Prospects-missouri

What's the Media Giraffe Project?

• A four-year, grant-funded effort at UMass Amherst to "find and spotlight people making innovative, potentially sustainable use of media to foster participatory democracy and community." READ MORE

• J-Mizzou students of Jen Reeves have been helping add to our database of "giraffe prospect" profiles. You pick an innovator, research them on the web, then interview by phone, or even in person if possible.

• The focus is on a person, not a business. The business is an expression of the person's professional passion. Pick your giraffe, within a business (often the founder, but not always).

What's in it for me?

• Students who work on giraffe profiles have an opportunity to learn from outstanding media entrepreneurs and practitioners, hone their interview and writing skills, and produce work that contributes to an important research project.

Finding and questioning 'media giraffes'

• A "media giraffe" is standout performer, a person or institution who stick his or her neck out in journalism or media. IDENTIFYING MEDIA GIRAFFES

• You can use whatever interview and reporting techniques you're comfortable with to document your giraffe. But there are some basic questions you should try to ask. GOOD QUESTIONS

• If possible, audio-record (with permission) and edit your interview. Quality MP3 audio adds to the online service. Obtain a "head shot" type photo of your prospect.