Journalism that matters conference info

[Kwan Booth]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Bill Densmore <mediag...@journ.umass.edu>
Date: Sun, Mar 14, 2010 at 2:11 PM
Subject: INVITATION: Please come initiate, innovate, incubate June 3-6 at JTM-Detroit
To: MGP Alumni <mediag...@journ.umass.edu>



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FEATURED BELOW:

-- A focus on diversity, innovation
-- Why communities can thrive
-- Why Detroit?
-- Who are our sponsors?
-- A year-long effort
-- Stipends available


To the Media Giraffe and Journalism That Matters community:
===========================================================

How are we going to reshape journalism so that it engages and serves all
people and communities?

Initiative, innovation, incubation.

For three days in Detroit, some 150 or more people will work at the
intersections of journalism, technology, community and diversity to answer
our convening question -- with action. We'll share innovations and ideas
already in process in the new media landscape, inviting entrepreneurs to
showcase and further develop their work over a one-year cycle.

This mid-year gathering of Journalism That Matters moves to Detroit, Mich.
with the theme: "Create or Die: Forging communities that initiate, innovate,
incubate." Our host is Wayne State University's Journalism Institute for
Media Diversity, where we'll convene from mid-day on Thurs., June 3 through
mid-day on Sunday, June 6.

Bring your project idea to a focused, three-day gathering of results-driven
journalists, entrepreneurs, programmers, technologists, bloggers,
videographers, funders, venture capitalists, artists and educators to
discover, assess, shape and create new enterprises and new approaches to
journalism in a digital age.

We'll be meeting in St. Andrew's Hall, a former church listed on the
National Register of Historic Places inside the Wayne State campus in
downtown Detroit. Accommodations include state-of-the-art TV production
facilities next door, and a choice of dormitory suite or boutique-hotel
accommodations. We'll share a whole floor of an all-suites dormitory just a
few years old, including a 400-seat dining commons.

We'll learn about Detroit's changing economy as a metaphor for the change
and opportunity dogging journalism. Arrive Thurs., June 3, at mid-day, begin
with an afternoon orientation, buffet dinner and innovation exposition.
Share and work Friday and Saturday in circle-round and break-out
collaboration; then pitch project commitments on Sunday morning, June 6 to
potential investors.

Register today to get three days of lodging and food, plus participation,
for the early-bird price of $295.00.

LEARN MORE AND QUALITY FOR
EARLY-BIRD REGISTRATION NOW BY CLICKING HERE:
http://www.journalismthatmatters.org
https://www.123signup.com/event?id=mfptz

A FOCUS ON DIVERSITY
=========================

JTM especially invites persons of color -- journalists, entrepreneurs,
programmers, technologists, bloggers, videographers, venture capitalists,
artists, funders, educators and all who have an interest -- to explore how
voices often unheard or misrepresented can reshape the future of journalism.

Our focused, three-day gathering of results-driven, action-oriented participation will discover, assess, shape and create forward-looking enterprises focused on key elements of community -- diversity, shared values, tolerance, participation and developing youth.

Our premise: Unless diverse communities initiate, innovate and incubate
within the new news ecosystem -- they will fade into obscurity. So they must
"create, or die."

WHY COMMUNITIES CAN THRIVE
============================

For some 50 years, American journalism was financed by an historically unprecedented consumer-driven economy. This put pressure on editors, producers and reporters to focus on mainstream audiences attractive to advertisers.

Cable television, and now the Internet, have made it economically feasible to sustainably serve niche communities. For the first time, ethnic and unique communities and under-represent constituencies of all economic strata are no longer too marginal to serve.

Diverse constituencies can seize the opportunity to innovate with technology
and services, legacy media must learn to include these new, niche audiences.
Both creators and consumers die -- figuratively, they lose influence or
visibility -- unless they understand the need to diversify.

WHY DETROIT?
=================

For generations, Detroit was a center of innovation in the American
experience. For four days in June, we intend to do our part to see that it
is, again. JTM Detroit will follow the dynamic process pattern of previous
JTM gatherings -- a convening purpose, a day to frame the challenges, a day
to craft solutions and a morning to wrap it all up and keep it moving.

We will:

-- Incubate specific, ongoing enterprises among journalists, technologists
and funders to serve the needs of specific communities.

-- Launch a year-long exploration of cross-community collaborations that
inform, inspire, engage and activate. The best examples of innovation will
be prepped and showcased at the 2011 JTM gathering in the Piedmont Triad
region of North Carolina.

-- Discover and develop new partnerships for a healthy, inclusive news and
information ecosystem.

So don't come only to listen, come to participate.

OUR SPONSORS
==============

These are among the growing list of sponsors inviting you to join us for
"JTM-Detroit . . . Create or Die: Fostering Communities that Initiate,
Innovation and Incubate."

-- The Journalism That Matters collaborative and our more
    than 1,000 alumni

-- Wayne State University

-- The Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute
    at the Missouri School of Journalism

-- The U.S. Census Bureau

-- The National Association of Hispanic Journalists

-- The G.W. Williams Center for Independent Journalism

A YEAR-LONG EFFORT
=======================

The innovative process we begin in Detroit will last for a least a year,
until a companion convening in June or July, 2010 in the Durham-Greensboro
region of North Carolina.

So sign up to come to Detroit intend on leading a focused, year long effort.


EARLY-BIRD REGISTRATION -- STIPENDS AVAILABLE
=================================================

Early-bird registration is now open at $295. For the first 75 people who
register before April 1, that will **include** your dormitory lodging on
Thursday, Friday and Saturday night (single bedroom/shared bath) at no extra
charge. Special rates are available to students and the unemployed.

To register: https://www.123signup.com/event?id=mfptz

If you can make an important contribution our deliberations an action at
JTM-Detroit, but need financial assistance to attend, complete registration
now, paying a refundable $25 stipend request, and emailing a pitch to
j...@journalismthatmatters.org. We'll let you know by May 1 if our sponsor
resources are sufficient for you to attendance, or we'll refund your $25.00.

-------------------------------------
Bill Densmore, director/editor
The Media Giraffe Project
Univ. of Massachusetts / 413-577-5370

. . . for Andrew Humphreys, Alicia Nails, Chris Peck, Jessica Durkin, Linda
Jue, Martin Reynolds, Michelle Ferrier, Sandy Frost, Peggy Holman, Harold
Shinsato and other members of the JTM-Detroit collaborative . . . .

POSTABLE BANNER AD:
http://www.mediagiraffe.org/wiki/images/3/3c/Jtm-detroit.jpg
LINK TO:
http://www.journalismthatmatters.org/JTMDetroit

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