Public exposure

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Wednesday Jeff Jarvis released an excerpt from his upcoming book Public Parts, which examines how technology has influenced what he calls “publicness,” and how our changing perspective of privacy can positively effect our lives as individuals and professionals.

I posted about Jarvis last week, who’s recently become one of my favorite media critics. He regularly posts to his blog, buzzmachine.com, with really interesting perspectives on the mainstream media and its future.

I’ve been really excited about this book since I first heard about it a few months ago because publicness is something I’ve really had to consider as a young professional—what do I share? And how does what I share affect my reputation as a writer and individual?

“Private and public are choices we make: to reveal or not, to share or not, to join or not. Each has benefits, each hazards. We constantly seek a balance between the two—only today, technology brings new choices, risks, and opportunities.” — Jarvis

The idea that all of my social media profiles can “brand” me is all at once daunting and exciting. The opportunity to use online social tools (like this blog, or my Twitter, LinkedIn or Google+) to create a very visible, searchable online footprint of my work is really thrilling.

I see my profiles as an opportunity to portray myself in ways that can’t be conveyed in a quipy cover letter or single page resume. My Twitter, for example, isn’t just about who I follow or what I tweet—it’s also about how engaged and responsive I am to my online community. My LinkedIn has become a malleable, organic resume that I can use to connect to my peers, groups and other professionals. And this blog has become a 24 Hour Fitness for my voice as a writer, a kind of safe space to work out my brain’s writing muscles.

Each profile or page gives a different perspective to my work as a writer/reporter, as well as my opinions and interests as a regular ol’ civilian.

Although only pieces may get posted to each specific page, the conglomeration of all of my profiles paints a very accurate, honest picture of my life as both a young professional and an individual. Altogether, my profiles simply reflect everything I’m up to and the line between professional and individual is virtually non-existent.

The difference between myself and many of my peers here at the J-School (and, more generally, folks my age that have had social profiles for years and are in-tune with the online cultural norms) is that I’m deliberately sharing honest notes about myself with the intention of putting myself in a position where my public self must be honest.

I’ve designed my web presence will full-transparency in mind, and I’ve built my social footprint on the reputation of honesty and publicness.

In Public Parts, Jarvis argues that this publicness is where we’re all headed. Companies, media outlets, individuals and governments—in some way, we’re all in a position where we have to decide our own publicness.

But does it work? Is the reputation I’ve built on my work as a reporter and active participant in my online community going to land me a job, or make me a respected member of the journalism community?

Well, I’ve got my fingers crossed.

Jarvis and journalism, damnit

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I’ve recently started following Jeff Jarvis, both on Twitter and on his blog, buzzmachine.com. He’s a journalism professor and entrepreneurial journalist, and is quickly becoming one of my favorite critics of today’s institutional journalism.

In a post published on his blog Saturday, Jarvis discussed some examples that challenge the traditional definition of journalism created by the institutions that produce and define it (like our beloved Missouri School of Journalism). Jarvis argues that what we think we know about the media and it’s “rules” may not be true at all, and asks “So what is journalism, damnit?”

I’m not sure I can answer that, and Jarvis admits he doesn’t have a definition either—he says:

“But I think we need to question — not reject, but reconsider — every assumption: what journalism is, who does it, how they add value, how they build and maintain trust, their business models. I am coming to wonder whether we should even reconsider the word journalism, as it carries more baggage than a Dreamliner.”

So if a well-respected, extremely successful journalist (because he is by nearly all definitions but a journalist) is unable to define journalism after a lifetime of experience and having a hand in shaping the media as we know it today—what does that mean for those of us in J-School now? Is real journalism tanking the way many people say it is?

I would argue that this is the most exciting time to be involved in journalism, and that the future of the industry is really up for grabs. But, frankly, I look around at the faces in my classes here at Mizzou and I’m confident the future is in good hands.

At the Columbia Missourian, we’re trying things to advance community journalism in ways many people would never consider. At the Reynolds Journalism Institute, fellows are researching ways we can be better information stewards for the community. And as an Internet generation, my classmates and I are already better equipped to undertake the digital media revolution that’s so stumped traditional news media today.

When all is said and done, I hope I too can say I made valuable and permanent contributions to my craft and to the future of journalism.

Sports debut

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Yesterday was an interesting day in terms of conference realignment in the Big 12. And as an avid fan (if my laundry isn’t done before 7 tonight, it won’t get done til Monday thanks to the season openers) I’m addicted to those kinds of stories, even if the latest “new” development isn’t new at all.

When the story that Texas A&M would apply to another conference came up in the newsroom yesterday, my ears perked up. The only problem (or blessing?) was that I happened to be in a meeting with Liz Brixey, begging for a story to get my byline online again. She must have seen the wheels turning in my head and immediately threw me Greg Bowers’ way to get on the breaking story.

Over the course of a couple hours I was able to put some of a story together, and that piece became the framework for sports writers Andrew Wagaman and Harry Plumer. My basis for the story was simply press releases and official statements, but Andrew and Harry were able to compile a lot to the story by getting ahold of curators and even Brady Deaton.

Though it wasn’t the most glamorous, but it was a sports debut nonetheless. Read it here: Missouri officials comment on Texas A&M’s move from Big 12.

One thing I thought was really interesting about the story, was a piece Joy Mayer and the Community Outreach Team put together using Storify. It basically created a storyline of people’s Twitter reactions to A&M’s move, and the best way to understand it is to give it a look. Check it out here: A&M wants out.

Proving ground

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In my first week back in Columbia, I’ve essentially split my time at two places. The Missourian offices (now, affectionately, “the office”) and the Mizzou Rec Center. When I wasn’t in the office, I spent all week playing pick-up basketball at the rec and I’d like to draw out an analogy between basketball and what I’d like to accomplish at the Missourian.

There’s always a core group of guys (and gals t00) that play pick-up at the rec, and you end up playing with a lot of the same kids throughout the course of the semester. So it’s crucial in these first two or three weeks of basketball to make a good impression on the folks you’ll be playing with all year (keep in mind, these are the guys who don’t have a problem giving you the silent treatment after they see you miss five open layups in an afternoon).

To get the playing time you and Iverson deserve, you've gotta make the few minutes you get count.

So to get the playing time you and Iverson deserve, you’ve gotta make what few minutes you do get in the first weeks really count and you have to stand out—or in pick-up basketball’s case, not stand out as the guy with two left feet.

That’s the same kind of approach I’ve taken to my time at the Missourian.

Last week I made it a point to be a stand out reporter, not afraid to take on a story or speak up about an idea. I wanted my name to be thrown around the newsroom by my editors and my colleagues, and I wanted to see my byline in print and online.

It takes a certain kind attitude to face the sink-or-swim reporting class like this, but it’s the same attitude you need on the basketball court.

The beginning of the semester is when everyone has the most opportunities, before people have set teams or go-to players—or editors have go-to writers—so now is the time to take that open jumper or pick up that big, scary story. The first two weeks are the best time to take chances and give yourself a reputation as a real player, on and off the court.

I got the most validating e-mail Saturday afternoon from Google, who wanted to congratulate me on my effort last week with a simple Google Alert: my name has shown up in four new Google search results this week—my four Missourian bylines.

Writing with the big kids

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At the end (almost) of my first week at the Columbia Missourian, I couldn’t be any happier with how things have gone.

I set out looking for a strong start and decided that meant publishing two articles this week, which I’m pleased to say I accomplished. Click on the links to find the two stories—first, Tuesday’s story about Missouri teacher’s associations and the “Facebook” law and Thursday’s breaking news story on the agreement between MU and the Missouri Symphony Society to lease the Missouri Theatre.

Though neither story is necessarily the biggest, hottest story on the site (that’s reserved for the Kahler trial), they’ve both been big learning experiences in terms of learning the basics like Django, budget line e-mails and remembering I still have class.

I mean, making the front page of the website helps the writers confidence too.

As an education reporter I’m lucky enough to have Liz Brixey as a beat editor, and she’s been a wonderfully candid editor for both stories and their ensuing updates. The opportunity to not only write and report on serious deadlines, but receive frank and constructive criticism about my stories has been an absolute blessing.

In just my first week I’ve written two stories, had my first General Assignment (GA) shift, been published in print and even retweeted by the Missourian! I’m happy to say I put any fears I had aside and dug right in to getting my hands dirty.

Hopefully I can keep things rolling through next week and pick up more valuable experience. Follow me on Twitter for updates and info about my stories throughout the week and keep an eye on this blog for more commentary about the experience.

“Doing”

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That uncomfortable time of year when they play pro-football on Friday nights and you reread your lease agreement and see you missed August 1st deadlines. It’s a beautiful time of year, in a way.

For students like me this week before school starts is just as much a start to a new year as January 1, except the break from school has been twice as long and half as productive. Internships have wound down and it’s time to move back out of the parents house—back to bills and responsibilities.

For me the thrill of moving back to Columbia this semester isn’t about having my first apartment, or whether or not the Big XII will outlast the new couch we bought, or seeing Sporting Kansas City makes the playoffs this year.

What I’m most excited about is the chance to get serious.

Although I entered my sequence in the spring, this semester is really my first as a true upperclassmen, and with that comes the opportunity to write for The Missourian. At the Missouri School of Journalism, The Missourian is where the big kids play, and for me, it’s where I get to start building my reputation as a serious writer and editor.

In my time with The Maneater, I got to expand on my basic reporting and editing skills. At The Park Record I got to the daily life of a community newspaper. And this summer at Sporting Kansas City added an arsenal of multimedia reporting and editing skills to my toolbox.

But in all honesty, much of (if not all) the success I have over the next two years at Mizzou rides on the impressions I make and success I find in my first semester at The Missourian.

Unlike my last few semesters, these next few months I’ll be spending my time “doing” instead of planning and chattering. I hope to spend all fall creating original content to share regularly on this blog, and frankly, that’s what it should have been all along.

So here’s to developing a voice of my own and proving I can do all that I’ve said I can.

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https://twitter.com/#!/Royals/status/88986534241505280

Check out this tweet from the Kansas City Royals! That’s the graphic I put together for last night’s Sporting game to encourage folks to vote Alex Gordon to this year’s All-Star game. It was awfully late notice, and I wish I’d had more time to put something really cool together, but it’s still nice to see it making it’s way around Twitter.

Here’s the graphic we put on the board:

A quick sneak peek

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Here’s a quick taste of what this week at Sporting looks like:

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Essentially we’re working on graphics for the next several home games, including this Saturday’s match against the Vancouver White Caps FC. Those in the slideshow above will be displayed when we announce the White Caps’ starting line up Saturday evening and are much less cool than the those animated graphics we did for our starting line-up (check out my Vimeo to see a few of those!). We’re also working on similar graphics for the Colorado Rapids (July 6) and Chivas USA (July 9), along with other graphics specific to each of those matches.

It’s nice to have a few easier days after the craziness of the last two weeks. I really like putting graphics together and it’s really sharpened my Photoshop skills. When (if) I get better at putting media on WordPress I’ll try to include more of what I’ve worked on because I’d like this to become just as much a portfolio of my work as it is a behind-the-scenes to what I’m learning at Sporting.

Winning at home

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At the end of another 60+ hour week, I’m happy to say it’s been a week of learning and frustration, and fortunately more of the former.

We scrambled Monday and Tuesday to host our CONCACAF Gold Cup double-header and it was an incredible experience, especially to see the U.S. men’s national team in person. I don’t think too many interns get the chance to work with CONCACAF and Fox Soccer Channel, and as someone who doesn’t have much experience in TV production, it was eye opening to see behind the scenes of a program that I’ve watched as a fan so many times before.

Last night was another great win for Sporting (and our first at our new home!) but we hit some big snags during the pre-game, missing an important video during our lineup. But we also got to show off the awesome starting lineup graphics we slaved over all day (and night) Thursday. Right around lunchtime on Thursday, all the control room interns were tasked with working

Though they were super complicated to put together, the final result was worth the effort. On the big screen, the graphics looked awesome and our bosses loved them (which always helps). Check out one I did for Ryan Smith, who had a sick goal against Colorado that was nominated for MLS “Goal of the Week” (on my birthday no less). Watch the goal (it starts at 1:17) and then check out his starting lineup graphic:

[Check out the rest of the intro videos I did at my Vimeo page: vimeo.com/zachmurdock. I’ll be uploading other videos and animated graphics I work on throughout the summer too, so keep an eye out here and there for videos!]

Our next match at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park is a week from today, against the Vancouver Whitecaps which means this next week should be a little less crazy. We’ll have our hands full next weekend though because it’s our first broadcast done entirely in house for My KSMO-TVv. It should be a challenge, but after the last two weeks, we’ve proven we can handle just about anything at LSP.

And again, congratulations to the team, owners and everyone who was involved in making the opening of LSP a success, it feels amazing to have been a part of the first ever win at Sporting’s new home!