Category: News + Events

Matthew T. Hall, editorial and opinion director at The San Diego Union-Tribune, shared his favorite writing tips for the San Diego Press Club’s next “Write Better Right Now,” a one-hour, writing webinar from 6 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 17.

The free workshop, held over the Zoom online meeting platform, is open to the public and will include Hall sharing writing tips he’s learned during his 25-year career, followed by a question-and-answer time. Zoom membership is not required to participate in the webinar. The webinar will be recorded and a web link will appear on the Press Club website for viewing at a later date.

Moderator on Nov. 17 will be Luis Cruz, community and public relations director, The San Diego Union-Tribune and The San Diego Union-Tribune en Español.

To register for the Nov. 17 webinar, CLICK HERE. The webinar is part of the Press Club’s “Nuts & Bolts” series.

Hall has worked since 2001 at The San Diego Union-Tribune, where he manages the Ideas and Opinion section, writing and editing editorials, and overseeing editorial cartoons, commentaries, letters to the editor and a podcast called “Name Drop San Diego.” Previously, he managed the newsroom’s social media, was a metro columnist and worked as a reporter covering San Diego politics and east and north San Diego County.

The graduate of the University of New Hampshire is currently serving as 2020-2021 president of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), a national professional organization with about 6,000 members. He has served on SPJ’s national board since 2014, first as a regional director for Region 11 and then as secretary-treasurer and president-elect. Hall is a past president of the SPJ San Diego Professional Chapter, which was honored as national chapter of the year when he served as president.

His goals for the national SPJ organization include strengthening its advocacy and diversity, implementing a new strategic plan to make it more meaningful to more members and to give journalists support, inspiration and better tools to do their jobs at a difficult time.

Join us for an in-depth workshop on best tips for media and PR professionals who want to upgrade their LinkedIn game!

DATE: Thursday, Nov. 12 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

COST: Free for San Diego Press Club members and students. $10 for non-members.*

Whether you are a seasoned professional looking for a new opportunity or freelance work, or a new-to-the-industry communications pro, you will learn valuable tips from our panelists on how to:

• Optimize your profile
• Participate in groups
• Position yourself for a new opportunity
• Understand the shifting perceptions of journalism, PR, and job hunting
• Using LinkedIn for business development and attracting new clients

Presenters:

Sage Pierce is the Human Resources Manager at NBC 7/Telemundo 20. She transitioned to Human Resources at NBC after 22 years in Broadcast Journalism. Sage led the NBC San Diego news team as an Executive Producer for 12 years which included overseeing editorial content, recruiting, hiring and guiding teams through periods of unprecedented change. She is a two-time Emmy award winner and recipient of the Tribute to Women and Industry award in 2010. Connect with her on LinkedIn:

After attending Howard University, Jaz Adams began working closely with small business owners to get a better understanding of their marketing, sales, and recruitment needs. They have launched projects for a wide range of people and industries including non-profits, small businesses, entrepreneurs, and creatives. As Director of Strategy at Wayward Kind, Jaz gets the opportunity to develop digital strategies and campaigns for challenger brands who are making a significant impact in class, and gender equity. Connect with Jaz on LinkedIn:

Moderator:

Denise Scatena co-founded Scatena Daniels Communications in 2009 and has helped grow the agency into an award-winning strategic communications agency based in San Diego, Calif.  With over 20 years of strategic communications experience, Denise is an award-winning communicator who has worked with forward-thinking brands including healthcare, professional services, real estate, arts and culture, entertainment and philanthropy. In addition to client strategy, she is also responsible for new business development and promotions for Scatena Daniels. A Chapman University and San Diego State alum, she is involved in several community associations to include San Diego Press Club, National Association of Hispanic Journalists San Diego / Tijuana chapter, and the San Diego Association of Black Journalists. She is also a member of Rotary 33. Connect with Denise on LinkedIn:

There will be time to ask the experts anything so you can feel confident in using LinkedIn!

DATE: Thursday, Nov. 12 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

COST: Free for San Diego Press Club members and students. $10 for non-members.*

Click here to make your reservation

*Not a member and want to join? Click Here

The San Diego Press Club 2020 Harold Keen Special Award goes to Alison St. John who retired in 2019 from KPBS after almost 30 years.

This award is given to the journalist who has, throughout his/her career, gone above and beyond standard practices for the sake of fairness and truth telling.

The San Diego Press Club 2020 Andy Mace Special Award goes to PR pro Maria Velasquez.

This award is given to a PR practitioner who, over the course of his or her career, has exemplified fairness and integrity, and has effectively disseminated the truth to concerned publics.

The San Diego Press Club 2020 Jim Reiman Award for Outstanding Media Management goes to Linda Rosas Townson, the publisher of three local community newspapers, including the Star-News in Chula Vista, East County Californian and Alpine Sun.

This award goes to the boss or supervisor who “gets it” when it comes to managing information teams.

Should you write “who” or “whom?” “That” or “which?” Is it “is” or “are?”

Also, where do you stand on terminal prepositions, split infinitives, “hopefully” as a floating adverb and “they” as a third-person singular pronoun?

For goodness sakes, what are the correct grammar rules that will make you a better writer?

Richard Lederer, language columnist, The San Diego Union-Tribune, usage editor of the Random House Dictionary and author of The Write Way, will offer a common-sense approach to grammar and usage, plus welcome questions about grammar, usage and punctuation.

Lederer is the author of more than 50 books about language, history and humor, including his best-selling Anguished English series, plus his current titles, A Treasury of Halloween Humor and A Treasury of Christmas Humor. He is a founding co-host of “A Way With Words,” heard on KPBS-FM.

His syndicated column, “Lederer on Language,” appears in newspapers and magazines throughout the United States, including The San Diego Union-Tribune. He has been named International Punster of the Year and Toastmasters International’s Golden Gavel winner.

His 400th syndicated column, which ran earlier this year, was titled “Here’s a useful list of 50 Rules for Writing Good.” Among his rules:

— Never use no double negatives.

— Don’t use commas, that aren’t necessary.

— Don’t write run-on sentences they are hard to read.

— Proofread carefully to see if you any words out.

— By observing the distinctions between adjectives and adverbs, you will treat your readers real good.

— Who needs rhetorical questions?

— Analogies in writing are like feathers on a snake.

The “Write Better Right Now” webinars, part of the Press Club’s longstanding “Nuts & Bolts” educational series, are designed as an opportunity to learn how to be a better writer.