Spokane Inside

More Anchors to Sink

noreply@blogger.com (Tobby Hatley) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 20:55:00 +0000

A Christmas card addressed in a shaky handwriting was delivered to KHQ-TV’s newsroom shortly after I began working there. Randy and Deb, Spokane was all it read.

Wow.

Talk about name ID. No last names, no street number, no zip code---just two first names and the city. Even the Postal Service knew that you didn’t need to follow the rules to get a piece of mail to our long time, extremely popular anchors Randy Shaw and Deborah Wilde. These guys are bulletproof I thought.

Shortly thereafter Deborah was eased out; Randy was sacked.

Bigger wow.

But I didn’t even raise an eyebrow when I learned that Nadine Woodward was gone at KREM. Popularity, credibility and a 19 year tenure were no match for a high salary, enormous changes in TV and savvy management. Her departure was inevitable---others are as well.

As Woodward’s contract came up for renewal she was apparently asked to take a 15% pay cut and renegotiate favorable working hours. According to the Spokesman Review she acceded to a reduced salary but was unwilling to give up a flexible work schedule which included coming in an hour late, a two-hour dinner break and Friday nights off. OK…fair enough…making six figures in far less than 40 hours a week works for me. But KREM’s management didn’t see it that way and declined to renew her contract. Woodward says it’s all about money and that KREM can get someone to read the news for half her salary.

Yup---that’s TV. Broadcasting’s like any business---the bottom line is the bottom line. So when the bosses in a corporation based outside Spokane tell local managers to cut the first place they look is the high priced talent. Technology has allowed broadcasters to reduce staffs while producing about the same amount of content; colleges keeping graduating more TV majors than there are on-air jobs. Of course TV station owners take advantage---they too would soon be gone they didn’t.

And this surprises people? It shouldn’t.

The Journal of Business recently explained how local media are just following the national trend of steadily declining ratings owing to the Internet, the economy and diminished relevance. Woodward’s just a high profile example: KREM had a huge lay off this past spring including Nadine’s husband which led to speculation that she wasn’t far behind, KXLY dumped its weekend news earlier this year and KHQ started cutting back long before I left.

I tell people that I never get attached to my golf balls because I don’t see them for very long. Local news is the same. I left TV news a step ahead of the executioner---Woodward didn’t, alas. I’m sure other long time, highly paid Spokane anchors are looking over their shoulders for the man in the hood…if not they should be.

Shame on the GOP

noreply@blogger.com (Tobby Hatley) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 18:17:00 +0000

Seems that the GOP is trying to raise money by saying it's representing the U.S. Census Bureau. Check out this BBB newsrelease. If it looks like a scam....

A Different Spokane

noreply@blogger.com (Tobby Hatley) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 20:29:00 +0000

An interesting thing happened during a recent impromptu barbeque with my neighbors the other night: optimism broke out. It wasn’t the typical good humored banter I normally hear when folks living in our downtown lofts get together over briquettes, burgers and beers---no summer vacation plans, reviews on the new neighborhood saloon or “’hell’s up with the Mayor?” comments. The conversation centered on the joys of unemployment instead. Three neighbors—all professionals who recently lost excellent jobs---explained that idleness was great, that they now have a rare opportunity to do something they really like and…get this…they have no plans to leave Spokane.
What? Stay in Spokane?
Yup.
My neighbors are not the first ones who been laid off since the economy tanked last fall who have chosen Spokane over Seattle, Portland or Boise. At least a half dozen friends who suddenly found themselves cut loose decided that Spokane’s the best place to leverage their considerable skills and forge long term, and it is hoped, lucrative opportunities for themselves.
This is clearly not the same town that chased me away during the last big recession in the early 1980s. Cuts in broadcast newsrooms had cost me two jobs and almost a half-year of unemployment; the economy was bereft, Expo 74’s momentum had sputtered and died, and attitudes were as grim as downtown’s boarded up buildings. So I left.
During my decade long absence I watched as my adopted communities thrived; new ideas were tested, innovation was embraced and dynamic leaders made bold decisions. My cities grew, solutions to difficult problems were found, and new opportunities arose. It was infectious; I hoped the optimism would be catching as I returned to Spokane in 1994.
And there were glimmers of change. Downtown was starting to come back, television news had definitely kicked it up a couple of notches and who is this Walt Worthy guy, I wondered? Lots of stops, starts, detours, and vestiges of “we can’t do that” were still apparent (still are in some quarters, alas) but folks eventually realized that progress is possible and that positive changes invigorate and strengthen a community’s heart and soul, not damage it.
Almost overnight it seemed that billions of dollars were invested in Spokane and creative solutions to difficult problems such as the health of the Spokane River were found. Energetic people were pushing big cultural and business projects such as the Armed Forces and Aerospace Museum, Mobius and the University District. The Spokane I left never would have supported the YWCA/YMCA $40 million collaboration---the first of its kind in the country. A refurbished Davenport Hotel? A restored Fox Theater? Not a chance.
It finally hit me during one of the many times I was standing in the rain or snow telling my TV viewers that it was raining or snowing---time to quite being an observer and join the fun! I left broadcasting and am actively involved in public issues, projects and discussions that my previous profession rendered off limits.
Which brings me back to my neighbors who are eagerly embracing their unexpected, mid-life freedom, plotting their next moves and taking advantage of new opportunities. Thanks for believing in Spokane. Losing your talents, skills, enthusiasm and vision to another community would diminish us all. Having the courage to stick it out here will help ensure our continued success and create an even better community.

Univesity District TIF

noreply@blogger.com (Tobby Hatley) — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 22:28:00 +0000

This seems to be great news for Spokane in General and the U-District in particular. (As reported by the SR's Olympia guy Rich Roesler) Still looking for specifics...but I've seen Tax Increment Financing work wonders in other cities. About time we had more of those creative and successful development tools.

Spokane’s University District and the area between Pullman and Moscow, Idaho stand to get millions of dollars in improvements under a bill lawmakers approved Monday.Senate Bill 5045 now goes to Gov. Chris Gregoire to be signed into law.The bill allows local governments to designate “revitalization areas.” It essentially recycles some tax dollars: improvements spur economic growth, generating more taxes. And the money pays for the improvements.The law allows work on public infrastructure like roads, pedestrian bridges, landscaping, sidewalks and utilities.The bill authorizes 7 demonstration projects:-A Spokane University District project, to get up to $250,000 a year.

Blowing Up Squirrels

noreply@blogger.com (Tobby Hatley) — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 22:25:00 +0000

Are you kidding me? The Spokane Parks Department says it's going to detonate the squirrels in Finch Arboretum. I'd say this was an April Fools joke if the calendar didn't read the middle of the month! But then the Parks Department sees things a little differently. I hope they have a good PR person because this one's going to get interesting.

The City's Latest PR Problem

noreply@blogger.com (Tobby Hatley) — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 21:28:00 +0000

So let me get this straight---Spokane County is going to give the City of Spokane some $7 million for a building just to tear it down? That’s just to buy the Downtown YMCA building using Conservation Futures money. Add hundreds of thousands dollars to actually demolish the building, kick in the million bucks in non-refundable money already spent by the Spokane Parks Board and toss in another half a million dollars or so for rents and maintenance and you’ve got a heck of a bailout---not to mention a big PR problem.

The City Council originally rejected using Conservation Futures money as a bad idea. Accepting the loot now could mean that the City would have no control over the property or a clear idea of how much it will really cost to return less than an acre of property to its native state. That’s because of several conditions the County has attached:

· The Parks Board is required to pay $100,000 a year to supplement rents of the Y building until it’s torn down in five years.
· The County keeps design approval for the property which sits in the City owned Riverfront Park.
· The City would be required to pay back a portion of the grant.
· The City is on the hook for the full amount if a future County Commission changes its mind about the CF funding.

Regardless of how you feel about using CF money the bigger issue is persuading folks that this is a good use of those funds as well as a good deal for taxpayers. First step would be to spend some money to determine what people think and what messages resonate with voters. If research shows there is little or no support then politely decline the County’s offer. Otherwise, a mini-political campaign complete with public meetings, media relations and voter contact efforts would have to be created and executed to educate people about the issue.

Who would be responsible for this effort? The Spokane Parks Board should be---it’s who created the need for a bailout to begin with. Will the Parks Board step up? Doubtful when you consider that the groups’ strategic thinking about this issue is summed up in two quotes by its vice-chairman: “We have no Plan B” and “We’re on auto pilot.”

Good luck City Council.

Responding to Media Requests

noreply@blogger.com (Tobby Hatley) — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 17:02:00 +0000

I recently received an email from a friend who had been approached by a local print reporter and wanted to know how to handle the interview request. The journalist asked for details of a private business partnership that my friend was involved in that had dissolved more than six months ago. Not exactly breaking news but this was definitely a chance for my friend to tell his side of the story while relaying accurate information that could enhance his current business pursuits.

Several questions were on the table:
· Should the interview be granted?
· If so, what should be said?
· Could the journalist and the news organization be trusted to report the story fairly and accurately?

Let’s take the last one first. There is always a risk but most news organizations are professional and usually don’t set out to do a hatchet job. This local outfit has a point of view but the reporters can be trusted so the answer was yes.

The first question is the toughest. I always advise clients to promptly respond to a reporter’s call or email. It’s the polite thing to do and helps build relationships. It also gives you a chance to learn more about the story angle, what specific information is being sought, the types of questions that might be asked and the reporter’s deadline. You may not get all your answers but you’ll be ahead of where you started. One more thing to consider---but tread lightly on this one. You must determine whether granting the interview serves your purpose. The answer is generally yes for public figures and elected officials but not necessarily so for private citizens.

Once the decision to speak to the media is made there are several things to keep in mind: Create two or three key points that you want to get across. Don’t feel compelled to answer all questions a reporter asks---it’s your interview and you can control it. And be honest---saying “I don’t know” or “let me get back to you on that” is much better than giving wrong information.

And my friend? I’m anxious to see the results.

Downtown Jail Idea May Be Shifting

noreply@blogger.com (Tobby Hatley) — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 22:46:00 +0000

Spokane County may be reconsidering whether putting a jail near downtown is such a good idea.

The push to build a new Spokane County jail near the courthouse stalled last year when two big dollar issues arose: a $250 million price tag and another $8 million a year to run it. But a much larger hurdle appeared when important and influential community groups such as Downtown Spokane Partnership indicated that they would fight putting a multi-story 600 bed jail along with its ancillary issues a few blocks from the city center. Persuading 60% of the voters to approve a quarter of a billion dollar bond issue is tough enough---throw in instant opposition from politically savvy and well funded groups makes the task even more daunting.

Now it seems that the Sheriff’s Office understands that getting community support might be the first step toward building a new jail. The Sheriff’s Office told the County Commissioners during a meeting last week that architects are exploring whether a new, horizontally designed jail would be cheaper to operate than one six to ten stories high. If so, the commissioners were told, then it might be prudent to reexamine their site selection.

A jail site study says the top three locations are the county campus near downtown, acreage just off I-90 near the Medical Lake exit and property east of the Spokane Industrial Park. The County prefers the downtown location because it already owns the land and is near the courthouse which limits prisoner transportation costs.

Commissioners are not bound by their first pick but were quick to say that the site selection process will not be reopened and that a new jail will be built on one of the three sites. However, they did seem willing to re-visit their initial downtown decision if a new design shows “a substantial savings in operational costs.”

Now might be the time for the all stakeholders---City, County and the area’s business community--- to join forces to see whether a regional solution can be found.

So what’s your take? Put the jail downtown? In a less urban setting? Is a new jail even needed? It’s your tax money---you have the right to choose.

City Sees the Signs

noreply@blogger.com (Tobby Hatley) — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 22:06:00 +0000

Who says you can't fight City Hall?

A group of Downtown Spokane folks has successfully persuaded the City that recently installed Handicapped Parking signs were confusing and hurting business. Those "old" signs...only been there for three weeks or so in the newly created Entertainment Parking District...begin disappearing today. They're being replaced by ones that are much more clear.

Contrats to DSP and other groups who helped persuade the City to jump on this problem quickly. See what happens when you work together to try to find solutions?

Challenging Economy Offers Opportunity

noreply@blogger.com (Tobby Hatley) — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 17:31:00 +0000

Challenging economic times can offer people the opportunity to create things that might have otherwise been dismissed when money was more plentiful. Here’s what I’m talking about: maybe that small, innovative coffee shop that you wanted to run Downtown couldn’t get any traction because Starbuck’s seemed to be taking over the world, rents were higher and the prime locations were taken. Is that the case today? Probably not---could be that someone might cut you a great deal just to get something in their building. A friend of mine recently checked with a local commercial realtor about the availability of low cost space Downtown---he found eight different spaces that would offer no rent for at least six months!

Another example---used clothing stores in Downtown are rare---only a couple of them. There might be the chance to partner up with an established small store, move into an empty space next door, and offer a slightly different style of used clothing. The results could be that both businesses benefit. It works for restaurants, bars and car dealers---so why not for small shops, art galleries, coffee houses, wine bars and all the other things that we want to help our Downtown continue to be vibrant and alive. Why not take a chance?

Today’s Spokane is ready to help. Two friends of mine were recently forced to leave long time, well paying jobs. But instead of leaving town they’ve formed their own companies and are making a go of using their unique skills to help other businesses continue to prosper. That’s something that never would have happened in Spokane five years ago. Downtown is primed to continue this spirit of innovation. All it takes is a bit of energy, a small amount of loot and a lot of work. There are lots of people around with the skills to help you make it happen if you ask---as that small, neighborhood shoe company says, “Just Do It.”

WSU-EWU Meger?

noreply@blogger.com (Tobby Hatley) — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 00:08:00 +0000

Challenging economic times are a great opportunity for people to consider options that may not be as appealing when things are flush.

Take higher education for example: the state’s university system appears headed for big cuts so maybe mergers should be discussed. Sources tell me that WSU President Elston Floyd has contacted several Spokane area business people sounding them out about whether Wazzu should absorb Eastern Washington University. Not a new idea---big school takes over a smaller university that has several excellent programs, is located near a larger population center with more potential for growth and is definitely suffering from a leadership void. It’s also not the first time that WSU has set its sights on Eastern.

Is this a serious move? Unknown at this point because no one is really sure how the legislature will treat EWU. Nor is it clear whether the suggestion will be taken seriously in Olympia. But the folks at Eastern are aware of Dr. Floyd’s inquiries of Spokane’s key players are not taking any chances. They’ve done their homework and have their communications plan ready should the financial situation become worse and the idea of a WSU at Cheney move beyond releasing a few trial balloons.

I’d hate to see this happen for a variety of reasons---not the least of which is that Eastern’s my undergrad alma mater. But WSU can’t be blamed for at least thinking of ways to deliver its services better and more efficiently.

So what do you think? Is it time that higher education mergers be given serious consideration? Or should each school just try to take care of what it already has?

No Planning for Spokane City Bond Issue

noreply@blogger.com (Tobby Hatley) — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 22:48:00 +0000

When a multi-million dollar bond issue is placed on a ballot there are usually constituents ready to persuade voters that spending that kind of cash is a good idea. Not so with the City of Spokane’s $19.5 million dollar proposal you’ll see on March 10th.

The City’s calling it a capital improvement measure that is vital to public safety. Storing criminal evidence, euthanizing wayward pets, providing judges nicer offices and building a better police shooting range are nice ideas. But there’s been zero ground work laid that might persuade the needed 60% majority that these four things out rank the City's other needs.
Here’s what $19.5 million buys: A new police department evidence building, a new municipal court building, a new animal shelter and a new law enforcement firing range. See the problem? A campaign centered on crime, courts, cops and euthanizing wayward cats and canines is a tough sell. This bond issue has no natural support beyond the City Council and the Mayor who historically only campaign for their own re-election.

Voters also don't really know whether these projects are even necessary because the City has no strategic capital spending plan. This means we have no idea what else might be needed or how these four multi-million dollar items rank in priority. It's almost as if they've been picked out of thin air. City Councilman Mike Allen has been pleading with his colleagues for more than a year to create a strategic capital improvement plan before putting anything else on the ballot. Allen believes, correctly, that deciding what projects the City needs and then prioritizing them will at least give voters a reason to consider saying yes---especially in the current economic client. But his pleas have been ignored.

Bond issues are tough to begin with let alone when they're thrown to voters with no campaign plan, no fund raising strategy and no messages that resonate with voters. And did I mention that School District 81 is running a $28 million bond issue that same day?

It’s a good thing I’ve never written fiction because I’m not clever enough to make up this stuff.

Something New

noreply@blogger.com (Tobby Hatley) — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 23:25:00 +0000

I really had to stop and think for a bit when my friend Mark Keas of MDI Marketing asked me a couple of weeks ago whether I’d be interested in playing a reporter on a TV commercial for a local car dealer. Don’t misunderstand: I have no problems with commercials---they paid my salary for about 30 years. And while I gladly took the loot the ads provided I didn’t have to worry about whether they were clever, effective, ethical or actually worked. That was always someone else’s problem. But I quickly concluded that taking a chance and trusting another professional’s judgment was the right thing to do. So now the microphone---a rather large one at that---is in the other hand.

Was it a tough decision? No. I’ve seen Mark’s work, his client is reputable and I was familiar with the production crew. It really came down to whether a former news guy was ready to step back in front of the camera but on another side of the business. I was also curious to see what it was like pitching a product instead of just reporting on one. I’ve been out of the news business for two years now and the spot was not pretending to be part of any identifiable newscast so I had no ethical dilemma. And selling something instead of just talking about it?

The comments have been generally positive---the lighting was good, we had a well written script, the crew was easy to work with, Mark’s idea was clever and the editing was superb. I even had one person say he bought a car because of the commercial. So I’d definitely like to shoot another spot if the client and the agency are happy.

But all through this I’ve kept in mind what my old EWU Professor Howard Hopf said on numerous occasions: “It ain’t creative unless it sells!”

So my question is: Are we creative?

Ridpath Creditility Gap

noreply@blogger.com (Tobby Hatley) — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 23:20:00 +0000

Did anyone ever believe this?

Snow Storm Communications

noreply@blogger.com (Tobby Hatley) — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 19:41:00 +0000

Communication is a wonderful thing.

If you remember, the City waited for more than a day last winter to fire up the plows when the snow began falling heavily. The delay caused crews to fall hopelessly behind, people began screaming and Mary Verner took five days before even addressing the issue publically.

Fast forward to this week: The record snow fall caused gridlock in Downtown, businesses closed and the city took on the eerie feeling that reminded me of when Mount St. Helens erupted. But while it’ll be extremely difficult to get around for the next several days and many schools and businesses are still locked up there’s not the public stress and outcry that we saw last year.

Why? Two things are different. First the City pulled the trigger early and threw everything it had at the storm. The second and most important difference is that Administration told us that it was on top of the situation and has kept us fully informed for the past two days. Almost hourly updates were posted on the City’s website which included plowing maps, weather reports cameras showing city streets. The Spokane Police Department used its RSS to push out information that was invaluable to everyone. And the Spokane Fire Department regularly updated its website to let us know where the biggest problems were.

With winter not even officially here yet we could see much more of this over the coming months. But as long as local governments continue to communicate and make progress on the problem residents will be supportive.

Now if we could only get Diamond Parking to let us know when its sidewalks will be shoveled…

Success in an Uncertain Climate

noreply@blogger.com (Tobby Hatley) — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 20:59:00 +0000

The rest of the country may be wringing its hands wondering what to do during uncertain economic times but not here in Spokane. Many groups are moving forward on large, very cool projects that clearly indicate that we are definitely not the same community that all but folded its tent during the severe economic down turn in the early 80s.

Just a few years after Expo 74 downtown began shutting off the lights as skywalks fell vacant, companies moved out of the core and governments sat by and watched. Now we see public, private and non-profit agencies pushing forward with projects worth millions of dollars that just a few years ago didn’t appear as if they’d get off the ground. The difference between now and then: strategic partnerships, better planning and good communications.

A great recent example is the emerging University District. When he was still at the City of Spokane, Tom Reese led the initial planning stages for the U-District that laid the foundation for others to carry out the vision. The Downtown Spokane Partnership and WSU-Spokane joined forces and enlisted the help of local governments, Spokane’s legislative delegation and private companies to create a specific U-District plan. The payoff came last week when Arthritis Northwest, WSU-Spokane, the DSP and Denver based developer NexCore announced the construction of a three-story, 60,000 square foot medical building---the catalyst that will launch the entire development of the 55 acre U-District.

Several years, a few false starts and hours or work were needed to accomplish this goal. The key was having a vision, creating plans to achieve it and having backup ideas just in case the first plans didn’t work out---which is exactly what happened. Other local groups with great ideas such as Mobius and the Parks Board can learn from this successful effort as they push their projects forward.

Local TV's Future

noreply@blogger.com (Tobby Hatley) — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 20:24:00 +0000

The question I'm asked most often is whether I miss being on TV. The answwer has always been a steadfast No! Lots of reasons why---including a New York Times article which confirms my decision.

This is already happening in Spokane. KXLY laid off 18 people a month ago, KHQ-TV Sports Director John Fritz resigned in early November---my guess is he'll be replaced by a part timer. Look for other anchors to head out the door in 2009. It's a trend that began several years ago---it's nice to be ahead of the curve. More TV folks will be looking to do the same.

Buggy Whips

noreply@blogger.com (Tobby Hatley) — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 18:51:00 +0000

I wonder sometimes whether prospective employers really think before they post job descriptions. Here’s what I’m talking about: a Spokane based international sales and marketing company ran a want ad in Sunday’s edition of the Spokesman Review seeking someone who is creative, a good writer, Internet savvy, understands social media and is adept at search engine optimization. So far so good---sounds like a great job. But here’s the catch: this unidentified company wants you to fax---that’s right, fax a resume! Are you kidding me?

Clearly, a job’s a job. But here’s a question you might want to ask before dialing that fax number even if you can do it from your computer: what type of corporate culture asks someone with extremely marketable and modern on-line communications skills to apply by using the technological equivalent of a buggy whip? I mean, if this is what a company thinks is creative I wonder what the bosses’ reaction would be when you asked them to create a Face Book account or suggest that Twitter might be an effective way to reach your target audiences.

I understand that prospective employers sometimes wish to remain anonymous during the initial recruiting phase. But we all know that blind email addresses can be created which will prevent job applicants from learning the company’s name. The bigger issue, however, is transparency. Employers want good workers---outstanding communications professionals seek solid and innovative companies. Hoping a fax machine spits out the type of person you want without providing vital information that helps people make informed decisions could be as productive as watching paint dry. So why not be up front, be proud of the company and let the market decide?

I’ll expect the company’s answer in a letter.

Another Kind of Bailout

noreply@blogger.com (Tobby Hatley) — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 00:03:00 +0000

Kudos to the Spokane City Council for two decisions that will enhance our quality of life and save us some money over the long haul. But deciding to regulate aggressive panhandling and recommending against using Conservation Futures money to buy the Downtown YMCA wasn’t done in a vacuum---lots of communication went into the effort to give Council members the right information to make informed and defensible decisions.

Providing law enforcement and business owners the tools to protect us from being harassed as we walk through our streets seems reasonable. But the challenge was for businesses, police and the Downtown Spokane Partnership to persuade Council members that the pedestrian interference ordinances were needed, reasonable and legal. Stakeholder meetings, lengthy discussions and transparent communication among constituents created a set of regulations that all Council members could support.

But those pushing to use $4.3 million of Conservation Futures money to buy the Downtown Y aren’t as adept. The Parks Board put a one million dollar non-refundable deposit on the building more than two years ago but did not follow up with any sort of communication effort to persuade the City to fork over the rest of the cash. So now with a late April deadline to close on the deal or lose the million dollars---and with no backup plan---the Parks Board hopes the Spokane County Commissioners bail them out. But the Council rejected a resolution supporting that idea---something about being stuck with a 20 year bond payment for an extremely expensive building the City doesn’t want and that’s going to be torn down in five years seems to be giving the Council heartburn. Those opposing the use of CF funds simply did a better job of communicating their side of the issue.

Developing effective messages and persuasive reasons for the City to take on this project could have prevented the Parks Board from looking foolish. Parks Board members still have time but as they squandered more than two years why should they suddenly change? My guess is they won’t.

Panhandling Solution

noreply@blogger.com (Tobby Hatley) — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:58:00 +0000

Downtown Spokane is never boring: great restaurants, excellent shopping, easily accessible services and colorful people have made my eight years as a Downtown resident and wage earner interesting, entertaining and generally fun. But I am concerned that despite all of our progress the number of aggressive panhandlers and what I term professional loiterers has increased to the point that our community’s safety, image and continued economic vitality are threatened.

I am continually barraged with aggressive demands for money regardless of what time of day or which street I’m on as I walk to and from my downtown office. I am also frequently forced to step over or around people camping in my building’s parking lot just outside the backdoor. And I have on at least two occasions called 911 because I genuinely feared for my or someone else’s safety.

There is at present no recourse for citizens or business owners to prevent people from aggressively soliciting money or from blocking the streets and sidewalks other than asking them to move on---requests generally refuse in the most vulgar of ways.

There is, however, a partial solution to this problem.

The City Council is considering five Pedestrian Interference ordinances that will have a positive impact on the quality and character of our Downtown’s street-life and businesses if they are passed intact:

They would help alleviate aggressive panhandling by giving police and business owners’ authority to move people away from building entrances.
The measures would prevent people from lying down in public rights of way such as sidewalks and alleys.
First Amendment rights are fully preserved.
They differentiate between freedom of expression and inappropriate behavior and strike a balance between the two.
Will continue to allow street performers and artisans who obtain permission.

We are all working diligently to continue making Downtown Spokane a safe, clean and vibrant environment which drives our community and region. Having the right tools at our disposal will ensure our continued success.

Work Around the Media

noreply@blogger.com (Tobby Hatley) — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 13:39:00 +0000

The media landscape is changing dramatically---especially in the way communications professionals try to engage local and national media organizations. In a recent presentation to the Spokane Regional Marketing and Communications Professionals---MarCom---I said that the traditional ways of persuading reporters to cover stories don’t seem to be working. So I suggested that they may want to take a more radical approach: go around the media altogether.

Here's what I mean. Technology allows us to either focus on specific audiences without filtering our messages through the legacy media or use on-line tactics to get the media's attention.

Two specific examples: Former Kendall Yards project manager Tom Reese recently announced on Spokane’s new local social networking site Launch Pad---INW that he was among the more than 300 people who were laid off from Coeur d’Alene based Black Rock Development---something all of Tom’s friends had known for a couple of weeks but a fact that had escaped media attention. It wasn't until Spokesman Review reporter Tom Sowa---also a member of this community---read Reese's announcement that a story was written. Reporters follow blogs and on-line communities to find out what's going on. Second example is even better. President-elect Obama will deliver his weekly addresses through You Tube---bypassing the media completely and allowing him to get his messages directly to his audience: you.

Bottom line---why spend money to get so-called "free media" when you might be better off using those resources to sharpen your messages and communicating directly with your target audiences? What you’re doing now probably doesn’t work as well as it did so trying something new can’t hurt!

Getting a Reporter's Attention

noreply@blogger.com (Tobby Hatley) — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 22:24:00 +0000

I’ve never been one to be above a little shameless self promotion---so here goes. The Spokane Regional MarCom Association---MarCom---has been gracious enough to invite me to make a presentation this Friday, November 7th on an issue that befuddles everyone who works in communications: how to get the media’s attention. I contend that a large club usually does the job but I hope to be a bit more subtle Friday morning.

It’s no secret that both the local and national media landscapes are in chaos. KXLY-TV just sacked 15 people and cancelled several news shows, (I believe this to be just the beginning), the Spokesman Review recently chopped another 27 people and advertising revenues for both traditional print and broadcast outlets are falling almost as fast as the Dow. Despite the problems we can still work with the media to effectively communicate our message---we just have to do it a lot differently.

Examples: Building traditional relationships has to be expanded to include social networking, there are better options than creating standard news releases and media kits and PR and Marketing professionals have to become experts at all things digital because that's where the media are going.

The presentation should be fun and provocative; I expect to learn a lot as well. Check it out. November 7th, 7:30 in the Spokane Club’s Georgian Room.

Spokesman Review Gaming the System

noreply@blogger.com (Tobby Hatley) — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 17:03:00 +0000

The other shoe dropped at the Spokesman Review yesterday as the final layoff notices were posted. Almost 30 people are gone from the newsroom. But it appears as if SR management is gaming the system. The three person radio staff producing newscasts for KJRB, which includes one manager, will move to sales and marketing. Two concerns here. The first is that the SR’s newsroom employment contract calls for a consistent proportion between reporters and managers. In other words when layoffs come on the reporting side an agreed upon number of managers must also be sacked.

But what the SR has done is simply move three people from one line item to another---including manager Dan Mitchenson. The company’s not saving any money; costs are simply transferred to another department. That’s good for Dan and his colleagues who will apparently remain employed but others didn’t have that choice. The SR says it’s contractually bound to produce radio news---always thought this to be bizarre but that’s another discussion---so it had to somehow keep the staff. Small comfort for the folks who are print reporters working for a newspaper that thinks it’s in the broadcasting business.

The bigger concern is credibility. I’ve known Dan and reporter Dick Haugen for several years and know they are honorable, honest and credible reporters. But now they’ll be working for sales and marketing---the Dark Side we call it in broadcasting. What this means is that all of the newsroom values no longer apply and that many stories will be off limits. Shaun Higgins, the radio folks’ new boss, is also a man above reproach---I like him a lot. But I’ve seen too many times over the years where the sales side wins arguments against news. Hope it doesn’t happen here. But as I’ve said repeatedly that while the game’s changed and the old rules don’t apply, the pressure to conform to outmoded models and ideas such as controlling news content to satisfy advertisers is stronger than ever.

Bad and Worse

noreply@blogger.com (Tobby Hatley) — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 16:20:00 +0000

Question for you: What's worse, the WSU football team or listening to so-called radio analyst Jim Walden? It’s a tough choice.

Hearing the WSU-USC game on the radio was like watching a train wreck in super slo-mo. Just when you thought the worst was over another car flew off the track and one more body crumpled in a heap. Long time play by play announcer Bob Robertson did his best to keep everyone interested. He’s had a lot of practice in calling losing games over the years because we all know that the Cougars are the Cougars. But he’s actually a good broadcaster: calls the plays, makes them exciting and is absolutely non-partisan even though he’s been with WSU since I was in grade school school…and that’s a long time ago.

Then there’s Walden.

Everything thing is “we should to this,” “our team,” “our coaches,” or “our players.” He thinks he’s still coaching the Cougs…which he hasn’t done since 1986…22 years!

This past Saturday was particularly pathetic. Walden had an excuse, apology or reason why Wazzu was losing after every play. But not once did he say that this is an extremely bad team or that USC was far superior in every way. All he offered were excuses for losing.

Probably his worst comment came when the score was 55 to nothing and the Trojans had just scored another touchdown: "The air just went out of the defense." Are you kidding me?

But I shouldn’t be so hard on the old boy…with a coaching record of 72-109-7 he has a lot of experience with losing. Guess his comments just come naturally.

A Better Social Networking Site

noreply@blogger.com (Tobby Hatley) — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 21:36:00 +0000

It’s been apparent for quite some time now that the media landscape is rapidly changing: The Spokesman Review’s cutting another 25 people or so, TV newsrooms continue to shrink and Google is redefining how we communicate.

So not to be left out a couple of folks working out of our little building at the East end of Downtown have launched a new social networking website aimed specifically at the audience that the legacy media have ignored and the traditional social network options don’t pay much attention to: local professionals wishing to actually connect with someone down the street instead of across the country.

Launch Pad, INW is up and running. Local entrepreneurs Bill Kalivas and Allen Battle have been working on the idea for the past several months and have done a great job of building something that can be used by all Inland Northwest business types.

As they say it TV: It’s Live, It’s Local and it’s Late Breaking! Check it out and let the boys know what you think.