Season 2: Episode 1: Memphis - Destination or Pass Through?
How many of you remember N.W.A.? ….
No, I mean, NWA, Northwest Airlines.
It was one of the nation’s largest airlines, based in Minnesota, and it had a HUB at Memphis International Airport. You see, Memphis was NWA’s access point to the South and as a result the city enjoyed a lot of perks, including a direct international flight to Amsterdam. Things were going well – until Delta purchased NWA in 2008. Memphis was no longer a hub. It was reduced to a feeder airport considering Delta already had the South on lock with Atlanta’s Hartsfield International Airport.
Memphis lost its importance to the region. It became a little less of a destination and rather some place to pass through. Now, you may ask, what does this have to do with journalism?
Everything. You see, at one point, in its history, The Commercial Appeal was among the larger newspapers in the country with bureaus aplenty. Yet, over time, like the number of flights at Memphis International Airport, the CA dwindled from at one point having more than 700 employees to having only 40 or so. I’m exaggerating but you get the point.
If you’re a journalist, given the changes that have occurred in the media landscape, would you come here as a destination or just pass through. That’s the focus of our first episode of Season 2 of the mark up by mediaverse.
We’re joined by the following guests:
Jeremy Pierre comes to the Bluff City from the Crescent City, where he was prepped at the storied St. Augustine High School. Continuing his education in the city of New Orleans, he graduated from Xavier University of Louisiana with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication, broadcast concentration. Jeremy launched his reporting career as an intern at NBC affiliate WDSU Channel 6. After working in his hometown, he then went on to become a general assignment reporter at KNOE in Monroe, La. News has always been a passion for Jeremy, and he strives to produce fair, accurate and balanced stories. He particularly enjoys sharing stories from the communities he serves. Jeremy is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and the National Association of Black Journalists. He serves as a mentor in NABJ’s high school journalism program. In 2013, he was named NABJ Region V student journalist of the year, and he was the first recipient of the Ted Holtzclaw Journalism Excellence Award in the NABJ multimedia short course. A musician at heart (drummer), Jeremy feels right at home in Memphis. And, is excited to share the stories of people from the area.
Annette Peagler joined WBTW News13 in Myrtle Beach as co-anchor of its newscasts at 5:30 PM and 11 PM in December of 2020. She also serves as the sole anchor for Fox News at Ten, the 30-minute nightly newscast produced by WBTW for Myrtle Beach FOX affiliate WFXB.
Annette arrived from WATN-TV in Memphis, Tenn., where she was the weekend evening anchor and nightside reporter.
Annette started her broadcasting career at WCPO-TV in Cincinnati, Ohio, as the first-ever apprentice for E.W. Scripps. At the conclusion of the two-year program, she was hired as a WCPO weekend producer.
She received an Emmy nomination for her story, "The Rise and Fall of Stax Records," during her time as an Anchor/Reporter in Memphis. Annette also has worked as a multimedia journalist for WKEF ABC 22/WRGT FOX 45 in Dayton, Ohio, and as a reporter and fill-in anchor for WLBT in Jackson, Mississippi. She has 14 years of experience in the journalism industry.
She's a proud member of the National Association of Black Journalists and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated.
Montee Lopez is an executive producer with more than ten years in broadcast news experience. Before taking his current position at WMC-TV in Memphis, TN, he worked as a newscast producer in Birmingham, Alabama. Montee is active with the National Association of Black journalists, having served as president of the Memphis chapter and Vice President of the Birmingham chapter. An avid encourager of community involvement, he’s active with Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
