FMC: Your Executive Briefing, Upcoming Masterclass, Nominate Now

Here’s some of the latest from our dear friends and sponsors at The Fair Media Council:

Fair Media Council Launches New Season of Master Classes

The Fair Media Council invites you to “Meet three of the biggest players behind Long Island’s evolving local news landscape. These digital outlets are building audiences with fast, accessible local coverage — no paywalls, no accounts and fewer barriers between a story and the people who need to see them. You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look into what and how these news outlets cover Long Island, plus the chance to pitch them your story.”

What: “The New Front Page: Masterclass & Pitch Session”.
When: October 21st, 9am-11:30am
Where: 58 S. Service Road, Lower Level, Melville, NY
Speakers: Michael White, Founder, Greater Long Island Media Group, Inc; Gregory Zeller, Editor & Publisher, Founder, Innovate Long Island; Jonathan Marx, Founder, The Long Island Times
For tickets and more information: Visit the event page here. Tickets are partially tax-deductible. Continental breakfast included.

New Newsletter: FMC Media Intelligence

We have long appreciated and encouraged folks to check out “The Latest,” the Fair Media Council’s educated inside view of and commentary on the rapidly changing media landscape. Now, we are excited to for their new dispatch, “FMC Media Intelligence”. According to the Fair Media Council this new “executive-style brief” will be “focusing on how media trends are impacting how business is done.” Here’s the link to sign up.

Nominate Today! Fair Media Council Folio Awards

FMC is now accepting nominations for the 2027 Folio Awards. This event recognizes the best in news and social media. National and New York regional news on any topic may be nominated so long as the work was published in 2026. Categories continue to evolve beyond traditional news media, reflecting a rapidly changing landscape. 

There will be Signature and Lifetime Achievement Awards, as well as diverse news and media categories. These will invite both professional and student journalism as well as other media reflecting the increasing role businesses and nonprofits have come to take in their own communications. Do check the website for details!

 
To Nominate: Visit the Folio Awards Event Page
Deadline: February 1, 2027

 

The Fair Media Council wants folks to know that, “for more than four decades, the Folio Awards have stood apart as the only recognition that bridges industry standards with public values. Each award affirms not only quality, but also impact — proof that the work being done is what people value, want, and need.

The annual Folio Awards luncheon gathers leaders from news, media, business, and the community to celebrate those who set the standard. It is more than a ceremony — it is where public trust meets media excellence, and where the future of storytelling is defined.”

In the end, it’s about quality, effectiveness and most of all trust. 

You can find information about past honorees here. If you’d like to be considered as a judge, you may apply here. Nominations are judged by both industry professionals and dedicated community leaders. I’m honored to be a long time judge myself. I found the whole experience deeply educational, enlightening and worth the time it takes to do the job. 

About the Fair Media Council

Check out this interview with Executive Director Jaci Clement on the Main Street News, presented by Vision Long Island. 

The Fair Media Council operates at the intersection of media, influence and power. For 45 years, they have been holding news and media accountable while working to create an informed, media-savvy society. The more time goes on, the more important, and broadly applicable their work becomes. It’s about transparency, accountability, and credibility, as well as fostering the ability to both convey that, and recognize it when we see it.

The FMC offers clear eyed, informative commentary, and is known for quality, unscripted conversations with top influencers in news, business and technology. Members have access to a broad array of resources. Intimate educational events feature excellent presenters offering timeless wisdom and latest understandings of our constantly revolutionizing media ecosystem.

Whether it’s considering the current state of affairs or what to make of what’s coming, managing our brands, dealing with PR crises or simply learning how best to get a reporter’s attention, FMC offers thought provoking and practically useful programming. A signature project is their annual Folio Awards, which honors the best in news and other media. It’s excellent networking and always insightful. Another main event, their annual “Boot Camp” is lower key, but also kind of a big deal. 

We are honored to call them a sponsor and find all they do deeply informative and a source of meaningful connections. We are grateful!!!

Fair Media Council: Annual Summer Boot Camp & Live Media Pitch

Summer Boot Camp & Live Media Pitch

There’s an art and a science to crafting messages in a way that the media will hear and carry forward. On July 15, The Fair Media Council’s Summer Boot Camp will provide an opportunity to learn tricks of the trade, avoid common errors and make sure your news reaches the right audience. 

Once schooled, you will literally get to pitch the media. 

When: Wednesday, July 15, 9am-noon
Where: Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center*
Sponsored by: Northwell Health, Jody Fisher PR, St. Joseph’s University and ACLD
To Learn More and Purchase Tickets: Visit FMC’s website. Members get preferred pricing. 
*No parking fee for ticket holders. Casual dress.

There’s good reason this event sells out: It’s a golden opportunity. Every year, attendees land solid coverage and strengthen their relationships with the media. 

This year’s featured speaker is Jody Fisher of Jody Fisher PR. As a professional with history of generously sharing his wisdom, Jody is quite prepared to help you land your pitch.

The panel of journalists will include:

  • Jennifer Bisram, Reporter, CBS News New York
  • Greg Cergol, Reporter, NBC 4 New York
  • Kepherd Daniel, Editor, Patch.com
  • Cecilia Dowd, Reporter, News 12
  • Sheri Einhorn, Health & Education Reporter, Newsday/NewsdayTV
  • Chantee Lans, Reporter, WABC-TV
Anyone in attendance will have the opportunity to pitch these folk stories and receive their feedback. We learn as much from watching others as we do from pitching ourselves, with the added bonus of getting to learn about the amazing things fellow attendees have going on.

Don’t miss this chance! 

Occupying the Intersection of Media, Influence & Power

The annual Boot Camp is just one way that the Fair Media Council operates at the intersection of media, influence and power. For 45 years, they have been holding news and media accountable while working to create an informed, media-savvy society. The more time goes on, the more important, and broadly applicable their work becomes. 

It’s about transparency, accountability, and credibility, as well as fostering the ability to both convey that and recognize it when we see it. The FMC offers clear eyed, informative commentary, and is known for quality, unscripted conversations with top influencers in news, business and technology. Members have access to a broad array of resources. Intimate educational events feature excellent presenters offering timeless wisdom and latest understandings of our constantly revolutionizing media ecosystem.

Whether it’s considering the current state of affairs or what to make of what’s coming, managing our brands, dealing with PR crises or simply learning how best to get a reporter’s attention, FMC offers thought provoking and practically useful programming.

Get connected. 

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Fair Media Council: Folio Awards & Boot Camp

Media Stars, Practical Applications

The Fair Media Council operates at the intersection of media, influence and power. For 45 years, they have been holding news and media accountable while working to create an informed, media-savvy society. The more time goes on, the more important, and broadly applicable their work becomes. It’s about transparency, accountability, and credibility, as well as fostering the ability to both convey that, and recognize it when we see it.

The FMC offers clear eyed, informative commentary, and is known for quality, unscripted conversations with top influencers in news, business and technology. Members have access to a broad array of resources. Intimate educational events feature excellent presenters offering timeless wisdom and latest understandings of our constantly revolutionizing media ecosystem.

Whether it’s considering the current state of affairs or what to make of what’s coming, managing our brands, dealing with PR crises or simply learning how best to get a reporter’s attention, FMC offers thought provoking and practically useful programming. A signature project is their annual Folio Awards, which honors the best in news and other media. It’s excellent networking and always insightful. Another main event, their annual “Boot Camp” is lower key, but also kind of a big deal. 

2026 Folio Awards

The Folio Awards “recognize the best in news and media, including the exceptional work of businesses and nonprofits that are contributing toward creating a more informed public through accuracy, accountability and trust.” 

 
When: Thursday, June 11, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Garden City Hotel
Lifetime Achievement Award Honorees: Sam Champion, America’s Weather Anchor, ‘Good Morning America,’ ABC & Eyewitness News, WABC-TV; Jennifer McLogan, Reporter, CBS News New York, David Winzelberg, Reporter, Long Island Business News.
The Full List of Honorees is Here.
To Sponsor, Advertise or get Tickets: Visit the FMC Website 

FourLeaf Federal Credit Union, Northwell, Hofstra University, Montclair State University, Henry Schein, Jody Fisher PR, New York SeaGrant, Forchelli Deegan Terrana LLP, Robert B. Catell, Moritt Hock & Hamroff LLP, Breslin Realty, Blumenfeld Development Group and Museum of American Armor are but a few of this year’s premium supporters. Here’s your opportunity to join them. 

One thing that sets these awards apart is the community-centered aspect of the judging process. I am deeply honored to get to call FMC a patron, and to have long served among their Folio Award Judges, joining a diverse array of media experts, educators, business and community leaders. It’s an exercise in guided, multi-faceted observation and critical thinking; a process that in itself helps create a media-savvy public. 

In addition to celebrating the best of local journalism, our combined feedback serves the entire industry by setting a standard of credibility, and providing concrete examples of what the public wants and needs in its newsfeed.

It’s good stuff. Please check it out.

Summer Boot Camp & Live Media Pitch

There’s an art and a science to crafting your message in a way that the media will hear and carry it forward. This July, The Fair Media Council offers an opportunity to learn tricks of the trade, avoid common errors and make sure your pitch reaches the right audience. It’s not just good advice and practical exercise. Once schooled, you will get to literally pitch the media. 

They say there’s good reason this event sells out. It’s a golden opportunity. Every year, this event lands attendees solid coverage and starts folks on a path to building functional relationships with the media. 

When: Wednesday, July 15, 9am-noon
Where: Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center*
Sponsored by: Northwell Health, Jody Fisher PR, St. Joseph’s University and ACLD
Learn More and Purchase Tickets: Visit FMC’s website. Members get preferred pricing. 
 

*No parking fee for ticket holders. Casual dress.

Subscribe To The Synchronicity Newsletter

A Fairy Tale Evening…Do You Know About the Festival?

A “Fairy Festival” at Sands Point Preserve has become an annual thing. It starts with a uniquely fantastic art show. 

Did You Know About The Fairy Festival? Re-Wild? The MOSAIC Festival?

Did you know there’s a Fairy Festival that happens every year in that fairy tale castle out at Sands Point Preserve? You can still get tickets. They’re $100 per parking vehicle, so we’d definitely carpool! 

Oh, my goodness. We are grateful Firefly Loretta Cerame brought us out there. The show is fantastic and her work is beautiful. The 2D works gracing the walls are amazing, and we are delighted by the focus on sculptural “Fairy Houses.” Among those artists, Dianna Facci, chose to use her prize winning piece to showcase the creative potential of Native Plants and to use the whole event as an opportunity to seed awareness of the sustainable landscaping organization, Re-Wild Long Island.

Loretta Cerame with her enchanting oil painting, “Vedia-Forest Spirit” (photo provided by Loretta) and Dianna Facci with her naturally derived sculpture, “Soaring to New Heights”

A Win for Re-wild: The Art of Native Gardening

Flowers in Dianna’s Fairy House, “Soaring to New Heights,” were made from the seed cases of Butterfly Milkweed and what my daughter always called “Spiky Balls.” There were dragonflies crafted from them as well, and so much more. Maybe 80 hours of work, she wondered? We talked about how, when you’re doing something like that, it’s kind of all day every day. Sometimes especially when you’re sleeping. So maybe a bit more than that…

Other projects Dianna’s working on – which apparently literally seed her art — include endeavors like helping design and realize the Valley Stream Community Garden and other projects of the South Nassau Chapter of Re-Wild.

Detail of Dianna Facci’s piece. Love the bees!

Word from the East End Arts Council

We also got to meet Melissa Pressler of the East End Arts Council, and learn a little bit about what’s going on out there in Riverhead. Her collage is amazing! They just moved out of their historic offices so that the building can be lifted to protect from floods. We pray for a smooth elevation and a quick return to the charming building they have long called home! 

She was excited about the mixed media artwork her young students created for this show, and the Arts Council’s upcoming 30th Annual MOSAIC Festival, which happens on Memorial Day. It’s actually mostly about chalk…and community. There is other art, too, and music, and more. This year, it will include a community street mural to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

They call it “Long Island’s Most Colorful Day of the Year.” I’d like to check it out after the parade.

Melissa Pressler, who works for the East End Arts Council, and her captivating collage, “Year of the Wood Snake.” This piece includes authentic skin donated by a slithery friend. After years of receiving that gift of texture from him, she has recently returned the kindness by giving that snake a home. His name is Stanley. 

Thank You

There was more. The exhibition truly is stunning. On beyond grateful for friends like Loretta who give us great reasons to do these things, and for all the folks who make these things happen at all. We wish all an enchanting weekend! 

More detail of Dianna’s “Soaring to New Heights”

Image of a young artist and appreciator provided by Loretta Cerame

“Blink and You’ll Miss It” a remarkable tiny sculpture (yes, that’s an acorn he’s transformed into a cottage!) by Patrick Louie

Fair Media Council: “The First 60 Minutes: A Crisis Management Masterclass for Communicators”

When things go awry, the most important thing is how we respond. Trust is hard to build and easy to break. No matter what the truth is, public perception is huge. Managing that effectively is an important skill set, especially for those giving it their best to serve the common good.

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Fair Media Council: Double Feature Commentary on AI

When the market dropped 800 points as AI fears intensified, it was time to go directly to the source. Here’s what ChatGPT had to say.

Q1. Hey, Chat, the stock market fell 800 points this week. People fear AI is coming for their jobs. Are you plotting to replace me and other humans?

AI: First of all? If I were plotting, I probably wouldn’t open with, “Good morning, Jaci.”

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