Information and Inspiration
I frequently visit the following websites to remain informed and excited about the purpose and potential public service media. I encourage you to check them out.
- The Public Television Programmer’s
Association’s recently launched their online community, The Public Media Digest. This already substantive site will only improve with increased
participation from qualified practitioners like you (not for
programmers only). Registering for an account is highly recommended.
- Dennis Haarsager’s blog, Technology360, is essential for at least attempting to keep up with the dramatic changes in how we deliver and use content in the today that constantly blurs into tomorrow.
- Although not public media specific, The
Stanford Social Innovation Review is a most enlightened
publication about philanthropy. Consider subscribing,
access to the online archive of articles is worth more than the price
of admission.
- I’ve had the pleasure and privilege of
working with consultant Michael Gilbert. His Nonprofit Online News is a rich and
seemingly endless pointer to helpful articles, online resources and
reading recommendations.
I'll update this site with other sources of information and inspiration from time to time. You can connect to more recommendations like this easily and quickly by putting my ideablog on your RSS reader or signing up for my periodic (sporadic) e-newsletter. I will hold your email address sacred and not share it with any other entity. Mentors
The words of Sir Isaac Newton, "if I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants", nicely sums up the powerful role that I believe idea-sharers, colleagues and mentors can have in public media. Here I list only a scant few of the people who have helped me see further. They can do the same for you.
- Much of my strategic thinking about public television on-air fundraising has been informed and inspired by much of the groundbreaking work and research done by TRAC Media Services. I was privileged enough to organize and edit a version of their publication, Pledge For Everyone, and have even been lucky enough to be quoted by them from time to time.
- Robert Stein, also a recent client, has been a mentor to me in the areas of mid-level and major giving. His firm, MajorGiving.com, is available for a variety of services and his free listserv is worth subscribing to.
- On the public radio side of on-air fundraising, Mike Wallace is a great colleague and I continue to learn from him as we exchange ideas and information. His agency, Wallace Creative, continues to benefit his many public radio clients.
- You've heard of "the smartest guy in the room"? When the McPherson Public Television Co-op meets, you could easily call it "the smartest room in public television development." The guys and gals in this community of practice, convened by McPherson Associates, have helped shape my thinking over the years.