Official Publication of the Arizona Newspapers Association for distribution to all employees of ANA-member newspapers
New press cards include picture
MARCH/APRIL 2006
Page 9
NAU students bringing convergence to life for on-campus media By SAMMIE WICKS ANAgrams Writer
It sounds like a portentous alignment of planets. To the staff of one innovative state student newspaper, this local convergence heralds great things to come. “We call it a convergence because we’re bringing together virtually every type of media now serving the Northern Arizona University area into one new format,” says student general manager of the Lumberjack, NAU’s student newspaper, Dave Sharp. The sophomore journalism major says the sweeping media merger that will put his newspaper on the national college and university virtual map. “We’re ahead of the game in the college market with the convergence,” says Sharp, “and with it
each type of media can contribute to one product and still keep its own identity.” Adding news to an already heavily patronized campus internet is at the heart of the new project, Sharp says. “With a convergence of all media and the creation of an internet format shared by all, we’ll be able to offer unique news content,” says Sharp, “content that’s just like television, just like radio, and just like the printed word, yet slightly different from all of these and with its own style.” Though the converged media officially was launched in 2004 when space was made available in the rebuilt communications building, Sharp says major components of the project are just now being launched.
A N Ag r a m s
A path-breaking collaboration in an online news medium among print and broadcast staff at the Northern Arizona University’s student newspaper is expected to lead to greater potential advertising opportunities and increase student readership, according to Lumberjack General Manager Dave Sharp, right, pictured with Jeff Jansen (left) of NAU’s radio station KJACK, and Ryan Stalder of the school’s television, NAU Live!. “When an entire floor in the new building was dedicated to the media, it showed us we had an opportunity to converge,” says Sharp, “and there was tremendous excitement from every member.” Sharp says students’ extensive
patronage of online information and entertainment led to the idea of creating a special news environment incorporating the best of the school’s existing print and broadcast media. See ‘Business’ Page 11
Asian American Times becomes ANA member By SAMMIE WICKS ANAgrams Writer
In probably no other Arizona newspaper will you find a lead story-in two languages, no less--about a new judicial appointment, the aphorisms of a renowned philosopher, tips on financing your small business, and
the dangers of microwaving plastics but a new member of the Arizona Newspapers Association manages to accomplish that and cover national news, too. Which is not to say, in all it tries to do, the Asian American Times does not have a central focus as bright as
a beacon. “Ask people what comes to mind when they envision the Asian American community here and they probably think, ‘It’s those people who work in restaurant kitchens,’ or ‘The ones who have such good laundries,’” says Times Publisher
Shuwing Fu. “And that really bothers me, and it’s why I bought this newspaper two years ago, to change the community’s perception of my people.” Fu’s commitment to bringing See ‘Asian’ Page 14
Members say short seminars, webinars best
Pam Mox, chairman of the ANA elect), asked the association staff Education committee, learned in to poll members about their preferFebruary that at least some members ences. prefer ANA’s educaThree years ago someone from the staff tional effort be focused Regional visited most members on regional half-day seminar and asked questions in seminars, and perhaps person. But recently, “webinars” rather than in Phoenix, ANA has been asking two conventions a year. Tucson members to reply to Others suggested just short questionnaires at one convention a year. March 23-24 a website called “SurOf course it all depends on the topics v e y M o n k e y. c o m . ” See Page 9 and quality of trainer. ANA hopes the name Mox, publisher of didn’t keep people the Green Valley News & Sun and from answering. An email inviting people to ANA’s first vice president (president
complete the education survey was sent to editors, publishers and advertising managers early in February. A second invitation was sent Feb. 17, and included classified advertising ANAgrams Arizona Newspapers Association 1001 N. Central Avenue, Suite 670 Phoenix, AZ 85004-1947
managers. The email included a link to the survey. When completed, a summary See ‘Online survey’ Page 15 “PRSRT STD” U.S. POSTAGE PAID PHOENIX ARIZONA PERMIT NO. 3429
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