Hooked In

Posted by Derek

He says it has a little Melrose Place and a dash of Modern Family with a little Californication mixed in. That sounds like something I would watch! And now more and more people are watching. Steve Barnes (BS RTF ’89) has come up with an innovative series called High Rise. The drama takes place in a luxury high-rise and features all aspects of a spicy drama… sex, murder, betrayal, etc. No need to flip through the channels on your flat screen at home to watch. You can find High Rise right here on the internet.

Barnes calls High Rise a bridge between the internet and television. He says this new concept is a way to have a relationship with the viewer and not “just throw things at them.” The Corpus Christi-native is in pre-production for season two at his studio in The Atlantic Residences , a beautiful, 47-story, high-rise building near downtown Atlanta.

Barnes is a former award-winning radio disc jockey and is also an actor with several movies and television credits to his name. He’s also a big Longhorn football fan which means he, like a lot of us, is not in such a good mood these days! Enjoy my brief interview with Barnes during a recent trip to Atlanta. Check out the view!

posted by Lisa

For businesses, the lure of diving into social media can be irresistible – Facebook now has more than 500 million users, and Twitter now tops 200 million. But along with access to those millions of new customers comes the  flip side of social media – risk. And because the risk occurs on platforms that are unfamiliar to many in top management, assessing and managing those risks can be problematic.

In the October issue of Risk Management magazine, alumnus Jeff Hunt (BJ ’84 PR) and UT Professor Bill Cunningham explore a few of the issues facing companies as they embark on a social media strategy.

In “Online, Your Are Your Reputation”, Cunningham and Hunt explore how “consumerism on steroids” and social media can damage a company’s reputation:

Now, nearly any risk-a product liability allegation, a poorly handled natural disaster, a financial problem, you name it – can hurt a company’s reputation. And while reputational risks may not feel as tangible to the board as traditional perils, they can be every bit as likely – and even more damaging.

Both Dell and AT&T, the examples cited, were nearly blindsided by unexpected groundswells from angry consumers. But lessons learned foreshadowed some of the keys to corporate survival in this new era of social media:

Active listening is paramount, and engagement is the new currency for securing customer loyalty.

In their second article IBM’S Delicate Social Media Balancing Act, Cunningham and Hunt detail how “big Blue” has unlocked the power of idea-generating “crowd sourcing” through internal IBM “jam sessions” on their internal network. IBM currently has 60,000 users on its internal social networking platform and a million daily page views on its internal WikiCentral.

IBM’s success at harnessing social media is no accident – a deliberate strategy by IBM senior management created a process that both recognized that social media was critical to success and was a risk, properly managed, worth taking. Cunningham and Hunt argue that the key takeaway from IBM’s story is:

…a comprehensive risk management approach recognizes both the risks and benefits of social media – managing the former without stifling the latter…. IBM’s intent… is to manage social media risks with the same goal in mind that it has when it manages all other risks: generating business value.

The entire set of articles on social media risk from the October issue are available on line here: More Media, More Opportunity, More Risk

William H. Cunningham is the James L. Bayless Chair for Free Enterprise at The University of Texas’ McCombs School of Business and the former chancellor of The University of Texas System.

Jeff Hunt is a principal and co-founder of PulsePoint Group, a management consulting and digital firm that specializes in crisis management and boardroom communications. He is a 1984 graduate of the School of Journalism at The University of Texas and a member of the College of Communication Advisory Council.

Posted by Derek

Just the right lighting or just the right angle can make an ordinary scene shine. Add those elements to a stellar cast in a high-action drama and then you have something. Cinematographer, Jimmy Lindsey (BS RTF ’92), knows that all too well.  Jimmy was the Director of Photography in Robert Rodriguez’ (BS RTF ’08) newly-released, Machete. Jimmy had a lot to work with in this one.  A double-crossed renegade played by Danny Trejo realizes he’s been set up and then goes on revenge-filled killing spree mostly on his motorcycle. Can you say heart-pumping action with some great scenes? Jimmy’s vision and expertise are all over Machete. 

Jimmy has been making films for two decades. Also on his impressive resume are Drew Barrymore’s Whip It and several films by Robert Rodriguez (Shorts, Spy Kids 2, Once Upon A Time In Mexico) and many others. I’m looking forward to the release of Alabama Moon, a film directed by Tim McCanlies. John Goodman is the lead actor in this one. Jimmy says one of his favorite scenes occurs in Alabama Moon. The scene features a father whose leg is broken in a fast-moving stream. His young son must rise up and find a way to save his near-drowning father. It is a riveting scene. You can see the scene and the Alabama Moon trailer on Jimmy’s website at www.jimmylindsey.com.

Ever seen George Clooney and John Malcovich in a commercial together? You probably won’t, unless you live in Europe. Jimmy worked with the two actors in a commercial for Nespresso. You can also check out the spot on Jimmy’s website.

 When Jimmy’s not working around the world, he’s at home with his family in Southwest Austin. Jimmy’s wife, Sharon, is a make-up artist. Jimmy and Sharon’s greatest production are their two daughters who keep them quite busy.

Sally Reyes

That’s just a fun fact thrown out there by the folks at All About Hearing, http://allabouthearingmid.com/.

Celia “Sally” Reyes (BS CSD ’91, MA CSD ’94) is owner and audiologist at All About Hearing in Midland and Odessa, Texas. This Kingsville-native is literally all about hearing.  All About Hearing fits customers for hearing aids and even makes sound plugs for hunters, swim plugs, Bluetooth custom ear models for iPods and musician ear plugs. AAH also conducts regular hearing tests.

Sally and her staff just celebrated their third-year anniversary. Sally is married with two boys. The family lives in Midland. Way to go, Sally! You can be a Facebook fan of All About Hearing at http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/All-About-Hearing-Inc/114487611926926?ref=ts.

posted by Jessica

The Vollmer PR Staff with the 2010 PRSA Excalibur Award:(left to right) Amanda Modglin, Carolyn Mayo, Helen Vollmer, Lauren Winterfeld, Lori Martin and Allen Caudle

VOLLOCITY, the newsletter for Vollmer PR, recently announced yet another award achieved by Helen Vollmer (BJ Journalism ’74 and MA RTF ’76) and the staff at her offices in Houston, Austin, Dallas and New York. Vollmer is the recipient of the IPEX “Grail,” the International Award for Outstanding Performance in Communication Business. IPREX is a global network of independent PR firms that considered Vollmer the company of its worldwide member firms to share the most business with partners. Vollmer PR was recognized for its entrepreneurism, focus on the future, professional branding and unique strategies for collaborative work. Carolyn Mayo, Vollmer’s President and President of IPREX in the Americas, was thrilled to bring the award home from the annual meeting of the organization in Dusseldorf. The Grail has traveled to Germany, the UK, Paris, DC, Minneapolis and now resides in Houston.

While Carolyn was in Dusseldorf, arranging for the careful transport of The Grail to Houston, Helen accepted the PRSA 2010 Grand Excalibur (see photo). The PRSA (Public Relation Society of America) awards the Grand Excalibur to honor the member firm with “outstanding professional accomplishments in the development and execution of comprehensive public relations programs and individual communications tactics.”

Congratulations to Helen and her firm! 2010 has been an excellent year for them so far.

posted by Lisa

aj (Fisher) Melnick (BJ ’52) passes along her account of a recent encounter with some fellow Daily Texan staffers:

Is there life after being a staffer for The Daily Texan?

It was an inauspicious beginning to a surprise meeting… I was at an Eldorado Arts Studio Tour planning meeting (Eldorado is a subdivision on the outskirts of Santa Fe, New Mexico) and sat down next to a man of about my vintage. He introduced himself as Bob Kenny. I dug into my ailing long-term memory and finally said to him, “ I used to know a Bob Kenny when I was a journalism major at the University of Texas some years ago. He replied, “That was me!” Imagine my astonishment! Here we were– miles and years away from Austin, Texas and a long ways away from The Daily Texan and “B” Hall–which now exists exclusively in fading memories.

Bob is now a fine arts painter who lives with his wife, Shirley Strum Kenny, in the Northeast much of the year. Shirley retired from her position as president of State University of New York at Stony Brook just recently. I had gone from reporter to teacher to counselor to documentary photographer. (For complete and fascinating info on Bob and Shirley, check online.) Shirley and I had lunch a couple of weeks ago and shared remembrances from our divergent lives. They have spent summers here since they purchased their home in Eldorado about 20 years ago. We have lived here 16 years. And, I figuratively picked myself up off the floor and tried to regain my composure– after learning the Kennys live about half a mile down my street, Monte Alto Road! We’ve probably passed each other millions of times. (And, although we didn’t meet that time either, we all attended the one hundredth anniversary celebration of The Daily Texan in 1999 . (To make things crystal clear, dear readers, we were not the original staffers at the very beginning of The Daily Texan.)

How strange that three former Daily Texan staffers, after an intervening 57 years, wind up in the same locale with homes nearby, even on the same street. Looks like anything is possible. Chance encounters of an amazing kind.

Note: Bob Kenny is a 1953 journalism graduate, and Dr. Shirley Strum Kenny is a 1955 graduate of both Journalism and Liberal Arts (English).

(photos of the beautiful New Mexico skies courtesy of aj’s husband Harold – our many thanks!)

by Lisa (UTcomm)

The South Texas Press Association (STPA) has named one of its top contest awards in honor of retired * School of Journalism professor Griff Singer.

The “S. Griff Singer General Excellence Award” was announced at the 83rd annual STPA Convention held in late April in San Marcos. Singer was given a standing ovation as he stepped forward to receive a framed proclamation from STPA President Lisa Walter (BJ ’89) during the association’s Better Newspaper Contest awards luncheon. Lisa Walters commented:

“Griff has been a great, lasting influence on not only our South and Central Texas newspaper members, but also on countless others in the print industry. It’s simply a perfect fit to have the Singer name become synonymous with the very award that recognizes papers who have best achieved the same attributes he has spent a lifetime inspiring in others.”

Singer’s career has spanned virtually all aspects of the newspaper industry. Prior to spending 34 years as a lecturer at the School of Journalism, Singer held reporting and editorial positions at the Arlington Citizen-Journal (1956-59), The Dallas Morning News (1959-67) and the San Antonio Light (1979-81). While at UT, helped upper division journalism students master professional skills in reporting, writing and design. Along the way, he inspired, guided and molded countless UT journalism grads, many of whom have gone on to prominent careers.

Why the asterisk next to “retirement”? Though Griff claims to have retired in 2003, here at the College, we know better. He still heads the Dow Jones Newspaper Fund’s Center for Editing Excellence, as well as continuing to teach Texas Press Association online courses in writing sports and headlines. He also conducts seminars and workshops offered by state, regional and national journalistic organizations on feature writing, headline writing, design and website techniques. All this while serving as a cheerful advisor, mentor and friend to us all.

Our thanks to the South Texas Press Association for honoring one of our favorite journalism professors.

posted by Lisa (UTcomm)

Spring commencement is a must-see event for me. No one makes me go. It’s not part of my job, and I don’t have any official duties, and it’s not like I don’t have more than enough work waiting for me in the office… but somehow, I can never resist. Seeing the exhilaration and joy of the graduates and their parents reminds me why of I’m here, and why this College’s, and this great University’s, mission is so important.

We are incredibly proud of you all – we know how hard you all have worked, and how talented and remarkable each one of you is. We have no doubt that you are all destined to do great things in the years to come.

Some of you may have noticed me wandering around with my camera at Commencement – as a small parting gift, we’ve put those pictures on the UTcomm Flickr page, and I invite you to visit the gallery, download and print any photos you like (high resolution versions!!) and share with your friends and family on Facebook, Twitter or where ever. I didn’t get pictures of everyone (sadly), but there are photos both from the ceremony inside the Erwin Center, and outside with your friends and family afterwards. (Please feel free to email me if your picture appears in the gallery so I can add your name.)

Best of luck to each and everyone of you – you’ve just joined one of the most creative, successful, vibrant and brilliant alumni groups in the world, and we know you’ll be just as brilliant. Don’t forget to write and let us know where you land and what you’re doing.

Congratulations and Hook’em!!

Rick Patrick (BJ ’70) has viewed the world through the lens of his camera for more than 40 years. This professional photographer has been at it for quite a while and he has an impressive portfolio to prove it. You can view some of Rick’s work at www.rickpatrickphotography.com.

Studio 1308, Rick Patrick Photography

Rick works in a beautiful studio in East Austin on 7th and Navasota. One of his favorite projects was shooting still photographs for the documentary, The Last Best Hope: A True Story of Escape, Evasion and Rememberance. The award-winning documentary chronicled US P-47 pilot, Bill Grosvenor’s journey back to Belgium more than 50 years after he parachuted into the country during World War II. Grosvenor re-connected with those that harbored and hid him from the Nazis including Marcel Harnie. The photo below shows Harnie and Grosvenor during World War II. The final photo was taken by Rick Patrick. It shows Harnie returning a bracelet that Grosvenor had given him as a token of thanks five decades earlier.

Marcel Harnie and Bill Grosvenor reunited during the filming of The Last Best Hope

Rick’s daughter, Ginny Patrick (RTF ’05) is also a graduate of the College of Communication. Even better, Rick met his wife Phyllis, in a photojournalism class at UT! Rick’s father-in-law is the late Ralph Frede (BJ ’43). Frede was a Daily Texan editor and later became a leader in the public relations and development fields. The Ralph E. Frede Public Relations Foundation of Texas Endowed Scholarship in Public Relations  is awarded to a deserving public relations student in the College of Communication.

Posted by Tania

While on my recent trip to Washington, D.C. to visit with several of our College alums I was able to experience the beauty of the cherry blossoms.  In 1912 the United States received 3,000 cherry blossom trees as a symbol of the enduring friendship between the people of the United States and Japan.  Thousands of residents and visitors from around the world come to witness the spectacle, hoping that the trees will be at the peak of bloom.  I was lucky enough to see them in full effect!!  While in D.C. I met with Melissa Gold (’97 Journalism), Stacey Huggins (’97 Journalism), Kathleen Bergeron (’69 Journalism), Sammy Collins (’70 BS Speech Communication, ’71 MA in Speech Communication), Katie Romano (’03 Communication Studies), Martha Buchanan (’55 English), Debra Olson (’90 Advertising), Mark Davis (’78 Journalism), Jeff Davis (’71 Journalism) and Beth Frerking (’80 Journalism).   It was a great trip to our nation’s capital!!