UNR hosts journalism week

In stark contrast to doom and gloom predictions about the future of journalism, Reynolds School of Journalism faculty suggest that meaningful pursuit of new business models should include innovation, creativity and...well...fun. The Reynolds School invites the community, professionals and members of the media to explore these concepts with some of the nation's most recognized experts during Journalism Week March 1-6. All events are free and open to the public.

"The Journalism Week theme 'Playing with the News' may seem unconventional but it represents our best hope to reframe journalism, education and industry as a whole," said Jerry Ceppos, Reynolds School dean. "The economy has forced professionals of every stripe to do business differently. "Journalism Week will interest anyone who wants to thrive in difficult times."

Journalism Week has invited one of the country's leading experts on free play and brain development to talk about the benefits of having fun. Stuart Brown, a physician, psychiatrist, clinical researcher and the founder of the National Institute for Play, is the author of "Play."

Larry Dailey, Reynolds Chair for Media Technologies, agrees. "Children have incredible imaginations and their capacity to absorb information is enviable. But it doesn't have to end there," he said. "Research has proven that our brains are wired to learn throughout our lives if we incorporate play into our efforts.

Jeff Howe, "Crowdsourcing" author and contributing editor at Wired magazine, defines crowdsourcing as the process of outsourcing of jobs traditionally performed by an employee to large groups via an open invitation. He believes that the practice increasingly will be more commonplace as media organizations have discovered.

Luis Vasquez-Ajmac, Latino marketing expert and founder of Maya advertising and communications, will discuss branding business. Vasquez-Ajmac has designed campaigns for Verizon and Comcast. Hispanic-Americans spend $700 billion annually and businesses remain motivated to establish brand loyalty within the disparate Latino community.

Former broadcast journalist Erin Kotecki Vest, will explore how bloggers cover politics. Kotecki Vest is political director and Election '08 producer for BlogHer.com and a contributor to the Huffington Post, MOMocrats.com, and her own site, Queen of Spain Blog.

"There is no doubt that these are challenging times for business and industry. History has proven that adversity has a way of compelling us to do better," Dailey said. "It's time to find new business, delivery and creative models for journalism and what better way to innovate than to make problem solving fun."

The Reynolds School of Journalism is Nevada's only accredited journalism school.

Wednesday, 6 p.m. Luis Vasquez-Ajmac, author of "Inside the Minds," speaks at the Joe Crowley Student Union theater

Thursday, 9:30 a.m. Ethics discussion hosted by Caesar Andrews, former editor of the Detroit Free Press and Paul A. Leonard Distinguished Visiting Chair for Ethics and Writing in Journalism. Venue TBA.

Thursday, 4 p.m. High school student speaker/award - Joe Crowley student Union theater

Thursday, 6 p.m. Dr. Stuart Brown, author of "Play," speaks at the National Judicial College.

Friday, 10:30 a.m. Jeff Howe, author of "Crowdsourcing" and Wired contributing editor, speaks on crowdsourcing at Joe Crowley Student Union theater for the Cole C. Campbell Dialogue on Journalism & Democracy.

Friday, 6 p.m. Erin Kotecki Vest, political director for BlogHer.com, speaks at the Joe Crowley Student Union auditorium. Also, launch of Nevada Interactive Media Summit events.

Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nevada Interactive Media Summit with Erin Kotecki Vest and new media leaders and innovators from the Northern Nevada community.