Here’s the official company press release:
Subject: Olympic coverage team announced
To all Group Presidents, Publishers and Editors: (Please forward to your Publishers and Editors)
In just six months, B.C. will host one of the most prestigious sporting events in the world – the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games. It is a very special opportunity for the province, and Black Press,
both in terms of marketing initiatives, and showcasing our unique and high quality brand of community-focused editorial coverage. The Canadian Olympic Committee has granted Black Press four media
accreditations – two photographers and two reporters. Expressions of interest were recently invited from all Black Press editorial staff, across B.C. A total of 34 applications were received
by the senior regional editors. The level of interest, and the depth and range of experience was very impressive. Factors including tenure, skill levels, experience and career achievement were taken into consideration in preparation of a shortlist of candidates for the regions’ presidents, who selected the four individuals who will form the Black Press Olympic editorial coverage team. There were many more very qualified applicants.
Congratulations to Don Denton, Kevin Mitchell, Jenna Hauck and Grant Granger. All four represent the top-notch journalism for which Black Press is known provincially and nationally.
Thank you to all those who expressed their interest in this opportunity. Your enthusiasm and passion for your craft is noted and appreciated. As we go forward, the Olympic coverage team will be meeting with regional editors to discuss coverage structure, and to establish other key components, such as a coordinating editor, support staff, and a work location.
Don Denton
Staff photographer at the Victoria News for the past five years, Don has extensive newspaper experience, including many years at the Calgary Herald. He has covered the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics, and numerous other major sporting events in his career, including world downhill skiing at Whistler, Grey Cups, Stanley Cups, and international skating in Europe. He has earned a number of Black Press, provincial and national awards, and also writes for the News, for print and the web.
Kevin Mitchell
Kevin is the sports editor at the Vernon Morning Star, where he has worked for about 18 years. He broad experience includes daily newspapers, and coverage of the ’88 Calgary Winter Olympics, and other
major sporting events. Kevin is a talented writer, who has earned Black Press and provincial recognition for his work. He has a background in general news and political reporting, and also includes
photography in his skill set.
Jenna Hauck
Jenna has been with the Chilliwack Progress since 2000. She is a motivated and talented photographer who has won many Black Press, provincial and national awards for her work. Writing is among her
range of considerable skills, and she is the acting editor for The Progress in the editor’s absence. While studying photojournalism in Ontario, she interned for several months with the Toronto Star. She is
a member of several professional photography associations, and coordinated the Western Canadian News Photographers Association convention in Vancouver in 2007.
Grant Granger
Grant joined Black Press in 2004, as a sports/general news reporter for the Burnaby/New Westminster News Leader. He is the acting editor of The News Leader in the editor’s absence. Grant has a background in daily newspapers, including 16 years at the Winnipeg Sun. He has covered the Pan Am Games, and numerous other major sporting events, including the CFL. Grant recently earned Black Press and provincial recognition for his sports feature writing.
The goal of this group will be to focus on athlete’s who come from our coverage areas in BC, Alberta and Washington as well as provide more general coverage of the games and the associated events surrounding the staging of this major event.
Regards,
Rick O’Connor
Chief Operating Officer
Black Press
Comment 1