VOICES Publishing from the AAJA National Convention
New York, the media capital of the world, is home to more than just big-name networks and legendary newspapers; it’s also home to a number of social media stars. Check out this list of people to watch, along with a few must-know Web sites about the Big Apple.
• Sree Sreenivasan (@sree): After 20 years of teaching at Columbia Journalism School, the tech evangelist became the university’s first chief digital officer. He started in the same position at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Aug. 12. He’s known for hosting social media events in New York and across the country. His Social Media Weekend in February generated more than 13,000 tweets using the hashtag #smwknd.
• Lynne D. Johnson (@lynneluvah): Previously holding top social media positions at R/GA and the Advertising Research Foundation, Johnson tweets frequently about social media, marketing and Brooklyn, according to her Twitter bio. Her most recent tweets center on Google Glass and its potential uses in the future.
• Jennifer Preston (@JenniferPreston): The New York Times’ first social media editor, Preston is utilizing user-generated content for the Times’ breaking news blog, The Lede. She co-taught a course in social media in the spring at Columbia Journalism School, alongside Sreenivasan.
• Mayor Michael Bloomberg (@MikeBloomberg): It might seem obvious, but follow the mayor! Sure, some of his tweets are about politics, but he posts up-to-date info about city developments and programs that you should know about. He has more than half a million followers on Twitter, while a parody Spanish Twitter account @ElBloombito boasts more than 78,000.
• DNAinfo.com: Providing hyperlocal coverage of a city with more than 8 million residents, this site takes journalism to the neighborhood level. From Washington Heights to Williamsburg, DNAinfo also does a solid job on breaking news. Its Twitter handle is @DNAinfo.
• Gothamist.com: As with DNAinfo, this site covers the city well but with less focus on neighborhoods. With strong video and photo supplements, the news is presented with catchy headlines and a relaxed tone, similar to that of BuzzFeed and the Huffington Post.
