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'Story is now on the front of CNN.com'

11/5/2010

9 Comments

 
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So I had just left a faculty meeting and was heading to a barber shop when I read the e-mail. The subject line was simply "Update." The message a single line: "Story is now on the front of CNN.com." My family had gone global!

A little background. Nearly two weeks earlier, on October 20, Another e-mail had arrived: "CNN INTERVIEW REQUEST." That's a stop-what-you're-doing e-mail, right? Inside it said: "My name is Sarah Hoye and I am a reporter for CNN stationed in Philadelphia. ... I am following up on concerns over youth football as a result of the recent Rutgers University football player who is paralyzed after suffering a spinal cord injury while making a tackle. ... I am writing to see if any of you may have connections to high school football players in the Philly area; or parents of high school football players, who are willing to talk about the dangers of the sport, their fears or lack of fears. ... Thank you in advance and I look forward to hearing from you!"

Right away, I connected Sarah with my brother, Curtis, whose son, Calvin, is a varsity quarterback who the weekend before had just led his team to a sensational comeback against my high school alma mater. Last fall, Calvin suffered a concussion knocking him out of his team's state championship game. A couple days later, Sarah spent an afternoon with Calvin and teammates at the school and interviewed Curtis and his wife, Renarda, at their home.

So now, with no notice, it was live on CNN.com. I first viewed it using my CNN app for the iPhone, but couldn't listen to it because the barber shop chatter was too loud. Finding it online once back on campus was a challenge, because more than three hours had gone by since it went live. Finally found it on the U.S. page and there was my nephew's face, in the top left corner, right next to the face of the president of the United States! (A video of President Obama at a news conference during his trip to India anchored the webpage.)

After saving three screenshots for posterity, I then went about sharing this page with the world. Amazingly, more than two people had already recommended this for Facebook from the badge on the page. The page had about 72 comments from folks presumably from around the world. I shared the link via Facebook directly, as I have often shared webpages there. I then shared it on LinkedIn and Twitter, a much rarer thing as I typically focus on the former for connections and as online resume, and as far as the latter, I just haven't engaged there as much as I should.

Most revealing about the experience is that I never cared whether Sarah's piece actually appeared on CNN, the network, that is. Talk about emerging media. In the past, being on CNN meant being there at the exact time it came on or maybe missing it. Sure, you can TiVo it. But try taking TiVo with you or sharing it with everyone you know. It's so much easier to share a webpage link via Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn. Or saving it to Delicious for easy access.

Like I always say, when you want your family to go global, keep it simple.
9 Comments
Mark Strotman
1/20/2011 10:27:08 am

As a former high school football player myself, I have to agree with your nephew. As soon as you step on the football field, all problems, pain, and other things on your mind completely vanish. It's truly amazing what being on the football field can do and even though one of my teammates suffered a neck injury sophomore year, I never once thought about that while I was playing. Let's see that recruiting tape!

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Joshua Arter
1/23/2011 08:02:20 am

I was interviewed by channel 12 news about the Chilean mine rescue. It is definitely interesting to see the news from the other side.

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Jodi Denk
1/24/2011 05:38:15 am

It's interesting to see how many ways the same story is package in regards to whatever format it'll be presented. It's changing the way the business is done. I still find it more thrilling to see someone's face I know on tv, but it is great to be able to send out a link to relatives who missed it.

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Elizabeth Heebink link
1/24/2011 11:35:56 am

I agree with Josh. I was interviewed by the local news in Dallas regarding the college life on the SMU campus. It was great chance to provide my opinion. Also, it was very interesting to come face to face with the news crew.

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Trey
1/24/2011 01:20:27 pm

I thought that while watching the video of this story the key way in which it was recorded and covered really gave it essential honesty. The fact that the reporter used her own camera, and that none of the fans in attendace, not even Lowe's mother, knew that they would be featured on CNN. All too often people act differently than usual when knowing they are on camera.

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Ashley De La Torre
1/24/2011 01:20:32 pm

I too was interviewes by a local news station before in my hometown, but I actually didn't care to see myself on television. However it is exciting to see people you know on tv. Mr. Lowe actually brought up a great point about taking Tivo with you. That sounds like a good idea.

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Jon M
1/25/2011 12:01:49 am

This really was a super cool video and story. Just the fact that it was about your nephew! How awesome!! Wish someone in my family could be on CNN!!

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Sarah
8/31/2011 07:38:26 am

It's so interesting to me how quickly we can find and view the same story in so many different formats. I remember going to Cubs games when I was little (yes, Cubs games that they won), and telling my family to look for me on TV. Now, I can be seen in the stands, decked out in Cubs gear via the internet on more types of devices than I'll bother to count.

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Marissa Evans
9/14/2011 10:43:35 pm

Ever since I had learned how to do screenshots on my former PC and now brand new MacBook I have taken to also doing this when I see things I like.

I'm sure I do not have to tell you about EverNote and it's helpfulness for this! In regards to the story I was very pleased with how well written it was. It always is a delight to see people you know or kind of know on TV or on the internet. That's when the share, send, like and tweet buttons are at their peak of use!

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    My journalism DNA remains strong as I learn and teach new ways to tell and present stories, especially via digital and social media. This blog is where I share what happens in my classroom and my life and, from time to time, offer my views on current events. I appreciate your feedback – either as comments herein or in an email to herbert.lowe [at] marquette [dot] edu.

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