Author Archives: jimjakobs

NATAS/SF Norcal Mentor Match Program Unites Students and Early Career Journalists With Industry Experts

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NATAS/SF Norcal Mentor Match Program Unites Students and Early Career Journalists With Industry Experts

Do you need a little extra feedback, or a little nudge that might lead your stories to the next level?

The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences San Francisco/Northern California Chapter ‘Mentor Match’ program pairs up and coming journalists with experts in the industry. 

All NATAS members are eligible as it’s a perk of your annual dues. 

For a $15 annual student membership, you can participate in our Mentor Match program. 

Austin Castro was able to land his first reporting job in Eureka after getting some great tips from his mentor. 

“It wasn’t too long ago that I was a soon to be graduating college student,” said Castro. “Thanks to the Mentor Match program I was able to get paired up with my now mentor Devin Fehely at KPIX and he’s been such a tremendous help.”

Through the program students can receive one on one mentoring, tips and tricks to make it in the business, and thoughts on possible Emmy® Awards submissions with feedback.

Family Announces Passing of Ann Fraser, Longtime Presence on Bay Area Television From the 1970s

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Family Announces Passing of Ann Fraser, Longtime Presence on Bay Area Television From the 1970s

By Kevin Wing
Chair, Archive & Museum Committee

Ann Fraser, a popular, longtime presence on Bay Area television from the 1970s to the early ’90s when she co-hosted “People Are Talking” on KPIX, has died. Fraser was 83 when she died peacefully in late December in Milwaukie, Oregon. Her family did not announce her passing until now.

Fraser was born in Evanston, Illinois, in 1939. She attended Northwestern University and traveled to Korea with the USO to entertain American troops. In 1977, she was hired by KPIX with the launch of the station’s “The Morning Show”. The following year, in 1978, Ross McGowan joined Fraser as co-host and the late-morning talk show, with a live studio audience, was renamed “People Are Talking”. The show became so popular that an afternoon companion show, “People Are Talking in the Afternoon”, was launched. Fraser and McGowan entertained Bay Area viewers for 14 years until 1991, when the shows ended their long run.

Fraser is survived by her daughter, Jennifer, and her two nieces.

Ann Fraser (1939-2022). Ann co-hosted KPIX’s “People Are Talking” with Ross McGowan. The popular morning show aired from 1977 to 1991.
Ann Fraser (1939-2022). Ann was 83 when she died peacefully in late December in Milwaukie, Oregon.

KHON-TV Announces Several Anchor Changes

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KHON-Television Announces Several Anchor Changes

KHON weekend anchor Sam Sandler will be caffeine-loading next month (September) when he joins Kristine Uyeno 4:30 to 9am as the co-anchor of Wake UP2day and Take 2.

Taking Sam’s spot on the Saturday 6pm, 9pm and 10pm anchor seat will be Kristy Tamashiro. Tamashiro will continue to report the rest of the week.

On Sundays, Gina Mangieri will be on set, while continuing to anchor the 4pm and 7pm newscasts Monday through Thursday.

Sam Sandler, KHON Anchor
Kristy Tamashiro, KHON Anchor
Gina Mangieri, KHON Anchor

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, San Francisco/Northern California Chapter Offers up to $28,000 in Media Scholarships

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The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, San Francisco/Northern California Chapter Offers up to $28,000 in Media Scholarships

The deadline is quickly approaching for college students to apply for a variety of scholarships. 

The San Francisco/Northern California Chapter of The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences has scholarships available for graduate and undergraduate students. 

Students must apply by Friday, September 15th, 2023. 

More information can be found at this link.

A link to the application and instructions to apply can be found here.

2022 Collegiate Scholarship recipients

KCRA Reporter That Puts Fear Into Lawmakers, Makes Top 100 List

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KCRA Reporter That Puts Fear Into Lawmakers, Makes Top 100 List

KCRA Reporter Ashley Zavala named among the Top 100 influencers around the California State Capitol

KCRA Reporter Ashley Zavala is one of only three reporters to make the Capitol Weekly Top 100 influencers around the California State Capitol this year. 

It’s the 15th list put out by the Nonpartisan, nonprofit news outfit targeting California government and politics. 

With their 91st pick, Capitol Weekly describes Zavala with one colorful metaphor. 

“Ashley Zavala of KCRA has rapidly built a reputation as what some of us call an “oh sh*t” reporter. Because as one staffer told me, if you see her in the hallways of the Capitol heading toward your door, your first thought is “oh sh*t.” Zavala has become that reporter, the one who doesn’t soft-pedal questions or shy away from tough subjects. She regularly breaks stories that put lawmakers on the spot, and it’s fair to say a lot of folks in the building don’t like her.”

Beloved KCRA 3 Employee Dies After Folsom Lake Accident

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Beloved KCRA 3 Employee Dies After Folsom Lake Accident

Kathryn Hoedt, known to the KCRA team as Katie, was a member of the morning team. She died after an accident at Folsom Lake on Saturday August 12, 2023.

Courtesy: KCRA.com

The family of a 23-year-old Northern California woman who died after an accident at Folsom Lake over the weekend is calling for a change in water safety.

Kathyrn Hoedt, whose loved ones called her Katie, died after California State Parks officials said she fell from a rope swing around 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Folsom Lake, near the Rattlesnake Bar Boat Launch area.

Katie was a beloved member of the KCRA 3 news team and was one of the morning producers. Beth Hoedt, Katie’s mother, said “Katie was always happy and positive, and she would constantly FaceTime her loved ones.”.

Bay Area Reporter Was Told Her Voice Was a ‘Problem’, She Surgically Changed It Forever

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Bay Area Reporter Was Told Her Voice Was a ‘Problem’. She Surgically Changed It Forever

Freelance reporter Emma Goss writes about she thought her career as a TV news reporter was over before surgically changing her voice. (Instagram/Today Show)

Essay by Emma Goss published online by the Today Show

“Upper management told me that despite excellent reporting and unique investigative talents, my voice was a problem,” writes Bay Area reporter Emma Goss in a Today Show essay about her decision surgically to change her voice.

“As a TV news reporter, I hear from viewers — and even employers — that a voice like mine doesn’t belong on air.” In a personal essay for TODAY.com, freelance reporter Emma Goss writes about how she thought her career as a TV news reporter was over before surgically changing her voice.

Here’s an excerpt —  to continue reading click this link. 

“Upper management told me that despite my excellent reporting and unique investigative talents, my voice was a problem, matter-of-factly saying it was just too nasal for “this size market” and seeming to suggest that I was in over my head if I thought I could land a full-time job in a top ten market … They added that the station hoped I’d stay on as a freelancer, and offered to pay for a voice coach to work with me.

“The rejection stung, and the offer to pay for a coach didn’t strike me as supportive, but more of an ultimatum: Change your voice, or get out.”

Emma freelances for NBC Bay Area and worked for KTVU Channel 2 News previously.

Hawaii Reporter Works Three Straight Days of 20 Hour Shifts

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Hawaii Reporter Works Three Straight Days of 20 Hour Shifts

Special to The San Francisco/Northern California Chapter of The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences by KHON Reporter Brigette Namata

My job is to document history, and I’m used to reporting on negative news.

But when you’re covering destruction, devastation, and deaths of this magnitude, it will change you.

When I found out Lahaina was burning, I had just gotten off air on our 7pm newscast. My first reaction was “I’ll fly to Maui”. My coworkers and I called up our news director, told them the plan, and my co-anchor Gina and I frantically searched for flights from Honolulu to Maui. I wasn’t going to make it on the last flight to Kahului.

So I booked the first flight out the next day. I worked for 3 days straight, 20 hour days.

Fires were still burning in 3 different areas of Maui when I got there, and it continued to burn for days. Thousands were in shelters that were so full, people were sleeping on the grass outside of the facilities. Some of them recounted how they jumped in the ocean to escape the flames and waded for hours, desperately trying not to drown before they were rescued.

The despair was thick in the air, and my heart felt broken. Personally, I had just celebrated my 1-year wedding anniversary in Lahaina, exactly one week before the fires obliterated the town. Tough pill to swallow.

The only thing keeping me going is the resilience of the Maui community. It was a glimmer of hope and made me so proud, it really was like a jolt of caffeine that kept me going.

If you’re able to donate, please donate to the Hawaii Community Foundation, this fund is being used to support communities affected by the wildfires. The link here is:
Working since 4am. Juggling liveshots, radio spots, and national segments, KHON reporter Brigette Namata stops to rest on a rock. (Brigette Namata Instagram)
All New Gallery
KHON2 reporter Brigette Namata reporting on Front Street, the tourist hub of Lahaina. (Courtesy/Brigette Namada)

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KTVU News Director Promoted to GM in Seattle

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KTVU News Director Promoted to GM in Seattle

By: NATAS Staff

KTVU FOX 2 News Director Amber Eikel has been named senior vice president and general manager of the FOX-owned duopoly, KCPQ and KZJO in Seattle.

Eikel has been at the helm of FOX owned stations KTVU and KICU in Oakland since 2017. Her final day in the Bay Area office is Friday.

FOX Corporation said Wednesday she assumed her new role immediately, succeeding Sheila Oliver who left Seattle to be GM of FOX’s WFLD in Chicago.

Staffers inside KTVU said the announcement came as a surprise. No official announcement has been made about a replacement.

Before becoming news director, Eikel served as assistant news director. She previously was an executive producer at KIRO (CBS) in Seattle.

 

Amber Eikel, VP and news director at KTVU-KICU San Francisco, has been named senior VP and general manager of KCPQ-KZJO Seattle.

SF NATAS Chapter Announces New Governors

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SF/NorCal Chapter of NATAS Announces New Governors

By: Priya David Clemens, Governor with the SF/NorCal Chapter of NATAS 

The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) plays a vital role in recognizing excellence in the television industry and fostering its growth. 

 

Our San Francisco region chapter has voted in five new Governors who will serve on the Board for the 2023-2025 term, beginning in July. NATAS-SF extends a warm welcome to our newest Governors and we are eager to draw on the perspectives, expertise, and dedication they bring to the organization.

 

Here are the new Governors joining the Board and the geographic areas they represent:

 

Kari Barber – Associate Professor, University of Nevada (Reno)

Odette Alcazaren-Keeley – Director, Maynard Institute; President, Global MediaX (San Francisco)

Yasmín Dar – President/COO, RKT Media (Hawaii)

Jason Marks – Reporter, KCRA 3 (Sacramento)

Karina Nova – Anchor/Reporter, ABC7 KGO (SF Bay Area)

 

The full Board list may be found here: https://emmysf.tv/about-us-2/board-of-governors-2-2/

 

Each of these accomplished individuals brings diverse backgrounds, expertise, and a passion for advancing the television arts and sciences industry. We are confident that our collective contributions will propel the chapter forward, foster creativity, and inspire excellence in television production, journalism, and beyond. Together, we can embrace the ever-changing media landscape and continue to honor outstanding achievements in the San Francisco region.

If you would like to run for a Board seat in the future, you can get a taste of the work and make new connections by serving on a NATAS-SF committee. For details, please reach out to our executive director, Darryl Compton at 650-341-7786 or darryl@emmysf.tv