FTVLive at AAJA
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Lim, Yu and Wang
After spending all day at AAJA here in Atlanta yesterday, I will be back on the road this morning and making my way way to the world headquarters.
I’m very tired and battling a sore throat, but it was great to take in the convention and see the energy.
AAJA is sort of the forgotten conference and that is a shame. While hundreds of News Directors will be showing up at NABJ next week in Miami, only a handful showed up at AAJA.
It was nice to see the ABC O&O’s represented for the first time in years at AAJA. WABC News Director Chad Matthews and others from the O&O’s made the trip to Atlanta.
WGCL News Director Steve Doerr and Assistant ND Karen Araiza were there on behalf of the station and Meredith. Doerr was nursing and ankle injury after he took a tumble a while ago on one of those scooters that you see all over big cities. In fact ,FTVLive used the bird scooter to make our way around downtown Atlanta and after seeing Doerr hobbling around, we were a bit worried about our commute back to the Omni. Although we got lost, we made it with no problems.
FTVLive also ran into three of our favorite people in TV news. FTVLive’s 2017 person of the year Annie Yu was there representing Tegna, WFOR’s Frances Wang and KGO’s Dion Lim were all at AAJA (all pictured up top).
We also talked with CBS White House Correspondent Weijia Jiang. Jiang is not only busy covering Trump, she has another baby to worry about. Jiang has a 7 month old while also working for CBS. A very impressive person.
Over at the Fox booth, the head of Fox Business Brian Jones was talking to conference goers. The interesting note on that is that Brian and I both worked together just as we were getting started in the business. Brian and I talked for the first time in more years than either of us want to remember.
Companies like Nexstar, Sinclair did not have booths at AAJA, although they are sure to have them at NABJ.
If you ask us, all media groups should be represented at conferences such as these. As many stations get called out for their lack of diversity, being present at conferences like AAJA and meeting many of the bright journalists that are looking for jobs, seems like a no brainer.
So now a couple of gossip nuggets AAJA.
FTVLive was spotted having lunch with WGCL News Director Steve Doerr. Although, I have called out WGCL a number of times, I have known Steve for years and I like him. The guy is smart and while WGCLhas been a train-wreck for years, if anyone can turn that station around, it’s Steve.
Also, while watching the news in Atlanta I will give props to WGCL on two things. There was a police officer that was shot here in Atlanta and thankfully he is expected to recover. WGCL’s Reporter was the first to have a picture of the suspect that the cops were looking for.
The other prop I will give WGCL is they sent Sports Anchor Emily Gagnon to the Football Hall of Fame to cover the induction and the fact that the Atlanta Falcons were playing in the Hall of Fame game.
Due to a traffic incident in Atlanta, Gagnon missed her flight to Ohio. But, she booked another flight to Pittsburgh, rented a car, drove to Akron, Ohio to pick up the gear and then drove to Canton, Ohio and made it in time for her live shots. It was good to see someone hustle after missing the first flight.
I watched Cox’s WSB newscast and morning Anchor Linda Stouffer who I worked with years ago in Miami. WSB is still the gold standard in Atlanta and their newscast showed why.
The final story for now, I was talking to Doerr at the Meredith booth when this guy walked up and butts into our conversation and starts asking Steve about wanting to get together. Steve asks him about a time and they guy whips out his phone and starts saying, “I’m busy with a 4:00 meeting a 4:30 meeting a 5:00 meeting.”
I’m thinking is this guy arrogant or is it just me?
I then joke, “well Steve sounds like he can fit you in at 4:12.”
The guy turns to me and says, “I don’t think we’ve met, I’m Gregg Willinger.”
Of course, I have talked to Willinger many times over the years, but I had never met him.
So, I stuck out my hand and said “Hi Gregg, I’m Scott Jones from FTVLive.”
His face then lost all expression, he turned and walked away without saying another word.
I only wish I was rolling my camera at the time.
Anyway, I did actually meet some good agents on the floor of the conference that did talk to me and it was fun catching up and meeting some new people.
FTVLive will be on the light side today as I have to get on the road and I’m exhausted. But, I’m glad I came and I will be making the drive to Miami next week for NABJ.
Maybe Gregg Willinger can squeeze me in around 3;13PM.
