A wonderful Friday night to the posse of 16,026 here. Just returned from vacation - out of town (more on that later). Back to work tomorrow. This Friday also brings a hearty congratulations to some of my colleagues and competitors. The 2014 Emmy nominations are out. What this means, to you, is very little. Yet, for a business full of insecure and fragile egos, we love Emmy night. :) I read about a reporter in Florida (I think he was in Tampa) who has 58 Emmys. Fifty eight?!? Im still chasing number one and Im almost 40. Next month, a night of decadence Minneapolis for the Upper Midwest Emmy awards for television news. Some of the KCRG highlights: - Congrats to Ashley Hinson, Nicole Agee and Heather Hubbs for being nominated for the Best Morning Newscast, Markets 21-140. Kaj OMara is the king of weather for that newscast -- and a man that I am often called in real life. They also have a small army (perhaps a cadre?) of producers like Max Walker and Rachel Begle. Bravo! I know how trying of a shift that can be. Long hours and caffeine addiction are mandatory. - I often talk about Ace Photographer Adam. He was the photographer on both of the Emmy-nominated stories from KCRG. One with Forrest Saunders about poisoned dogs in Prairieburg -- a horrifying and heartbreaking story for anyone who has had a pet. Also, Adam worked with Nicole Agee on a special report about faith leaders trying to reach people under 40. - On the weekends, we are also honored to receive recognition as our weekend newscast on KCRG-TV 9 is nominated for the Best Weekend Newscast, Markets 21-140. For this particular newscast (from April 13, 2014), reporter Jill Kasparie was working with us, Ace Producer Katie Stinson was running the show, Charlene Malin (yall know her) played a crucial role amid a tornado breaking out in Lone Tree. Also, plenty of YOU emailed or posted photos of the funnel cloud and that was also a major element within. Thank you! Will we (the weekend newscast) win? Not so sure. Each year, KCCI-TV in Des Moines tends to beat us out for it and deservedly so. Only this year, it looks like well have to beat the Seahawks AND the 49ers to win the prize as WHO-TV is also nominated. WDIO-TV in Duluth (not the station I worked at while in that town from 1999-2005) is also nominated but they have a reputation for a solid product and in-depth reporting. Trying to top KCCI and WHO in Des Moines is always difficult -- for the most part, Des Moines television news is very well done, with veteran anchors, reporters, photographers, producers and managers. They know what theyre doing and its always to honor to compete with them and, on occasion, beat the ascots out of them. This is definitely the NFC West of the middle market anchoring categories. Also, a sincere congratulations to come of our competitors for their Emmy nominations. Television news is so ruthlessly competitive but Im always pleased to see someone from the other stations get recognized. While we never like getting beaten on a scoop, I do think that awards earned within our market (Cedar Rapids-Waterloo-Dubuque-Iowa City) raise the proverbial bar for all of us in the business. Id rather be in an ultra-competitive market every day than one that isnt. Provided that we stay in first place, of course... :)
Posted on: Fri, 15 Aug 2014 23:11:23 +0000
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