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Media Professionals of Florida

Media Professionals of Florida, Inc. provides informative meetings on the second Tuesday of each month For more information contact David Rosenblatt at info@mediaprofessionals.org

September 2007

"HDTV and the Future of the News Business."
This month's meeting was held at WFTS their "ABC Action News HD" studios in Tampa.
Food, Fun and Networking was job one at the Media Professionals of Florida meeting at the WFTS studios.
Bill Carey has been the vice president and General Manager of WFTS since 2004. Before accepting his position at WFTS, Bill held news positions at WXYZ in Detroit, WCBS and WABC in New York City and WBBM in Chicago.
Bill has won numerous awards for his work in journalism including an Edward R. Murrow, George Foster Peabody, Columbia Du-pont Silver Baton plus numerous Emmy and AP awards.

Bill discussed new ideas about the future of HD and answered interesting questions from our group.

MPFI members took the newsroom tour.

Bill Carey explained the setup of the newsroom along with the duties of staff members at each station.

Rex Colby, senior technical director of WFTS-TV, has been with the station for 13 years. Here he is showing us the detail of the new HD control room.
The station tour was special to many MPFI members but hearing Bill give his account of the news business, how HD is changing the face of news and how the internet impacts new gathering and news reporting was very insightful. Bill spoke and answered questions in an upbeat, humorous and honest manner. The meeting at WFTS was a very informative and lively time.
WFTS also provided t-shirts as giveaways along with supplying food and drinks for the group.
Bill would like all media professionals to keep WFTS in mind the next time our area gets hit with a hurricane. Many of the staff work 48 or 60 hours without a break while news continues to be reported non-stop. Anyone who is willing to lend their expertise during emergencies is encouraged to make their way to WFTS. Give WFTS a call or email Bill Carey to volunteer your services.

Call WFTS at: (813) 354-2828
email Bill Carey at: BCarey@wfts.com

Speakers

Bill Carey

Bill Carey has been the vice president and General Manager of WFTS since 2004. Before accepting his position at WFTS, Bill held news positions at WXYZ in Detroit, WCBS and WABC in New York City and WBBM in Chicago.

Rex Colby

Rex Colby has been with ABC Action News for 13 years. Rex is WFTS-TV's senior Technical Director. Rex played a huge role getting WFTS-TV's first newscast off the ground back in 1994 and this year Rex was a very valuable asset as WFTS introduced their viewers at ABC Action News in High Definition. Rex currently is the Technical Director on duty for the noon newscast as well as the 5pm hour each weekday. Rex works closely with the engineering department throughout the year helping troubleshoot various technical issues.

Joseph Papadopoulos

Joe Papadopoulos has been with WFTS for over 7 1/2 years and is easily one of the most valuable production staff members. Joe is highly skilled in the following venues at ABC Action News: audio operator, video playback, studio camera and floor director, lighting, microwave control, and in a pinch Joe even operates either of WFTS-TV's two satellite trucks. Joe knows the ABC Action News studio better than anyone.