Livestream

Day 2: Engage Local – Tweet using #EngageLocal to join the discussion!

We open our conference by engaging with the city of Newark on the question of redevelopment.

Newark Town Hall Flyer (official)

Town Hall Panelists

View all Speakers

Here are some of the featured speakers for Tuesday, June 16:

View all Speakers

More information about the conference

Engage Local kicks off on June 15 at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center with a 7-9 p.m. Town Hall in which journalists, civic leaders and the public will talk about the issue of redevelopment in Newark. The event is part of the National Community and News Literacy Roundtables Project, a joint initiative of the American Society of News Editors, The Robert R. McCormick Foundation, the News Literacy Project and the American Press Institute. WBGO 88.3FM, Brick City Live and Glocally Newark are our media partners.

Day Two (June 16) runs from 9am – 6 pm and takes place across the street at the historic Robert Treat Hotel. It features a conversation between Marty Baron, executive editor of The Washington Post, and Merrill Brown, director of the School of Communication and Media at Montclair State University.

Among the topics that will be addressed during the day’s panels, presentations and breakout discussions are:

  • Community-Driven Journalism and the Art of Listening
  • Rethinking Revenue by Engaging Community
  • Civic Activism and Journalism: How to Wear Both Hats
  • Social Journalism and Responsibility
  • Engaging the Community in Times of Crisis

Among the featured presenters is Montclair-based filmmaker Julie Winokur, whose Kickstarter-funded engagement project “Bring it to the Table” is a model for political opponents to sit down and engage civilly. 

Don’t miss our conference-ending rooftop cocktail party from 5 :30 – 7 pm where you’ll get a chance to digest the day with a panoramic view of the entire metropolitan area and Newark’s Military Park.

 

Conference Schedule

  • Session A
    NJ/NY Room
    8:15 - 9:15
    Registration & Breakfast
    Meet and mingle with your peers while enjoying coffee and a light continental breakfast in the lobby of the Robert Treat Hotel. Seating availabile in New York/NJ room.
    Chris DaggettMerrill Brown 1
    9:15 - 9:30
    Opening Remarks
    Opening remarks from Merrill Brown, Director of the School for Communication and Media and Chris Daggett, Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation.
    Debbie-profile-picSteven Waldman
    9:30 - 10:00
    A Call to Action: Report for America
    Like many of us, longtime journalism innovator Steven Waldman worries about the financial pressures on news organizations. Drawing on the models of AmeriCorps, Teach for America and the Peace Corps, Waldman proposes Report for America -- a public service initiative to attract the best and the brightest to serve democracy through the practice of journalism. This Ford Foundation-funded report is released here for the first time. Debbie Galant, Center for Cooperative Media | Steve Waldman, Lifeposts
    AmyVernonCarrie BrownCOO, Lifeposts, Inc.Mandy Jenkinssarah-portrait-facebook1
    10:00 - 10:45
    Transforming the News Process Through Social Journalism
    Increasingly citizens are playing an important role in capturing images and information that provide powerful context to reporting. Join this panel of experts as they share best practices in understanding how to embrace social journalism in your news operation as well as the opportunities and challenges it presents. Ju-Don Marshall Roberts, Lifeposts | Carrie Brown, CUNY; Mandy Jenkins, Storyful; Amy Vernon, Predictable.ly; Sarah Glover, NBC
    10:45 - 11:00
    Break
    Break in the Lobby (Breakfast still available)
    Dylan Smith LIONJake BatsellJohn T. Ward of RedBankGreenMary Barr Mann VillageGreenNj.comOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
    11:05 - 11:45
    New Forms of Revenue
    Learn how hyperlocal publishers are successfully using crowdsourcing, newsletters, events and other engaging monetization strategies to finance their enterprises. Jake Batsell, SMU | Dylan Smith, Tucson Sentinel; Mary Barr Mann, Village Green NJ; Nicole Davis, BrooklynBased; John Ward, Red Bank Green
    Ariana TobinElaine ChenJim Schacter
    11:50 - 12:30
    Case Study: WNYC's Bored and Brilliant
    The team that built WNYC's most successful audience engagement campaign to date explains exactly how they did it, what worked, what didn't, and how they're keeping it alive. Jim Schachter, WNYC | Elaine Chen, WNYC; Ariana Tobin, WNYC
    Martin-Baron-photo-585x390Merrill Brown 1
    12:45 - 2:00
    Fireside Chat with Marty Baron
    Break bread with your peers, then settle in for a wide-ranging discussion between Merrill Brown, Director of the Montclair State University School of Communication and Media, and Marty Baron, Executive Editor of the Washington Post. Bring your questions, too. Merrill Brown, Montclair State University | Marty Baron, Washington Post
    erinmedley_bio2Esthersurdenheadshot7811smallerversionCredit: Amy Kiste Nyberg, TAP into SOMAliz-picturesarah-portrait-facebook1
    2:00 - 2:45
    Engaging as a News Brand
    Many definitions exist for news engagement. Some innovators are taking this in new directions. Learn about pop-up event toolkits, modern methods of social media and the mainstay of sharing dialogue with your audience. Sarah Glover, NBC-owned TV Stations | Liz Kelly Nelson, Gannett; Erin Medley, NJ Advance Media; John Shabe, NJ Advance Media; Esther Surden, NJ Tech Weekly
    Charlie Kratovil Profile PictureChris Faraonechris_goldstein_600craig-aaronFiona Morgan
    3:00 - 3:45
    Civic Activism and Journalism: How to Wear Both Hats
    What happens when a community activist becomes a publishing entrepreneur? Hear it from the rebels with a cause. Craig Aaron, CEO, Free Press | Chris Faraone, DigBoston; Chris Goldstein, Philly.com; Charlie Kratovil, New Brunswick Today; Fiona Morgan, Free Press
    Cole_Goins_colorSusan Mernit of Hack the Hood
    3:50 - 4:30
    From Oakland to Newark: Empowering Local Communities Through Creative Engagement
    How can journalists work more intimately with their communities to educate and empower residents? Two Oakland-based journalists will share insights from their local experiments, Hack the Hood and Eyes on Oakland, that blur the lines between journalism, art, education and community organizing. They'll offer out-of-the-box tips on how to jumpstart inclusive, on-the-ground initiatives that invite community members to learn, create and share. Susan Mernit | Hack the Hood; Cole Goins, Reveal and CIR
    Jake Batsell
    4:35 - 5:15
    Town Hall Wrap-Up
    Moderator Jake Batsell will lead conference attendees in a thought-provoking conversation about engaged journalism and wrap up the big ideas of the day. Batsell teaches digital journalism and media entrepreneurship at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. He is the author of the new book Engaged Journalism: Connecting with Digitally Empowered News Audiences, and spent the 2013-14 academic year in residence at The Texas Tribune in Austin as part of a Knight Foundation fellowship to explore and document business models and best practices in the world of nonprofit news. Jake Batsell, Southern Methodist University
  • Session B
    Pennsylvania Room
    8:15 - 9:15
    No Session
    No sessions at this time.
    9:15 - 9:30
    No Session
    No sessions at this time.
    9:30 - 10:00
    No Session
    No sessions at this time.
    10:00 - 10:45
    No Session
    No session at this time.
    10:45 - 11:00
    Break
    Break in the Lobby (Breakfast still available)
    Joshua_Crandall_imageDetailSizeJustin Auciello Jersey Shore Hurricane Newsrosenweig 2010 smallerSteve Stirling
    11:05 - 11:45
    Traffic and Weather Together
    There's nothing more local than traffic and weather, as anybody who listens to all-news radio knows. In our social media age, we don't have to wait for 8 minutes after the hour to get our updates. Hear from digital entrepreneurs who are using social media to engage the crowd and deliver usable news to consumers in real time. Marc Rosenweig, MSU | Justin Auciello, Jersey Shore Hurricane News, Steve Stirling, NJ.com, Josh Crandall, Clever Commute
    Andrew Haeg will speak at Engage Local
    11:50 - 12:30
    Human-Centered Journalism
    You can't serve a community's information needs unless you know what they are. Hear how students from The New School in Manhattan uncovered the unmet information needs of Red Hook, Brooklyn. We’ll discuss concrete tools to help communities be catalysts, collaborators and co-creators of stronger and more sustainable journalism. Andrew Haeg, GroundSource, Mercer University, New School | Students, New School; Lissa Harris, Watershed Post
    AaronPriceAndrew Haeg will speak at Engage LocalJonathan SchwartzBizytown
    2:00 - 2:45
    Who's Doing What with Mobile?
    It's a mobile first world. So you'd better be responsive. This panel takes things to another level. Experience an array of content, advertising, polling and ecommerce applications. Aaron Price, Voices, Rocketfuel.cc, NJ Tech Meetup | Jonathan Schwartz, LIN Mobile; Scott Barnett, Bizyhood
    julie
    3:00 - 3:45
    Bring It To the Table
    Preview segments of this Kickstarter-funded documentary about getting people with differing opinions to speak civilly about complicated issues. The filmmaker will also share techniques for translating her engagement tool to your community. Julie Winokur, Talking Eyes Media
    2010, CART, broadcast, PetersonB, Beverly Peterson, facultyAmditisInterviewProfilePictureLiem Ho NJITMiriam_headshot091814_2217_Tara George-X2
    3:50 - 4:30
    The Classroom as Community Engagement Lab
    Media students in today's world need to learn more than how to operate cameras or write an inverted pyramid story. Meet educators who took their students into the community as part of their studies. Hear how a professor at NJIT teamed her students with a hyperlocal blog to document changes in Newark and how a professor at Montclair State worked with students to create a walking tour app for Orange, NJ. Then go inside the NJ News Commons Election Night pop-up newsroom that allowed students, freelancers and Montclair State faculty to collaborate with N.J. Spotlight to produce prize-winning, real-time Election Night coverage. Find out what it takes to make these collaborations happen and what expectations both sides should bring to the table. Tara George, Montclair State University | Miriam Ascarelli, NJIT; Liem Ho, NJIT; Beverly Peterson, Montclair State University; Joe Amditis, Center for Cooperative Media
  • Session C
    Crystal Room
    08:15 - 09:15
    No Session
    No session at this time.
    09:15 - 09:30
    No Session
    No session at this time.
    09:30 - 10:00
    No Session
    No session at this time.
    10:00 - 10:45
    No Session
    No session at this time.
    10:45 - 11:00
    Break
    Break in the Lobby (Breakfast still available)
    JeanneNewMugShotJennifer Borg - General Counsel and Vice President of North Jersey Media Group. Photography by: Anne-Marie CarusoMarc PfeifferTerry Parriss Jr.
    11:05 - 11:45
    Sourcing Data: Crowd, Open, Survey, Partnership
    Data in its various forms is addressed in this panel. How do you access it, whether through government sources or crowdsourcing? How do you make it accessible through visualization and other techniques? Marc Pfeiffer, PfeifferGov | Jeanne Pinder, Clearhealthcosts.com; Terry Parris Jr., ProPublica; Jennifer Borg, North Jersey Media Group
    krewsonChrisWinkThe Daily Payoff(photo by Amanda Brown/ For NJ Spotlight)
    11:50 - 12:30
    Events to Engage and Make Money
    Learn how to bring your brand into the real world. Hear from publishers just what makes an event sizzle, why events are the way to a Millennial's heart and how to price tickets for your sponsors as well as attendees. Frank Scandale, The Daily Payoff | Chris Krewson, BillyPenn; John Mooney, NJ Spotlight; Christopher Wink, Technical.ly
    Andaiye Taylor HeadshotClair Lorell of ASNE
    2:00 - 2:45
    Newark Town Hall Continued: Building a Community Dialogue (Part I of II)
    Community events can serve as a driver of community dialogue and civic activity. This session will continue Monday night's discussion on redevelopment in Newark, while also serving as a demonstration for holding a news organization-run community event about a local issue. Clair Lorell, ASNE | Andaiye Taylor, Brick City Live; and others
    amy mitchellnapoli picture090814_4851_Todd Kelshaw-S
    3:00 - 3:45
    The Latest Research on Local News and Civic Engagement
    Insights into how access to news affects civic engagement by its quantity and income level. Todd Kelshaw, PhD., Montclair State University | Amy Mitchell, Pew Research Center; Philip Napoli, Rutgers University
    Adaora UdojiBrian DonohoeJack Smith IVJayBPhil Alongi
    3:50 - 4:30
    Lights, Cameras, Livestreams
    With anyone who has a camera now a producer, this panel of filmmakers, digital producers and Periscopers looks at how video fits in to any local publisher's repertoire. Phil Alongi, NJTV News | Jack Smith IV, Mic News; Brian Donohue, NJ Advance Media; Adaora Udoji, outLoud Inc.; Jay Bhattacharya, Capture Media
View all

Location

Many thanks to our generous sponsors!

View all Sponsors

Click the image below to request information about becoming a sponsor!

Sponsorship Levels

Frequently Asked Questions

Will there be WiFi?

Yes. There is free wifi in the Robert Treat Hotel. What’s more, a dedicated press room has been set aside if you need to get away from the proceedings to make a phone call or meet a deadline.

Can I take mass transit?

NJ Transit, Amtrak and PATH trains run directly into Newark Penn Station. The Robert Treat Hotel is a 15-minute walk from the station. Or take the light rail to NJPAC/Center Street and walk up the hill or to Military Park and walk across the park. You can find a walking map here.

Where do I park?

The Military Park Garage is directly across from the hotel. Parking is underground and costs $12 for the day.

Reserve your tickets today!

  • Engage Local Conference
    $50 USD

    Join us Tuesday, June 16 at the Robert Treat Hotel in Newark for our Engage Local media conference (9am-6pm).

    Ticket includes: Breakfast, lunch, and rooftop cocktail party.

    buy ticket
    VALUE

Copyright © 2015. All Rights reserved.