Director's Cut Blog with Frank Macek

By Frank Macek @maceknewsnation Check out these classic promos featuring the Channel 3 News Team featuring the main talent of Tim White, Romona Robinson, Mark Nolan and Jim Donovan from 2007. How many of these do you remember on the air? Our special thanks to David Hrvatin at WKYC for digitizing these promos here at WKYC Studios.

WKYC's Romona Robinson Congratulations to WKYC/TV 3  6 & 11 PM anchor Romona Robinson who has been selected as one of the five 2011 Women of Achievement Award recipients presented by the YWCA Greater Cleveland. This year marks the 35th year the organization has recognized exceptional female leaders in our community by presenting them with the Women of Achievement Award. Romona Robinson tells the Director's Cut blog, "The YWCA Women of Achievement award is one of the highest honors one can receive in Greater Cleveland." "I've spent 20 years in Northeast Ohio trying to be a voice for those who aren’t heard, working  to help bridge the racial divide and  to inspire and encourage young women and children to reach their potential," Robinson added. The criteria for those given the award include a demonstration of outstanding leadership qualities, as well as excellence in accomplishments and commitment to their career and community. Women chose...

Channel 3 is having a Facebook face-off! From breaking stories and weather updates, to our goofy newsroom antics, we like to stay connected. And, we want some more friends to share the fun with ...and there's something in it for you! If we get 25,000 friends, our Mark Nolan must head to the beauty shop with me! He'll have enter the "pink" Diva room...for a mani-pedi! And if we get 30,000 friends, Romona will strap-on a tool belt and become a mechanic on Mark's Franken-truck! To friend WKYC, click on our Facebook page @ http://www.facebook.com/WKYC.Channel3

Congratulations to several of our WKYC colleagues who are being recognized for their outstanding work here at the WKYC Digital Broadcast Center. Channel 3 News Reporter Dave Summers has been named the Society of Professional Journalist (SPJ) "Best Reporter in Ohio" for 2010. The honor is based on a compilation of Dave's work called “A Year of Change." This is the 14th year the SPJ has announced their annual awards which include Ohio's print, broadcast, online, trade and college journalism programs. Also, Cleveland Magazine has tallied the results of their annual "Best of Cleveland" magazine reader's poll and Channel 3 once again sweeps up in several categories. The "Best Morning Show Anchor Team" winners are Channel 3's Mark Nolan and Hollie Strano who are seen weekdays from 5 - 7 a.m. Mark Nolan was also named "Best Male Anchor," while Jim Donovan wins for "Best Sportcaster" and our very own Romona Robinson ...

By Frank Macek Time for another edition of "Notes from the Newsroom" as your blogger shares some of thoughts on our little corner of local television. --- Congratulations to several WKYC staffers who take top honors in Cleveland Magazine's annual "Best of Cleveland" poll. This year's winners include Romona Robinson for best female anchor, Mark Nolan for best male anchor and Jim Donovan for best sports anchor in Cleveland. Also, SportsTime Ohio's Design Director Greg Goyla and his 80's cover band the "Spazmatics" were recognized for rocking 80's music like no other local group. They have even performed for former President George W. Bush. The "Best of Cleveland" party will be held on Friday, October 16th at 7 p.m. at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. WKYC.COM has launched a new project called "Tributes" that uses the power of wkyc.com to spread the word about the passing of our local residents through ...

Update: Added actual interview that first aired on 8/12/09 at 11 PM. --- The interview you'll only see on Channel 3 News---President Obama's aunt, Zeituni Onyango, speaks exclusively to Romona Robinson about her immigration status and why she was in Cleveland. The Actual Interview: The Promo

Well, Betsy Kling was at it again tonight as the crew was about to shoot our nightly Facebook Promo. Did I hear someone yell "mouse"?

For those of you who love a sneak peak at "behind the scenes", here are a couple of pictures from today taken by my directing colleague Matt Babb. Romona Robinson hard at work preparing for tonight's 6pm newscast. You can see a bit of Jim Donovan in the background getting ready for tonight's sportscast: Producer Carrie Young and Director Frank Macek are discussing a couple of ideas for tonight's 11pm edition of Channel 3 News. Does this look staged?: To See More Photos: Photogallery 1 - CLICK HERE Photogallery 2 - CLICK HERE

Here's our new on-air promo for Channel 3 News at 11 PM with Romona Robinson and the new "Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien. It's worth staying up late for!

As Conan O'Brien gets ready to launch his stint as host of Tonight Show on June 1st, he stopped by Cleveland recently to talk about the show. Somehow, they ended up talking about his trademark do. Enjoy!

We told you several weeks ago that Plain Dealer writer Julie Washington was hanging out at WKYC to work on a story about our main anchor Romona Robinson. Finally after more than a month, the article appeared in the Plain Dealer Sunday morning. Other than it was shocking to see that Cleveland was once again market size #15 (which it hasn't been in years - it's #17), and that Romona was "named WKYC Channel 3's evening anchor" after Tim's departure (although Romona was anchor long before Tim arrived), your blogger thinks Julie Washington fell a tad short of capturing the real Romona Robinson and the unique qualities she has as solo anchor of Channel 3 News at 6 & 11 p.m. It's a good thing Romona is writing a book about her career that will be published in the future. If you missed the article in the Plain Dealer: CLICK HERE To watch the P.D.'s "in depth" interview with Romona, click on the player below. Channel 3's anchor Romona Robinson...

WKYC announced Thursday that Carole Sullivan and Eric Mansfield will be moving to the 7 PM anchor desk soon as Channel 3 continues to "re-define" local television in a way that will have a positive effect on our community during tough times. Carole returned to Channel 3 in a part-time capacity after moving to Michigan with her husband. Prior to that, she was the morning news anchor with Jon Anderson at WKYC. Eric Mansfield has been Channel 3's Akron Canton Newsroom Chief and former anchor of the Channel 3 produced "Akron Canton News" which ended earlier this spring. Both will bring a fresh new approach to our 7 pm newscast while Channel 3 News Anchor Romona Robinson will handle the 6 & 11 pm broadcasts as newsrooms across the nation begin shifting away from traditional two anchor teams for their newscasts. While times are difficult, we look forward to the new challenges that our business has to offer and the opportunity this presents us in television to re-i...

CLEVELAND -- Actor Will Smith came to Cinemark Valley View theater for a red carpet appearance to promote his new movie "Seven Pounds" and benefit the Cleveland Food Bank. As part of the event, Smith donated 200 turkeys to the Cleveland Food Bank for the holiday season. Channel 3 News Anchor Romona Robinson walked Smith down the red carpet and got a one-on-one interview with him. Click here to see photos from the premiere. "Seven Pounds" premieres nationwide on Dec. 19. VIDEO FEATURES: Romona Robinson's live report from the red carpet Romona Robinson's full one-on-one interview with Will Smith

Congratulations to WKYC 6, 7 & 11 PM anchor Romona Robinson who was honored Thursday with the Diversity in Media Distinguished Leadership Award. The ceremony was held at Kent State University in front of a large gathering of her peers and co-workers. Kent State selected Romona for the honor this year because she represents the highest standard of excellence in broadcast journalism, community service and diversity. In an interview for the Director's Cut Blog, Romona explains, "I'm both honored and humbled by this recognition. I want to thank Kent State University and commend them on their Diversity program." "I've worked tirelessly in Northeast Ohio, trying to serve as an example to youngsters that through hard work your dreams are possible," she added. Our congratulations!

Congratulations to several of WKYC's main weekday anchors for being singled out by readers in Cleveland Magazine's "Best of Cleveland" poll in the magazine's October edition. They include the following: *Best Female News Anchor: Romona Robinson *Best Male News Anchor: Tim White *Best Sports Anchor: Jim Donovan All winners will be honored on Friday, October 10th at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. Logo courtesy: clevelandmagazine.com

As part of the WKYC Information Center, several of our staff members are taking a cue from the popularity of the Director's Cut Blog to do a little bloggin' of their own. Here is another new blog to check out when you get a little web surfing time. Romona's Room - a blog by WKYC Anchor Romona Robinson as she discusses where she has been, what's on her mind and she answers your questions. For more blogs from the WKYC Digital Broadcast Center: CLICK HERE . We also have a list of our favorites in our right hand menu under "Favorite Sites." Many of our staff members also have profiles on Facebook. You can sign up for a free account and then join our groups and interact with many of us online about the station and the news stories we cover. Just search "WKYC". To join Facebook: CLICK HERE

Channel 3 news anchor Romona Robinson has been awarded the Toastmasters District 10 Communication and Leadership award at a ceremony held in Chardon on Saturday. Every year the Toastmasters present the award to one local leader who does his or her part to enrich our community and lives. They selected Romona for her work with "Romona's Kids." Congratulations, Romona! VIDEO FEATURE: *To watch Romona accepting her award: CLICK HERE

The spotlight shines brightly on WKYC weeknight news anchor Romona Robinson in this edition of "Get to Know Team 3." Romona joined WKYC in March 1997 after anchoring the "Ten O'Clock News" on WUAB starting in January 1988. Since your blog jock sits right next to Romona in the newsroom, we thought it would be fun to ask her a few questions about some things we've always wanted to know. Q: When did you first realize you wanted to be on TV? Romona: I was six years old, sitting next to my Mom watching legendary anchorman, Walter Cronkite on the CBS Evening News. He was fascinating to watch, I thought. I told Mom that day, I liked his voice and his eyebrows were bushy and scary, but I wanted to read the news just like him. I remember her looking down at me smiling say, "Okay, but you'll have to get good grades and go to college." Q: Where else have you worked over the years, besides at the WKYC Digital Broadcast Center? Romona: I started my ...

Updated: 10/25/07 Tonight was the awards ceremony at the Rock Hall for Cleveland Magazine's "Best of Cleveland". Pictured at the event is WKYC Anchor Romona Robinson (left), WKYC News Director Rita Andolsen and WKYC Sports Anchor Jim Donovan. To watch video of tonight's gathernig, CLICK HERE ------ Original article below from October 10th: Congratulations to the following Channel 3 personalities for winning their respective categories in the annual Cleveland Magazine "The Best of Cleveland 2007 Reader's Poll" Local Male Anchor - Tim White (tied with David Wittman) Local Female Anchor - Romona Robinson Sports Anchor - Jim Donovan All this year's winners will be honored at a Rock Hall ceremony.

As I first told you Thursday, Romona made an appearance via satellite on the "Dr. Phil Show" today to discuss the Cleveland shootings on Wednesday at SuccessTech Academy - just across the street from WKYC. ( CLICK HERE for original article ). Here are a couple of pictures from that segment: