MediaMaven

Laura Evans, who was recently fired as KIRO 7 News Director after a stormy three years that led to her being walked out the station and who was later ridiculed by staff posts on social media, is posting for herself on LinkedIn about her doctoral studies and what she saw while visiting the National Association of Broadcasters convention this week in Vegas.  Her reputational rehab is fully under way after getting a journalism fellowship in Germany.   From my vantage point she had a Plan B ready. "Just back from the NAB conference, and one thing was clear: AI was everywhere. Not theoretical. Not emerging. Everywhere. The scale of it was hard to ignore. AI is already being used in some capacity across many newsrooms. But what stood out at the National Association of Broadcasters' conference was how rapidly it is advancing and how deeply it could be integrated into every part of the media ecosystem. That raises a bigger question for the United States: In the U.S., AI in journa...

The latest Seattle radio ratings are in for the March period and alternative KEXP-FM was the big story, jumping 1.6 share points into second place, trailing only the usual leadrer, KUOW, although that station did see a numbers drop whilc maintaining the top slot. 97.3 KIRO-FM did not make the top 10 and had its lowest share of the year so far.  The full tote board here: https://ratings.radio-online.com/content/arb039

Lori Matsukawa, retired longtime anchor at KING has written a new book about her life, work and heritage. "Can’t wait for Thursday’s reveal of my book at Town Hall Seattle! “Being There: Memoir of an Asian American Journalist” describes a life of challenge and change at a time when there were few role models for women of color in TV News. Best of all, my dear friend Mimi Gan will be doing the interview! And yes, there will be books for sale!"  Thursday 4/23 at 7:30 pm.

Gregg Bell is back on the air at 93.3 KJR-FM in the 10-noon time slot as the station revamps it's morning lineup.  He's apparently replacing the ousted Mark James and will team with Christopher Kidd. Bell is the Seahawks and NFL writer for The News Tribune. He is a two-time Washington state sportswriter of the year, as voted by the National Sports Media Association. 

Took a quick peek at Day 2 of the Ultimate Seattle Sports Show on KONG. Guest was Brad Adam from Marinets TV, so for the second day in a row, a media counterpart for interviews.   He spent a half hour with SIlvi and Egan and they compared the top five player interviews over the years from the Mariners.  People love lists, I guess.   Still looking for some guest star power here.  Matt Hasselbeck was out there on Seattle radio yesterday, so he would be a real asset pre-draft.  Can't Walter Jones come on with Paul, his 'Fifth Quarter' partner?    The show did pump up some fresh video Tuesday with press conference sound from Mariners manager Dan Wilson, Hawks GM Schneider, Hawks coach MacDonald and the newest Storm acquisition Flau' Jae Johnson.   Added a segment called 'King of the Bet,' featuring an on-screen parlay dreamed up by the hosts.for viewers to bet "at one of our fine NW casinos," said Egan.   Bettors beware. ...

. Robert Malkamaki joins KIRO as a news producer, coming from the barely-viewed News Nation in Chicago where he was a line producer and AP.  Also a Loyola of Chicago grad.   He appears to be a big Cubs and Bears fan, too.   KIRO has no sports dept.   Robert, you're on your own.

Morning anchors Jake Whittenberg and Mimi Jung apparently don't have enough to do at their jobs. Sad to see this pair using a studio door backdrop in their KING 5 workplace to post a dance video with a Bruno Mars ditty.  Why there?   What's the point?    So I guess the epidemic has spread from SLU/Fox 13 to Sodo.    https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1cpKUdbmFJ/