Tuesday, May 27, 2008

For those of us who have been around the block more than once, I believe the following may be a first. Has there ever been a married couple that heads two creative departments at two different stations in the same town before? Because come Thursday, that’s what the BAUMANN’S will be doing up in Detroit when PAM BAUMANN joins the CBS affil there as CSD. Already on the job is hubby DAVE BAUMANN, who’s honchoing the Creatives at ABC’s WXYZ. Pam has been freelancing for the last two years since she relocated to Motown after marrying the aforementioned Dave. They’re still kind of newlyweds. Many of you remember her as PAM SCHOEN. Pam’s official new title is CSD for WWJ and WKBD, CBS and CW respectively. She moved East from Sacramento where she was CSD for KTXL in Cali capital Sacramento. Pam has also worked at Minneapolis’ WCCO as a Sr. Writer Producer and did the same at LA’s KTLA. This sounds like a very happy chapter for a great couple. Well Dunne! Pam.

Think About This: "The forgiving state of mind is a magnetic power for attracting good." ~ Catherine Ponder

Friday, May 23, 2008

The Pre-holiday exodus from offices coast to coast has already begun. The parking lot of The Hollywood Reporter looked like it was Saturday, not Friday. So, getting details and fact checking is not happening. Got LOTS of news, from Detroit to New York City to Baltimore to…well, you get the drift. I’ll be back after the long weekend with details, so check by then. And don’t forget the holiday is meant to honor those who have served the country.

A quickie before – congrats go out to TREZ THOMAS who’s signed on at NBCUni’s BRAVO. Biz card will read Vice President Brand Strategy and Creative Director. He replaces JANE OLSON.

Thoughts and prayers go out to PAUL NEWMAN, who is battling cancer at his Connecticut home.

Don't forget to check in to see what's happening in the biz via Fates & Fortunes on Broadcasting & Cable's website.

Think About This: "If we just worry about the big picture, we are powerless. So my secret is to start right away doing whatever little work I can do. I try to give joy to one person in the morning, and remove the suffering of one person in the afternoon. That is the secret. Start right now." ~ Sister Chan Khong

Thursday, May 22, 2008

In the world of The Sopranos, they’d call it a ‘Sit Down’. In the world of today’s advertising, bringing the heads of all the networks marketing together is being called a Network Television CMO Summit, and it’s what’s kicking off Day 2 of the PROMAX/BDA event in NYC June 18. Lined up to attend are MICHAEL BENSON (on the left), EVP Marketing, ABC Entertainment; GEORGE SCHWEITZER, President, CBS Marketing; RICK HASKINS, EVP Marketing and Brand Strategy, The CW Network; JOE EARLEY, EVP Marketing and Communications, Fox Broadcasting; JOHN MILLER (on the right), CMO, NBC Universal Television Group, President, The NBC Agency; and MARYAM BANIKARIM, CMO, Univision. They say it’s a first and the execs will discuss ratings, revenue and the critical role of marketing in today’s rapidly evolving business of television and content distribution.

I know what SARAH LLOYD is doing this weekend. She’s heading south on I-35 from Sherman, TX, her hometown, to Austin. No, it’s not for a long weekend of fun and music. It’s so she can begin her new job as Promo Producer at Belo’s KVUE, which she officially starts on Tuesday. She’s coming to the state capital from her first promotions job as Promotions Manager at Gray’s CBS affil KXII after working in News in KSNF in Joplin and KENS in San Antonio. The Texas Lutheran grad sounds like she’s going to love Austin. Her hubby, btw, is on the prowl for a news job down there, so…if you know of one… And where does Ms. Lloyd surf when she has a few unclaimed minutes? To popwatch and jezebel, of course. Well Dunne! Sarah.

I’m on the soapbox right now…my site, I can. Anybody want to join me in slapping the snot out of American Airlines for their pisspoor PR and marketing? Charging flyers $15 for a checked in bag is NOT the answer to high jet fuel costs. So, for all you PROMAX-bound flyers who have American tix, I suggest you charge them $25 for having to come to the airport to get their plane.

"Our ordinary mind always tries to persuade us that we are nothing but acorns and that our greatest happiness will be to become bigger, fatter, shinier acorns; but that is of interest only to pigs. Our faith gives us knowledge of something better: that we can become oak trees." ~ E. F. Schumacher

Wednesday, May 21, 2007

You never know when something will happen that changes your life. It doesn’t have to mean a truck hits you. For instance, just going to hear someone speak can turn your life in a new and wonderful direction. This is what happened to ED CRONY. Back when the Chester, IL native was in college, he was taking some broadcast classes and they had a speaker come from the NBC affiliate in nearby St. Louis. Then-CSD of KDSK RICH BRASE brought a tape of promos done at the station, and Ed was fascinated. As a matter of fact, he ended up interning at KSDK (and eventually working there, too). The rest, as they say… Now, Ed is heading east with his wife (she's the pretty one next to Ed in the picture) and little daughter to run his first promo department. He’s been hired to be the CSD for Nexstar’s CBS affiliate in Rochester, WROC where he’ll begin in early June. The Crony family will make the journey from Denver, where he’s been Sr. Producer at CBS’ KCNC for the last 12 years. Ed’s also worked in Kansas City. Being on the East Coast will put the new little Crony closer to mama’s side of the family, and Ed’s side of the family are a stop on the way to their new city. Congrats and Well Dunne! Ed.

OK, for those trivia fans among you. Chester, IL is home to a famous cartoon character. Well, the guy who drew the famous cartoon character. Who is it? Answers tomorrow.

I invite you to join me in sending Senator Ted Kennedy prayers for his health.

Think About This: “Even within the seemingly most unacceptable and painful situation is concealed a deeper good, and within every disaster is contained the seed of grace.” ~ Eckhart Tolle

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Congrats and a hearty Well Dunne! to SUZANNE KOLB, who’s gotten a fab promotion. She’s now Chief Marketing Officer for E! Entertainment and The Style Network as well as being GM for E! Online. She’ll report to TED HARBERT, the Prez and CEO of Comcast Entertainment Group, which owns E! and Style. Her old title was Executive Vice President, Marketing and Communications, E! Entertainment and Style First on Suzanne’s plate is launching “Denise Richards: It’s Complicated” and “Living Lohan”. Before joining The WB in 1996 as head of print advertising, Kolb worked on the ABC account for Grey Entertainment. Before leaving The WB, she was Executive Vice President of Marketing and had risen up the ranks due to her outstanding creativity. BROADCASTING & CABLE wrote a great article about her marketing prowess. Click here. Great to hear Suzanne! Well Dunne!

Last day to get in your noms for the TVWEEK/PROMAX/BDA Maverick Awards. For those who are doing things that shake up the entertainment marketing biz. Click here.

"You have it easily in your power to increase the sum total of this world's happiness now. How? By giving a few words of sincere appreciation to someone who is lonely or discouraged. Perhaps you will forget tomorrow the kind words you say today, but the recipient may cherish them over a lifetime." ~ Dale Carnegie

Monday, May 19, 2008

CARLA DAENINCKX, IS the new Director of Design at DC based National Geographic Channel. Or Natgeo, if you will. Carla will be working alongside Design Director CHRISTOS DeVARIS. Carla is a 15-year broadcast design veteran with extensive experience in cable at networks including CMT, Nickelodeon, TV Land, Nick@Nite and Sundance Channel.

SOPHIA CRANSHAW has been promoted to VP/On-Air Promotions with mtvU. Based in the Big Apple, she’ll call STEPHEN FRIEDMAN, GM/EVP and KEVIN MACKALL, SVP/MTV boss. Nice.

Voice man, and I like to call the talented ones voice actors, AL VANIK (that's him on the right) has a demo that’s smokin’. I can't get Blogger to upload the demo, but here's the website you can click to hear it yourself. www.alvanik.com

Harvard has some insight about boosting creativity. Click here

Think About This: “When you become detached mentally from yourself and concentrate on helping other people with their difficulties, you will be able to cope with your own more effectively. Somehow, the act of self-giving is a personal power-releasing factor.” ~ Norman Vincent Peale

Friday, May 16, 2008

Sorry to have been away. And thanks for the emails and calls. Been ramping up for the big Cable Show in New Orleans starting the 18th.

Must have been the extra workload – missed that LOWELL BRIGGS has taken the head creative job up at WVIT in Hartford. It happened in the last fall (blush) and Lowell has been cookin’ for quite some time. He made the transition to the NBC O&O in the Nutmeg state (Connecticut for those who didn’t follow) from the once-NBC owned WVTM in Birmingham, now owned by Media General. He promised to send more info, and I’ll post when he does. Well Dunne! Lowell!

A MUST READ. From the folks at Harvard, of course: What Kind of Boss Are You? Do it –click here.

TVWeek looks at FOX’s marketing push for the JJ Abrams new series, Fringe – click here.

Finally, some research about testing high tech advertising. Thanks for the folks at backchannel media. Click here.

“No matter what you’ve gone through in the past, no matter how many setbacks you’ve suffered or who or what has tried to thwart your progress, today is a new day, and God wants to do a new thing in your life.” ~ Joel Osteen