Post by blackcrowheart on Nov 12, 2005 19:31:15 GMT -5
Arizona's First And Only Native TV News Reporter Resigns To Run Native Youth Magazine.com
Posted by System Admin
Fri, 04-Nov-2005 12:56 AM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 3, 2005
Arizona's Only Native American TV News Reporter Resigns At 12 News To Run Online Magazine For Native Youth
Phoenix, Arizona--Mary Kim Titla, the first and only Native American television news reporter in Arizona, is saying goodbye to TV news so she can concentrate on an online magazine she created for Native American youth. Titla's resignation as a general assignment reporter at 12 News in Phoenix comes as a shock to many who've watched her blossom from a trainee reporter 18 years ago in Tucson to the polished, well-rounded reporter she is today.
Titla, who has a Master's degree in Mass Communication, actually began her career 20 years ago in 1985 as a newsroom receptionist at KTVK Channel 3. Within several months she worked her way up to an entry level position in the newsroom. Her big on-air break came in September, 1987 when the late Pope John Paul II visited with 10,000 Native Americans at the Coliseum in Phoenix. Titla knew many of the Native American leaders involved in the event and was asked to provide commentary during a live broadcast. She used the tape to land her first job as a trainee reporter in Tucson at KVOA TV. She joined the 12 News team in 1993.
Titla has received numerous awards for her reporting, including being a finalist for a Rocky Mountain Emmy. She has won first place awards from the Associated Press, Arizona Press Club and the Native American Journalists Association. In addition, she has been recognized by Outstanding Young Women of America and the YWCA. She currently serves as Chairperson of the Board of Trustees for United National Indian Tribal Youth, Inc., an organization that promotes youth leadership and good citizenship. In 2002, Mary Kim received the Ira Hayes Honorable Warrior award for her work with Native American youth.
Titla, a member of the San Carlos Apache Tribe, launched NativeYouthMagazine.com (NYM) on July 1, 2005. Her three sons Bear, 10, Micah, 15 and Jordan,19, served as her consultants. She also relied on nephews, nieces and other young Native people to give their input about what they wanted to see on the website. Since then NYM has conducted surveys to find out what Native youth want to read about most. The first two months the website averaged 1 million hits. In September and October the website grew tremendously averaging 1.7 million hits which makes NativeYouthMagazine.com one of the most visited Native American websites in the country. Titla was torn between staying with 12 News or taking NativeYouthMagazine.com to the next level.
"If I stayed at 12 News I would've been given the opportunity to anchor weekend mornings which I've always wanted to do but I created an online magazine that could go to print next year and become something really special. I've enjoyed being a TV News journalist but I believe my calling is now about molding young Native storytellers and through the magazine I can help showcase their talents and lifestyles," said Titla.
Her colleagues at 12 News have mixed feelings. News Director Mark Casey is hoping the veteran reporter will still make guest appearances on their news shows. "Mary Kim represents all that is positive about our business. She is a superb storyteller. She is a calm and strong force in challenging situations. Whether it's a negative or positive story, she is respectful and empathetic to the subjects of the piece. While we are very sorry to lose Mary Kim from daily journalism, we are very pleased that she's working on the subject that is closest to her heart: Native Youth. I have no doubt she will be immensely successful with NativeYouthMagazine.com and all the projects she is taking on. We believe and expect that Mary Kim will always be a part of 12 News. " Casey said.
Titla has had quite a career. While at KVOA in Tucson she was given the opportunity to do a sit down interview with then First Lady of Arkansas Hillary Rodham Clinton who was campaigning for her husband and presidential candidate Bill Clinton. Other highlights include interviewing the legendary entertainer and comedian Bob Hope, following the Chandler National Little League team to the Little League World Series and doing a four-part series on Native American medicine people that earned her an Emmy nomination.
"I hope, as the only Native American at newsroom editorial meetings, I was able to raise an awareness about issues considered important to Indian people. Ignorance still exists. It's important for Native people to work in mainstream media so they can help educate their non-Indian peers and serve as a voice for a segment of our population that is often overlooked," Titla said.
She doesn't plan to disappear from TV completely. "TV is in my blood. The door is wide open for me to do other TV projects but right now NativeYouthMagazine.com is my top priority," Titla adds.
Titla is currently mentoring four young Native Americans who are serving as regular correspondents for the website. "The website isn't just for Native youth. It's for anyone who cares about Native youth. I hope tribal leaders, parents, educators and others will use NativeYouthMagazine.com as a resource and visit the site often. I've personally benefited by what I've read on the website," said Titla. NYM's operating budget will rely on ad sales and an online store is scheduled to open soon.
Titla also plans to serve as a consultant for Native youth initiatives. She also hopes to do more public speaking as a professional motivational speaker. Titla's last day at 12 News is December 8.
For more information, call John Mosley at (602) 339-1387 or you can contact Mary Kim Titla via email at mtitla@kpnx.com.
Yaiva
www.4went.com
www.soundclick.com/yaiva
Posted by System Admin
Fri, 04-Nov-2005 12:56 AM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 3, 2005
Arizona's Only Native American TV News Reporter Resigns At 12 News To Run Online Magazine For Native Youth
Phoenix, Arizona--Mary Kim Titla, the first and only Native American television news reporter in Arizona, is saying goodbye to TV news so she can concentrate on an online magazine she created for Native American youth. Titla's resignation as a general assignment reporter at 12 News in Phoenix comes as a shock to many who've watched her blossom from a trainee reporter 18 years ago in Tucson to the polished, well-rounded reporter she is today.
Titla, who has a Master's degree in Mass Communication, actually began her career 20 years ago in 1985 as a newsroom receptionist at KTVK Channel 3. Within several months she worked her way up to an entry level position in the newsroom. Her big on-air break came in September, 1987 when the late Pope John Paul II visited with 10,000 Native Americans at the Coliseum in Phoenix. Titla knew many of the Native American leaders involved in the event and was asked to provide commentary during a live broadcast. She used the tape to land her first job as a trainee reporter in Tucson at KVOA TV. She joined the 12 News team in 1993.
Titla has received numerous awards for her reporting, including being a finalist for a Rocky Mountain Emmy. She has won first place awards from the Associated Press, Arizona Press Club and the Native American Journalists Association. In addition, she has been recognized by Outstanding Young Women of America and the YWCA. She currently serves as Chairperson of the Board of Trustees for United National Indian Tribal Youth, Inc., an organization that promotes youth leadership and good citizenship. In 2002, Mary Kim received the Ira Hayes Honorable Warrior award for her work with Native American youth.
Titla, a member of the San Carlos Apache Tribe, launched NativeYouthMagazine.com (NYM) on July 1, 2005. Her three sons Bear, 10, Micah, 15 and Jordan,19, served as her consultants. She also relied on nephews, nieces and other young Native people to give their input about what they wanted to see on the website. Since then NYM has conducted surveys to find out what Native youth want to read about most. The first two months the website averaged 1 million hits. In September and October the website grew tremendously averaging 1.7 million hits which makes NativeYouthMagazine.com one of the most visited Native American websites in the country. Titla was torn between staying with 12 News or taking NativeYouthMagazine.com to the next level.
"If I stayed at 12 News I would've been given the opportunity to anchor weekend mornings which I've always wanted to do but I created an online magazine that could go to print next year and become something really special. I've enjoyed being a TV News journalist but I believe my calling is now about molding young Native storytellers and through the magazine I can help showcase their talents and lifestyles," said Titla.
Her colleagues at 12 News have mixed feelings. News Director Mark Casey is hoping the veteran reporter will still make guest appearances on their news shows. "Mary Kim represents all that is positive about our business. She is a superb storyteller. She is a calm and strong force in challenging situations. Whether it's a negative or positive story, she is respectful and empathetic to the subjects of the piece. While we are very sorry to lose Mary Kim from daily journalism, we are very pleased that she's working on the subject that is closest to her heart: Native Youth. I have no doubt she will be immensely successful with NativeYouthMagazine.com and all the projects she is taking on. We believe and expect that Mary Kim will always be a part of 12 News. " Casey said.
Titla has had quite a career. While at KVOA in Tucson she was given the opportunity to do a sit down interview with then First Lady of Arkansas Hillary Rodham Clinton who was campaigning for her husband and presidential candidate Bill Clinton. Other highlights include interviewing the legendary entertainer and comedian Bob Hope, following the Chandler National Little League team to the Little League World Series and doing a four-part series on Native American medicine people that earned her an Emmy nomination.
"I hope, as the only Native American at newsroom editorial meetings, I was able to raise an awareness about issues considered important to Indian people. Ignorance still exists. It's important for Native people to work in mainstream media so they can help educate their non-Indian peers and serve as a voice for a segment of our population that is often overlooked," Titla said.
She doesn't plan to disappear from TV completely. "TV is in my blood. The door is wide open for me to do other TV projects but right now NativeYouthMagazine.com is my top priority," Titla adds.
Titla is currently mentoring four young Native Americans who are serving as regular correspondents for the website. "The website isn't just for Native youth. It's for anyone who cares about Native youth. I hope tribal leaders, parents, educators and others will use NativeYouthMagazine.com as a resource and visit the site often. I've personally benefited by what I've read on the website," said Titla. NYM's operating budget will rely on ad sales and an online store is scheduled to open soon.
Titla also plans to serve as a consultant for Native youth initiatives. She also hopes to do more public speaking as a professional motivational speaker. Titla's last day at 12 News is December 8.
For more information, call John Mosley at (602) 339-1387 or you can contact Mary Kim Titla via email at mtitla@kpnx.com.
Yaiva
www.4went.com
www.soundclick.com/yaiva