Kristin Lutz: When or how did you become involved in journalism?
DP: I knew I wanted to be a journalist since eighth grade. We were talking about careers in my “Current Events” class and I decided that I like to know things first, I always want to know what is going on and I like to tell others what is going on and get their reaction.
KL: Did you have any internships/ how has your previous experience helped you as an editor-in chief now?
DP: I interned at WEWS-TV5 in Cleveland while I was in my senior year at Cleveland State University. It was invaluable, hands-on reporting experience. Now when I speak to students, I encourage them to do several internships if possible. After I graduated from college, I worked at a local news radio station and learned very quickly how to do general assignment reporting and how to tell a story in a compelling way.
KL: What was the most challenging transition from reporting for Time Inc. in New York to online reporting for Cleveland.com?
DP: It wasn’t really challenging because telling a story is the same no matter what the medium. I have always worked in broadcasting and it is a field in which there is a lot of urgency and tight deadlines. It is the same way for the Web. The great thing about the Web, you can incorporate multimedia into your storytelling with the use of photos, test, interactive polls, charts and graphics and video and audio.
KL: How do you balance job, family, social life, organizations you're involved in, etc. and your online journalism?
DP: It’s not easy, but it is manageable. You have to be a great planner and make sure you have all your bases covered each day. You also have to have a good support system of friends and family to help out once in a while. I like a very busy lifestyle, so it suits me well. And family comes first no matter what, so I never have to ask what is more important.
KL: What is the most important/rewarding aspect of your career?
DP: I absolutely love my job. It’s rewarding to provide news and information to everyone who accesses cleveland.com. It is also rewarding to provide a platform on which the community can participate and post their comments, photos and opinions. News is no longer just a one-way street. I also love learning new things every day. Right now, we are focusing on learning as much as we can from social media.
KL: What is the most challenging part of online journalism?
DP: The challenge right now is not in building audience, as we continue to grow substantially each year. I think the big challenge is how to make money in this business. I am the editor, so I don’t spend a lot of time focusing on the business end of things, but it is an important discussion to have. How do we continue to maintain news and information sites in this current economic climate? It has taught us to really focus on what is important and what works. Right now, we are an advertising-based model. I also think it can be challenging at times to teach print journalists to adapt to online technologies. But surprisingly, most embrace the technology and are very willing to learn why it is essential to adapt.
KL: How do you view blogging and online journalism?
DP: Blogging and online journalism are so empowering. Blogging allows someone ... whether a journalist or a stay-at-home mom ... to have a voice. It is an immediate publishing tool that works well for breaking news (immediate posting) and also allows the community to participate in discussion. Online journalism is really just journalism. All journalists are (or should be) online journalists these days. You have to adapt to how readers want your journalism.
KL: Have you ever experienced any gender issues in online journalism?
DP: None. I get asked this question a lot and it is a very level playing field. Everyone is welcome to become a manager in this field or to participate in many levels.
KL: What do students need to learn in order to find careers in web journalism?
DP: They need to be on top of technology, they need to use the latest tools, they need to look at how people want to consume journalism. A student needs to show that they can create a web site, write a blog, upload photos, shoot a little video and tell a good story. A student also needs to know that the audience is now a big part of that story.
KL: How do you view the future of online journalism?
DP: I almost think we can drop the word “online.” All journalism is essentially online these days and I think the world of journalism is terribly exciting. It is evolving and changing and inclusive. Journalists need to be open minded and at the core, they need to tell good, solid stories and continue to create good work. Journalism doesn’t change. Good reporting doesn’t change. But the way you create and distribute your work is changing and you need to adapt.
Interviewee: Denise Polverine
Denise Polverine has been the editor-in-chief of Cleveland.com since March of 1997. Prior to that, she worked at Time Inc. New Media in New York City as a television news/business reporter and anchor. Her career began in her hometown of Cleveland as a radio and television reporter for various stations including WTAM 1100 AM and WOIO-TV 19. Under Polverine's editorial leadership, cleveland.com has become the most trafficked news and information Web site in Ohio and has won several prestigious awards including SPJ's Best News Web Site; Digital Edge's Best Sports Site and Most Innovative Site; and The Online News Association's Best Service Journalism. She is a graduate of Cleveland State University and a 2006 graduate of the Cleveland Bridge Builders leadership program, as well as a 2008 graduate of Leadership Cleveland. She is actively involved in various Young Professional and community organizations and also is currently on the boards of The Online News Association (journalists.org), The Press Club - Cleveland Chapter, and served for three years each on the boards of The Society of Professional Journalists - Cleveland Chapter and The Gathering Place in Beachwood, Ohio.
Interviewer: Kristin Lutz
Kristin Lutz was born and raised in Fort Dodge, IA. When she was 18 she moved to Iowa City to attend the University of Iowa as an undergraduate student majoring in psychology. After taking a few entry level psychology classes she decided to change her major to communications and pursue and interest in communications and journalism classes that pertained to the media. While attending the university as a full time student, she works two jobs ... at a restaurant downtown called Sports Column as well as for the University of Iowa Technology Department. Lutz also volunteers over holidays and breaks back home for a pre-school called Childhood Discovery. After graduation in 2011, she plans to get a job as a sports news broadcaster, public practitioner, or investigative journalist. Gender and mass communication are interesting to her because she sees how gender issues in the media play an important role in people's lives every day. The media are so influential to their audience that she wants to have an impact on how society gets exposed to different messages. Lutz believes that creating equality in a work environment will help the audience understand the different strengths and styles that both genders bring to the workplace.
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The Gender and Mass Media class is taught by Pamela Creedon. Prof. Creedon is the former director of School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Iowa, and former director at the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Kent State University. Active in feminist scholarship, Creedon served as an editor of The Edge of Change: Women in the 21st Century Press published by the University of Illinois Press (2009). Previously, she served as editor of Women in Mass Communication: Challenging Gender Values by Sage (2007, 1994, 1989). She is also an editor of Seeking Equity for Women in Journalism and Mass Communication: A 30-Year Update published by (2004) and is the editor of Women, Media and Sport published by Sage (1994).