From MSUPRSSA: Devin Scillian is lead news anchor at Detroit’s NBV-TV affiliate WDIV-TV Channel 4. He talks about the state of journalism and PR.

From MSU Today on Impact Radio: Will Tieman is the president of the Spartan Sports Network, which brings you MSU football and basketball on the radio. You know him better as the radio play-by-play voice of MSU men’s basketball.

Tieman talks about the history and mission of his network, and he talks about how the radio industry is evolving in the age of digital technology.

He also looks ahead to the upcoming seasons for MSU football and basketball and sizes up each team’s chances next season.

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 33:14 – 19 mb mp3

From MSU Today on Impact Radio: Gary Reid is the father of MSU’s award-winning student radio station, 88.9 FM The Impact. He’s also a distinguished senior specialist in the MSU Department of Telecommunication, Information Studies, and Media and an associate director of the Quello Center for Telecommunication Management and Law at MSU.

“We lost Mr. Quello on my birthday this year when he was 95,” says Reid. “He always made time for everyone and made everyone he was around feel better. And he impacted the communications industry as much or more as anyone in history.”

Reid talks about what he took from this year’s National Association of Broadcasters convention in Las Vegas.

“For a while people joked that NAB stood for ‘nothing about broadcasting,’ but now it’s become ‘national association of broadercasting,” Reid says. “The theme this year was ‘where content comes to life,’ and the on-demand nature of the media we consume will continue to grow.”

Impact Radio is in its 22nd year, and Reid tells of WDBM’s plans to debut the station’s HD2 service later this year.

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 21:06 – 12.1 mb mp3

From MSU Today on Impact Radio and TalkLansing.net: David Gift is MSU’s chief technology officer; his official title is vice provost for libraries, computing and technology.

Scott Westerman – the father of Spartan Podcast – talks with Dave about a variety of MSU technology issues from the bandwidth MSU consumes each month, to the future of broadcasting and the growing popularity of MSU’s library system.

“Our library foot traffic at Michigan State is increasing year over year and has been for the last 15 years,” Gift says. “For a while we were bucking a national trend as people were going to the library less and less.
“Now nationally visits to libraries are beginning to increase.”

Hosted by Scott Westerman.

Hear the Conversation 16:47 – 15.3 mb mp3

From MSU Today on Impact Radio: MSU alumnus Don Gonyea is National Political Correspondent for National Public Radio.

Gonyea has been reporting for NPR since 1986 and has been White House Correspondent since 2001.

“In my new role as national political correspondent, I’ll be covering the same stories I’ve covered for 10 years at the White House,” Gonyea says. “Now I’ll be covering those stories from somewhere other than inside the gates of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.”

Gonyea talks about NPR’s Web presence and strategy for the future, too.

“It used to be that our Website was there simply to give you a place to find what was on the air,” Gonyea says. “That is no longer the case.

“We want to create something that is every bit the NPR brand – looks and feels like NPR – but that is branded NPR News. NPR News is the brand because NPR is becoming much more than just what is heard on the radio.”

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 19:16 – 11.1 mb mp3

From MSU Today on Impact Radio: News/Talk 760 WJR and Michigan State University have reached an agreement to extend their current contract 10 years, making News/Talk 760 WJR the flagship station for Spartan football and basketball through 2020. The extension was announced Tuesday, Jan. 19 during “The Paul W. Smith Show.”

“A relationship that began with WJR becoming the voice of MSU football and basketball has transformed into a great partnership that encompasses athletics, academics and everything in between,” said WJR President and General Manager Mike Fezzey. “We look forward to continuing to collaborate with President Lou Anna Simon, Athletics Director Mark Hollis and MSU on and off the field.”

WJR and MSU began their current contract in 2006. Since then, their partnership has evolved to include athletics, academic programs, alumni relations and more. They have even joined forces to advance environmental awareness through the weekly show “Greening of the Great Lakes,” heard Fridays from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 16:39 – 9.6 mb mp3

From MSU Today on Impact Radio: Programs that offer film students a blend of theory and production technique, such as MSU’s new film studies major, could help budding filmmakers take advantage of Michigan’s burgeoning film industry, says Emmy Award-winning documentarian Ken Burns.

In April 2008, Michigan enacted a law to provide tax credits for film production companies that shoot their movies in Michigan.

“In tough economic times, it is even more critical to have a rigorous film studies program to prepare the legions of young people who will have to be conversant in the language of our new visual culture,” Burns says, “and be able to reflect the values and ethics so these new forms of communication do not control us, but rather continue to reflect our highest ideals.”

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 18:51 – 10.8 mb mp3

From MSU Today on Impact Radio: Pam Whitten is the dean of MSU’s College of Communication Arts and Sciences.

Dean Whitten talks about her short and long-term goals for the college. And she talks about how technology has impacted the college and its goals for the future.

“This college has been a national and international leader for years,” Whitten says. “We’re comprised of five very different departments – journalism, advertising, communication, telecommunication and communicative sciences and disorders, but we do have underlying things we do in common in terms of our mission.

“We’re in the forefront of activity in terms of how we communicate, share and disseminate information in all ways that impact the lives of human beings. And we have the best faculty in the country if not the world who are even hungrier to get more aggressive in research and scholarship, as well as new ways to teach students.

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 8:03 – 4.6 mb mp3

From MSU Today on Impact Radio: Scott Westerman is president of the National Board of the MSU Alumni Association. He talks about the evolving mission of today’s MSU Alumni Association.

“Today’s MSU Alumni Association is the perfect way to stay connected to the Spartan magic that helped get you where you are today,” Westerman says. “Every MSU Spartan’s life has been fundamentally changed based upon his or her relationship with MSU.

“That relationship doesn’t have to end at graduation.”

Westerman talks about trends in technology and cable televison from his perch at Comcast.

Westerman is the father of Spartan Podcast; thanks, Scott!

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 15:30 – 8.9 mb mp3

From MSU Today on Impact Radio: Michael Patrick Shiels hosts “MPS in the Morning” on WJIM-AM 1240 in Lansing and around the state on the Michigan Talk Network.

He reflects on his time with the late, great J.P. McCarthy at WJR and talks about how he models his show after J.P. and attempts to “leave out the boring parts.”

He discusses the current and future state of the journalism and media industries and talks about how he got started as an author.

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 24:59 – 14.3 mb mp3

From MSU Today on Impact Radio: Dan Rather, host of HDNet’s “Dan Rather Reports” and a former “CBS News” anchor and “60 Minutes” correspondent, addressed candidates for advanced degrees on May 8 at MSU.

He received an honorary doctor of humanities degree.

Rather spoke with Jim Peck before he addressed the degree candidates. He comments on the state of journalism today.

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation and the Address 26:13 – 15 mb mp3

From MSU Today on Impact Radio: Former Spartan basketball player Matt Steigenga is the color commentator for Spartan basketball radio broadcasts on the Spartan Sports Network.

Steigenga describes the positive Spartan buzz that swirled around Ford Field during the Final Four, and he assesses the overall play of the 2008/2009 Spartans.

He looks ahead to the 2009/2010 Spartans and talks about where the team must improve to return to the national title game.

Matt talks about what he learned in his first year in broadcasting and says the game of college basketball is alive and well in 2009.

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 13:11 – 7.6 mb mp3

From MSU Today on Impact Radio: Brad Greenberg is the interim dean of the MSU College of Communication Arts and Sciences. And he’s an emeritus University Distinguished Professor of Communication and Telecommunication, Information Studies, and Media.

Dr. Greenberg talks about the college’s goals and mission. He discusses how the college and its students have changed over the years. And he reflects back on some of his own research of which he is most proud.

“The college is forward-looking and has always been a step ahead of most other communication colleges and programs in the United States,” says Greenberg. “This faculty tends to be able to anticipate what the next decade will look like in terms of media and is able to create courses relevant for our next generation of students.”

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 20:01 – 11.5 mb mp3

From MSU Today on Impact Radio: Matt Larson is associate atheltic director for athletic communications at MSU and is sports information director for Spartan basketball.

Matt talks about what sports information is and offers his advice for young people who want to follow in his footsteps. He talks about how sports information and communcations has changed in the ten years he’s been in the business.

“More and more we communicate directly with our fan base,” says Larson. “We have the best access to behind-the-scenes footage. In the past we might have given that access to a media outlet; now we post exclusive content at msuspartans.com.”

Larson talks about the keys to a successful tourney run for the ‘09 Spartans and talks about working with Tom Izzo.

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 27:49 – 16 mb mp3

From MSU Today on Impact Radio: Karole White is president and CEO of the Michigan Association of Broadcasters.

“We are the trade association for all the radio and television stations in Michigan,” says White. “We help our members better serve their communities. No other industry works as hard at serving their community as local broadcasters.”

White talks about the challenges involved in making sure the public is aware of television’s transition to digital broadcasting. She also talks about the issues and challenges facing broadcasters in the years ahead.

“As long as broadcasters remain true to their mission of serving their communities, radio and TV stations will remain viable businesses no matter how they’re delivering information to consumers.”

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 7:48 – 4.5 mb mp3

From MSU Today on Impact Radio: Gary Reid is the general manager of MSU’s award-winning student radio station, 88.9 FM The Impact. The Impact celebrates its 20th birthday on February 24, 2009.

Reid talks about how WDBM got started and discusses the station’s mission. He talks about how the Impact – and the radio industry in general – has changed over the 20 years WDBM has been on the air.

And Reid looks ahead to the Impact’s next 20 years and looks into his crystal ball to predict where the radio business is headed in the future.

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 28:38 – 16.3 mb mp3

From MSU Today on Impact Radio: MSU alumnus and National Public Radio White House correspondent Don Gonyea talks about the challenges facing the Obama Administration – like the plight of America’s Big Three automakers.

Gonyea also talks about how technology has changed over the years and impacted his reporting. And he says there will always be a place for good journalism whether it be on the air or on the Web.

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 30:42 – 17.6 mb mp3

From MSU Today on Impact Radio: Bruce Vanden Bergh is a professor of advertising at MSU.

He assesses the state of the advertising industry in 2009. He says the Internet has changed everything and that TV ads are now mainly designed to drive consumers to the Web.
He talks about how advertising students are being taught differently today and what skills today’s ad agencies are seeking in new hires. Bruce looks into his crystal ball to gauge the challenges and opportunities ahead for the advertising industry.

“People don’t want to delay gratification; they want everything now, and it has to be mobile,” says Vanden Bergh. “There’s a total blurring of the boundaries between what used to be news, entertainment, promotion, advertising, and public relations – now it’s all one.”

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 10:33 – 6.1 mb mp3

From MSU Today on Impact Radio: Former Spartan basketball player Matt Steigenga has a new role – he’s the color commentator for Spartan basketball radio broadcasts on the Spartan Sports Network.

Steigenga talks about his new role and how it came about. He reflects on his time with Jud Heathcote and Tom Izzo – and on his time with Michael Jordan on the NBA champion Chicago Bulls.

And he talks about the impact MSU has had on his life. And he assesses the state of the 2008-2009 Spartans.

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 19:50 – 11.4 mb mp3

From MSU Today on Impact Radio: Jim Peck is MSU’s executive producer of non-athletic MSU Today programming for the Big Ten Network.

Peck talks about the the mission of the programming he produces and what he hopes viewers take away from it.

“The show goes where MSU is,” Peck says. “We try to tell the great world of stories that have to do with MSU and let people know about all the cool things going on here.”

Peck also talks about the challenges and opportunities facing the television industry and predicts where TV is headed in the future as it continues to converge with the computer. And he offers his advice for young people who want to get into the business.

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 20:45 – 11.8 mb mp3