By Kevin Wing

Regional Vice President, San Francisco

 

      For the more than 500 people attending this year's Northern California Area Emmy Awards in San Francisco, it was a dazzling, sparkling evening that won't soon be forgotten.

      The 42nd annual Emmy gala for the San Francisco/Northern California Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences had all the makings of Hollywood - San Francisco style, of course.     

      Held at the San Francisco Hilton Union Square, the evening certainly was glitzy as it was glamorous.

For the first time in its history, the Emmy Awards gala was webcast in a unique way: the onstage ceremonies were not only streamed live via the Internet, the backstage red carpet interviews were, too, offering a fun, online viewing experience on two channels. Making that possible were sponsors Tagged.com and Snappy TV. KTVU's Noelle Walker and KPIX's Da Lin interviewed the recipients backstage.

      Add to that the abundance in sponsors for the event, a number so large that guests couldn't remember the last time they attended the Emmys with so many perks and indulgences.

      "This Emmy show sparkled like a diamond because producer Julie Watts, and the entire Emmy event committee, pulled out all the stops this year," says Keith Sanders, Chapter president. "The show was in development for a full nine months and more, about the same time as Julie's baby. Thankfully, baby politely waited until after the show to be born."

     "I thought the evening was a fabulous success," Watts says. "There certainly were some scary circumstances along the way, not limited to a venue change, a date change, a labor issue, and sponsor changes. But, in the end, we had a hard-working team of board members and committee members who came together and put on one of the best shows we've seen in years."

      The reception area dazzled guests, from a Bubbly Champagne Bar, a raffle, a silent auction, wine tasting, free espresso, red carpet interviews and an area set aside for photographs a la Emmy or Oscar night in Hollywood.

      "The addition of the raffle and silent auction added sophistication and interest to the event," says KCRB's Valerie Landes. "Guests participated knowing that the proceeds would be used toward college scholarships. They were enticed by the variety of generously donated items - both the high-ticket items like gorgeous diamond earrings, and the possibility of walking away with a deal on restaurant gift certificates and chocolate."

     "The reception area was hopping and full of energy. This is something we don't usually experience during Emmy night," says Steve Shlisky of KTVU. "I loved all the different activities going on. There were people streaming through the reception area constantly."

     "This was my first Emmy show, and I was so impressed with all the efforts from the board and the committee," says Stanford Video's Karen Sutton. "Overall, I thought the reception area was brilliant! Champagne and diamonds, what else could a girl ask for."

     While the reception area was a big hit, most everyone was very impressed with the actual awards ceremony taking place in the ballroom.

      Even if you were seated looking away from the stage, like KMPH's Kim Stephens.

     "By the time I got to our table, the only seat left was facing the back wall," Stephens explains. "I was thrilled to see video screens back there, so I never missed a thing! And having the Emmy backdrop available for anyone to take a picture was special."

      KPIX's Lin liked the look of the stage.

      "The stage looked amazingly stunning," he says. "I loved the design. It blew me away."

      That unique television industry camaraderie flourished in the reception venue.

     "What was so wonderful to see at this year's Emmys were the many people lingering after the awards. That's always a good indicator that an event is a success and your guests are truly enjoying themselves," says Karen Owoc of The Health Reporter.

     Seeing Emmy recipients backstage was among many of the evening's exciting moments.

     "Just seeing the winners, after giving their acceptance speeches on stage, come backstage where I was working. The look of shock, excitement, relief and a few tears were moments I will never forget, and I'm sure they won't either," says KFSN's Richard Harmelink.

    "What I loved the most about the Emmys this year was the inviting ambience that Julie Watts created - from the Watts Winery tasting to the Nespresso bar to the try-on luxurious jewelry display, and the silent auction," says PandoDaily's Kym McNicholas. "The 'room-next-door' was an incredibly welcoming environment whether you won an Emmy or were there supporting friends and family."

      "It was an amazing evening," says Javier Valencia, past Chapter president.

      Longtime Bay Area broadcast favorites Terry Lowry and her husband, Fred LaCosse, have seen plenty of Emmy shows through the years. The venue, Lowry says, added to the electricity of the evening.

      "When Fred and I arrived for a walkthrough at the Hilton, we were stunned by the excitement, energy and elegance that already permeated the hotel's ballroom," she says. "As the "Voices of God" (backstage announcers), Fred and I had a back seat view of the Emmy gala in the ballroom, and what a view it was, more than 500 people including Emmy nominees, their colleagues, families and friends, all coming together to enjoy the evening and celebrate the best in the TV industry."

      The evening was also electrifying for recently-retired KTVU reporter Rita Williams, an Emmy presenter. She showed off some sparkling jewelry courtesy of Steve Padis Jewelry, one of the show's sponsors.

      "Wearing $67,000 worth of borrowed jewelry gussied up this gal. Made me feel like a queen for a night!", Williams says.

      The reception was sponsored by Steve Padis Jewelry featuring the Forevermark Diamond, and enhanced by in-kind donations from Nespresso Coffee and Domaine Chandon. Dinner guests enjoyed 2010 Watts Cabernet Sauvignon and 2011 Watts Chardonnay, courtesy of Emmy wine sponsor Watts Winery.

      144 raffle winners took home a bottle of Anthony August 2008 Proprietary red wine.

      Beyond Pix Studios coordinated and managed the production of the show, video and webcast.

  

  

  

   

By Karen Owoc

Chapter Governor

 

     The Diamonds and Wine Raffle was a dazzling and fun new addition to this year's Emmy Awards Gala pre-show reception. Kopi Sotiropulos, Fox 26 Good Day co-anchor with Chapter Governor Kim Stephens, walked away with the grand prize -- a pair of 1.05k Forevermark diamond earrings from Steve Padis Jewelry and a double magnum of Padis wine ($5,000 value). http://padisgems.com     

    Also, 144 bottles of award-winning 2008 Anthony August Proprietary Red Wine ($35 value) made their way home with many lucky recipients -- and some recipients went home with many bottles of wine. Several contributors who purchased $100 in tickets won seven bottles of wine!

    A particular Anthony August red won a SILVER MEDAL in the 2013 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, the largest competition of American wines in the world. If you enjoyed your bottle, please let our valuable sponsor know about it. You can email David Caraska at david@anthonyaugust.com or give him a call at (415) 279-3624. http://anthonyaugust.com

    Thank you to all of the contributors who supported this fundraiser which benefits the NATAS scholarship fund. Nearly one-third of the Emmy attendees participated in the raffle, which raised nearly $2,800!

  

 

By Kim Stephens

Chapter Governor

 

      Coming in second feels pretty great for Kopi Sotiropulos. His nominated KMPH Great Day team did not win an Emmy, but they were jumping for joy at the end of the night when his name was called as the raffle winner for the diamond earrings and magnum of wine.

      His name was the second pulled from the bowl. The first ticket pulled was for a person who'd already left for the night! (Must be present to win!)

      Sotiropulos came up to the microphone on stage to receive his winnings and said, "Happy Anniversary, dear." He and his wife, Elaine, celebrate 39 years of marriage next year. She was smiling from ear to ear, but then, when her husband returned to their table with the jeweler, this win became much more special. It turns out, Steve Patis and Elaine grew up together. They went to the same Greek Orthodox Church in Oakland more than 40 years ago. And, her husband's nephew's godmother works for Patis.

      This connection makes the earrings even more dear to the couple. This connection with old friends is worth countless Emmys!

      Congratulations Kopi and Elaine Sotiropulos!

  

 

  

  

 

  

  

  

 

    

  

  

  

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

Chapter Education Chairperson 

  

      The San Francisco/Northern California Chapter of the National Academy of Televison Arts and Sciences has honored excellence honored excellence in high school video production at awards ceremonies througout the Chapter last month.

      Steve Shlisky, the Chapter's education chairperson, and Kevin Wing, the Chapter's regional vice president, San Francisco, personally presented Awards of Excellence and Awards of Merit to two outstanding high schools and their talented students.

      The awards cover productions for all of 2012 through March 31 of this year.

      The coverage area includes northern California, from Visalia to the Oregon border, Reno, and Hawaii. 

  

By Kevin Wing

Regional Vice President, San Francisco

 

      Kym McNicholas is known for breaking ground and breaking news.

      The executive producer/reporter for tech blog PandoDaily was the first female sports director/anchor/reporter in the San Francisco Bay Area when she was hired at KFTY Channel 50 in 2002. She was the first online video reporter named to the California State Capital Press Corp in 2000. Plus, she was the first online tech reporter to receive an Emmy Award, last year, in the San Francisco/Northern California Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

      Now, this Chapter's current secretary on the Board of Governors has created the first-ever breaking news trivia app, which creates a new thought-provoking approach to news. It's called POINT News Trivia.

      McNicholas got the idea to create POINT News Trivia (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/point-news-trivia/id586870778?mt=8) while a student in Stanford University's New Venture Creation Program.

      She wanted to present a more fact-based account of world events in a way that would be fun and easy to remember, and help her users to formulate their own opinions on key issues.

"I have to admit that when I entered the class I didn't have any intention to create my own product," McNicholas says. "I was merely expecting to audit the class in order to learn more about the entrepreneurial process so that I could add more color to my articles at Forbes."

      But, on the first day of class, Prof. Tom Kosnik wanted everyone to practice pitching an idea, any idea, just for the experience. He asked McNicholas if she had any new features she would add to the Forbes online experience, or if there was a project she was working on outside of work that could potentially be pitched as a business.

      This made McNicholas think of her work with the Miss Marin County Scholarship Organization, a local qualifier to Miss America. For the past ten years, she's been the interview coach. Part of the coaching included an email each week which she would send to the young women she mentors, grilling them on world events to make learning about the news more fun and engaging.

      That became the focus of her presentation. The class loved it. So did Kosnik, who became her lead advisor on the project. He paired her with Stanford student and entrepreneur George Burgess, founder of EducationApps, based in the UK, which already has a successful array of academic and test prep apps that quiz the public on topics such as biology and law.

      They launched POINT News Trivia (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/point-news-trivia/id586870778?mt=8) six months later in beta. It was the perfect partnership. Burgess already had a successful trivia platform, with Oxford being one of his biggest clients. He adapted his platform for news, allowing McNicholas to provide the content.

      The content in the app is all hand-written, not done algorhythmically like many of the trivia apps in the App Store. McNicholas writes every news story and question on her own. Plus, in many cases, she also offers a thought-provoking question at the end of her story, intended to help her users draw upon the facts of the story and their personal experiences in order to formulate their own opinions about what's happening in the world.

      "I have found that the more information that's out there, the less informed we're becoming," she explains. "POINT News Trivia provides a clear focus and intent for each story thanks to the trivia format, making the information easily digestible."

      Today, the content is only updated twice per week, on Tuesdays and Frida's. That could provide a challenge for the app to develop mass market adoption. But, this summer, the content will be updated in real-time, making POINT News Trivia a great way to stay on top of breaking news.

      "I'm the type of person that wants everything yesterday," McNicholas says, laughing. "But I've learned so much through this process and I now realize that creating an app is a long-term journey that includes new surprises for users every few months."

      She's right. You can't just put all your cards on the table right away. What if the users don't take to the current design and the current content? It takes time to get to know who's using your app and how they're using it, and that ultimately dictates the direction going forward.

      McNicholas has designed the app to be for the casual news follower, or the person who typically doesn't take the time to watch, listen, or read the news. It's not for the news junkie who devours every source of news. But, ultimately she may find a more news-hungry audience, and will need to step up the content to a more advanced, in-depth level. That's why it's important for her POINT News Trivia team to take their rollout one step at a time. They also have to make sure people will be willing to pay the $.99 required to gain access to all of the news questions beyond the first ten, which she offers free.

      So far, it seems to be gaining traction. McNicholas has found great success in her beta market with the Miss California Scholarship Organization, which has allowed her to promote it to all of the contestants competing for this year's pageant. She's also received interest from two national news organizations (McNicholas cannot reveal them yet) to partner on content. She says, however, that they want her to create a subtopic for the organizations within her app, create questions that promote their news stories, and include a link to the full-length articles or videos within the app. She's also seeking partners locally in the Bay Area. McNicholas is confident that the partnerships will come. But first, she wants to create that perfect formula for her users, helping to drive adoption and use of the application.

     "Working with the women in the Miss America organization has helped me shape my stories differently," McNicholas says. "I am now trying to take a more cause-oriented approach to writing each story since the contestants made me realize that everyone has a cause that's important to them. Everyone has strong values. It's just a matter of playing to those in order to make each story more relevant to them. Once I master that, I think this app will take off."

     McNicholas is certainly on to something. Tapping into that millennial market is key to all of our future success in news. No one, she adds, seems to have successfully tapped into that younger generation to engage them in the news. She explains that we need them to care about what's happening in the world, not only to guarantee our jobs in news, but also to secure the future of our country and make sure we get the right people into office.

      

Gold & Silver Circle Profiles is taking a summer respite. The monthly profile series will launch its seventh year in Off Camera when it returns in the September issue.

I was born in Bronx, New York and I grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I am very proud of my East Coast roots, no matter where I go as journalist. The road has taken me to many places. The place where I grew up has grounded me. It's my anchor if ever I feel off track. Sometimes, I will fly home just to feel anchored and connected with my hometown and those who I love there.

  

  

When did you first realize, and at what age, that you wanted to work in television news?
I had to be probably 9 years old. I told my 5th grade teacher that I wanted to be a TV journalist. He was so supportive and encouraging. I was already practicing interviews with my cousins in my aunt's basement. In fact, they were already teasing me, calling me "Lois Lane", referring to the investigative reporter in the Superman comic books. It has always been my calling. I am a storyteller. It's what God intended for my life.

  

I have had many mentors over the years. A lady by the name of Charlotte Evans, a former anchor/reporter who worked in Las Vegas Nevada really took me under her wing. She and her husband who was a photographer helped me put together my first news reel. They were great mentors. Still, I have to say my biggest inspiration is my mother. My mother watches the news and follows politics everyday. I always run questions by her before I approach a story. I do that because it's my way of tapping into what people want to know. I want to tell viewers something new or answer a question that may not be so obvious. My mother always encouraged me to go for it. She is my biggest inspiration.

  

Before Sacramento, I worked in Los Angeles, my hometown Pittsburgh, and in Austin, Texas. All three markets were different and really shaped me as a reporter. Working in my hometown was surreal at first. That's because some of the very journalists still working there are folks I watched growing up. Pittsburgh has lots of breaking news and hard news. I think it made me more seasoned with live shots. Los Angeles was a fun break. I covered lots of entertainment stories and wildfires. Austin is still one of my favorite places on the planet. I broke a few stories down there and I still have an extended family there. I feel very fortunate to have been able to work and live in many different cities as a news reporter.

  

Currently, I cover all state news and politics at the Capitol. My day often starts at 7 a.m. with a good read of several morning papers. I get into the office at 8:30 a.m. Then my colleague and I decide what stories we will tackle for the day. That day often includes figuring where the Gov. Jerry Brown may be to question him about some important issue or a lawmaker about important legislation. Before this job, I worked in local news covering general assignment stories. Capitol Television News Service has truly taught me the inner workings of government and how it affects you and me. It's made me a smarter journalist. Growing is really important to me

  

What are your favorite types of stories to report on? Your least favorite?
I like quirky stories that leave people saying "you're kidding me". I love news that tells folks something new. Least favorite is probably stories about tragic circumstances involving children, the elderly or animals. Those stories really do weigh on my heart. We are journalists but we are humans too. Like it or not, we carry that energy from those assignments and it's hard sometimes.

Yoga is my passion. I absolutely love it. I highly recommend it to all my friends and family. In fact, I am taking classes to become an instructor. Yes, a reporter/yoga instructor. When you think about it, the two jobs can work hand in hand. What better way to detox from a grueling day than a downward dog or child's pose. I love it. I also love running on the beach. I currently work as a volunteer for the NorCal Golden Retriever Rescue. My "golden babies" are angels. They are great therapy dogs. I just love them so much.

  

Where do you see yourself in five years? 10 years?
My long term goal is to produce and host my own show. That could happen in five years. Now with theIinternet as a great tool, it could happen online. In 10 years, I just want to continue to grow in my personal and professional life.

  

  

New York Times, definitely. I want the meat and potatoes. Not just the headlines. Tell me more.

Personality-wise, are you more of a goof than you are serious?!

I am a total goof. Even when I am working, I try to keep things light and funny while working with my photographer. I also love practical jokes. My sister and I pull them on each other. One year, I called her up (she lives in Europe) to tell her to watch CNN for one of my stories. A few of my stories have aired on CNN. However, that day nothing was coming on CNN. It was April Fool's Day. I love goofing

  

I think things have happened as they were supposed to happen. I am excited for where the journey may take me because it continues.

I tell aspiring journalists to learn every job and everything about the news business. Being able to multi-task helps with job security. Reporters should learn about producing/editing/shooting, etc. It's also not a bad idea to develop a speciality too.

  

  

  

West Coast, or East Coast? What's your favorite?
Now that's a tough one. Ideally I want to be bi-coastal. I want to live on the West Coast most of the time but still spend a few months out of the year on the East Coast. Let's just say my heart is always back East with my folks there. I am so a West Coast chick. I love the beach, sushi, yoga, hiking and nice weather!!

  

  

No question: wine tasting. If the Pittsburgh Steelers are playing, I want a nice cold beer to cheer on my hometown team.

  

     "Jeff brings us a solid combination of experience in news production and digital broadcast operations. He's been a successful news photographer, director, operations manager and director of engineering - all in major markets. We look forward to having him oversee our facilities and operations," Cohen says.

    Jeandheur most recently was the director of engineering and production at KPRC, the NBC affiliate in Houston. There, he served as manager of news operations and manager of production and special projects. His tenure in Houston spanned 17 years.

    Prior to that, he was the production manager at at WFSB in Hartford and senior director at WMTW in Portland. Jeandheur started his broadcast career as a news photographer and editor at WEWS in Cleveland.

    Jeandheur graduated from Emerson College in Boston with a bachelor's degree in mass communications, radio and television.

    He is married with two children.

  

      Brandon Mercer is out as news director at Sacramento FOX affiliate KTXL.

      Mercer wrote on his Twitter account, "Leaving one opportunity for another. Just need to figure out what it will be. I will always love FOX40, the most amazing staff and GM." Mercer has also updated his Facebook profile, stating that he is now KTXL's former news director.

      Mercer began his career at KTTV in Los Angeles. Prior to joining KTXL, he also worked at KOLD in Tucson, KPHO in Phoenix and TechTV in San Francisco.

      Immediately prior to joining KTXL, Mercer was an executive producer at KOVR in Sacramento.

  

 

       Jack Parmeter, a former creative services producer at KTVU in Oakland, died May 14 at his home in Pasadena. He was 55.

      Parmeter, who worked at KTVU from the early 1980s until 1988, was a Bay Area native.  He graduated from El Cerrito High School in 1977. He immediately enrolled and graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1981 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Architecture. Parmeter was also a member of the Cal swim team.

      After leaving KTVU in 1988, Parmeter worked in Los Angeles as director of on-air promotions for FOX, producing trailers and on-air promos until 1994. He helped launch FOX and was responsible for the promotion of such shows as The Simpsons, Beverly Hills, 90210 and COPS. Parmeter co-wrote and produced a special episode of The Simpsons, "Springfield's Most Wanted", a TV special hosted by John Walsh, host of America's Most Wanted. The special aired in September 1995.

     Parmeter left FOX in 1997 to become vice president of on-air promotions for CBS, where he remained until 2006. He was in charge of marketing and promotion, including print, on-air and CBS.com. Eventually, Parmeter was promoted to senior vice president of marketing at CBS from 2006 to 2008, overseeing a staff of 65 people. Parmeter was responsible for on-air promotions for daytime, prime-time and movies.

    Following his tenure at CBS, Parmeter joined the ranks of freelance writers, hoping to make his mark in Hollywood writing the next award-winning TV series or movie.

    Steve Shlisky, longtime producer/editor at KTVU, remembers Parmeter as a "burning comet blowing through local Bay Area television in an instant. There was never a doubt he would end up at a network or movie studio."

    Don Thompson, KTVU's operations manager, says "as a personal friend, I know that Jack was ultra-competitive in business and life, as we raced many 10K races, half-marathons, and hundreds of miles of training runs in the Berkeley/Oakland hills. He was the same way in life, working hard to become the best of the best. He was brilliant, creative, and passionate about his craft, and he will be missed."

 

By Erika Engle

Honolulu Star-Advertiser

 

      There was no blackout of Honolulu's KHON-TV or its sister station, the CW affiliate from Oceanic Time Warner Cable, a result of a new carriage agreement reached at the last minute May 31.

      The parent companies of the TV stations and the cable company reached agreement on a new contract, allowing uninterrupted service.

      Cable and satellite TV providers pay for broadcast content, which historically is higher-rated than cable programming.

      The agreement came nearly at the eleventh hour, says Kristina Lockwood, president and general manager at KHON.

      "We were all pretty happy," she says.

      Cable industry publication Multichannel News also reported that the agreement was reached Friday afternoon, East Coast time.

      When news of the dispute broke May 22, Oceanic Time Warner Cable President Bob Barlow said KHON parent company LIN TV Corp. was "demanding a price increase of over 50 percent, just two years after demanding another colossal price hike in other Time Warner Cable markets."

      Barlow could not be reached for comment immediately following the settlement, and no details on the terms of the agreement were disclosed.

      The stations could have been dropped by the state's only cable provider as the respective mainland-based parent companies negotiated renewal of the retransmission agreement that allows Time Warner Cable to carry the stations' programming on its system.

      A 2008 dispute blacked out LIN stations from satellite television provider DISH Network in 17 markets for 25 days.

      In Hawaii, ABC network and KITV local programming were blacked out from Oceanic for 10 days last year due to a similar dispute between Time Warner Cable and KITV parent Hearst Television Inc.

  

In a recent Gallup poll, TV News is showing a small gain in the number of Americans who have a "great deal" or "quite a lot" of confidence in the medium.

23 percent of Americans polled expressed confidence in TV News this year up from last year's 21 percent. The bad news is out of 16 institutions represented in the poll, TV News and newspapers were trailed only by big business, organized labor, Health Maintenance Organizations and Congress.

In the study, liberals, those 65 and older, and those with high school educations or less showed the most confidence in TV news. You can view the chart after the jump.

Are there publications that only members have access to? Provide your new members a list (or link to a list) of publications that they now have access to. What are some upcoming publications and release dates? Publications can be a key draw for new members. Inserting a link in your article lets you track which topics attract the most interest.