News Star reporters take another hit after Christmas

Yes, Times are tight but word on the street is the News Star guys are taking another unpaid vacation. Each one must take time off before March. I hate this because already the reporters and editors are stretched to the limit. Don't know about the sales staff.

To india we will go for ad art at the News Star

For News Star ads that are on speculation , other words if the ads do not have an exact run date, they are sent to India. Outsourcing is the new temporary sales force. That is why it is tough to get proofs. This may be why sometimes the common word usage may be changed as in crayfish instead of crawfish.

The News Star in Monroe also now houses a central copy desk for several newspapers in the Louisiana stable of papers. So we did gain several employees to Monroe.

I just hate a paper that both my husband and myself worked for in our younger years has changed so much. I remember staying up most of the night when we would have a large paper, to work with the artist and layout. Now it is all computerized, even out of this market, out of the country.

I applaud the reporters that are working so hard and photographers that are stretched thin. I really enjoy a paper to read even though I have to read around the ap stories that were on line everywhere the day before. I really hate wire stories, but I understand that the reporters don't have time to cover local info, anymore like they want to.

Judy leaving KNOE Tonight

Judy Wagner is leaving KNOE tonight after over 28 years on the air. Last broadcast will be at 6pm. tonight. Farewell Judy.

Joseph Thomas Bartucci Jr Vs michael J Jackson

Bartucci ready to give his story about being abused by Michael Jackson. Look up Supreme Court Writ. More info to follow.

KNOE Has anyone heard that Judy Wagner may be going

Have heard from two people that Judy Wagner may be moving out of the market. Saw her on last week. This thread is not verified so let me know what you have heard.

Larry Roberts checked in , x knoe anchor

Larry Roberts picked up the blog through newsblues. He was reading about Neil. Larry was a co-anchor for a short period in the 90's with Judy. He went onto work for Hoak in Grand Junction then Nexstar in Beaumont. Sounds like he is semi retired by his note.

KEDM did they hit goal

Recently the public radio station KEDM held a public fund raising appeal over their airwaves. But I am yet to hear how much they raised over past years. I listened....and listened.... and the normal updates were not voiced. Now word on the street is, it was a little short . I heard by quite a bit ! Times have changed, I figured being a public radio station it should be public knowledge.

Art with a View announces creative partnership with MSO

Art with a View has partnered with the Monroe Symphony Orchestra for a juried show of mixed mediums on December 10th. The new name is ' Experience the Music at Art with a View' , the annual show will become a fundraiser for the MSO. December 10th, 2009, 6 to 9 for Art Show on 5th floor. There will also be artists showing their craft in a series called Art in Action. The MSO will showcase several musicians among them Hallie Yarbough.

The event is on it's 7th year and draws from artists throughout the area. A private party that evening will also be held on another floor called Top of the Plaza. Tickets can be requested from the Monroe Symphony. Ticket prices $15.00 for single art ticket, $25.00 for couple for art, private party Top of the Plaza tickets : $30.00 each (these also include the art and the Art in Action).

Artists interested in being part of this show can contact ; CindyIngram 318-329-1929 or email prmom@comcast.net for entry forms. Art fees are $50.00 per artist.

Cake walk program directors ! Shadow Haze out

Wonder why you have not heard Shadoe Haze on his Opus Channels , he is gone! Haze was program director with them over 7 years. Opus is keeping the toy and bike drive he started.

Sunny Meriwether's old spot on KEDM just got filled by the Program director from 101.9 . Interesting, I don't know if any news background.

So the cake walk begins again! Who gets the next seat pulled out from under them.

Comcast scaling down here in Monroe,la

Comcast Spotlight after a burst of increased business a few years ago added more staff now has started downsizing it's staff.

Becky Tripp who was with KTVE as a news photojournalist joined Comcast in their commercial department to work with Scotty Jackson. Scotty has been with Comcast as long as I can remember.

Word has it, Becky Tripp has been let go. She has a few weeks to find a job. She is so creative and was a true asset to the group.

The receptionist is also on the chopping block. Stay tuned, I am sure more to follow.

Looking back to the past , Cadillac Kings Band and dancing

Last week my 14 year old; Katie went to her first homecoming dance at Neville. I watched all the getting ready and took as many pictures as I could and sent her out on her way.


I started looking over my old photos of my proms and homecoming and put the pics up on my facebook. I was amazed at how much we look alike! We always have had the same look, but in the prom pics it is so 'there'.

luckily I have a very secure husband and my old high school boyfriends wife is a good sport. Because being from Monroe of course once I put the picture up, I got remarks. Which brings me to write a little about my high school friend. Moving back to Monroe, after living in Las Vegas and New York State has been great, I do love Monroe. I realized I had so much in common with a lot of who I graduated with from Neville, several of us had kids late! So us-- old moms and dads now are all dropping our kids off at Lee and Neville.

Gerald and I started going to the Holidome and hearing the Cadillac Kings. Frank Fergurson and his band of musicians, including Pete Bailey and Walt Silmon are back to playing frequently at local places. The band is good and easy to dance too, it has a dance club following . I wish we were of that ability but my husband of 21 years and I just dance for fun. The band members all have a wonderful time playing the old rock n' roll and get the crowd dancing.

Long story short, if you miss the 70's and 80's and want a place to go, they are playing at the Holidome off and on in a smoke free environment . They will be back October 24th again and I am sure if you look around the room you will see the graduates of the 70's out among the tables.

If I shut my eyes and dream , I can see my daughter Katie now in her beautiful blue dress at homecoming dancing and think of how much fun it was to put on the white and red dress for my dance . Of course she did tell me about the "yuk" floor of the Neville cafeteria and I now remember that too! Oh well my memories are of course very sugarcoated!

Ramblings of a mom of a 14 year old, trying to be in the moment!

Ken Burns national Parks worth watching ----- beautiful

My husband has said so many times in his video that , he is giving it the "Ken Burns' effect. I never understood, now after watching parts of the documentary I have grasped it! Watch the documentary if you have a chance, PBS has been playing segments the last few weeks. I now know better what he has been asking for in some of my stills that he converts for his work.

mashable.com reports Comcast may swallow NBC

http://Mashable.com the social media guide, says rumor has it that Comcast may buy NBC. Sorta an interesting concept. Mashable is a fun site and has some fun insights on media rumors.

I do miss days of long ago , when the lines were drawn in the media world. Now it seems everyone is going to be working for one big firm. KNOE CBS and KAQY ABC, WB housed together, Foxx and NBC together under a West Monroe Roof. Comcast Spotlight is now housed in the old Cablevision /Time Warner / now Comcast building in West Monroe.

Media is changing so quick, I am learning a whole new way of getting my pr clients out nationally by using social media. It is working.

The time of the video on line, on websites and on facebook is here. I automatically tell my clients that the commercial can be put up on their facebook almost immediately after production and sent out into the tweet land to get more exposure. Good focused messages are important, nothing too long or intense just get the point ACROSS AND GET OUT !

SHINING STARS OF MEDIA

Waiting for confirmation but hear some cutbacks are coming at one local station in December. Cutting to the bone is an understatement.

I will say on a good note; Meg Smith at KNOE was out on a couple of events recently including Habitat dedication and she did a great job. She actually talked to the new homeowners and cared to listen before rolling film on the interview.

Kudos also to News Star Hope Young , she is so professional with her interview style. She was working on a local story for Life Choices and the crew over there was raving about her and also Mike Dunlap.

Forum on News Star site is buzzing

Forums on News Star are all a tweeter on Neil Shaw weather guy gone. Was wondering where that had all gone t00. Lots of eveything esle also, a quick read on most subjects.

world of cheaper prices, internet savvy

Today I am purchasing across the state-- broadcast media. I am amazed that some of the larger markets are also selling at fire sale prices. Facebook and social media has taken a bite out of the tv industry.---- with being able to put your commercial up on utube, facebook and also to be able to tweeter out a link to your info.

I talked to a company today that is calling themselves social media experts. So a whole new industry is spouting up among the ashes for advertising.

I find myself working on networking throughout the system for my clients. I got an invite recently that said meet and greet but no tweet. Leave your cell phone in the car and bring in business cards only. How old school. Them mentioning tweeter means it is working.

Comcast cable and internet were down for a day this week but my I-phone was able to pick up facebook.Funny thing is News Star was down and some of the reporters were facebooking for info. Felt good to have them send notes back instead of me always sending their direction.

So up and running today and trying to catch up.

Last Guiding Light

When I heard the Last Guiding Light was coming up, I felt sad immediately. I watched that show with my grandmother, then my mother , then my daughter watched it in the summers when she was at her grandmothers. It is a tradition in my mind. So here I sit watching it in my office, with my mute button on and my cell phone on silent, watching the final hour. I really haven't watched it much the last few years but I knew I could and when I turned it on I also knew I would see Reva and Josh and all the crazy moments and know my life was a piece of cake compared to theirs.

A friend of mine told me a funny story; her father was a minister and asked who they should pray for this week. One of the little ladies piped up, Bob Hughes is in the hospital and needs all of our prayers. So soap operas are a part of our life in different ways.

You are probably asking why a media blog is talking about a show, will as soon as it was announced , I purchased commercials for three of my clients in the last two days of the Guiding Light. High profile, well watched , high female based, perfect for Dr Theresa Ross (Bubbles Jones) for opening up a new clinic for women, perfect for Vantage and perfect for S&J for their upcoming special event.

I am going to miss these characters, that are such a part of my life in many ways.

Signing off so I can focus on the last few minutes. Just saw Josh drive off from Riva says he would be back in a year. Maybe they are planning a special, if they do I will be watching and also buying commercials for my clients.

Sunny Merweather update

Today was Griffin without Sunny on the 5 to 6pm radio show on 540am. Griffin is going to continue now while Sunny is opting out. Sunny is not opting out due to any falling out with Griffin. She is just in a different place in her world of media and is waiting for the right move to happen. Remember Griffin is still keeping out there, he is on a roll and the more exposure the better.

Remember Sunny also, she is a little under the weather with the crud. I am sure with all of the stress of the last month, she is due some sick time. Hope you feel better soon.

Sunny will be helping out Mona Hayden over at la Road trips. She is going to try her hand at sales and working out some new ideas for the state wide publication. The magazine has grown and it is basically just Mona so I am sure she is thrilled to have Sunny give her a hand.

Grid iron coming October from ad club

I figure this years Grid iron will have a lot to feature ...... especially since Griff is a part with his wife amy. Yes Griffin Scott and Attorney Bob Noel are both being "talked to" as( in my people are calling your people) to appear on the Tyra Banks Show. Together again on national TV, remember they were on Montel last year.

It would seem that the embarrassment of the stations has been taken to a whole new level , going national on such a hot topic, that has had hits all over the media world. Looks like something should be playing out but it is only gaining momentum. Ken Booth used to day, once you give it to the media, your control is gone, (as in the pr person, giving to him). Ken used to always tell me, " If you give me this info Cindy, you can't have it back. I will check it all out before I go on the air." So maybe a word to the wise. This is out of the bag and we can't stuff it back in, it would be like putting ten pounds of sugar in a 5 pound bag , not happening.

hey , I love to ramble! seaching for some tidbits.

The Judge Marcus Clark and Jimmy Faircloth campaign is heating up. Seems whoever had the brochures and websites done for Faircloth didn't double check on what was to be left out! The trial lawyers association was supposed to not appear in any shape or form, but it is still on Faircloths website. The punchs are being thrown, Faircloth did some ugly comments to the other candiate in public saying,he was not a member. Well maybe his adpeople should get the word and do a reprint and fix the website. Right now it is all out there. ok time to move onto the next segment!

Brent Scott has come back into media

Heard that Brent Scott that was previously sales manager of Comcast cable sales / comcast spotlight has gone over to broadcast station KAQY and CW to sell. Scott was cut loose several months ago in a surprise move from corporate comcast to change their leadership across the state. They basically made team leaders instead of managers. Remember Time Warner / Love Comm had changes in ownership so this was part of the cost cuts.


Tryed to call Brent this afternoon just to congraatulate him but only got the voice mail for KNOE at 3pm. telling me they were closed during lunch. go figure.

We all missed Brent and his knowledge of media buying and what works!

so see guys , I do have a softer side!

Should I bend to a request or keep on

Today has been a strange day, I actually had a media person request that I stop blogging or retract my ideas and opinions. Basically it was voiced that if I had not put it out there , it could have been kept quiet. Does writing a blog create attention or is the attention already there, I just put it into words. Does a blog give the power of opinions, legs for stories. This is what has taken up my thoughts today. Oh well, the power of the pen or here the power of the typed word.

Once a digging journalist always a journalist. I was taught from the best "editor Mr. Jimmy Hatten", he always said write it like you see it. Make sure you have the facts. check out the sources, get three quotes, then let it write itself. And most important write from your heart and mean what you say!

I have had the good blessings to work with interns within the three Universities. Those interns have done so well after finding their passion. I hope I instill just a little of what he taught me.

I guess what I am saying is the blog will go on. I am sorry I have ruffled feathers. I enjoy the written word but most of all I enjoy getting the info out there.

No one can ever say that blogging does not cause attention. The phone call today proved that. I will decide what I say and will only put out there what I believe!

let the good times roll , and here some of the not so good times.

Weekend and holiday are here enjoy

tune in Foxx 45 tomorrow at 8:20 am to Foxx and Friends to see Griffin Scott on national tv talking about being fired on facebook. That was as of about 5:30pm today . They are going to Dallas now instead of NOrleans.


Sunny did get a confirmation on her radio show today that Neil was indeed "terminated" from KNOE. He had called her to give her some info.

I will say that Neil also today gave a donation to the telethon in his and his wifes name since he will not be MC. Tune in, I am not sure who will be on. I have a few guesses but will wait for confirmation. I could hear Neil at my house in the fringe Garden District calling the Neville Game as he has for over 20 something years.

Hoping Sunny and Griff will stay on their radio show. I think everyone is enjoying the mixture of news. It was nice to hear tonight that they know how to handle the "off the wall" calls gracefully.

TATA

further hearsay update about weather man

Hear from another source that Neil the weatherman is on suspension until they figure it out. Ok guys work with me here. Give me your thoughts. I guess we will know soon , maybe in the am.
Plus the telethon should be interesting .

signing off until tomorrow.


It's heavy for media land now.

gridiron for ad club will be a hoot this year. I can just see it now. Maybe a game show on history.

When it rains it pours !

UPDATE ON GRIFFIN AND FOXX

Well due to scheduling for uploading and besides that Amy was sick,so a blessing , griffin had to hold up last night going to his taping in New Orleans . He thinks as of now , it will be done and uploaded to run Saturday Foxx and Friends . I will keep you updates as Amy and Griffin let me know.

I do know that Griff just got off the phone with an interview with their producers so it is moving along .

telethon, who is MC this year

MDA telethon is this weekend and Neil Shaw is the host for years. So are these things not happening at the right time or what . Sunny before the KEDM Fund drive and Neil before the big telethon.

Neil may be getting a "grace" on the rain out, unless they can find another host. Or will John Roa be doing it all this year. Stay tuned. Unless is Neil paid by MDA or slated as voluteering his time for a wonderful cause.

I have been up there many years for the 24 hours when I was serving on their board for MDA. It is a emotional experience but a very personal good feeling to have helped.

Griffin Scott on Foxx and Friends

Yes, yesterday after the Sunny and Griffin news hour , Griffin loaded up his car with his lovely wife Amy and headed to New Orleans to a "link up" to Foxx and Friends to talk about his "facebook" firing. So this story not only has legs but is running away. So that should be today's, good news.

Actually had someone say , (I am sure they had not had their am coffee yet). Why didn't he just go to the Foxx Affiliate here and tape and upload.

Have a good day, my fingers can not type fast enough.

have to save some strength for BBQ Blue Crab at Cormier's tonight. meet me there. Wear old clothes because we will be slinging crab and the gossip. It will get down and dirty.

Fists were flying at KNOE is it fact or fiction

rumor mill, and a good source within the media community had a little ditty to share with me. You know I put about media firing coming up..... seems Neil Shaw, long time weather man at KNOE that has been on the am show recently----- wait for it ----- is gone.

Now that is not the juicy part. Remember I am getting this from sources ---not from a direct confirmed source but walls do talk and loud voices carry especially when materials are flying.

Seems Station GM Tom Pears called Neil in for a little talk and someone threw a fist and major commotion then happened.... Shaw called police to fill compliant about abuse. Search your memory guys. Neil is an axillary policeman for years.

Call and it is a private matter at KNOE.

Wish there was a video camera in there.

So guys that is one ....my source says two --- the last teardrop will fall soon.

Trouble coming at another station or just another rumor

Is trouble coming to the other set of stations over on the Monroe side of the river. Hear big pow wow, may be some more shuffling soon. Don't know if it will be management or a personality ---one or two. I'll keep on digging and listen close. My source said pot is simmering. Love a little drama ? I do !

By the way listened to Griff and Sunny , they had on La Revenue for Q and A and also Bubba Chaney called in to congratulate them. Amazing how word travels on the street so fast. They even mixed in another song tonight. But yesterday Chuck Redden or one of his many followers had sent in a little diddy about the Monroe School Board and Dupree.

Today big press conference for la Sheriffs' and Deputies' PAC group to endorse Judge Clark. Lots of flash blubs and cameras rolling.

Richard Summers is back at Assignment editor at KNOE on the news team. Summers stepped into a camera man role again for a while.

Shreveport paper gets new press

The Shreveport Times is getting a new printing press soon. Interesting, wonder where that leaves the other papers. I hope more shuffles don't start . News Star just got a new (slightly used ) press just a few years ago. Copy desks are all here in Monroe for other papers here in circulation building. That's my ponder today!

KMLB not KEDM

Talking about a major slip, thanks for a reader finding the mistake . I guess Sunny and KEDM are just hard to separate still. So today KMLB it is 540am on the dial

Sunny and griffin today on the News Star hour 5 to 6pm on am540

Got a press release that Sunny Meriwether and Griffin Scott are having a radio show on KEDM 540am today at 5 to 6 pm. It's a call in segment !!!! If they generate enough activity they may have a full time gig. So is this really the News Star hour now, if it is , they should be congratulated to have the forward thinking to snap these seasoned reporters up!

Just having fun ! Baby

Ok, before I even start ---you have to forgive my spelling and ranting. Sometimes I write before my brain can focus on the correct grammar or spelling. I am a woman of passion and believe in what I do daily. I live my passion which makes me even stronger in my belief system plus I have had some great mentors thru the years that made me see both sides. Besides that in this blog it is hard to spell check,I am still a novice even thru the last few months this blog has traveled through some major media outlets.

It's a dog eat dog world out there now in the advertising community. With sales reps making a real nuisance of themselves begging for the scraps of money lying around. One day they are telling us all that the price is what you see, then the next day , OH! we had a change of heart and we will accept what you offered. My husband had a good idea, how about we charge the reps -one commercial for every call we field on the same offer. Or repackaged package! (Don't take offense this is not everyone)Infoentertainment/ advertorial is now with the Business to Business publication out there. Maybe a smart move ! but most of us already thought it had happened. Give me a break! I will say Delta Style's concept has worked and they are getting very friendly with non-profits now, which is a good move. That supports the community and makes the economy stronger.

So what do us media buyers or sometimes media buyers do ! when we are promised one product and it changes. Such as the infoentainment advertorials 4 minutes of trible now becomes a 3 minute to 2 minute time frame. Much less time to try to make it sound more like a news story, even though a journalist worth their salt would never give the information out as so. The price is the same but now you get less time ! pencil it out !

Or how about booking a week long classified that now only runs for Wednesday thru Sunday not the whole week. Monday and Tuesday have been great readership for classifieds but now is not available but for much cheaper ! wrong you still pay the same price ! I know you get on line coverage, but some of the older demo still reads the paper daily and expects to be able to get info. So I can rant and rant such as try to cover yourself with a classified now made into a regular display ad and You MAY GET TURNED DOWN TO SPEND MONEY. Does this make a bit of sense? The sales reps could sell it but seems upstairs has other ideas. Let's have more meetings to tell you what you are doing wrong, and to brainwash you into our way of selling instead of giving them the tools to make a living. Get them out of the meetings and let them sell, that is what and who you hired not a clone. I don't want to lose our media here , the daily information is important but taking away the freedom to "give them money" for ads is up there in the dumb catagory. Let the street wise people sell, if they can and stop farming out territories to new hacks that do not have a clue, which is losing revenue. My control is-- only purchasing what works for a client at the price that makes it palatable. With tv so cheap now and the new way of producing commercials, the cost per thousand in tv is more impressions for your money . but I have ink in my veins and want to keep it there. I am one of those people that wakes up to the sound of the paper hitting my front yard and can't wait to read about local projects, good news and real people. Don't take away that pleasure! give us something ! not as much stock / filler off the wire stories that we read two days ago in USA today or saw on the cable news. The public wants to support local media! We want the same local anchors you touted to us as the greatest thing since sliced bread yesterday and that the clients bought into with their new ad purchases . If we wanted someone that mispronouces Ouachita and doesn't know the history of the market or the United States we can watch Foxx , CNN or MSNBC. We (public)want the reporters and editors to be on the street again interviewing and getting the flavor of the market not having to build their own pages and hunt for an easy story off the wire. If we have a wire story, make it one that can have a sidebar with a local quote or two . That would only take a few minutes to make the tie in. Getting out of the market to Las Vegas Nevada for 13 years was a wonderful experience, we used to laugh at how every national story had a local Vegas connection. They may have only slept in a bed at the hotel but the reporter would digg that out and twist it into something we could relate to. Our people here in northeast Louisiana know the same info as the person in Cleveland or Dallas and are trying to survive to make payroll but yet a retailer or Doctor or lawyer in some other town is quoted and made the expert. Support us! if you want our ad dollars to stay on the local broadcast and local papers. support us! Cable is very user friendly and cheap and is watched, so it gets my vote a lot- to stretch budgets and get awareness but I would rather keep the money on my local faces to keep them there than on the majors. So media look within yourselves to do the right thing let your reporters shine at what you hired them to do ! write , hunt down stories, tell the stories and be a mouthpiece for the public good. This town (s) is growing and has so much positive happening so why don't we be the leader and send our story out there over AP Wire, someone is doing that in the other markets they are getting their stories picked up. So enough of my rant, I will go back to working toward spending a "hell" a lot of money for my client list to reach the local public . Who should I purchase to help my client , because that is what I do ! get my clients the best exposure for their funds . I work hard daily and all hours to help! Won't you.

speak your mind

Here is a day that freedom of speech is important ! censorship of comments made on stories after the fact are amazing to me . I guess stations and newsprint do not have to also hold the same standards as the rest of us . Don't scream to get your info and write the story if you can not stand the comments. Let comments stand ! In today's world of interactive media , it is very evident when facts are omitted or edited out / after the story has been printed or broadcast. Do they think we are all dumb. We read the stories on line or see the broadcast teasers. Have courage to stand by your story or retract. That's journalism. Why be a journalist if you will be censored later. I am not going to call out the reporter because I am sure the story as filed-- was changed and they had no control. Sounds like censorship to me ! by the way the Griffin Scott story broken in a previous word on the street along with the Sunny Meriweather firings have gained legs , online has picked it up and run with it .

Ok media get a grip!

Cindy McCleish Ingram - August 2009

Cindy McCleish Ingram - August 2009

a bright new day and week

let's see what today and this week brings. It is so exciting to have three new homes ready for habitat for humanity in West Monroe, la , dedication is today at 2pm in the 700 block of Coleman.
Three wonderful families that have put in their sweat and tears. My favorite moment is watching the new homeowners get their keys and then to talk to the kids about their rooms. Swanson students helped to build these three and learned a trade will giving time.

I am writing about positive events today since the last few blogs have not exactly been in that mode.

This weekend is the 37th Cotton land Cluster of Dog Shows. Yes , more than one in our town of Monroe. Think about this , over 1500 dogs showing per day bringing in a handler, owners and groomers and vendors. A big burst for Monroe , West Monroe Economy. The gate fees stay here with out K-9 unit for the Ouachita parish Sheriff's Department. I enjoy wandering around the civic center behind the scenes. The last few years I have shot lots of pictures of dogs that will appear in the big Westminister Dog Show but you know what this show is big too! and it is right here! I pool my money once a year to buy dog shampoo, NEEM oil shampoo especially. You will laugh but that shampoo works for lice in humans hair and is a lot better feeling than the lice stuff at the store. (I googled lice and found that Neem is an alternative) I buy usually four bottles and it delutes into lots of baths for my furry loves at my house.

Griffin Scott gone from KTVE fact or fiction

So is it fact or fiction Griffin Scott made a remark about noone knowing what the Enola Gay was in the news room. He facebooked it ! we all saw it .....but we all laughed at ourselves.... I think it meant age verses having a brain.

facebook and twitter are magic and unless you understand the game, beware. I guess the KTVE powers humor bites. He was probadly right.... let's give all of the newscasters a test and see who passes but god forbid we discuss it later. on social media. So much for freedom of speech and not taking ourselves to serious.

I hate to lose another good news person but the heads are rolling daily around here for the smallest blip on the radar screen.

I just did a brief history lesson here in my building to some of the youngsters . It was 50/50. Maybe that should be a survey question. Sorta like who can pass the US citizenship test.

MyArkLaMiss.com - Powered by NBC 10 - Fox 14

MyArkLaMiss.com - Powered by NBC 10 - Fox 14: "8th"

checking in before tomorrows KEDM articles hit Citizen

Yes, tomorrow the Ouachita Citizen is breaking a story on KEDM and Sunny being "terminated" so the verdict is out. I don't see any spinning in the public eye going on to give a more warm and fuffy reason for the cut. Just lots of people shaking their heads and pondering. so heads up watch the Citizen tomorrow and News Star letters to the editor to see what is printed and what is not .

Rw Fence work 2

Rw Fence fenceWork

Friends over at CODA after an art crawl

Kedm cuts Sunny Meriwether

Just got a note from Sunny meriwether at KEDM on the ULM campus in Monroe, La . She was "terminated" as their News Director today. This is the person that is one of the top recognized news journalists in the state. The person that got the interview from Vitter that eveyone used when he was skipping the press. I hope some News agency picks her up, they would be getting a huge following. She was terminated because she is listed as an at will person, so not one that has to be kept on the payroll. Public broadcasting has lost one of their best. I would not be surprized to see more coming soon.

popular Louisiana grown Vantage Health Plan gains back state insurance

Vantage Health Plan is once again an option for the office of group benefits (state group). Enrollment starts July 15 thru July 31, 2009 , For further info please contact vantage at318- 361-0900 or your agency for more info. www.vhp-stategroup.com

psa time for non profits

We have been busy developing new non profit campaigns and working on getting the fundraisers together as quickly as possible. The Ouachita Parish Council on Aging will feature Easy Eddie and the Party Rockers on July 25th a Saturday. Sound like fun call the Council on Aging to find out more. 387-0535

Starr Homeplace location

Need a barn, 50's cottage, hay loft , great front porch and a corn field

Today I got a phone call from a few members of the film group looking for a rural location for a music video. Discovered another great application for face book and social media --putting up location pics for a location album. It took me 10 minutes and I had uploaded 73 pics of Starr Homeplace in Oak Ridge for this location agent.

3rd annual bawcomville Redneck Christmas parade taking early entries

As I stood looking across the Riser Elementary school parking lot I was amazed by the creativity of this state actually of a tri state area. Several floats came from Arkansas and Mississippi. The first float I looked at had a wreaked car and a clothes line full of socks and underwear that were a sight, next in line I saw a complete deer camp, wait look there are the hunters tied up by the deer. I took a second look and saw a group of boys decorating their four wheelers and after that --floats as far as I could see. In all over 400 entries last year made up a parade that started at the front of the school and went around the school twice and then onto a side street for the Santa floats. It took over an hour just to get the parade rolling and clear the lot.

The 3rd annual bawcomville redneck Christmas parade is rolling out again this year the first Saturday of December . Saturday , Dec 5th,2009- line up starts at 7:30 and then the parade rolls into the street at 10am. it is $10.00 and a new children's toy for all entries large or small. The money goes toward adding to the toy selection for the kids of Bawcomville , la . Bawcomville is a small township right out of west Monroe, la. The first people or groups to sign up will get the prime front of the line.So hurry call 318-388-5858 and reserve your space and get your money in. Riser School is located at 100 Price St,in Bawcomville / West Monroe, La .

3rd annual bawcomville Redneck Christmas parade taking early entries

Beer tasting coming

KEDM Summer Beer Tasting

Join the Friends of KEDM Thursday, July 23 from 6:30 to 8:00 pm at Tonore's Wine Cellar in Monroe for a variety of domestic and imported beers from Marsala Beverage.

The KEDM Summer Beer Tasting features appetizers from the KEDM Cookbook and the award-winning Bar-B-Q of Rhoda Brown's Smokin' Fatties.

Admission is $10 at the door, with special pricing on mouth-watering Bar-B-Q.

social media facebook and crawfish

Where else can you go to bed hot and wake up hot again. After leaving in Las vegas I swear it is hotter in Louisiana due to the water in the air . Learning how to direct to clients in this weather is interesting to say the least. I am doing more selling over the phone and on facebook. Facebook is amazing last night , I wrote about Cypress Inn still having crawfish until July 4th and they got so many calls. It makes them a believer . Social media is the way of the future just got to figure out how to use it !

In the picture is Cypress Inn owner Vic Hendricks and his son Bruin. Cypress Inn is in Monroe , la . facebook Cypress Inn

another day but a good one for Monroe

Today is the big Monroe Louisiana announcement of a new car plant here. We need it ! It would put people to work and cause a trickle down of money to help everyone. The mall may be able to stay open and these little restaurants that are locally owned should have a burst.
Today is the day for all of the politicos to get a par on the back and spend time talking about their roles. Whatever ! But if it gets us the money they can talk away. I really don't care who gets the credit just am glad something good is happening. Let the good times roll in Northeast La.

Is it stress or just todays world that eats at our souls

Ok another day in media land and now the blood letting is hitting the fringes of pr . Richard L. (ULM photographer ) and Sara (in pr) at ULM are being let go. We are going to miss Richards' running around the campus getting those excellant photojournalism shots. Who is going to document the world of ULM or was that the problem in their eyes maybe they wanted to see not so much of the everyday life.

Looking at my desk , it is a world of tidbits of stories and scraps of paper along with notes to myself. I want to take a day to catch up and get all of the stories out of my head and into a niche so I can do something with it (story). Do you ever think that will happen. Stories wake me up at night taking a life of their own.

non-profits and today's world

I wish there was a way for non-profits to link themselves into the world of today. Education to the new ways is the key , it is just hard to get through sometimes to boards and the chain of command. In order for the survival to occur a wake -up call must happen. maybe the State of Louisiana has given that call by reducing everyones funds but the wake up call may be a call of doom. Meals on Wheels in Ouachita Parish from the Council on Aging had to decide to either cut out 100 meals to seniors and the home bound or give them only once a week service and dole out frozen meals. Then frozen Meals it is , but an upside the frozen meals have better vitamins frozen in because they are not kept hot for long periods during delivery. But the some seniors only see the meals on wheels lady once a week , who is going to know if they fall and get hurt or skip their meds.

www.starrhomeplace.org in Oak Ridge is a plantation home that carries with it seven museums of history and also touts itself on the cultural economy of Louisiana. A place for artists, potters, quilters, jewelry makers, writers and anyone that has a desire to create, to work on their passions in an environment that will nuture their crafts. Seems Louisiana wrote a big book thru the lt. Gov office about cultural economy but forgot to tell the state people that give out it's funds of survival for keeping such a place in time available and running. I can go on and on, I work with and see so many non-profits thinking out of the box but the state is not seeing these groups , maybe they have on rose colored glasses or blinders. Open your eyes we need these to keep our heart pumping.

New commercials and Pr along with social media

You know now when we do a new commercial , it is usually also for social media. We just finished
S & J Farm and Feed on Thomas Road in West Monroe. First up was sending to all people in the commercial on their facebook, then upload to u-tube , then twitter then blog, final stop is the actual tv run. Smart marketers are now using all of the "free" media they can assemble as quickly as they can. Did anyone see Peter Shankman on CNN tonight talking about the Burger King sign that put up a note of " I don't believe in Global Warming" the sign hit the e-waves so quickly , the sign was down within minutes but not before it had made national news and I am sure the person that has that franchise never thought it would be "foundout". No days think before you make a statement and when you have a message get it out there.

utlizer for articles -reinventing yourself

So I have another new social media toy..... Utilizer to get articles out in front of everyone in the industry . Sorta a pitch machine. I am reinventing myself in the social media. So first up is a story on Utilizer on social media and non-profits , how everyone can afford to use facebook, and twitter and a blog. So Cindy Ingram will be a new publicist, fresh , and full of new floavors . Sorta like Dillias over in West Monroe. I reinvent what I am eating every time.

more gab about media in northeast la. todays slush

The saga continues, calls out today from KNOE looking for prizes for What's Cooking , now without Stacy. No-one seems to have an answer. I asked how much longer until the plug is pulled ! told it will be moving to am show .I just hope Stacy lands well and Mark is going well with his new role. Time will tell who the sponsors are that stick and who pulls.

Times are bad, I know , there are some bright spots out there. the new editor of delta Style is a sweetheart and is working hard ..... Cassie is a young mare' with a twist. making her own style.

Louisiana Road Trips , that Mona Hayden owns is now statewide and has tyed into some 'cutetidbit' writers that are getting the pub kept to read. See she has a new sales rep: Renee Wong. Good to see, a company gearing up, plus Mona is looking for more salespeople.

David Marchman has started a new group of publications with Rhonda Councilman of Cooley Printers. A glossey pony tab. First one hits the street in July , targeted publications. David has been in retail forever.

So would like to be able to figure out the "image marketing that is out there", boatload of commercials for each month but now as the bills are coming out, seems like they are getting more of the sister station with entirely differant demo. than the business want.

a tale of marketing or there is always a "tell" , the media sometimes shows their tale before thinking !

on vacation or the company lie

Seems that the return email comments don't make much sense especially since you know that the person in question is not really at the company anymore.


Such as ON VACATION, WILL RETURN NEXT WEEK, PLEASE FORWARD ALL INFO TO (PERSON OF CHOICE). Why not just say .... sorry but we fired that person , got someone cheaper or really don't care.

Just sent a few to friends that are gone or on an "unpaid" vacation , not of their choice. be my guest ... go for it and while you are at it , call them (where they used to be).

Great california style food in West monroe Dillas

http://www.dillasgrill.com/

Great place to go eat, not much on the outside but everything's fresh. Think California Baja Fresh -- sorta like a subway but with different ingreds. hey real steak and good chicken !!!! I talked to a couple that comes almost every night "The Martin's" It is so healthy and makes you feel good when you are finished.

They have several sports groups that come to eat there if they have games. Good fuel for teh body and brain.

They say mexican grill but actually that's a miss conception. The ingreds go into the containers of a mexican meal but are so so differant . Go tell the owner nick ....Cindy the pr lady sent ya !!!! if you don't see him, wave toward the window by the counter. Nick started this restaurant concept from scatch so he cares what you think. so post back here after you eat there. or send him a note from his website! So if you are going to tinseltown it is in the middle of a small center on Blanchard in the same place as the coffee house.
He even has ice creal , grilled that is !

Watch for more updates on restaurants around town. Hey someones got to do it ! and we eat out everynight .

THE MEDIA SHUFFLE CONTINUES

As in yesterday's blog , today is a list of media slashes..... Stacy Thorton is gone from What's Cooking. She as word has gotten took a few weeks of training to sell?????? abc-11 time and move her show to the morning show slot. Things went downhill from there.... needless to say , no more Stacy . no more show... call KNOE 388-8888 and they say she is on vacation. My friend Mark Sanders is over there , does a great job, but is he now not doing KTVE am show. Is KNOE paying you mark , I hope so !!! you are too good to come free for the exposure....
So also Ed Murphy is gone to never never land after 20 years. Who is producing the am show? I'll get back to you.

Author to author in Shreveport

http://www.authorauthorshreveport.com/products.html Author to Author in Shreveport features both local , regional and national authors. great fundraiser! check out Michael Devaults book ! Devault is a new fresh talent that is on Amazon if you want to purchase his book or buy it in June at the book fair. Charlene Harris is a featured author at the fest also.

ways of the media today

Word on the street is get your info out about your company and what you are doing. A press release or media alert along with photos of your event . http:/www.cindyingramphotos.com

gannett is giving out unpaid vacations (furloughs) to everyone , sales and reporters.

Comcast Spotlight cable , the selling arm of Comcast has laid off their manager s in the cities. Giving instead head sales person as a team leader.

Suddenlink has hired up instead of downsizing . They hit the smaller areas. smart buy for retailers and professionals.

Baton Rouge advocate newspaper had a blood bath of firings... by source , not a family friendly cut .


So moral of story, book your media on firesales.... call me or email me.


Time now for getting your story out! If you don't tell someone , how are they going to know?