as a freelance photographer since 2012, and prior to that as a staff photographer for 5 years.
How to Market and Brand Yourself
Laura Petrecca, Freelance Writer, Editor, Strategist. Laura Petrecca.com
Laura is an editorial adviser and content creator who helps companies keep pace with the rapidly evolving media landscape. She has a proven record of success within some of the nation’s top media organizations, including Gannett, Rodale and Crain Communications. Prior to launching her media consultancy and writing business. Laura held high-level roles such as USA Today’s New York City bureau chief, special projects editor and business section editor. She now provides sound editorial insights to companies ranging from small businesses to media conglomerates. An award-winning journalist, Laura also produces high-quality articles, blog items, social media posts, videos and infographics. Her work has appeared in USA Today, Real Simple, Men’s Health, Prevention, Crain’s New York Business, Advertising Age, the New York Post and AARP. She is an experienced public speaker who is adept at moderating panels, hosting livestream videos and providing TV and radio commentary. Her TV appearances include the Today show, Good Morning America, Inside Edition, Access Hollywood and CNN. Laura also coaches college students and early career journalists on how to land a job in the media industry, as well as provides strategic guidance to seasoned writers and editors who are planning for their post-newsroom lives.
The Business of Being Self Employed: What You Need to Know to Establish & Run Your Business
Jack Gravelle, Attorney, Porter Wright Morris & Arthur, LLP
Jack is a partner in the firm’s Corporate Department practicing in the areas of securities, mergers and acquisitions, and business growth and operation. He represents buyers and sellers in various acquisition and divestiture transactions across a range of industries, including energy, manufacturing, technology, retail, banking and telecommunications. He assists public companies with corporate governance, securities laws compliance, mergers and acquisitions, securities offerings, executive compensation and the reporting obligations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. He also advises various business entities regarding formation, raising capital, securities offerings, contractual arrangements, and general corporate law. He is a graduate of Ohio University in political science and The Ohio State University College of Law.
Ginny McCabe, Freelance Journalist and Author
Ginny is an award winning journalist and author. She is a news, feature and entertainment writer/reporter who has penned thousands of diverse articles for daily and weekly newspapers, magazines and web sites for a variety of national and international audiences. She covers news, arts and entertainment, lifestyles, humanitarian aid, real estate, features, nonfiction, profiles, books and publishing, religion, non-profits, business. She is also an experienced author of five books. Her bestselling and award-winning title with Dr. Jill Hubbard is Secrets Young Women Keep. Other titles include: some Kind of Journey: On the Road with Audio Adrenaline, Living A Gold Medal Life: Inspirations from Female Athletes, and Changed: True Stories of Finding God Through Christian Music. She has also collaborated on four additional books. Ginny serves as the Society of Professional Journalists Freelance Community Officer.
Sarah Mills Bacha, President, SMB Communication, LTD
Sarah is a professional writer and communications/marketing consultant. As president of her own firm, SMB Communications Ltd., which she founded in 1994, she has assisted numerous national and central Ohio companies and organizations with their marketing and communications needs. Before becoming a consultant, she worked as a journalist at daily newspapers. Previous positions include business reporter at The Columbus Dispatch in Columbus, Ohio, comment page editor at The Journal-Gazette in Fort Wayne, Ind., and stringer for Reuters. She is a graduate of The Ohio State University in journalism.
Sue Schnitz, Accountant, Perfect Balance
Susan is the owner of the Perfect Balance that acts as the in-house controller for your small business and individuals eliminating the stress of the financial side for businesses and individuals allowing them the time to do what they do best! Her business acts as in-house controller, manages cash flow, consults, helps clients get financing, prepares financial statements, provides accounts payable and receivable functions and helps with financial planning among other services. She was formerly employed by Deloitte & Touche and is a graduate of The Ohio State University.
Are you interested in freelance journalism or currently a freelancer? Learn more about the world of freelancing with an educational workshop brought to you by the Central Ohio Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. Panel discussions featuring working professionals will cover everything from how to determine if freelancing is right for you, to the ins and outs of running your own business.
Join SPJ on Saturday, March 2 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Dublin Integrated Education Center, 6805 Bobcat Way. Panel discussions include:
9 a.m. – Is Freelancing Right for You?
10 a.m. – How to Market and Brand Yourself
11 a.m. – The Business of Being Self Employed: What You Need to Know to Establish & Run Your Business
Networking begins at 8 a.m. with programming kicking off at 9 a.m. Tickets are $15 for SPJ members and students and $20 for non-members. A continental breakfast and snacks will be provided.
The Central Ohio Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists gathers every summer to celebrate journalists’ best work at our annual Founders’ Day reception.
A big part of that celebration – the awards that honor the best among us and their noteworthy accomplishments.
And we’d love to hear from you. We’re seeking your nominations for our journalist colleagues whom you think are most deserving of the following awards:
FIRST AMENDMENT AWARD: This award recognizes significant contributions to the First Amendment rights of freedom of expression. Individuals and organizations both inside and outside of journalism are eligible.
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD: This award is for a member of the chapter who demonstrates professional excellence and dedication to the Central Ohio Society of Professional Journalists.
APPRECIATION AWARD: This award is presented to individuals or organizations for their outstanding contributions to journalism in central Ohio.
BRICK WALL AWARD: Started in 2001, this dubious distinction is presented to the individual or organization that, according to chapter members, did the most to block citizen access to public records and proceedings or otherwise violated the spirit of the First Amendment or the Ohio Open Records and Open Meetings laws during the past year. Anyone is eligible, but special consideration will be given to public officials and tax-funded agencies that fail to follow the law.
Please include the name of the person you’d like to nominate, along with a brief description why, and forward your nominations to: hunt.754@osu.edu by Thursday, Feb. 22.
Cheers to the holiday season with Central Ohio SPJ on December 6! Join us for a Holiday Happy Hour Mix and Mingle at Gallerie Bar & Bistro at the Downtown Hilton in Short North.
Nosh on light appetizers provided by the chapter. A cash-bar will be available for those who wish to imbibe. SPJ members and non-members are welcome! Click here to register on Eventbrite.
What: Holiday Happy Hour
Where: Gallerie Bar & Bistro
401 N. High St.
Columbus, OH 43215
SPJ is teaming up with Google to stage “Covering and Protecting Your Elections,” a free workshop that will provide journalists in key swing states with “tools to detect misinformation, protect yourself and your data online, and connect with voters.”
The Central Ohio SPJ Chapter is partnering with the Kiplinger Program in Public Affairs Journalism and Ohio University to host the traveling SPJ-Google News Initiative workshop to the Columbus region.
Local presentation of the free workshop will take place from 1-5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 2 at OU’s Dublin campus. Map/directions
Read a full description of the workshop, including background on the presenters, here.
The free election coverage training also will be presented in several other swing-state cities:
Dallas Sept. 11, at the Main Downtown Library (aka Jonsson Library) Details • Register
Austin, Texas Sept. 13-15 @ ONA18 Conference, at the Marriott Austin Details/Register [ONA18 website] Note: This training is open to ONA18 attendees only.
Ohio SPJ Awards Contest Celebration in the Queen City Aboard the Belle of Cincinnati Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Photo: Courtesy of the Belle of Cincinnati
Make your reservations now for the Ohio SPJ event of the year – the Ohio SPJ Awards Contest celebration aboard the Belle of Cincinnati. The Greater Cincinnati Pro Chapter is hosting the annual event, in association with pro chapters in Columbus and Cleveland to honor the best journalism from throughout the Buckeye State.
Board the Belle of Cincinnati at its home port of Newport, Kentucky, 101 Riverboat Row, from 11 a.m. until noon. We will begin our cruise along the Ohio River promptly at noon for lunch and the awards, and dock approximately two hours later.
The cost is $55 per person and includes a buffet luncheon, featuring tossed mixed greens with a choice of two dressings, marinated chicken breast, pulled pork with barbecue sauce, coleslaw, green beans, baked beans, chips, cookies and brownies. Drinks are available at a full cash bar.
Click here to register for the awards ceremony on Aug. 25, 2018.
The categories include large circulation print (75,000 or greater), small circulation print (fewer than 75,000), radio, television, digital media, trade organizations, freelance and college. Click here for a full list of categories.
Best of Show distinctions are awarded in all categories except college. Entries were for work done in 2017. Journalists from The Top of the Rockies awards contest (Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Wyoming) served as judges.
Save the date for a luncheon celebration to honor the winners, which will be held Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018, at noon in Cincinnati with a riverboat cruise luncheon on the Ohio River. Registration is available on Eventbrite.
Journalists, who work for newspaper, magazines, radio, television, trade, online and college media in Ohio and adjacent states that have significant reach into Ohio were eligible to submit entries, as well as freelance journalists, who are Ohio residents, regardless of where their work is published, broadcast or webcast. Entrants did not need to be members of the Society of Professional Journalists.
Ohio’s Best Journalism is the only Ohio competition that honors journalists who fulfill the SPJ mission: defense of the First Amendment, support of literacy, resistance to censorship, advocacy for openness of public records and meetings, media self-criticism and community service.
Top print winners were The Columbus Dispatch with 33 awards; The Cincinnati Enquirer with 20 awards; The Akron Beacon Journal with 17 awards; The Plain Dealer/Cleveland.com with 10 awards; Crain’s Cleveland Business with 10 awards; and Columbus Alive with 10 awards. Top broadcast winners were WKSU Radio with 13 awards; WVXU 91.7 Radio with 12 awards; WCPN Radio with eight awards; WBNS-TV with eight awards; WOSU with seven awards; and WVIZ/PBS ideastream with seven awards.
In the Large Circulation Print (75,000 or greater), Best of Show category, top winners included:
Best Page One Design, First Place, Alan Miller, The Columbus Dispatch
Best Columnist in Ohio, First Place, Theodore Decker, The Columbus Dispatch
Best Reporter in Ohio, First Place, Amanda Garrett, The Akron Beacon Journal
Best Photographer in Ohio, First Place, Kyle Robertson, The Columbus Dispatch
Best Daily Newspaper, First Place, The Columbus Dispatch
In the Small Circulation Print (Fewer than 75,000), Best of Show category, top winners included:
Best Photographer, First Place, Tim Johnson, Columbus Monthly
Best Weekly Newspaper, First Place, Cincinnati Business Courier
Best Reporter in Ohio, First Place, Sheehan Hannan, Cleveland Magazine
Best Columnist, First Place, Regina Brett, Cleveland Jewish News
Best Monthly, First Place, Cleveland Magazine
Best Special Publication, First Place, 614 Magazine
In the Trade Publications, Best of Show category, winners included:
Best Trade Publication, First Place, The College Store
Best Trade Columnist, First Place, Susan Crowell, Farm and Dairy
In the Television, Best of Show category, winners included:
Best Anchor, Rick Jackson, WVIZ/PBS ideastream
Best Reporter, First Place, Duane Pohlman, WKRC-TV
Best Newscast, First Place, WCMH NBC4
In the Radio, Best of Show category, winners included:
Best Reporter, First Place, M.L. Schultze, WKSU
Best Anchor, First Place, Amanda Rabinowitz, WKSU
In the Digital Media, Best of Show category, winners included:
Best General News Site, First Place, ideastream
Best Online Still Photographer in Ohio, First Place, Matt Ellis, ColumbusUnderground.com
In the Freelance, Best of Show, categories, winners included:
Large Circulation Print (+75,000), Best Freelance Writer, Ginny McCabe
Digital Media, Best Freelance Writer, Jeff Regensburger, ColumbusUnderground.com
In the College category, winners included:
Best College Non-Daily Newspaper, The Lantern, The Ohio State University
Best College Opinion Writing, Lucas Misera, The Kent Stater
Click here to view the full list of award winners.
Central Ohio SPJ celebrates its 69th annual Founders’ Day on Wednesday, April 18 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Join us for an evening of professional camaraderie and the celebration of good journalism at the Amelito Mirolo Barn in Upper Arlington.
We will celebrate the best of central Ohio journalism by awarding our First Amendment Award along with Appreciation, Distinguished Service and an unprecedented four Lifetime Achievement Awards. We will also hand out the dubious Brick Wall Award for obstruction of public access to information.
This year’s award recipients include: WBNS TV 10, former Columbus Dispatch sportswriter Todd Jones, SPJ board member Bruce Cadwallader and lifetime achievements for Dispatch retirees Barb Carmen, Alan Johnson, John Switzer and WSYX TV 6’s Carol Luper.
Speaking to a bright future for journalism, we are also handing out scholarships to a number of deserving college and high school students whose work has been deemed outstanding over the past year.
Tickets are $45. Social hour beings at 5:30 p.m. with an open bar and hor d’oeuvres. Programming begins at 6 p.m. A silent auction will also be held with proceeds to benefit the chapter’s numerous scholarships.
At the 2017 Central Ohio SPJ Founders’ Day celebration, Dominic Cappa of Columbus Business First was the recipient of the SPJ chapter’s Appreciation Award for his long-term dedication to SPJ and supporting local journalism programming. Doug Buchanan of Columbus Business First was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award for serving as president of the SPJ chapter.
During the 68th Annual Founders’ Day celebration on April 6, 2017, the chapter honored Jerry Revish with a Lifetime Achievement Award. This award honors individuals for their lifetime of contribution to the journalism profession. SPJ is excited to recognize Jerry’s outstanding work and successful career with WBNS-10TV.
SPJ is teaming up with Google to stage “Covering and Protecting Your Elections,” a free workshop that will provide journalists in key swing states with “tools to detect misinformation, protect yourself and your data online, and connect with voters.”
