Megan Keplinger, is a member of LT Class of 2025 and with the Tampa Bay Business Journal.
The devastation caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton not only impacted the Tampa Bay region but also delayed the much-anticipated start of Leadership Tampa's Class of 2025. However, on Wednesday, October 23rd, the LT’25 class members were excited to finally come together for their first official Program Day: Media Day.
The day began at the renowned Poynter Institute, where Kelly McBride, Senior Vice President and Chair of the Craig Newmark Center for Ethics and Leadership, welcomed the group. She emphasized the significance of the Poynter Institute as a globally respected nonprofit dedicated to advancing journalism and upholding ethical standards. Based in St. Petersburg, Poynter plays a vital role in shaping the media landscape, offering comprehensive training, resources, and support for journalists at every stage of their careers.
Next, Jay Rey, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at the Tampa Bay Times and Media Day sponsor, spoke to the class about the critical role local news plays in keeping communities informed and connected. He detailed the newspaper’s multifaceted revenue approach, combining ad sales, subscriptions, and philanthropic efforts to sustain local journalism. Rey underscored the importance of meeting readers where they are and adapting to their evolving preferences.
A highlight of the day was an insightful presentation from Joe DeLuca, retired President of the Tampa Bay Times. DeLuca shared his wisdom on leadership, drawing a clear distinction between being a manager and being a true leader. He spoke about the shift from transitional leadership, which focuses on tasks, to transformational leadership, which inspires and influences. DeLuca introduced the six essential tools every leader must learn: Direction, Influence, Facilitation, Coaching, Setting an Example, and Motivation. He reminded the class that while each leader may have unique strengths, it's crucial to develop all six to be effective. A powerful takeaway from his talk was the quote: “Power flows in the direction of hope.”
Caption: Joe DeLuca presenting on Leading through Change
Following the leadership presentation, the class was introduced to the Media Day Chairs: Heather Rubio (LT’20), Local Sales Manager at 10 Tampa Bay, and Samantha Fiske (LT’23), VP of Sales at the Tampa Bay Business Journal. Their leadership and planning made the day’s events possible.
The morning continued with a dynamic panel discussion on the local media ecosystem, moderated by Conan Gallaty (LT’20), CEO of the Tampa Bay Times. Panelists included Ian Anderson, Market President and Publisher of the Tampa Bay Business Journal; Mark Katches, VP & Editor of the Tampa Bay Times; and Amy Keller, Executive Editor of Florida Trend. Each panelist shared insights into their respective publication’s focus and the unique role they play in the community.
The Tampa Bay Business Journal emphasizes news from a business perspective, spotlighting issues that matter to the local business community. Florida Trend takes a broader view, concentrating on statewide initiatives and long-term developments, rather than day-to-day events. The Tampa Bay Times offers a blend of local news with a focus on real-time updates, particularly crucial during events like natural disasters.
A key theme of the discussion was the decline in public trust in media, which the panelists acknowledged as more of a national trend than a local one. They emphasized their commitment to fact-based journalism, transparency, and serving the local community. Despite the challenges, the panelists agreed that healthy competition among local news outlets ultimately drives them all to produce better, more reliable coverage.
Caption: Panel on Local Media – Moderator: Conan Gallaty (LT’20), Speakers: Mark Katches, Amy Keller, and Ian Anderson
The final presentation before lunch was an engaging session led by Katie Sanders, Editor-in-Chief of PolitiFact, and Josie Hollingsworth, Audience Director at PolitiFact. They provided an insightful overview of PolitiFact, a widely respected fact-checking website that evaluates the accuracy of statements made by public figures, politicians, and political entities.
Originally launched in 2007 by the Tampa Bay Times (formerly the St. Petersburg Times), PolitiFact has become one of the most recognized fact-checking platforms in the U.S. Its mission is to promote transparency and accountability by rigorously assessing statements against verifiable evidence, ensuring that the public has access to accurate information.
Katie and Josie took the class through PolitiFact's meticulous process of analyzing statements and determining where they fall on their well-known Truth-O-Meter—ranging from "True" to "Pants on Fire." They explained the depth of their research, the checks and balances in place, and the importance of maintaining objectivity to ensure they make informed and fair evaluations. Their presentation highlighted PolitiFact's critical role in combating misinformation and helping the public navigate the complexities of political discourse.
Caption: PolitiFact speakers Katie Sanders and Josie Hollingsworth
The next stop was 10 Tampa Bay (WTSP), a CBS-affiliated television station serving the Tampa Bay area. As a key news source in the region, 10 Tampa Bay plays an essential role in informing and engaging the community with its comprehensive coverage of local news, weather updates, sports, and public service initiatives. The station ensures that viewers stay informed on topics that directly impact their daily lives, from local developments to national events.
Caption: Leadership Tampa Class of 2025 outside of 10 Tampa Bay
During the visit, the class gained firsthand insight into the station's critical role in covering the recent hurricanes that affected the Tampa Bay region. From delivering real-time updates to providing crucial safety information, 10 Tampa Bay demonstrated the importance of local news during times of crisis.
Ellen Lasher, Program Director, and Michelle Rancourt, Executive Producer of Great Day Live, shared valuable tips on how to get press releases noticed by their team. They emphasized the importance of focusing on the core elements of the story—Who, What, When, Where, and Why—to make press releases stand out and capture the attention of the newsroom.
The highlight of the visit was a hands-on experience where classmates were invited to step into the role of an on-site breaking news reporter. They were tasked with delivering a 60-second report on an accident involving a citizen falling through a manhole, incorporating crucial details like traffic patterns and other factors impacting the community. This exercise gave the class a taste of the fast-paced and high-stakes nature of live news reporting.
Caption: Steven Chew, LT’25, getting mic’d up to present on-air
Classmates also got a behind-the-scenes look inside the newsroom control room, where they observed how special effects and real-time elements are seamlessly integrated into live broadcasts. The control room team demonstrated how they enhance news reports with sky view shots, traffic pattern videos, and other visual elements that support and amplify the reporter’s message. This peek into the technical side of broadcasting provided a deeper understanding of the coordination and effort required to deliver polished, informative news segments to viewers across the Tampa Bay area.
Caption: Behind the scenes in the news control room with Janelle McGregor, LT’25, acting as the on-site reporter
Classmates then had the opportunity to hear from Emerald Morrow, an Emmy-winning investigative reporter, who shared insights into how she and her investigative producer uncover impactful stories. Emerald explained that when “1+1 doesn’t equal 2,” she digs deeper to expose the truth behind complex issues. She highlighted a recent story titled "When Good Grades Don’t Guarantee Graduation," which explored the challenges posed by standardized testing, leaving thousands of students each year with a Certificate of Completion instead of a diploma.
Through their investigative journalism, Emerald and her team have not only brought critical issues like this to the forefront but have also sparked meaningful conversations and, in some cases, driven real change. Her presentation underscored the powerful role that investigative reporting plays in holding systems accountable and advocating for community-driven solutions.
Caption: Libby Hendren, Investigates Producer, 10 Tampa Bay and Emerald Marrow, Investigative Reporter, 10 Tampa Bay
The final stop at 10 Tampa Bay was a tour of their mobile news vans, fully equipped to allow reporters to travel and broadcast live from any location. These vans proved to be crucial in enabling the station’s team to continue reporting during and after the recent hurricanes. Despite facing the same gas shortages as the rest of the Tampa Bay area, 10 Tampa Bay remained prepared, ensuring they could consistently deliver up-to-the-minute news to the community when it was needed most. The behind-the-scenes look at these mobile units showcased the dedication and resourcefulness of their team in serving the public during emergencies.
Caption: 10 Tampa Bay traveling van full of all equipment needed to report – utilized during the recent storms
The final stop of Media Day took place at Vū Technologies, a trailblazer in the virtual production world. As a leader in cutting-edge technology for film, TV, and advertising, Vū operates a series of virtual studios across North America. Their innovative use of LED volumes, motion capture, and real-time rendering allows filmmakers to create immersive, photorealistic environments, replacing the need for on-location shoots.
After an insightful tour of the state-of-the-art studios, the class attended a presentation by Rich Mullins (LT’19), Vice President at Tucker Hall, focused on Media Training and Crisis Management. Rich’s presentation highlighted critical strategies for managing crisis communications using high-profile examples such as Disney’s response to the alligator attack at one of its resorts. Rich offered key takeaways for the class, including essential media training techniques such as repetition, flagging, bridging, and avoiding "lures and traps." His practical tips, which emphasized the importance of relying on facts and data, provided the class with invaluable insights for handling communication challenges in high-stakes situations.
Caption: Rich Mullins (LT’19), Vice President at Tucker Hall, providing Media & Crisis Management presentation
The final presentation of the day was Tim Moore, the CEO of Vū Technologies and Founder of Diamond View. Tim has consistently demonstrated his vision of blending creativity and technology to meet the evolving needs of the media industry. During the pandemic, Moore’s virtual production studio, Vū, became an essential solution for replacing on-location shoots with controlled, immersive environments. This allowed production to continue while adhering to health and safety restrictions. Vū's advanced virtual production capabilities empower creators to film high-quality, dynamic content without leaving the studio, leveraging real-time rendering and LED technology.
Tim Moore’s commitment to the community is not only reflected in his leadership at Vū Technologies and Diamond View but also in his passion for transforming public spaces through art. His positive murals project, which includes the notable Dream Big mural on the Diamond View office building, aims to inspire creativity, hope, and a sense of community in Tampa Bay. These murals represent Moore’s belief in the power of art to foster positivity and connection, aligning with his vision for innovation and community impact.
Caption: Tim Moore, CEO of Vū Technologies and Founder of Diamond View, sharing his story and how Diamond View started.
Media Day set a strong foundation for the Leadership Tampa Class of 2025, offering valuable insights into the importance of ethical journalism, community-focused news, and the impact of effective leadership.