Ashli Blow · Storify

#SJW2013 Social Media Scavenger Hunt for the #ta

Ashli Blow — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 16:15:54 GMT

For Scholastic Journalism Week 2013, I am participating in a scavenger hunt presented by the Teen Appeal. I have 20 questions/assignments to complete (mostly about Memphis media). You can track my answers here!

Storified by Ashli Blow · Sun, Feb 24 2013 08:15:54

Q1: Introduce yourself:

Slideshare for #ta #sjw2013

Hi, my name is Ashli.

Q2: Upload a photo or video of what journalism means to you. Include if you are or were a high school journalist and what school in Memphis you attend(ed).

What journalism means to me via @AriShapiro: Getting something to listeners the minute that it happened https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWeOiwoUM1U #sjw2013 #ta
— Ashli Blow · Thu, Feb 21 2013 19:35:23

Ari Shapiro - Inside NPR Journalism · nprjobs

Ari Shapiro couldn't have said it any better, " (Journalists) love the thrill of getting something to listeners the minute that it happens. " Breaking news is imperative, and time sensitive. If a bad weather storm broke, or an incident such as a shooting occurred that could threat public safety - the general public needs to know immediately. On another note, for stories that aren't breaking - no one wants to hear something that's stale. Get it when it's fresh. This is where my new favorite quote comes in from reporter Charlie LeDuff out of Detroit, "Get it right, and don't be boring.

To answer the second half of this question, I was a proud broadcaster in high school. I worked on the Bolton High School TV program, BHS LIVE (It was prerecorded). I won an award from the regional PTA for photo journalism when I was a junior. Yes, that is A C Wharton as Shelby County Mayor in 2006.

A young me accepting an award for photo journalism in high school from the (younger) A C Wharton #sjw2013 #ta #bangs http://pic.twitter.com/XFjEVKHO60 · Ashli Blow

Q3: Name a local Emmy-award winning meteorologist.

Speaking of @RonChilders... did you know he is an Emmy Award winning Meteorologist ? Check it: http://www.wmctv.com/story/125533/ron-childers #sjw2013 #ta
— Ashli Blow · Thu, Feb 21 2013 14:21:58

According to the Mid-South/Nashville's Emmy winner list, Action News 5's own Ron Childers was granted an Emmy in 2001. For you early birds out there, you can catch him on Action News 5 weekday mornings from 4:30 a.m. to 7 a.m. Check out his most recent report on identifying a safe place in severe weather:

Ron Childers helps you identify your severe weather safe place

(WMC-TV) - You have heard the Action News 5 storm tracking team say many times during tornado warnings, "Go to your safe place if your ho...

Q4: Interview a teacher or co-worker and ask them why journalism is important to democracy.

@KJacobson5 Why is journalism important to democracy? #sjw2013 #ta
— Ashli Blow · Thu, Feb 21 2013 10:06:32

@ashliblow I think journalism is important to democracy because it is our job to hold our elected officials accountable. #sjw2013 #ta
— Kelsey Jacobson · Thu, Feb 21 2013 10:08:11

Kelsey Jacobson is the Digital Content Director at Action News 5. Her experience in broadcast journalism began in 2002 in Grand Forks, North Dakota where she worked as a production assistant, associate producer, and a news reporter.

Q5: Share your opinion: Why is it important to stay current with the news?

It's important to stay current with the news so that you will get Seth Meyer's jokes on Saturdays... #sjw2013 #ta http://pic.twitter.com/sZ7arEChIt · Ashli Blow

Side note: Seth Meyers' name has an "s" in it. Excuse the typo above. :)

In all seriousness, it's important to keep up w/ news so you can be informed and make every day decisions wisely & accordingly #sjw2013 #ta
— Ashli Blow · Thu, Feb 21 2013 21:54:58

Also, my dad always told me it's important to read the news because it's a way to be a part of history #sjw2013 #ta
— Ashli Blow · Thu, Feb 21 2013 22:06:24

#MMChat with Amy Howell "The Impact of Social Media on the Future of #PR"

Ashli Blow — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 01:07:40 GMT

The 90th #MMchat hosted by @TheSocialCMO with CEO of Howell-Marketing on the future of social media and PR. Read the discussion here, questions are in order with additional feedback from #mmchat participants.

Storified by Ashli Blow · Mon, Apr 16 2012 18:07:40

So please join me in welcoming Amy @HowellMarketing as our 90th #MarketerMonday Chat SPECIAL guest! Cheers! #MMchat
— The Social CMO · Mon, Apr 16 2012 17:03:29

From crisis communications to total rebranding, Amy has spent her 20+ year career working towards expertise in all things #PR! #MMchat
— The Social CMO · Mon, Apr 16 2012 17:03:15

To get things rolling & the conversation kickstarted I as always have a few questions for Amy @HowellMarketing #MMchat
— The Social CMO · Mon, Apr 16 2012 17:03:43

Q1

Q1) OK, first question Amy, How is social impacting role of of traditional #PR agencies and practitioners?#MMchat
— The Social CMO · Mon, Apr 16 2012 17:04:08

A1

#MMchat A1: SM makes us better at our jobs ~ work harder to stay ahead for clients.
— Amy D. Howell · Mon, Apr 16 2012 17:11:28

#MMchat A1: agencies must be in social game or they will be obsolete
— Amy D. Howell · Mon, Apr 16 2012 17:08:31

Q1: everything is viral & real time. Huge game changer #MMchat
— Amy D. Howell · Mon, Apr 16 2012 17:05:17

If you ain't 1st, you're last! “@HowellMarketing: #MMchat A1: SM makes us better at our jobs ~ work harder to stay ahead for clients. #pr
— Kiersten Bagley · Mon, Apr 16 2012 17:14:21

“@AnneDGallaher: Yes, @HowellMarketing, #SM levels the playing field for small biz; we can connect directly with media & consumers. #mmchat
— Amy D. Howell · Mon, Apr 16 2012 17:18:53

RT @howellmarketing: Yes! Sue you are the pro! @sueyoungmedia: @HowellMarketing News is about people and people love great stories #mmchat.
— DIY PR · Mon, Apr 16 2012 17:18:02

“@DebWeinstein:Social #PR: Remember when we thought a 24hr news cycle was fast & furious? Now it's a 140 character cycle! @sunaynat #mmchat”
— LACEY WASHBURN · Mon, Apr 16 2012 17:20:42

SM allows us to sidestep the media. Today everyone has a press pass and is a publisher #mmchat
— SusanYoung · Mon, Apr 16 2012 17:21:30

Q2

Q2) So do you think we’ll ever see a future where social replaces traditional #PR as we’ve known it for many years? #MMchat
— The Social CMO · Mon, Apr 16 2012 17:20:43

A2

A2: No. Huge value in traditional PR. Leveraged using SM well=awesome
— Amy D. Howell · Mon, Apr 16 2012 17:22:02

So true! RT @HowellMarketing: I think SM GIVES PR a bigger role!;)) I see it in my firm #mmchat. #mmchat
— Alys Drake · Mon, Apr 16 2012 17:24:03

“@KABagley: A2 My generation gets news they care about from social sources. They're not picking up the paper or watching news @ 9. #MMchat”
— LACEY WASHBURN · Mon, Apr 16 2012 17:25:43

Memphis Tiger Fans react to 8 seed

Ashli Blow — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 07:36:04 GMT

After taking the C-USA title and moving on to NCAA tournament as an 8 seed, many Memphians felt the Memphis Tigers were underseeded. However, community spirit proves that Memphis believes this is just motivation to get our team to the top.

Storified by Ashli Blow · Wed, Mar 14 2012 00:36:04

Memphis lands 8 seed in West vs Saint Louis

(WMC-TV) - The Memphis Tigers gathered at the TPC Southwind Clubhouse Sunday to find out where they would be headed for the NCCA tourname...

Big Congrats. to our Memphis Tigers... Goooo Team... We Believe !!!
— Marcaleen 'Marcy' Blake Seddens · Sun, Mar 11 2012 18:14:49

Memphis Tigers and majority of fans in disbelief when they were announced as an 8 seed:

Wordpress

Watchin Selection Sunday w/ Memphis team at their event. Disbelief when popped up as an 8 seed.
— Chris Vernon · Sun, Mar 11 2012 15:21:01

Tiger Sports Report (Rivals) >> Stunned Tigers Find They Have Received a No. 8 Seed http://buzztap.com/-iUNJ0t
— Memphis Tigers Buzz · Mon, Mar 12 2012 00:18:19

I looked up "disrespect" in my dictionary and found this definition: How the Selection Committee treats the University of Memphis Tigers.
— Jim Glisson · Sun, Mar 11 2012 16:27:02

Memphis Tigers a 8 seed? really!!!!
— Courtney Benson · Sun, Mar 11 2012 18:02:01

Memphis got a raw deal. Should be a 5 or 6 seed but got an 8. Prob due to lack of national TV games and poor start of season.
— Scott Stockdale · Mon, Mar 12 2012 07:43:31

@chasingphoto Memphis underseeded. Tigers should be on 5-line. Tough match-up with SLU, also underseeded. BPI values both correctly.
— Jay Bilas · Sun, Mar 11 2012 22:00:05

Great assessment. ~~> RT @memphisdaily: Don Wade on Tigers' No. 8 seed (via TDNblog) #memphis #ncaa #marchmadness http://ow.ly/9ABfj
— Alys Drake · Sun, Mar 11 2012 17:44:51

When CBS flashed Memphis as an 8, Will Barton said he thought it was a mistake.
— John Martin · Sun, Mar 11 2012 15:45:56

Will Barton is disgusted at the Tigers' seed..#gotigersgo · ajjourdan

In addition another team was broadcasted and labeled as the Memphis Tigers during their selection:

By the way - that team they showed on CBS when the graphic said Memphis. Yeah, that was some other team.
— Chris Vernon · Sun, Mar 11 2012 15:31:46

Giving Memphis an 8 seed is NOT disrespectful. Showing another team during our selection IS.
— Kenneth T Whalum Jr. · Mon, Mar 12 2012 07:15:00

Tigers fans appalled by the 8 seed believe it will just motivate out team during the tournament:

"We perform at our best when there's a chip on our shoulder and we're backed in the corner a bit," said head coach Josh Pastner. "That's just the facts of it. If our guys don't have a chip on their shoulder now, I don't know what to tell you."

Head coach Josh Pastner discusses the Tigers' draw in. The NCAA Tournament · ajjourdan

An 8 seed for Memphis? The Tigers are going to play with a major chip on their shoulders due to the disrespect just like in 2008. I wouldn't want to play the Tigers right now! GO TIGERS GO!
— Elliott Linhoss · Sun, Mar 11 2012 19:05:41

USA TODAY COLLEGE Contributions

Ashli Blow — Tue, 01 May 2012 16:22:39 GMT

Here are some articles that I’ve contributed to USA TODAY COLLEGE, you can click the thumbnails to read them.

Storified by Ashli Blow · Tue, May 01 2012 09:22:39

Can your Klout score land you a job? | USA TODAY College

Does a high Klout score translate into a job? Would you put your Klout score on your resume if you knew that it could give you a competit...

Boston-area universities were key in shaping MLK's philosophy | USA TODAY College

Martin Luther King, Jr. receiving his honorary degree from Boston University, 1959 (BU Photo Services). Martin Luther King, Jr. drove int...

I was selected as a finalist for the USA TODAY College Correspondent Program. This is the piece I submitted to them about livability issues in Memphis.The criteria was that it had to be an article that would be of interest to a college audience. I did not make it in to the program, but I am still a contributing writer to the USA TODAY College section.

Ashliblow

“Young Americans Want Livability, Memphis Bicycling Advocates Push for Progression

Memphis, TN—Joined by a group of volunteers, Sarah Newstok grabbed a paint roller and coated green bike lanes herself in a Midtown historic arts district, just to exhibit how bike lane made it more vibrant and accessible than ever. That was two years ago, when strong bicycle advocacy began in Memphis for a more livable city.

“We have a long way to go but we are making progress. Other cities have provided (bike facilities) for their residents for years, and we have many challenges as we catch up, ” says Sarah Newstok, program director for Livable Memphis—an organization that promotes productive living.

Memphis bicycle advocates know they need to get up to speed with cities like Portland, Oregon—a cycling giant as far as city planning goes with 324 miles of bikeways. Newstok and others fear that if Memphis can’t catch up quickly graduates from local universities will continue to scatter to communities with more urban efficient qualities.

“Serious law firms in Memphis will tell you that many professionals will not come here to work because of the city’s livability. This is not the kind of place where neighborhood parks are connecting or where you can take a calm walk down the street without the idea of being hit by a car,” says Anthony Siracusa, executive director of local Revolutions Community Bicycle Shop.

Memphis Mayor A C Wharton promised 55-miles of bike lanes by July 2012 after bicycle enthusiasts rallied outside city hall for transit reform in the summer 2010. The rally was prompted by a Federally funded street repaving project in which city engineers failed to put bike lanes into the original design plans.

Wharton agrees bike facilities are important to the city and are imperative to its long-term economic prosperity.

“Bike lanes are economically efficient because when people are walking or biking by a store front they absorb more commercial appeal than when driving past,” says Newstok.

According to a survey released by The Memphis Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, 81 percent of the region’s residents own a bicycle. Only half of those bike owners used them on a daily to weekly basis.

Memphis City bicycle/pedestrian coordinator, Kyle Wagenschutz, said more community members, including recent college graduates, are seeing the financial motive to walk and use bikes more. It’s just cheaper.

“A part of this is for involvement, but also it (more bicycling facilities) is making our city a better place for the residents here,“ says Wagenshutz.

“What we have isn’t efficient and many people working minimum wage jobs could be served better (by the city) with a low-cost, pocket-friendly form of transportation.”

He admits, though, that the bike lanes alone won’t stem the flow of young creative talent to other cities. Some are just looking for a bigger urban experience in general.

But biking advocates believe that those simple stripes on a road marking bike lanes can make a city better. With 30 miles completed of Mayor Wharton’s Bicycle Facility Program, MPO is working on more plans for bikeway connectivity around the city.

Ironically, because it is behind the times, Wagenschutz believes Memphis has an advantage installing bicycle lanes decades after the cities that were pioneers; now the city can learn from earlier designs and engineering flaws which could make development easier.

After a few years, Memphis could have some the most efficient bike facilities in the U.S.

“We might be behind in implantation, but our mindset is not that far behind. I feel good about where we are as a city and think we are heading in the right direction for the future.”

The Vinyl District Contributions

Ashli Blow — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 13:58:02 GMT

I contribute articles to a national blog called the The Vinyl District - mostly I write about vinyl collections in the Memphis community, but sometimes I write other things like show reviews.

Storified by Ashli Blow · Thu, Sep 13 2012 06:58:02

Recordmendations with DJ Buck Wilders of Shangri-La Records

Andrew McCalla, also known as DJ Buck Wilders, is known around the city for being "that record store dude" who manages Shangri-la Records...

Recordmendations with Memphis Vic

Back in 1951, Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats recorded "Rocket 88″ at Sun Studios with song composer Ike Turner on keyboards. One of t...

TVD Live: The Dirty Streets at The Hi-Tone Cafe, 10/21

Bottles of celebration champagne being opened in a thick crowd, pouring stage lights into a dancing audience, and strong waves of rock an...

Your Neighborhood Stories

Ashli Blow — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 13:57:26 GMT

As an intern at Action News 5 I was responsible for writing one web story for the "Your Neighborhood" section a week.

Storified by Ashli Blow · Thu, Sep 13 2012 06:57:26

Memphis chosen as a "Green Lane" city, milestone for our livability effort

Last week was a milestone for Memphis livability as our city was one of six cities picked by the Bikes Belong Foundation for its Green La...

What the Mega Millions jackpot can get you

What would you do if you won the historic Mega Millions lottery tonight? Well, we calculated a handful of things that $640 million can ge...

Two arrests made at popular downtown bar

(WMC-TV) - Two separate arrests were made Saturday at a popular downtown bar near Beale Street. Both arrests at The Silly Goose involved ...

(Please note the story above was written from only affidavits.)

Many Memphians spending $1,000 on St. Patrick’s Day drinking

Many local bars prepare their menus and drink specials for another St. Patrick's Day - a holiday mostly associated with beer and alcohol ...

Memphis Tiger fans react to 8 seed selection

View the story "Memphis reacts to 8 seed selection " on Storify]