Rob Smoak promoted to Graphics Editor

Congratulations, Rob!

Jan. 30th, 2006: Rob Smoak, Visual Journalist/News Artist
for The SunNews in Myrtle Beach, S.C has been promoted to Graphics Editor. After learning the ropes during his5+ years with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and joining The Sun News and Knight Ridder two years ago,Rob has shown creative leadership and has been honored with several press association awards. Rob is excited about his new duties and The Sun News and it's readerslook forward to more great work from the "Graphics Lounge" in Myrtle Beach.

Mike Braun posted over at VizEds that graphic artist Doug Hartman of the Fort Myers News-Press headed to the Fayetteville Observer! Congrats, Doug!

Read it here: http://visualeditors.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4674

Features in Wilmingtion, N.C.

The Star-News, a 55,000-circ. daily in coastal Wilmington, N.C., owned by the New York Times Company, is looking for a features designer/copy editor who is creative and clever and wants to showcase those talents in a variety of ways. The person who fills this role will coordinate and develop features and entertainment covers from start to finish, as well do some copy editing. Daily newspaper experience is required. InDesign skills are necessary, and InCopy, Photoshop and/or Illustrator experience is a big plus. The Star-News' features section was named one of the Top 10 features sections of 2005 by the American Association of Sunday & Features Editors. If you value innovation, experimentation and autonomy, this is the newsroom for you. To learn more about life in scenic Wilmington - home to hundreds of TV/film productions from "Dawson's Creek" to "Sleeping With the Enemy" - visit www.starnewsonline.com. Check out www.nytco.com to find out more about the company and its benefits. Please e-mail word of your interest, along with a resume and PDF samples of your work, to Amanda Kingsbury, features editor, amanda.kingsbury@starnewsonline.com, and Tim Griggs, executive editor, tim.griggs@starnewsonline.com.

Moira Honeyman to leave Savannah Morning News

Moira's been at the SMN for five years, most recently in features, though she started in sports. She'll not only be changing jobs, but mediums. Moria's been hired as an assitant art director at Scuba Diving Magazine based in Savannah. She says of the change:

After almost ten years in the business I'm looking for a new challenge. I think in the near future the lines between newspapers, magazines and the Web are going to get really blurry.

Congrats and good luck, Moira!

Graphic artist in Fort Meyers

Graphic Artist, Fort Myers

Job description: The Fort Myers News-Press has an opening in our award-winning graphics team. The right individual will have an insatiable curiosity about the world we live in and a love of visual story telling.

Duties: You’ll need to cover pretty much the entire spectrum of graphics — from locators to stand-alone double trucks, with an emphasis on enterprise-level visual journalism. We’ve also just launched a monthly graphics-driven feature page you’ll be a major part of.

Abilities: The usual suspects, Freehand and Photoshop, should be fluid extensions of your analytical and creative brain. Like everyone else, we’ll be shifting to Illustrator over the next year, so be ready. Strata (moving soon to Lightwave), Poser and AcrView skills are also a major plus.

Environment: If you want to wear a tie, nobody here will stop you, but it’s really more of a shorts-and-Hawaiian shirt type of place. Southwest Florida offers some of the best beaches and fishing in the world. We’re a high-speed boat ride away from Key West and about a 2-hour drive from both Miami and Tampa.

Get your own blog, Bo!

If you aren't Bo, go work for her:

Are you an aggressive designer who enjoys the rush of working in a competitve market? Are you a proactive visual journalist who refuses to sit at the end of the assembly line? Are you someone who thinks big thoughts and is itching to see more newspapers do the same? Then now is the time to join a team leading change. The Orlando Sentinel has just launched the first step of a significant design evolution http://visualeditors.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4544 and is seeking an intermediate-level designer to join our news team. This role involves designing our regional news sections, Business pages and some Local fronts. The right candidate could eventually take on the design of the front page and news projects. We're seeking someone with energy, enthusiasm and determination to bring solutions to the table every day. This is a position that interfaces with top editors, so the ability to move easily among both visual and non-visual teams is essential. Fluency in Quark and Photoshop is a must. Experience with CCI and InDesign is a plus, but not required. Orlando is one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the country, and is at the epicenter of some of the nation's biggest stories. It's a beautiful, multicultural city in which to work and play. And it will host SND's annual workshop and exhibition in 2006. http://www.sndorlando.com/ If you're interested, send a resume, a synopsis of visual philosophy and a portfolio of your most imaginative work to: Bonita Burton, AME/Visuals, Orlando Sentinel 633 N. Orange Ave. Orlando, FL 32801-2833 OR: e-mail or PM me. The baby's due soon, and we intend to make a QUICK hire!

This feels like the Orlando blog...

Bonita Burton announced over at VizEds that Ken Lyons has been appointed Director of Photography:

I'm delighted to announce that Ken Lyons, who has been ably running the photo department on an interim basis, has officially been promoted into the position of Executive Photo Editor. Ken, who has been our A1/Projects picture editor for two years, replaces Bill Sikes, who left the paper to return to the Northeast in November. This appointment is terrific news for the photo team. Not only is Ken a well regarded editor in the newsroom, he is an admired force in the industry as one of the country's top picture editors. Maybe you've heard him speak at SND or teach at Kalish or the Truth With a Camera Workshop. Under his leadership, the Sentinel has won unprecedented recognition on a national scale for its use of photography. You can see much of that great work, as well as some of Ken's own impressive photojournalism at http://www.kenlyons.com/ Ken is a sensitive, intelligent editor and patient coach with big aspirations for the team. I'm excited to see where his energy and ambition will take the group going forward. Please join me in congratulating Ken on his new role!

Congrats, Ken!

Graphic Artist opening in Jacksonville

As a child, you liked to take things apart to see how they worked.

You have never grown out of that habit.

You have boundless curiosity.

You have a thirst for news. You ask a lot of questions, until you really understand something — then you ask a lot more.

You look at things differently. You think conceptually.

You love to work with a team.

If one or more of these statements describes you, we want to hear from you. The Florida Times-Union is looking for a graphic artist who can bring all of these traits to a newspaper that is ready for reinvention. You will work on state-of-the-art equipment in a completely redesigned newsroom connected to the river walk on the north shore of the St. John's River in beautiful downtown Jacksonville. You will help cover a fast-growing metro area with pro and college football, golf, tennis, baseball, fishing, the arts and much more. And Jacksonville is a beautiful and affordable Florida city that includes miles of river front and beaches, many historic neighborhoods, downtown living, beautiful parks, great universities, several top-notch entertainment venues, an incredible zoo, excellent shopping and delicious seafood. And our average temperature is 68 degrees. We are seeking an experienced visual journalist who can craft informational graphics, maps, illustrations and page designs. Candidates must be well versed in Freehand, Photoshop and Lightwave; knowledge of Flash is a plus. Please send a letter describing your work style and experience working with people from around the newsroom, a resume with references and samples of your work. Electronic versions are welcomed. Denise Reagan AME/Visuals The Florida Times-Union P.O. Box 1949 Jacksonville, FL 32231 denise.reagan@jacksonville.com.

Another move!

Mike Perkins, formerly of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, recently started a new gig at the Palm Beach Post! Congratulations, Mike!

Atlanta hires Director of Photography

Charles Apple passes on this info over at VizEds:

We are excited to announce that Chris Stanfield will be our new Director of Photography. Chris is currently photo director of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. As an editor, a photographer and a leader, Chris exudes enthusiasm. Those who have worked with him say it's contagious, and we're looking forward to bringing that energy to the AJC.

His official start date is Feb. 27.

Congratulations, Chris! Welcome to Region 3!

Missed this yesterday

Charles Apple reported over at VizEds that cartoonist Doug Marlette who worked for the Tallahassee Democrat and lives in North Carolina has moved to the Tulsa World in Oklahoma. He will continue to live in North Carolina. From E&P:

The Tulsa (Okla.) World has hired Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist Doug Marlette, effective Feb. 12.

Marlette, who's syndicated by Tribune Media Services, had been working out of North Carolina for the Tallahassee Democrat since the Florida paper hired him in 2002. He reportedly will remain in North Carolina after Feb. 12, but will do state and local cartoons for the World in addition to national and international ones.

...The previous World cartoonist, David Simpson, was fired in November after being charged with plagiarism.

More on the plagiarism here.

Here's what Marlette had to say about his new job (also via Charles Apple):

One reason editorial cartoonist Doug Marlette is moving to the Tulsa World is because the Oklahoma newspaper is owned by a family rather than a chain.

"I like the idea that there's a human aspect," said Marlette, especially given that "it's a harrowing time for political cartoonists" as jobs disappear.

He added that the World offers "terrific" coverage of its city, region, and state. "They take traditional journalism seriously," commented Marlette, who said he wants to be part of that.

The cartoonist, who'll join the World Feb. 12, also said he likes the idea of working "in the middle of America."