Notes from the Newsroom: 9/30/09

By Frank Macek

Time for another edition of "Notes from the Newsroom" as your blogger shares some of thoughts on our little corner of local television.

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Congratulations to several WKYC staffers who take top honors in Cleveland Magazine's annual "Best of Cleveland" poll. This year's winners include Romona Robinson for best female anchor, Mark Nolan for best male anchor and Jim Donovan for best sports anchor in Cleveland. Also, SportsTime Ohio's Design Director Greg Goyla and his 80's cover band the "Spazmatics" were recognized for rocking 80's music like no other local group. They have even performed for former President George W. Bush. The "Best of Cleveland" party will be held on Friday, October 16th at 7 p.m. at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.

WKYC.COM has launched a new project called "Tributes" that uses the power of wkyc.com to spread the word about the passing of our local residents through on-line obituaries. The service launched on Monday, September 28th, and offers an affordable option for families to share the life story on a loved one. You can leave notes of rememberances, upload photos of a loved one and view regular obituaries from participating funeral homes across northern Ohio. The site also offers a starting point for funeral pre-plannning and more information.  Please take a moment and check out the website at: http://wkyc.tributes.com

With health care reform and the spread of H1N1 in the news almost daily, WKYC is committing even more resources to both on our on-air and on-line medical coverage to keep our viewers informed on these important stories and developments. As a result, WKYC's Senior Health Correspondent Monica Robins will be devoting more time to leading our WKYC health coverage and anchoring our 7 p.m. broadcast with her co-host Eric Mansfield.  As a result, WKYC News Director Rita Andolsen has announced Maureen Kyle as the new anchor for "Channel 3 News at Noon" that started Monday.

Newspapers may have slowed, or perhaps even stopped, their financial descent after three years of plunging revenues, crumbling stock prices and heavy layoffs. The latest glimmer of hope came as the largest U.S. newspaper publisher Gannett, owner of WKYC-TV, announced that its third-quarter earnings will be substantially above analysts' forecasts. Although Gannett's revenue for the period fell slightly below analysts' projections, executives said newspaper advertising sales didn't fall as badly as they did in the first half of the year. Still, newspapers have yet to come up with a solution about what to do regarding the massive shift of readers and advertisers to the Internet. Gannett shares rose 18 percent Tuesday. Other newspaper and media stocks also climbed. On Wednesday, Gannett closed up again $12.51. (Source: The Associated Press)

Exclusive: Romona Interviews President Obama's Controversial Aunt

Update: Added actual interview that first aired on 8/12/09 at 11 PM.

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The interview you'll only see on Channel 3 News---President Obama's aunt, Zeituni Onyango, speaks exclusively to Romona Robinson about her immigration status and why she was in Cleveland.

The Actual Interview:



The Promo

Behind the Scenes: Romona Gets Pranked

Well, Betsy Kling was at it again tonight as the crew was about to shoot our nightly Facebook Promo.

Did I hear someone yell "mouse"?

Behind the Scenes: 6/10/09

For those of you who love a sneak peak at "behind the scenes", here are a couple of pictures from today taken by my directing colleague Matt Babb.

Romona Robinson hard at work preparing for tonight's 6pm newscast. You can see a bit of Jim Donovan in the background getting ready for tonight's sportscast:



Producer Carrie Young and Director Frank Macek are discussing a couple of ideas for tonight's 11pm edition of Channel 3 News. Does this look staged?:



To See More Photos:

• Photogallery 1 - CLICK HERE
• Photogallery 2 - CLICK HERE

Promo: Romona & Conan in Late Night

Here's our new on-air promo for Channel 3 News at 11 PM with Romona Robinson and the new "Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien.

It's worth staying up late for!

Channel 3 Promo: "Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien" Premiere

As Conan O'Brien gets ready to launch his stint as host of Tonight Show on June 1st, he stopped by Cleveland recently to talk about the show. Somehow, they ended up talking about his trademark do. Enjoy!

News: Finally, the Romona Robinson PD interview

We told you several weeks ago that Plain Dealer writer Julie Washington was hanging out at WKYC to work on a story about our main anchor Romona Robinson. Finally after more than a month, the article appeared in the Plain Dealer Sunday morning.

Other than it was shocking to see that Cleveland was once again market size #15 (which it hasn't been in years - it's #17), and that Romona was "named WKYC Channel 3's evening anchor" after Tim's departure (although Romona was anchor long before Tim arrived), your blogger thinks Julie Washington fell a tad short of capturing the real Romona Robinson and the unique qualities she has as solo anchor of Channel 3 News at 6 & 11 p.m.

It's a good thing Romona is writing a book about her career that will be published in the future.

If you missed the article in the Plain Dealer: CLICK HERE

To watch the P.D.'s "in depth" interview with Romona, click on the player below.

Channel 3's anchor Romona Robinson goes solo on evening news

Director's Alert: Anchor Changes Made at WKYC

WKYC announced Thursday that Carole Sullivan and Eric Mansfield will be moving to the 7 PM anchor desk soon as Channel 3 continues to "re-define" local television in a way that will have a positive effect on our community during tough times.

Carole returned to Channel 3 in a part-time capacity after moving to Michigan with her husband. Prior to that, she was the morning news anchor with Jon Anderson at WKYC.

Eric Mansfield has been Channel 3's Akron Canton Newsroom Chief and former anchor of the Channel 3 produced "Akron Canton News" which ended earlier this spring.



Both will bring a fresh new approach to our 7 pm newscast while Channel 3 News Anchor Romona Robinson will handle the 6 & 11 pm broadcasts as newsrooms across the nation begin shifting away from traditional two anchor teams for their newscasts.

While times are difficult, we look forward to the new challenges that our business has to offer and the opportunity this presents us in television to re-invent ourselves.

WKYC Anchor Heads Down the Red Carpet with Actor Will Smith

CLEVELAND -- Actor Will Smith came to Cinemark Valley View theater for a red carpet appearance to promote his new movie "Seven Pounds" and benefit the Cleveland Food Bank.

As part of the event, Smith donated 200 turkeys to the Cleveland Food Bank for the holiday season.

Channel 3 News Anchor Romona Robinson walked Smith down the red carpet and got a one-on-one interview with him.

Click here to see photos from the premiere.

"Seven Pounds" premieres nationwide on Dec. 19.

VIDEO FEATURES:

Romona Robinson's live report from the red carpet



Romona Robinson's full one-on-one interview with Will Smith

WKYC Anchor Receives "Diversity in Media Distinguished Leadership" Award

Congratulations to WKYC 6, 7 & 11 PM anchor Romona Robinson who was honored Thursday with the Diversity in Media Distinguished Leadership Award.

The ceremony was held at Kent State University in front of a large gathering of her peers and co-workers.

Kent State selected Romona for the honor this year because she represents the highest standard of excellence in broadcast journalism, community service and diversity.

In an interview for the Director's Cut Blog, Romona explains, "I'm both honored and humbled by this recognition. I want to thank Kent State University and commend them on their Diversity program."

"I've worked tirelessly in Northeast Ohio, trying to serve as an example to youngsters that through hard work your dreams are possible," she added.

Our congratulations!

News: WKYC Anchors Named in Cleveland Magazine's "Best of"

Congratulations to several of WKYC's main weekday anchors for being singled out by readers in Cleveland Magazine's "Best of Cleveland" poll in the magazine's October edition.


They include the following:

*Best Female News Anchor: Romona Robinson
*Best Male News Anchor: Tim White
*Best Sports Anchor: Jim Donovan

All winners will be honored on Friday, October 10th at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.

Logo courtesy: clevelandmagazine.com

News: New Romona's Room Blog

As part of the WKYC Information Center, several of our staff members are taking a cue from the popularity of the Director's Cut Blog to do a little bloggin' of their own.

Here is another new blog to check out when you get a little web surfing time.

• Romona's Room - a blog by WKYC Anchor Romona Robinson as she discusses where she has been, what's on her mind and she answers your questions.

For more blogs from the WKYC Digital Broadcast Center: CLICK HERE. We also have a list of our favorites in our right hand menu under "Favorite Sites."

Many of our staff members also have profiles on Facebook. You can sign up for a free account and then join our groups and interact with many of us online about the station and the news stories we cover. Just search "WKYC". To join Facebook: CLICK HERE

News: Group recognizes Romona Robinson for her leadership

Channel 3 news anchor Romona Robinson has been awarded the Toastmasters District 10 Communication and Leadership award at a ceremony held in Chardon on Saturday.

Every year the Toastmasters present the award to one local leader who does his or her part to enrich our community and lives.

They selected Romona for her work with "Romona's Kids."

Congratulations, Romona!



VIDEO FEATURE:
*To watch Romona accepting her award: CLICK HERE

Get to Know Team 3: Romona Robinson

The spotlight shines brightly on WKYC weeknight news anchor Romona Robinson in this edition of "Get to Know Team 3." Romona joined WKYC in March 1997 after anchoring the "Ten O'Clock News" on WUAB starting in January 1988. Since your blog jock sits right next to Romona in the newsroom, we thought it would be fun to ask her a few questions about some things we've always wanted to know.

Q: When did you first realize you wanted to be on TV?

Romona: I was six years old, sitting next to my Mom watching legendary anchorman, Walter Cronkite on the CBS Evening News. He was fascinating to watch, I thought. I told Mom that day, I liked his voice and his eyebrows were bushy and scary, but I wanted to read the news just like him. I remember her looking down at me smiling say, "Okay, but you'll have to get good grades and go to college."

Q: Where else have you worked over the years, besides at the WKYC Digital Broadcast Center?

Romona: I started my career in Jefferson City, Missouri, then to South Carolina and later in Cleveland (WUAB/TV 43).

Q: What do you find to be the most rewarding part of your job?

Romona: It amazes me how the power of the media can change people's lives through the stories we tell. I've seen first hand how viewers respond to certain news and information and use it to help make their lives or the lives of others better. We provide a major service keeping people informed, and sometimes the news isn't always pleasant. But I'm just blessed to have a job that has the ability to affect so many lives in a number of positive ways.

Q: Tell our readers the inside scoop about what Tim White is really like when you sit next to him on the set each night?

Romona: It's like "Comedy Central" in between commercial breaks most nights. We have so many laughs about fun or odd stories. However, we also share quiet moments on set when there's a story that touches us both. Sometimes he's like the "older" brother I never had and other days I want to "punch" him for poking fun at someone. Tim and I "get" one another.

Q: How is married life with your husband, Rodney? Did marriage turn out to be all that you expected?

Romona: It's been almost 4 years now and I still think I'm a newlywed. I must admit now, I was a little nervous getting married later in life. I always assumed I'd be married at 26 or 28 years old. Because I waited and was so set in my ways, I worried a little about now having to "answer to someone else" so to speak. People have always told me marriage takes a lot of work. I must say, we haven't had to "work" at it yet? We just show respect, communicate how we're feeling and that seems to work.

Q: What is the best thing about Cleveland in your opinion? And why?

Romona: It's People! I know it sounds cliche, but the people of Northeast Ohio are unlike any I've seen throughout my travels. I was embraced by this city with open arms when I arrived twenty years ago and I've never felt like an outsider. There isn't any place I've gone when I didn't meet great people. While doing my Romona's Kids segments, I've been in North Olmsted doing the Irish Jig...in Parma learning the Polka to East Cleveland participating in African-Dance and I've learned there maybe cultural differences among people, but deep down we're all the same with a lot of the same wants and needs.

Q: What is your favorite piece of clothing?

Romona: My Footies! I have dozens to keep my feet warm walking around the house. I don't like wearing house shoes.

Q: If you were going to be stranded on a desert island, what three beauty products would you want to have with you?

Romona: Water, spinach and more water. I've found water and green leafy vegetables keep my skin looking smooth and healthy.

Q: What traits do you value most in others?

Romona: Someone who can think for themselves. Some people will believe any and everything someone else tells them, whether it comes from television, print, peer pressure etc. I've always tried to listen to information that's given on a topic from various sources and then make up my mind. Right now we're in an historic Presidential Primary and I can't believe the number of people who've said they'd vote for a candidate based on their race or gender. You have to care about the "Issues!"

Q: Name a couple of your favorite TV shows - and why you like them?

Romona: Anything on HGTV! I'm a huge "House Hunters" fan and "Ground Breakers." I think I'm a carpenter and landscaper and interior designer. I usually don't miss the Today show and on weekends basketball or football. Most people know I'm a huge sports fan. I don't get to watch a lot of the popular shows that are on weeknights because I'm at work.

Q: What's the one thing you want viewers to remember most about you when the Cleveland TV history book about 2008 TV anchors is written?

Romona: That television was my "Job." Trying to give back, by inspiring and encouraging others was my "Mission" and that I loved this town and its people.

You can email Romona: CLICK HERE

News: Channel 3 Has 3 "Best of Cleveland" Anchors

Updated: 10/25/07

Tonight was the awards ceremony at the Rock Hall for Cleveland Magazine's "Best of Cleveland". Pictured at the event is WKYC Anchor Romona Robinson (left), WKYC News Director Rita Andolsen and WKYC Sports Anchor Jim Donovan.

To watch video of tonight's gathernig, CLICK HERE

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Original article below from October 10th:

Congratulations to the following Channel 3 personalities for winning their respective categories in the annual Cleveland Magazine "The Best of Cleveland 2007 Reader's Poll"

Local Male Anchor - Tim White (tied with David Wittman)

Local Female Anchor - Romona Robinson

Sports Anchor - Jim Donovan

All this year's winners will be honored at a Rock Hall ceremony.

Photos: Romona on the "Dr. Phil Show" 10/12/07

As I first told you Thursday, Romona made an appearance via satellite on the "Dr. Phil Show" today to discuss the Cleveland shootings on Wednesday at SuccessTech Academy - just across the street from WKYC. (CLICK HERE for original article).

Here are a couple of pictures from that segment: