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February 2012 Newsletter of The Press Club of Cleveland From the President Ed Byers Have you renewed your Press Club membership? Please get your 2012 dues to Lynn at The Press Club office as soon as possible. You will not want to risk being dropped from the membership. This year there are going to be many good reasons to re-up and bring a friend (or two) with you. I can promise you that this is going to be a great year – the 125th anniversary of (L-R) Council President Martin Sweeney, Bonnie Godbey, Carol Kovach, Ed Byers, John our founding – and it is in full swing. Betchkal, Jane Christyson, Michael Bennett, Maryana Bradas, Jeff Bendix and Cleveland We kicked off the year with a great Mayor Frank Jackson. lunch and a good time at the Greater Cleveland Aquarium last month. City of Cleveland Honors Press Club on Thank you to the Aquarium’s Tami Brown and Kayla Ott for the Press 125th Anniversary Club invitation. There are many Cleveland City Council rolled out the red Kovach, Richard Stewart and President Ed more programs (I am not allowed to carpet for The Press Club of Cleveland at its Byers who, in his remarks to City Council, talk about right now) on the horizon January 30th session with a Resolution of thanked Mayor Jackson, Council President which will coincide nicely with our Congratulations to the Club for 125 years of Sweeney and Council for the recognition. anniversary, and you’ll be reading service to the journalism community. A very special ‘thank you’ also goes out to about them soon. Council President Martin J. Sweeney did City Council media director Jim Kopniske Come join us to give WKYC’s Russ the honors from the floor of Cleveland City for his efforts in spearheading the resolution Mitchell a big Cleveland welcome Council Chambers in presenting the Club on behalf of the Club and City Council. on Feb. 24 at the Hilton Garden the resolution. Inn downtown. In April, Our “Best “Whereas, from its humble beginnings, Pitch” program series continues at the The Press Club continues to serve as a Terrace Club with a great panel dis- beacon for freedom of the Press. The Club cussion SBN’s Dustin Klein is putting is proud to have a strong board of trustees together. consisting of media and communications Speaking of programming, I am professionals from print, radio and TV. The really excited to announce that Club’s newsletter, The Byliner, is a world- Kathleen Osborne is our new pro- class monthly publication which serves its gramming VP. Kathleen brings members well,” proclaimed Sweeney. youth, enthusiasm, fresh ideas and Sweeney continued, “Be it resolved that unbounded energy to The Press Club. Cleveland City Council is sincerely pleased Safe to say, she also knows “a little bit” to recognize and congratulate The Press about the inner-workings of the Club. Club of Cleveland on the very special occa- Both her husband, Steve Gleydura of sion of its 125th anniversary. Best wishes are Cleveland Magazine, and her father, extended to the Club’s members for much Rich Osborne, formerly with Ohio continued success in the years ahead.” Magazine and Great Lakes Publishing, Accepting the honor were Press Club are past Press Club presidents. Board Members Jeff Bendix, Maryana I also have to give a shout-out to Bradas, Michael Bennett, John Bechtkal, continued on page 2 > Jane Christyson, Bonnie Godbey, Carol

28022 Osborn Road Cleveland, Ohio 44140 | 440-899-1222 | Fax: 440.899.1010 | www.pressclubcleveland.com 2 The Press Club of Cleveland February 2012 That Post Job Interview Snail-Mailed Follow-Up ‘Thank You’ Note Don’t send! Laurie Mitchell Certified Personnel Consultant In the early 1980s, Recently, a local blogger advised follow- viewed with more than one person, the dissatisfied with all ers to send hand-written thank you notes customized follow-up letters are usually the standard “thank after job interviews. Such advice does a compared with one another to ascertain you letter” content and huge disservice because it is based on sev- originality and pertinence to each specific advice floating around, eral false premises. A job interview or even conversation. Emails can be easily shared an alliance of executive an informational or exploratory interview amongst the interviewing team and stored search firms commis- is a mutually beneficial business meeting; it along with the candidate’s résumé, indi- sioned several indus- is not a Christmas check from Aunt Mary. vidual interviewers’ notes, and the panel’s trial psychologists to And, no matter how it is positioned, an conclusions (data integration) in the cor- devise a post-interview interview is an interview is an interview is porate Applicant Tracking System (ATS). letter format for use by recruiters’ can- a chemistry check for future openings or Illegible handwriting is never an issue, and, didates. The resulting “follow-up letter” referrals to colleagues. by the way, I’m not aware of “spellcheck” concept – built upon sales psychology and Sending a handwritten thank you via for stationery. a closing “call to action” – was so brilliantly snail mail – which might not be delivered Without giving too much away, I will designed and so far superior to the tradi- for days – is totally inappropriate because simply counsel that each compellingly tional “thank you letter” that recruiters-in- the job seeker should be concentrating on crafted follow-up letter should include an the-know immediately began having their formally “following up” and continuing the opening compliment about something the candidates deploy it. “sales” process – not casually thanking – in employer discussed that resonated with the To this day after nearly 28 years as a a very timely manner, and, in fact, follow- candidate, several concrete examples reit- headhunter, I have never put the format in up letters should be emailed within hours erating why the candidate’s experience and writing for fear that others would success- of the interview for maximum impact. skills are a good fit for the position, and an fully exploit it, and my candidates would Employing snail mail does not indicate a “assumptive close”. lose their competitive advantage. Instead, “bias for action” considering the current I talk them through it, making sure they state of the USPS, and given that profes- Laurie Mitchell & Company, Inc. comprehend it, and, then, before they sionals often travel or work remotely, they Marketing Communications email their actual follow-up letters to my may not see a physical letter for a week or Executive Search clients, I verify that they have utilized some two. [email protected] semblance of the winning formula. Importantly, when a candidate has inter- www.LaurieMitchellCompany.com

PRESIDENT FROM PAGE 1 Jane Scott’s Plaque is Back! former Press Club Board member Jim Stolen from the Wall at Nighttown! Kopniske for the big helping hand he Jane Scott’s mysterious disappearance provided in lining up The Press Club’s from The Press Club of Cleveland Hall of Cleveland City Council Resolution of Fame’s wall of fame at Nighttown has been Congratulations. Jim currently is City solved. Council’s media chief and does an all- Seems someone apparently pried the around great job. Read all about it on plaque off the wall and made off with it. page 1. Nighttown owner and “keeper of the As always, thanks for your support – plaques,” Brenden Ring was worried sick and don’t forget your dues! about it. Luckily, the plaque and the thief were not far-afoot. All Ring had to do was look “up.” at what he found. “I round the corner One of Ring’s employees told him that it and there’s Jane Scott,” he said. He took looked as though one of the upstairs apart- A publication of the plaque back to the bar and decided to ments that Ring leases at Nighttown had The Press Club of Cleveland make a deal with his tenant: get out, or face been broken into. charges. The tenant fessed up, saying he Editor Ring tried phoning the tenant sev- was a big fan of Jane’s. Lee Moran eral times, but got no response. He went Ring said he wants all Press Club mem- Associate Editor upstairs, knocked and pounded on the bers, Hall of Famers and Jane Scott fans to Maryana Bradas door. Not a peep. Ring said he had no know that Jane is back in a very prominent other choice but to grab the master key place at Nighttown. This time, he glued it Contributing Reporters and let himself in with a Cleveland Heights back onto the wall with Liquid Nails. Stu Warner police officer in tow. He also wants everyone to know that he Ed Byers Once inside, Ring said he was astounded has an apartment for rent. February 2012 The Press Club of Cleveland 3 The Press Club Kicks Off 125th Anniversary The

y versar with New Aquarium Preview Anni of Cleveland 125th The Greater Cleveland Aquarium and in the development of walk-through aquar- “Serving and honoring communications its staff played host to the Press Club of iums. professionals since 1887.” Cleveland on January 13 with a luncheon Following a delicious luncheon at Win- and sneak-peak of the facilities located in dows-On-The-River, The Press Club crowd President: Ed Byers Medical Mutual of Ohio the FirstEnergy Powerhouse on the West donned hard-hats and followed Brown on a 216/687-2685 Bank of the Flats. tour of the facility with construction crews Upwards of 70 guests were greeted by putting the finishing touches on the attrac- Vice President: Stuart Warner the Aquarium’s Tami Brown, who told tion, working feverishly to get it ready for The Write Coach LLC the luncheon crowd about the creation the grand opening later in the month. [email protected] of Cleveland’s newest tourist destination. Brown said annually, the Greater Cleve- Brown said the one million gallon Sea- land Aquarium is expected to attract 400- Secretary & Treasurer: Carol Kovach Tube project is the idea of Marinescape 500,000, generate $9.6 to $27.2 million of Sun Newspapers 216/986-6060 NZ Limited, a New Zealand-based com- local economic impact and create 50 full VP Membership: Pat Panchak pany, and Jacobs Entertainment, Inc. and part-time jobs with a payroll of $1.6 Editor-in-Chief, IndustryWeek Marinescape, she said, is the world leader million. VP Sponsorship: Dustin Klein Smart Business Network VP Marketing & PR: Mary Patton Patton Public Relations VP Programming: Kathleen Osborne Patton Public Relations

Board of Directors: Jeff Bendix Advanstar Communications Michael Bennett Cleveland Jewish News Margaret Bernstein The Plain Dealer John Betchkal General Electric, retired Maryana Bradas Business Wire M. Jane Christyson Cleveland Metroparks Howard Fencl Press Club Hall of Famer, Jim Donovan, takes on news anchor duties WKYC -TV3 “Jim has always been a news junkie, now general manager of WKYC. “Channel 3 Thom Fladung he’ll have the chance to expound on that viewers across the region love his quick wit The Plain Dealer knowledge.”— WKYC News Director Rita and passion for his work.” Bonnie Godbey Andolsen News Director Rita Andolsen agreed, Bruce Hennes Long-time WKYC sports anchor and “Now it’s time for Jim to bring all that Hennes Paynter Communications Press Club Hall of Famer Jim Donovan energy to a wider range of subjects,” said Dave Johnson (Class of ‘09) has joined co-anchor Robin Andolsen. “Jim has always been a news Medical Mart Swoboda for Channel 3 News @ 7 p.m. As junkie, now he’ll have the chance to Lisa Lowry Donovan expands his role into the anchor expound on that knowledge and cover a WKYC- TV3 position at 7, he continues his regular lot of big issues facing Northeast Ohio.” David Marburger sportscasting duties at 6 and 11 p.m. Donovan is returning to a full time Baker & Hostetler “I’m happy to take on a new challenge,” schedule after recovering from a bone Lee Moran said Donovan. “We’re going to do some marrow transplant last summer. He joined The News-Herald interesting and different things with the 7 Channel 3 in March of 1985 as weekend Kathleen Osborne p.m. show, and I look forward to working sports anchor. In June of 1999, Jim was Hathaway Brown on some very special projects.” named the voice of the Cleveland Browns. Denise Polverine “Jimmy is more than sports, he’s a great In 2009, he was inducted into The Press cleveland.com storyteller and an astute interviewer,” Club of Cleveland’s Journalism Hall of Richard Stewart stated Brooke Spectorsky, president and Fame. DigiZoom Media 4 The Press Club of Cleveland February 2012 Two Press Club Hall of Famers Get New Plain Dealer Assignments: Regina Brett Moves to A-2, Margaret Bernstein Returns as PD Metro Columnist The local TV news doesn’t get too complicated. ple hunger for positive stories, and want anchor landscape isn’t BYLINER: As we mature (notice we more of them. the only segment of the didn’t say “age”), we all gain life experience BYLINER: Oh, and what about those local news scene that and vision, and one might assume this online Trolls? is rapidly changing. could make for a much different column Bernstein: Well, I like to think that my Aside from the much- today, than in 1991? column, with its “stop complaining and publicized Tony Grossi Bernstein: Great question, and you’re do something” approach, will single- Twitter saga, other Plain exactly right – the only reason I even enter- handedly vanquish the trolls. I’m prob- BRETT Dealer changes were tained the idea of writing a column again is ably wrong about that. I don’t plan to announced last week. that I feel I have a lot more to say this engage with them directly, but the col- Regina Brett, the two-time Pulitzer time. Ever since Cleveland was named the umn will make it clear that they better Prize finalist will move to the Sunday PD’s poorest big city in 2004, I’ve observed the get out of the way; if they’re not part of Page A2 beginning Feb. 6. Brett’s column patterns and attitudes that keep many resi- the solution, they’re part of the problem. will share the page with Grant Segall’s My dents stuck in poverty, and I think it’s time BYLINER: Is there anything at The Cleveland. Brett’s column will continue to for honest dialogue. Plain Dealer you have NOT done – aside run on Sundays and Wednesday. In 2009, I’ve mentored girls ever since I arrived from sports. Brett was inducted into The Press Club of in Cleveland, and I’m concerned that I Bernstein: I’ve only been in TWO Cleveland’s Journalism Hall of Fame. couldn’t protect some of my mentees from departments during my 22 years at the The Plain Dealer also announced that the trap of becoming teen moms. In hind- paper: 19 of them in features and 3 in Margaret Bernstein, the 2010 Press Club sight, I wish I’d been more blunt with them, metro. However, my work has appeared of Cleveland Chuck Heaton Award recipi- that I’d framed the problems and pitfalls all over the paper. I’ve written op-eds, ent, will return to her long-ago role as a more clearly and urgently. That’s how I feel and on rare occasions my stories get metro columnist the same day. Bernstein’s about this column: I truly have learned the shipped to the business section. And goal is to focus readers on solutions to importance of speaking up on the issues in 1989, the paper sent me to Denver Cleveland’s social problems by spotlighting that matter. as part of the reporting team when the ideas that work and people who accomplish BYLINER: Do people actually take Browns made it to AFC championship. something measurable. As she says, folks time to read positive stories? They seldom My feature stories were good; the out- who are actually doing something will get appear in front-page BOLD above the fold. come of the game wasn’t. Sorry about her attention. Bernstein joined The Plain Bernstein: Yes, yes, yes. I think that peo- that, Cleveland. Dealer in 1989. Bernstein has been a Metro columnist, Everywoman editor, feature writer and, most recently, the paper’s phi- The Tony Grossi Tweet lanthropy reporter. “…we’re all learning Bernstein took a few 15,000-plus Twitter followers. the perils of this new in- minutes to talk with the According to PD reader rep Ted Diadi- vention.” - Tony Grossi Byliner about her “new” un’s column in the Sunday, Jan. 29 edition How about a show role. of The Plain Dealer, Grossi said he dis- of hands? How many BYLINER: So, how covered to his horror what had happened of us have had an “Oh, does it feel to be back as within about 60 seconds, and immediately my God” moment upon a metro columnist after retracted the Tweet, but the damage had sending an email, Face- such a long hiatus? been done, adding credence to the online book post or Tweet. Bernstein: I’m feeling lament that, “once it’s out there – it’s out BERNSTEIN You’d be surprised. much more comfortable t h e re .” In what has become known as “the this time around. I’m not going down Diadiun writes that when Grossi real- Tweet heard ‘round the world,” The Plain the usual path; this column will be highly ized the following morning that the Tweet Dealer’s Tony Grossi, who covered the conceptual and revolve around my natural had been copied and re-Tweeted around Cleveland Browns beat for more than knack for encouraging readers to be the football world, he called PD manag- twenty years was removed from the beat activists and problem-solvers. ing editor, Thom Fladung (a Press Club of last week by The Plain Dealer editorial BYLINER: What is the biggest challenge Cleveland board member) to give him the management team. you face in returning to columnist? bad news. Grossi said he typed what was intended Bernstein: Probably managing and keep- An apology to Lerner, the Browns and as a private text message, ‘a smart-(aleck) ing track of my interactions with readers Grossi’s Twitter followers quickly fol- remark to a colleague,’ describing Browns’ who are ready to take action. My goal is to lowed. Apologies also appeared on cleve- owner Randy Lerner as “a pathetic fig- create a community of readers and encour- land.com and Publisher Terrance Egger ure, the most irrelevant billionaire in the age them to share ideas and visions for sent Lerner and the Browns a letter of world.” Instead of sending a text message improving Cleveland. I want to link people apology. only to the intended recipient, Grossi hit with similar interests and keep an eye on Diadiun writes that Fladung’s major the wrong button and sent it out to his what they’re accomplishing. I’m hoping this continued on page 6 > February 2012 The Press Club of Cleveland 5 Welcome New Member The Press Club of Cleveland in Marilyn Mongeon Quill, the 40s and 50s – M.S., APR core program, Communicators for Mental Employer: Passion for HealthSM, is a Greater Cleveland pilot proj- “The In Spot” Change ect. CMH is designed to train professional By John Sheridan Job title: President & communicators as advocates for mental (Editor’s Note – in January’s first install- CEO health in the workplace and to match them, ment, past president John Sheridan detailed Hometown: Westlake pro bono, with local, underfunded mental- the formation of the Club on February 1, (originally a New Eng- health agencies needing their skills and 1887 and chronicled the beginnings of the lander) expertise for a particular project. Club through the 1940’s. John would like Alma Mater: School of What do you do there? My role is to in- everyone to know he actually was not there Journalism & Mass Com- spire, lead and collaborate with fellow pro- on that day in 1887, but has conducted a lot munication, Kent State University: Bachelor fessionals—all of us working pro bono—as of research. ) of Science in Journalism; major: Public Re- we make this vision a reality. In the late 1940s and early 1950s The lations; minor: Business Management What do you hope to get out of your Press Club of Cleveland was the cat’s paja- Newhouse School of Public Communica- Press Club of Cleveland membership? The mas. It moved into spacious quarters in tions, Syracuse University: Master of Sci- social side—meeting and chatting with the basement of the Olmsted Hotel, one of ence, the Executive Program in Communi- fellow communications professionals—is the many East Ninth Street landmarks that cations Management always a pleasure. I’m also looking forward have since met with the urban development What is Passion for Change? Passion for to participating in some of the Club’s edu- wreaking ball. Change is an emerging, innovative 501(c) cational opportunities and eventually shar- SM “We had a two-story clubroom with a (3) based in Westlake and dedicated to ing Communicators for Mental Health balcony, recalls former Press Club officer breaking the stigma of mental illness. Our with the club on a more formal basis. Chuck Thobaben. “It was billed as the world’s most beautiful Press Club.” On Friday nights it was the place to be Meet Russ Mitchell – and be seen. It was a “must” stop for a galaxy of visiting celebrities – some simply From CBS to Cleveland looking for a bit of conviviality, but most hoping for a little ink. Politicians, prizefighters and big-name entertainers seldom passed up an invitation to stop in. The guest list included the likes of Senator Robert A. Taft, Slapsie Maxie Rosenblum, comedian George Gobel, actor Walter Pigeon, and entertainer Gypsy Rose Lee. Former Press Club officer Hoyt King recalls one evening when movie actress Lana Turner sashayed through the club. Seated at one table was a group of regulars, absorbed – as usual –in their gin rummy card game. They cast a quick glance at the blonde Hollywood bombshell, then silently resumed their card playing. Friday, February 24, 2012 “Hi Fellas. Can I play?” Lana Turner 11:30 a.m. - Registration and Networking asked. Noon - 1:30 p.m. - Luncheon and Program Her request fell on deaf ears. So fierce and competitive was the card game that it continued without interruption. “No one at Hilton Garden Inn the table even acknowledged her presence,” 1100 Carnegie Avenue, Downtown Cleveland Hoyt remembers. In the early 1950’s The Press Club went Please join The Press Club of Cleveland in extending a warm Cleveland on the air with its own radio show – “The Press Club Presents” – broadcasting from welcome to Russ Mitchell, new Lead Anchor of the 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. the Club quarters. A local version of “Meet newscasts and Managing Editor Evening News at WKYC TV 3. the Press,” it was emceed at various times by Sandy Markey and Bud Wendell. Cost: $30 for Press Club Members; $45 for Non-Members In the March Byliner: “Moving Days Call the Press Club of Cleveland office: 440/899-1222. – Trying to Keep One Step Ahead of Insolvency” 6 The Press Club of Cleveland February 2012

Romona Robinson Lands at 19 Action News - Reed, Lai Out Capel In at FOX 8 in the Morning The Cleveland TV anchor merry-go-round continued to spin last week with the announcement that Romona Robinson has found a new broadcast home at 19 Action News where she will be the co-anchor on three weekday newscasts. News director Dan Salamone confirms that Robinson and Denise Dufala will be the 6 and 11 p.m. anchor team. Robinson also will co-anchor the 5-5:30 p.m. newscast with David Wittman. Dufala and Wittman will be the co-anchors for the 4-4:30 p.m. newscast. Robinson, late of WKYC-TV 3, calls it a homecoming. She began her career in 1988 as an anchor of the 10 p.m. news on 19’s sister station WUAB, 43. “There’s no place like home,” said Robinson. “I love this city and what I’ve come to realize, particularly over the last few weeks, is Action 19 News, came word of the departure of two action 19 that the people of Northeast Ohio have truly become my family,” news anchors, Sharon Reed and Lynna Lai. she said. “I can’t put into words how excited I am to join 19 Action “We have made the decision not to renew their contracts,” said News. They have embraced my journalistic values and my com- Salamone. “These are two terrific people who have made tremen- mitment to the community and I can’t wait to get started on this dous contributions to our newscast in the past, and we wish them new adventure.” both nothing but the best.” “Romona is an accomplished journalist that has earned the trust Over at Fox 8, the station has named Kristi Capel as anchor of of Clevelanders”, said Salamone. “It’s a perfect format for Romona Fox 8 News in the Morning. She replaces Tracy McCool who now to continue to do what she does best.” anchors the evening newscasts. Capel joins Wayne Dawson and Almost as quickly as the news broke of Robinson’s return to Stefani Schaefer as anchors on the morning newscasts.

TONY GROSSI FROM PAGE 4 concern was that Grossi had inadvertently Akron Beacon Journal columnist Bob Browns beat. “Would I have reassigned revealed to the world his disdain for the Dyer, who used to work for Fladung at Grossi? Tough call. He has covered the owner of the team he was covering. Which the Beacon Journal, in his Feb. 2 column, Browns well for two decades. Sacking him begs the question: how would Plain Dealer pointed to the fact that this incident clearly because of one careless mistake seems readers be able to have faith in the objectiv- illustrates the huge differences between incredibly harsh. On the other hand, it’s ity of Grossi’s reporting following that? the roles of columnist and beat reporter: tough to disagree with Thom Fladung when As the rumors flew far and wide, Dia- “Things would be different if Grossi were a he says reader’s perceptions of Grossi have diun stated the PD’s facts of the case. “Tony columnist, a Terry Pluto or Marla Ridenour, forever changed.” Grossi was not fired, nor was the move who gets paid to offer personal opinion. In In the end, The Plain Dealer’s Diadiun disciplinary. He will be reassigned to a dif- that case, the errant tweet would have been says Grossi does not agree with the decision ferent role in the sports department, not as perceived merely as a tasteless cheap shot, for several reasons: that it was not meant as punishment but because editors decided not a career-altering disaster.” a malicious Tweet, that Grossi doesn’t typi- that he could no longer credibly remain Yet, Dyer wonders about the wisdom of cally interact with Lerner and furthermore, on that beat.” Diadiun also noted that the reporters being forced to do double and Grossi feels his opinion of Lerner doesn’t Browns had nothing to do with the decision in many cases – triple duty, in trying to color his coverage of the team. Knowing all and that none of the editors involved talked feed both the traditional and social media that, the editors in charge made a painful with anyone connected with the team be- beasts. “Why should a sportscaster who is but principled decision based on what they fore making the call. covering, say, a basketball game send out believed best for the newspaper.” Freedom of speech? Not really, writes little comments about the game every five Grossi, in Diadiun’s column, explained, Diadiun. “This was not an issue of First minutes? If the Tweet recipients were that “We’re given these marching orders to Amendment rights or of censorship. Any- interested in the action, wouldn’t they be Tweet your beat, to gather and attract a fol- one who works at the paper has the right to riveted to the game on radio or TV? Beat lowing, to be provocative, because it’s good say, write or Tweet anything they wish. But writers are expected to monitor what every- for our brand to interact with the readers,” they do not have a corresponding right to one else is writing, broadcasting, tweeting he said. “But we’re all learning the perils of say it in the newspaper or on the website or and blogging and constantly updating their this new invention.” on their newspaper Twitter account. If they own stories while tweeting and blogging “The good news,” writes Diadiun, “is that do, the editors who are in charge of main- themselves.” we’ll (The Plain Dealer) still have Grossi’s taining the credibility of the newspaper Dyer said he understands both sides passion and ability. But it will be in a differ- have the right to change their assignment.” in the PD’s decision to pull Grossi off the ent area of the sports section.”