Blog Roll for AHCJ Workshop
Victor Hernandez
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Multimedia ShooterNieman Journalism Lab
Some days a newsroom can feel like a bizarre vortex of news, information, buzz, chaos and emotion. Definitely not for the faint of heart, but well worth it for those with a high tolerance for the unexpected.
Working Thanksgiving week means much lighter traffic on the roadways and Starbucks lines!
My Next Chapter
It was nearly nine years ago when I arrived at CNN. Upon settling into the CNN Center in Atlanta, I soon told my executive team that I’d give them “two good years” then it was right back to Southern California. Anyone who knows me is well aware the Golden State will always be my first love.
Fast forward to today and two things remain abundantly clear; my long-term planning skills remain fairly unreliable and second, the people and passions that shape CNN Newsgathering make it near impossible to seek new - or in my case - old horizons elsewhere.
Alas after some amount of soul-searching and candid conversations with family and friends, my growing thirst for innovation as it supports storytelling and journalism brings me to a truly energizing opportunity. I have accepted a unique Technology role that will keep me roaming the hallways of CNN Atlanta for at least a few more years.
Throughout my career I’ve tried not to key in too much on position titles but rather the unique sets of challenges and opportunities each role provides. For curiosity sake my new position title is Program Manager, Editorial Systems. But by practical accounts this new role presents itself as the closest thing our company has to a ‘News Futurist.’
Someone to shape critical vision and strategies around emerging technologies + CNN’s business objectives – with implicit emphasis on the true big picture.
Beginning next week I officially launch into this new chapter with CNN BEST (Broadcast Engineering & Systems Technology), allowing me to straddle CNN’s dynamic Editorial and Technology universes via a newly created role that will push me and our growing company in bold ways.
Most exciting this new role will require that I continue close relationships with Newsgathering, Production and all of CNN’s Editorial teams in order to further technological possibilities as they apply to our Journalistic pursuits.
As we all know these are amazing times in News – Innovation is influencing, enhancing and in many cases disrupting how we gather and report. Consumer behaviors are rapidly changing too. Mobile is everywhere. Citizen journalism has helped break antiquated Journalism rules and shape new ones. Social web, mobile apps and convergence techniques are now industry standards of storytelling.
Yet Technology roadmaps that run through (and co-authored by) newsrooms still remain in short supply.
Southern California, you’re still on hold a little while longer.
I hope you’ll share in my excitement for this next chapter and the future of Journalism. I also hope you will continue to impart your valued input and ideas as well as entertain mine.
Here’s to our future.
[Image credit: iStock_000003042313future-exit-sign.jpg]
Happy Friday, people of earth #iphoneography (Taken with Instagram at CNN Center Atrium)
