{"id":12207,"date":"2016-08-25T15:00:04","date_gmt":"2016-08-25T20:00:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.robertfeder.com\/?p=12207"},"modified":"2016-08-25T15:32:15","modified_gmt":"2016-08-25T20:32:15","slug":"robservations-wgn-morning-news-gets-primetime-showcase","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/robertfeder.dailyherald.com\/2016\/08\/25\/robservations-wgn-morning-news-gets-primetime-showcase\/","title":{"rendered":"Robservations: \u2018WGN Morning News\u2019 gets primetime showcase"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Larry<\/a>

<\/a> Larry Potash and Robin Baumgarten<\/p><\/div>\n

Robservations on the media beat:<\/p>\n

OK, it\u2019s not the comeback of \u201cBozo\u2019s Circus,\u201d but it\u2019s still pretty big: Tribune Media WGN-Channel 9<\/a> is finalizing plans for a two-hour, live primetime special showcasing Chicago\u2019s \u201cmust watch\u201d morning news. The special nighttime edition of \u201cWGN Morning News\u201d<\/a> will air from 7 to 9 p.m. September 14. Larry Potash<\/strong> and Robin Baumgarten<\/strong> are main anchors of the top-rated show, which airs from 4 to 10 a.m. Monday through Friday. The ensemble also features Dan Ponce, Lourdes Duarte, Paul Konrad, Pat Tomasulo, Dean Richards, Ana Belaval, Erin McElroy, Demetrius Ivory, Marcus Leshock<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 and a cast of thousands.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Tonya<\/a>

Tonya Francisco<\/p><\/div>\n

Tonya Francisco,<\/strong> a reporter and fill-in news anchor at WGN, has been promoted to co-anchor of expanded Saturday and Sunday morning newscasts at the station. Starting September 10 she\u2019ll anchor alongside Sean Lewis<\/strong> from 7 to 9 a.m. both days. Francisco joined Tribune Media CLTV<\/a> from WOOD, the NBC affiliate in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 2002 and shifted to WGN in 2012. A Chicago native and graduate of Whitney Young Magnet High School and the University of Illinois at Chicago, she began her career as a desk assistant at ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7.<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Bruce<\/a>

Bruce DuMont<\/p><\/div>\n

It\u2019s been three years since Bruce DuMont<\/strong> announced his intention to step down<\/a> as president and CEO of the Museum of Broadcast Communications,<\/a> which he founded in 1983. Now the succession process is finally underway. Ron Culp,<\/strong> veteran corporate and agency communications executive and director of a graduate program at DePaul University, has been retained on a pro-bono basis to identify and evaluate potential candidates for the role. \u201cIt\u2019s time for new leadership to emerge,\u201d said DuMont, 72, whose current term expires in December 2017. The museum board recently filled two key positions with Josh Culley-Foster<\/strong> as vice president of development and Justin Kulovsek<\/strong> as vice president of marketing and innovation.<\/p>\n

\"Michael<\/a>

Michael Phillips<\/p><\/div>\n

It\u2019s back in front of the camera for Chicago Tribune<\/a> film critic Michael Phillips.<\/strong> Throughout September he\u2019ll serve as primetime host of Turner Classic Movies, <\/a>including a focus on the network\u2019s star of the month, Gene Hackman.<\/strong> It\u2019s a return engagement for Phillips, who last hosted TCM\u2019s \u201cFriday Night Spotlight\u201d series in 2013. Phillips, who joined the Tribune as theatre critic in 2002 and was named film critic in 2006, also co-hosted the final season of the syndicated movie-review show \u201cAt the Movies\u201d with A.O. Scott<\/strong> of the New York Times.<\/p>\n

\"Justin<\/a>

Justin Allen<\/p><\/div>\n

Justin Allen\u2019s<\/strong> Ruckus Factory Digital Studios, <\/a>a Chicago-based content incubator and production studio specializing in comedy, lifestyle and documentary production, has been acquired by Zazoom Media Group, the New York-based premium video producer and multi-platform content distributor. Allen, who launched Ruckus Factory earlier this year, now becomes vice president of production and creative for ZMG. \u201cOur Chicago studio will continue to grow, with a focus on creating original short and long form content here,\u201d he said. As vice president of content and operations for Think Televisual, Allen headed TouchVision, the multi-platform digital programming service at Weigel Broadcasting that ceased operations<\/a> last January.<\/p>\n

\"Bandwidth\"<\/a>

Bandwidth<\/p><\/div>\n

Two nationally recognized Chicago programming veterans are teaming up to help fellow broadcasters create great radio. David Martin<\/strong> and Kipper McGee<\/strong> have launched \u201cBrandwidth on Demand,\u201d a 15-minute weekly podcast featuring \u201ctips, tools and trade craft secrets\u201d from top talent, program directors and media innovators. It\u2019s based on McGee\u2019s 2015 book, Brandwidth: How Big Broadcasting Is Missing the Mediamorphosis. <\/a><\/em>\u201cThe concept is to engage the best and brightest minds in a conversation about how to create killer content and win the war for ratings,\u201d Martin said in a statement. To subscribe free, text \u201cREBOOT\u201d to 44222.<\/p>\n

\"Jeff<\/a>

Jeff Rogers<\/p><\/div>\n

Chicago actor and improv comedian Jeff Rogers<\/strong> is host and co-executive producer of \u201cJeff's Homemade Game Show,\u201d <\/a>a Chicago-based production now in development. Producers are seeking families to participate in \u201cvarious fun challenges using common on-site household objects, locations and activities\u201d to win cash prizes and other items. \u201cWith Chicago having such strong roots in the history of television, we always thought the Windy City deserves a locally produced game show,\u201d Rogers said in a statement. Families interested in participating can sign up at homemadegameshow.com.<\/a><\/p>\n