Professionals in Media Hold Annual Potluck at Maplewood B&B

Writers, writers everywhere and not a drop of ink.

With apologies to Samuel Coleridge, that might have been the theme at the annual Professionals in Media, or PIM, potluck social on August 6, at Les Saisons Inn in Maplewood. Jacqueline Herships and Michele Hollow, who founded PIM approximately five years ago, had a B&B full of local communications professionals—including writers— and the theme was the print-and-ink-free electronic media.

The focus wasn't just on the writers however. Ms. Herships said the goal of PIM has always been to bring people together from all walks of media and have them brainstorm "across professional lines." PIM's goal is to stimulate projects and partnerships by encouraging networking among those who might not normally find themselves thrown together. Herships says that photographers sometimes stick with photographers, reporters with reporters, and so on. 

With New York being one of the world's foremost media centers, it's no wonder that Maplewood and South Orange are chock full of media professionals–and so was the Les Saisons Inn on Friday night. PIM is now online, thanks to a LinkedIn group, with virtual members joining from all over the United States, and even a member in Spain. 

Also among the crowd were Art and Libby Christensen, owners and proprietors of the bed and breakfast where the potluck was held. Ms. Christensen, for those who don't know, released a film called Split Ends, based on her life as a hairdresser at The Chelsea Set. The film was made with the help of collaborations by many people who met through PIM. 

This year's speaker was a familiar face. Co-founder Michele Hollow, a journalist turned blogger, told the story of her transition while sharing her wisdom about writing a blog. Ms. Hollow emphasized throughout her speech that one must have a specific focus in their blog-writing. With so many blogs in existence, a clear voice and message give your website an angle.

Hollow's website, Pet News and Views, is a kind of anti-PETA, if you will. Though she maintains that they do good things, Hollow says that she has often been disturbed by the imagery put forth by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).  While still focusing on animal welfare and crying out for public help when there are unjust happenings in the animal kingdom, petnewsandviews.com is a different kind of website.  Accentuating the positive, Pet News & Views often features stories of special animals like Ricochet, a rejected service dog who now surfs in tandem with quadriplegic children. 

Previous speakers for PIM events include Peabody Award-winning journalist Nancy C. Solomon and James Beard Award-winning cookbook writer Linda West Eckhardt. 

After Hollow's talk, the floor was opened to questions.  After that: dessert.