Self Promotion: April 2008 Archives

I'm quoted extensively in a new story in PRWeek about the state of the newspaper business and the transition to online and blogs. Here's a link to Special Report: State of Transition

The writer called me several times and it seems like each time I was in the car, on the freeway. So there was not really an opportunity to do anything other than just tell it like it is but when I read these quotes, I come across as a real bitch - kinda harsh. But those are my words and I was happy to do the interview even though the writer does not mention the Out In Hollywood blog once! Sheesh!

Here is an excerpt:

Many reporters are still slow to embrace blogging, even though it provides an opportunity to enhance their job skills, says Greg Hernandez, staff writer and blogger at the Los Angeles Daily News. Indeed, only 22.1% of respondents report writing a blog for their traditional outlet.

"I think overall there were some early adopters, people who did embrace it early on," he notes. "And maybe they were more online-savvy and [saw] how their lives were moving in this direction and they realized that. But I think some journalists who had been around a long time... resented any new work.

"[Moving to the Web] really requires more work out of everyone," adds Hernandez. "People resented [being asked to do] more work for the same pay. They weren't grasping that the survival of the business and the publications were at stake and [that] if they couldn't step up, there might not have been room for them in the business."

Earlier post: Greg talks, and talks and talks...

While I was in Palm Springs a few weeks ago, poolside, I got a call from author Brent Hartinger who was writing a piece for AfterElton.com on the state of gay-themed films in the industry. I've just read it and Brent has done a really thorough and terrific job. I'm barely in there which is fine because he got some really key industry folks. Here's a quote of mine followed by a link to the piece:

There are gay characters in major films," says Greg Hernandez, author of Out in Hollywood and a longtime entertainment industry reporter. "But they're supporting characters. A gay-themed story, where it's the centerpiece of the movie, that's the toughest sell."

Read "The Gay Movie Revolution" in AfterElton.com

Ron Kaye sometimes used to stop by my desk as I was pounding out a story or blog item and loudly proclaim: "I set you free!"

He knew it, I knew it, everyone knew it.

After two decades in journalism, it was with Ron's staunch support that I launched the Out In Hollywood blog - a gay man's take on all things involving pop culture and whatever else I found of interest. It was the summer of 2006 and my role at The Daily News went from being very enjoyable to being an absolute and utter blast.

Ron encouraged me to break the chains of traditional journalism and to write from my heart. Along the way,. I found my voice.

What a gift.

Ron was excited by the blog's success and talked it up publicly on several occasions and also did so for others who had entered the online world and connected with readers. Then last summer came the cherry on the cake when Ron and managing editor Melissa Lalum gave me a daily column in the paper to make this more of a dream job than I ever could have imagined.

Today was Ron's last day at the Los Angeles Daily News after 23 years. He told us they had been the happiest of his life and that his three years as editor had been heaven. I wanted to publicly pay tribute to Ron here on the blog because without his support, there would not have been an Out In Hollywood and I would have never have been set free!

It is priceless and I intend to honor him by carrying on in this way no matter what the future holds.

To read about Ron's career and his departure, go to DailyNews.com