On the News Desk

Working to define, not be defined

Posted by Misty Montano on Monday, May 30, 2011 In : Social Media in the Newsroom

Almost three months have passed since I last wrote and announced my decision to leave CBS4 News after 10 1/2 years On the News Desk.

I’ve been waiting for my feet to find steady ground. I’ve been finding my new place and how exactly I fit. I’ve been too exhausted at the end of the day to write.

I have composed many blogs in my mind and seriously need to start recording my thoughts so they aren’t lost!

My personal blog has been just as neglected, which is truly sad because I had pla...

I signed off the news desk at CBS4 News for the last time

Posted by Misty Montano on Tuesday, March 15, 2011 In : Assignment News Desk

I signed off from the CBS4 News desk for the last time last night after 10 plus years as an Assignment Editor because I’ve accepted the position of Digital Content Manager at 9News. When I think of my life, channel 4 and everyone at the station is right there along with thoughts about my family. I can’t picture life away from there, but now I must.

I grew up at channel 4 on the news desk. I thought I knew everything when I started here right out of college and it turns out I knew ver...
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10 press release etiquette tips and requests

Posted by Misty Montano on Tuesday, March 8, 2011 In : Assignment News Desk

Recently I had the pleasure of participating in a media round table luncheon hosted by PRSA Colorado. I was asked questions about newsroom staffing, editorial decision making, press release preferences, best newsroom contacts, best times to call, and much more. It seems I’ve taken a lot of questions about press releases lately; or maybe it’s because the luncheon happened not long ago so it just seems like a lot more than normal.

I haven’t written much about press releases sin...
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Facebook page admins be wary of mind control tactics

Posted by Misty Montano on Friday, March 4, 2011 In : Social Media in the Newsroom

If you’re a facbook page administrator like I am I bet you were ready to pull your hair out yet again at some of the recent changes to facebook pages. Some of the changes I welcomed with open arms, such as being able to post as your page. I love this as I see the increased marketing potential. One change reaffirmed my suspicion that facebook is trying to take over the world.

Facebook started deciding what was most relevant and important for each of us. MIND CONTROL.

This didn’t happe...
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Twitter note to my fellow area Journalists

Posted by Misty Montano on Saturday, February 26, 2011 In : Twitter

In the last few weeks I’ve seen a surge of journalists throughout the metro area creating Twitter accounts. Some are using the accounts. Some are letting them sit stagnant. To my fellow journalists who have now decided to at least take a look at Twitter: Welcome. This post is not meant to be a lecture, but more of a friendly, “here are some tips.”

I don’t know why the sudden surge from several media outlets from newspaper to TV (broadcast, public and cable), to radio, has been h...

Take steps beyond Twitter and Facebook

Posted by Misty Montano on Tuesday, February 8, 2011 In : Social Media in the Newsroom

In the past three weeks I’ve found myself giving social media 101 lessons to coworkers. Two thoughts simultaneously crashed in my mind. “Aren’t we beyond 101?” SLAMS into “W00t! We’re here!” Working with social media has become such a part of my daily life and work, that I forget that others are still testing the waters.

This is something I can’t forget. As a journalist working to progressively move news beyond the traditional I can’t move forward independently whil...
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I am an assignment editor

Posted by Misty Montano on Tuesday, January 25, 2011 In : Assignment News Desk

I can't resist posting this xtra normal episode by spexorama: I Am An Assignment Editor. It so nicely describes what I do on the news desk. The frustration I sometimes feel when I try to explain my job shows eloquently. Of course I know how important the position of the assignment editor is in the newsroom, and in trying to explain/show that importance, I admit a tiny bit of embellishment may be added. There are certainly days where I feel like a glorified telephone operator, or intern!

The meaning of the Toy Drive

Posted by Misty Montano on Monday, December 20, 2010

I remember at least one Christmas as a child where my family was helped by the kindness and generosity of others. Due to these people I will never know, my brothers, sister and I got presents under the tree. We were able to have a special breakfast with Santa. We were taken on a shopping trip where we each got to spend a certain amount of money. The kind woman that was with just us kids made sure we bought presents for mom and dad too.

I don’t remember how old I was, but I was old enoug...
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A Social Media Outline for any Journalist

Posted by Misty Montano on Saturday, August 28, 2010 In : Social Media in the Newsroom

It’s really been quite hard for me to maintain a train of thought these last few months of pregnancy. That’s obvious by my lack of blogging, and the fact that I’ve mentioned this before! To handle family, home, work and the rest of life I didn’t force myself to write other than necessary tasks. I did, however, need to write out the below Social Media Outline for any Journalist.

This need was for myself as I needed to formalize a basic goal plan of what I want to achieve in my o...
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Alien abductee email news tip

Posted by Misty Montano on Saturday, July 10, 2010 In : Assignment News Desk

“John Doe

Denver
555-555-55555
Granting an on air t.v. interview about alien abductions. An abductee requesting an interview. How does this work? Can someone contact me to explain the process. 555-555-5555 and ask for John Doe over at No Name Modeling & Talent Agency”

Yes, the above is indeed a news tip/request that the station received last week via email. To protect the identity of the tipster, I changed the name and a few other details. All of my changes are in italics.

Every once in...
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Misty Montano

Evolving Journalist

I am a Journalist using Social Technologies and Interactive Media to connect with news consumers. I am taking on the new exciting and challenging role of Digital Content Manager at 9News in Denver, CO. Previously I was an Assignment Editor at CBS4 News in Denver where I won an Emmy for my work and spent the first 10 years of my career. I truly grew up on the news desk.

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