Media Frenzy

By Rob Holbert Managing Editor

A local family with members suffering from Cerebral Palsy will get a housing renovation courtesy of WALA/WBPG as part of the station’s “Operation Renovation.”

Brenda Killian, of Mobile, was selected for the renovation. She lives with her adult son, Paul Redmond, and brother Alvin Garvin, both of who suffer from CP. Garvin, 52, is wheelchair-bound , but works with other CP patients in the area. Redmond, 31, requires 24-hour care. The three live in a two-bedroom home that is not wheelchair accessible and is in need of serious repair.

“This is an opportunity to reach out and help one of our neighbors,” station President and General Manager Matt Pumo said. “Together with all of our partners we are very happy to help this deserving family.”

FOX10’s partners in the renovation are Volunteers of America, Malouf Furniture, Re-Bath of Mobile, Head’s Heating and Air, Kitchens Per Se, Avid Home Systems, Linen Locker, Peaches N’ Clean, A&W Lighting and Mr. Handyman. These companies will provide the family with a new heating and air system, an updated kitchen and appliances, new washer and dryer, handicap-accessible bathroom, a new television, furniture, lighting and fixtures. VOA and FOX10 will coordinate the renovation.

Killian and her family were selected for the renovation from submissions by viewers.

Apparently David Bowie digs Red Square.

Red Square president Rich Sullivan tells us his advertising agency has received a “Webby Award” for a Web site they did for Alabama Credit Union.

“We just learned that our ‘Dump Your Bank’ Web site for Alabama Credit Union was selected as an honoree in the 12th annual Webby Awards. Not too shabby considering the NY Times has dubbed The Webby Awards ‘the Oscars of the Internet,’” Sullivan writes.

This year’s Webby Awards received nearly 10,000 entries from over 60 countries. They were judged by the Interactive Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences in New York. This year’s judges included David Bowie, Beck, Richard Branson (Chairman of Virgin Atlantic), Matt Groening (creator of “The Simpsons”), Vint Cerf (inventor of the Internet), Harvey Weinstein (MIRAMAX) and Alex Bogusky (CP+B Co-Chairman).

“This is excellent recognition, for sure,” Sullivan quipped in his press release on the award. “There’s one thing I’m surprised about though: I thought Al Gore invented the Internet.”

Victory for Odom

Former investigative and general assignment reporter Rod Odom is tackling new duties as the news and public affairs director for WLVV, Victory 1410-AM.

General Manager Tom Alexander announced Odom’s addition to the gospel station earlier this month, saying “Rod brings innovative professionalism to WLVV that is ideal for our station. Why should secular stations always get the experts? Rod’s life experience fits the vision of WLVV and brings glory to God.”

Odom is featured weekdays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. on “The Tom Alexander Show” and will also host “Victory’s Voices” each Sunday afternoon from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Odom spent seven years with WALA TV-10, and has also been news director at KDKO radio in Denver. He has also taught broadcast journalism at LeFlore High School and Bishop State Community College and served as a bureau chief for KLTV in Tyler, Texas and an anchor/reporter/producer for WXVT-TV in Greenville, Miss.

He holds a BA in journalism from Alabama State University and a Master’s Degree from the Medill School of Journalism in Chicago.

“I’m amazed to see God’s promises manifesting themselves,” Odom said in a press release. “I’m overjoyed to use my skills for the Lord. Yes, I’m still a reporter, but now I’m reporting the ‘Good News,’ the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Rob Holbert is Lagniappe managing editor. Contact him at rholbert@lagniappemobile.com.

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