We all know what “brands” are: They are, as the ubiquitous source Wikipedia writes, “a collection of images and ideas representing an economic producer … the concrete symbols such as a name, logo, slogan, and design scheme … a symbolic embodiment of all the information connected to a company, product or service.”[1] Continue reading →

Successful editorial partnerships don’t just happen. They take a lot of work — picking the right folks to collaborate with, working to maintain the partnership, and each party committing to the basic principles of the partnership. Here’s a “baker’s dozen” (13) elements of successful partnerships. Continue reading →

As I learned when creating Marketplace, business is fascinating, funny, sometimes tragic and almost always, important. A new series I am helping develop is called The Unconventionals, filled with great stories of unique products and marketing campaigns. One of the companies is Dollar Shave Club. Have fun watching this great video. And, keep an eye on my web site for further news about The Unconventionals and stories about founders and CEO’s whose contrarian approaches have captured imaginations and driven impressive business results.

Every job description ends with the phrase “all other duties as assigned.” The joke with Executive Producers is that their job descriptions consist of only that line! An E.P. is responsible for … everything. Continue reading →

Can you produce … art … in under a minute? Many years ago, when I was a reporter, I complained to my boss that he wasn’t giving me enough airtime to properly tell a story. He put me down with “Merriman Smith (of UPI) told the story of JFK’s assassination in 48 seconds. Now, kid, what was your story again?” Continue reading →

BBC’s World Have Your Say: Not every worthy experiment works

There’s something of a revolution underway in public affairs journalism. Many people agree that traditional journalism no longer serves our society well because it excludes the audience from contributing to the journalistic product. With public broadcasting, the loss of audience participation is especially severe. We know our listeners’ education and knowledge base is so high that, to be honest, they often know more than we do. If we were to exclude their contributions, we would produce a demonstrably poorer product.

Unfortunately, acknowledging these failings of journalism puts you in the company of people who, deep down, seem to hate traditional journalists, accuse them of arrogance for claiming to know the truth, and aim to cut them down several notches by proclaiming that anyone can practice journalism. Continue reading →

From The Transom Review, Volume 7/Issue 3, November 2nd, 2007 | (Edited by Sydney Lewis)

Intro from Jay Allison

Looking at the photograph of Jim Russell on Transom, you’ll note that one side of his mouth turns up and the other side down. This may reflect the attitude necessary to make a life in public radio. Jim has done pretty much everything… produced All Things Considered, substantially created Marketplace and Weekend America, and the concept for The World. He has recently become an independent consultant. Now, on Transom you can avail yourself of Jim’s advice for free! Perhapsyou’d like to start your own public radio show? In Part One of his Manifesto, Jim will tell you the questions you should ask before you do. In Part Two of his Manifesto, Jim provides the one thing that most would-be Executive Producers ask for most. A budget. And how to write one. Jim lists all imaginable line items, plus contingencies and overhead. So sharpen your red pencil and start budgeting. This is a great chance to prepare for the big time in public radio, such as it is. Continue reading →

There’s an old joke in production, “Everyone knows how to watch a pilot.” Truth is, nobody knows how. When the video goes black for 10 seconds, because the producers haven’t yet found the right shot for that position, somebody inevitably asks, “Is that … planned?”

What are you supposed to see and hear in a pilot?

Some people think a pilot is a typical program in a proposed series. Others think it is the best program in a proposed series.

It isn’t the first show in a series. It isn’t page one. Rather, the book has fallen open anywhere it wants. Continue reading →

1. Wild Enthusiasm
2. Total Confusion
3. Utter Despair
4. Search for the Guilty
5. Persecution of the Innocent
6. Promotion of the Incompetent

   To which I would add … in order …

7. Cancellation of the series.
8. Winning of all major awards.

1. What are the top 3 issues that face our region of the country? Who are the best thinkers on these issues?
2. Why are you unique?
3. What are your media consumption habits? What do you read, watch, and listen to?
4. What are you afraid of? What are you not good at, and how do you deal with these weaknesses?