Comments on: TU looking to hire video blogger

By: atticus

atticus — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 00:56:47 +0000

I am not strictly one of the “26″

I just find myself reading the paper less.

It has little to do with the website.

The TU is neglecting the elements that would secure its future. The elements that make local journalist indispensible.

Online and print readers, as well as bloggers, still value the facts and context provided by committed professionals.

The TU has the abilty to provide this content…and sometimes does, but not often enough.

The new media consumer would rather look over PR talking points and wire stories online.

enough with the gimmicks, get back to reporting.
it is what you do best.

By: Joey Marchy

Joey Marchy — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 22:29:22 +0000

@Yet Another TU Employee

I figured it was a situation like that!

By: posted

posted — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 22:04:35 +0000

I hear the stubble was makeup.

By: Yet Another TU Employee

Yet Another TU Employee — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:22:05 +0000

Guy on the video is a friend and co-worker of mine. He’s a cool dude, even though they made him do this video.

By: Downtownparks

Downtownparks — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:03:58 +0000

How much is “pretty damn well”?

By: guy on video

guy on video — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:31:13 +0000

I appreciate the criticism. I’ve had a few phone calls from friends and it’s fun when they have a bit of ammunition. Tired of hearing the ol’ “shut up name caller.” Get someone good on this and they get free reign…. as well it pays pretty damn good… “look at the screen!”

By: Joey Marchy

Joey Marchy — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 16:19:19 +0000

I do remember you “Mrs. Porter”. Thanks for saying hi Megan!

By: M Porter

M Porter — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 16:12:14 +0000

Hi Joey,
I read your blog daily and I am happy that you are pouring your considerable energies into such an important endeavor. You probably don’t remembrer me, but I was your “advisor” and Spanish I and II teacher when you were at Stanton. Keep up the good work!
Megan D Porter

By: Another TU Employee

Another TU Employee — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 14:41:11 +0000

@Joey

I agree with you 100%. You only have to watch them make so many horrible decisions before you stop caring. My advice? Don’t apply. We have lots of openings right now. Whenever anyone asks about them, I tell them that they really don’t want to work here.

The TU has gone from 900 employees to about 700. I figure they’ll ‘figure it out’ when they get down to down to about 300.

By: Joey Marchy

Joey Marchy — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 14:16:54 +0000

@Another TU Employee

Ha ha. I think most people in the city know the TU is struggling. And, as alluded to in the comment by atticus, it doesn’t help to alienate the “savvy 26%” of people who choose to get their news from organizations who care about them and recognize that they are the future. Not the 74.

Someone is asleep at the wheel at the Times Union and it shows. They are making lots of small bad decisons and not seeing the big picture. Nothing will change until they make some huge organizational changes in the web department. They should be investing the same amount of money, if not more, in their interactive department.

I actually thought about applying for the video blogger position, but I after thinking about it I came to the realization that this position won’t be allowed to do anything groundbreaking or independent. The video blogger will have the same editorial mandate as the rest of the TU and anything that blurs the lines of that mandate, i.e. speaking out against the city’s plan for Bus Rapid Transit, will be frowned upon and possibly silenced.

TU, if you do find a video blogger don’t crush their spirit. Give them the freedom to shake up the organization. Watch some Current.TV and model your video blog after that content.