[rfu-automation] Fwd: [RFU] Fwd: PRESS RELEASE - SPlog provides platform for readers to publish multimedia content

Tue Apr 28 15:43:08 CDT 2009

I'm not sure if they're looking for a PSA so much as coverage in our  
programming. It would be great if someone were to have one or more SP  
people in as guests, and talk to them about the project.

If they are looking for a PSA:
- it should be as short as possible.
- it should describe the object, without using superlatives
- it should let the public know *why* they should be interested, and  
*what* they should do.

So something like:
The local online magazine, Smile Politely, has recently launched a new  
platform that lets community members easily publish material on their  
site. The tumblelog, known as SPlog, allows audience members to post  
text, audio, and video. It can be accessed from the Smile Politely  
site at www.smilepolitely.com

This case provides an example for the need for local news programming  
on WRFU. I've thought in the past that we could create a platform that  
would allow community members to create their own items - perhaps  
through a phone or computer interface - and then have a WRFU member  
check through content (for compliance with FCC regulations, or  
suitability for a certain time slot) before approving it for  
broadcast. I'd be interested in talking with any WRFU members  
interested in working on regular news programming, or in developing a  
platform to facilitate such programming.

Andrew

On Apr 26, 2009, at 10:48 PM, Mike Lehman wrote:

> It's pretty long for an on-air PSA, so letting them know it needs  
> edited to either a 30 or 60 second version would be a good first  
> step. They could do that or RFU could.
>
> Since there is nothing directly commercially related in the PSA and  
> there is the basic community service aspect, I think that it should  
> be a permissible PSA. If we got a PSA or underwriting support from,  
> say a tire store, like they were offering a free tire inflation and  
> safety check or providing support to the station, if someone went by  
> their shop and saw a Michelin sign, for instance, it should still be  
> permissible to do a PSA or underwriting announcement. The only  
> commercial thing about SP's site is that they do have ads on it.  
> However, there is no mention of that inherent in the PSA.
>
> Andrew, what do you think?
> Mike Lehman
>
> Noel L. Vivar wrote:
>> So Smile Politely is asking for us to put up a PSA for their new
>> "community-oriented publishing platform".
>>
>> I am unsure whether to put their PSA up since they are a for-profit
>> organization... but then again, they're posting about a
>> "community-oriented" service.
>>
>> We currently have one criterion for non-profit orgs only.
>> http://www.wrfu.net/psa
>>
>> This would be the first PSA I have rejected on these grounds, so I
>> just want to make sure that this is what the station wants.
>>
>> -NOel
>>
>>
>> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
>> From: joel gillespie <joel.gillespie at gmail.com>
>> Date: Tue, Apr 21, 2009 at 9:14 AM
>> Subject: [RFU] Fwd: PRESS RELEASE - SPlog provides platform for
>> readers to publish multimedia content
>> To: rfu at wrfu.net
>>
>>
>> Hi WRFU,
>>
>> Please see the attached press release and text below. Thanks!
>>
>> Joel Gillespie
>> Smile Politely
>>
>>
>>
>> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
>>
>> Contact: 217.480.4113, <joelgillespie at smilepolitely.com>
>> Joel Gillespie, Managing Editor
>> Seth Fein, Managing Editor & Founder
>>
>> SPlog provides platform for readers to publish multimedia content
>>
>> (Champaign-Urbana, Illinois — April 20, 2009) — Smile Politely,
>> Champaign-Urbana's online magazine,
>> announces a unique addition to local media: the SPlog (pronounced
>> “splog”). This new community-
>> oriented publishing platform turns local media blogging on its head  
>> by
>> providing all Smile Politely
>> readers the opportunity to author featured content that appears on  
>> the
>> site. Smile Politely's audience
>> can contribute to the SPlog via a simple online form, and, in the
>> process, add their own perspective
>> to the magazine in a fashion far more prominent than standard  
>> commenting allows.
>>
>> A tumblelog, Smile Politely's SPlog is capable of featuring audio and
>> video files, photography, and
>> text. The section's compact posts provide readers with an array of
>> snippets about life in Champaign-
>> Urbana. Readers-turned-contributors can highlight upcoming local
>> events of note, share their own
>> reviews of community events and establishments, discuss local issues
>> of significance, post photos
>> that capture the interesting aspects of life in C-U, or even promote
>> their own band through the posting
>> of mp3 files that are conveniently hosted on Smile Politely's server
>> and available for preview on
>> an mp3 player.
>>
>> "We developed the SPlog specifically for our readers, to engage them
>> in a new community-based
>> platform that welcomes all perspectives on life in Champaign-Urbana,"
>> said Smile Politely editor Joel
>> Gillespie. "Certainly, there's a trend in technology where online
>> readers expect more accessibility.
>> They want to read interesting coverage that pertains to them, but  
>> they
>> also want to be able to express
>> themselves in a meaningful, public fashion. We've attempted to  
>> provide
>> such an open-minded
>> environment where ideas, news, and entertainment can be exchanged."
>>
>> Gillespie added, "Smile Politely wants to hold a mirror up to the
>> community and celebrate the reflection.
>> To be able to do that, we need to provide the opportunity for anyone
>> to step in front of the mirror."
>> The SPlog launched in mid February, and the response from readers has
>> been positive. Smile Politely,
>> a volunteer-operated magazine that was founded in 2007, publishes
>> daily feature articles on
>> local entertainment, culture, food, sports, news, and opinion. Each  
>> of
>> the magazine's departments
>> are also represented in the SPlog's daily content.
>>
>> Find Smile Politely on the Web at <http://www.smilepolitely.com>.The
>> SPlog is located at
>> <http://www.smilepolitely.com/splog>.
>>
>> Smile Politely managing editors Joel Gillespie and Seth Fein are
>> available for media interviews. For
>> more information, please contact Joel Gillespie at
>> <joelgillespie at smilepolitely.com>.
>>
>>
>>
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>>
>>
>>
>>
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