Walter Cronkite was an icon in my field, journalism. When he died recently, I learned that he had been born on Nov. 4, 1916.
Birthdates in 1916 have always caught my attention because my mother was born on June 18, 1916. Some years ago I discovered that my Aunt Thelma and my adopted Aunt Lee, both now 93, and my adopted Aunt Helen, were all born that year. (Aunt Lee was my Uncle Martin's sister and Aunt Helen was my husband's mother's best friend.)
This got me to wondering what other famous people besides Cronkite were born in 1916. One notable on the list at http://www.nndb.com/lists/915/000105600/ is Gregory Peck. About 10 years ago I attended his engaging benefit performance for the Kansas City Repertory Theatre at the Folly Theatre in Kansas City.
Other performers on the list are Kirk Douglas, Olivia de Havilland, Glenn Ford, Jackie Gleason, Betty Grable, Van Johnson, Dinah Shore and Keenan Wynn. Writers included James Herriott, Shelby Foote and Irving Wallace.
Here's to 1916. It truly was a very good year.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Who's on first...but where are the 5 W's?
Two full-page ads in The Kansas City Star caught my eye recently because they left out an all-important piece of information. WHERE.
First, there was the ad announcing Paul McCartney's concert at the BOK Center. Where is it? You would think that American Express, which bought the ad, would want us to know. But no such luck. I had to use Google to find out that it's in Tulsa. (OK, that explains the OK in the name...)
Second, I saw another full-page ad announcing Macy's new store at Summit Fair. Where is it? I guessed Lee's Summit, Mo., because of the name, but the ad gives no clue. Fortunately, several pages later is a JC Penney ad that includes directions and a map.
In J-school (journalism) at the University of Missouri, we learned that the lead of every news story should include the 5 W's: Who, What, Where, When, Why...and sometimes How. Whether you're writing a news release, an ad or Web copy, it's still a good way to double check your copy.
Otherwise, you're wasting your client's money.
First, there was the ad announcing Paul McCartney's concert at the BOK Center. Where is it? You would think that American Express, which bought the ad, would want us to know. But no such luck. I had to use Google to find out that it's in Tulsa. (OK, that explains the OK in the name...)
Second, I saw another full-page ad announcing Macy's new store at Summit Fair. Where is it? I guessed Lee's Summit, Mo., because of the name, but the ad gives no clue. Fortunately, several pages later is a JC Penney ad that includes directions and a map.
In J-school (journalism) at the University of Missouri, we learned that the lead of every news story should include the 5 W's: Who, What, Where, When, Why...and sometimes How. Whether you're writing a news release, an ad or Web copy, it's still a good way to double check your copy.
Otherwise, you're wasting your client's money.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
