The Fellows are providing updates from their central Florida media tours. You can read them below.
Fellows take trip to Poynter
by Lexi Williams ’17
Elon University Communications Fellows had an early start Jan. 14, as they headed to St. Petersburg, Fla., to attend a seminar at the Poynter Institute—a journalism school established in 1975 by Nelson Poynter, a well-known publisher whose father owned the St. Petersburg Times.
Students attended a seminar led by Poynter Vice President Roy Peter Clark, a celebrated writer who has published four books on writing and grammar and founded the National Writers Workshop.
Clark discussed the importance of word order and how it affects the way sentences are structured. Clark then shifted to a talk about the difference between delivering reports and telling stories, and when it is appropriate to use passive verbs to “showcase the victim of action,” he said.
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Fellows visit WESH-TV, Amway Center in Orlando
by Lauryl Fischer ‘16
Several students in the Elon University Communications Fellows program visited WESH-TV and the Amway Center, home of the Orlando Magic, Jan. 13, as part of their Florida Experience Winter Term course.
WESH-TV runs five stations out of its home in Orlando, Fla., and shoots many commercials for businesses and sponsors around the area. Technical director Greg Geist gave the class a tour of the station and answered questions about producing a typical show.
“We’re like ride operators at a theme park,” said Geist about those behind the cameras and in the control room.
The students then watched the noon broadcast from the studio and control room.
News Director Bob Longo held a question-and-answer session after the show, in which he discussed how WESH appeals to its local viewers and revealed the “Orlando My Way” app, which will cover exclusive news concerning surrounding theme parks like Universal Studios and Walt Disney World.
He told students to “be a sponge” and learn broadly, explore other areas of study outside journalism and become well-rounded storytellers.
“If you’re happy and tired, you’re good,” Longo said.
Following their time at WESH, the Fellows met with Elon alumnus Brad Holloway ’09, who gave the class an exclusive tour of the Amway Center and answered questions about his job—managing sponsors for the Orlando Magic.
“The key is managing expectations,” Holloway said.
Holloway’s interest in the business side of sports actually began his sophomore year at Elon during Winter Term. He took “Business of NASCAR,” which inspired him to change his major and start looking for internships.
He told students to start small to gain experience, learn how to do good research and learn how to network.
“At the end of the day, everything I do comes back to managing relationships,” Holloway said.