National Newspaper Week

Last week was celebrated as National Newspaper Week. 

It was the 86th anniversary of the observance which dates to 1940. The promotional website tells a bit about the event, the rationale behind it and why newspapers are still so important.

Personally, I think it is definitely true in smaller communities and rural counties. But it also holds true other places as well,

It has been many years since I have been employed in the newspaper industry. And true, I have long identified as a public relations practitioner. But before I worked in PR, I earned my stripes as a journalist. '

In fact, I am proud to say I was the first editor of the newspaper in my community, the Farragut Press. Not only did I help leadership get that start-up paper going, I got to do many unique stories and cover a number of interesting people in that role.

For instance, that was the year of the 1988 presidential election. We covered it. Additionally, we provided regular coverage of town government and the area schools. When we were without a sports reporter, for instance, I'd step in. I spent a number of Friday nights covering local sports teams.

We did a number of unique, full-page features in the Lifestyle section. I recall writing one piece about America's fascination with all things British. Must've been impactful if I remember it all these years later, right?

Another feature I produced was about Children's Hospital. Turns out, that experience helped me make professional connections that led to my jump from news to corporate communications. And once I made that move, I never looked back.

But I don't forget my roots. 

And just as it was with the paper, when you are writing promotional copy, a video script or an article for the company newsletter, the work is all about storytelling.  To inform. To enlighten. To entertain.

My years of producing copy on deadline taught me discipline and emphasized productivity. When you are on deadline, you can't get hung up on perfection. Likewise, if you are writing to fill a specific hole when the paper is about to go to press, you learn to be precise.

#CoachJeff's Blog doesn't impose those sorts of conditions but, still, it is fun and challenging to see what I can crank out four times a week, Monday through Thursday, to share thoughts and entertain/inform you folks who take a moment to stop by.

And it all got started when #CoachJeff was #ScoopJeff all those years ago.

JG