First Coast News

THANK YOU to all here at home and many more across the country who streamed First Coast News+ throughout Hurricane Milton. Thank you for taking time to find us and to share your heartfelt comments. The First Coast News On Your Side digital team worked 24-7 coordinating meteorologists, anchors and reporters to provide Milton's latest position, forecast and conditions, fresh on our free streaming platform. Throughout Milton, the content was fascinating and the conversational was real. It is what many are still talking about. This is why we do what we do as journalists, as meterologists and as marketers. We want to get the story right, but we also want to make sure it's told in a way that makes you feel. I invite you to watch and feel First Coast News Marketing Producer Demetrius Kennon's spot. Download the First Coast News+ app now on Roku, FireTV and AppleTV. And, stay with First Coast News on WTLV NBC12, on WJXX ABC25 and firstcoastnews.com. #FirstCoastNews #OnYourSide #FirstCoastNews+ #TeamTegna #Hurricane #HurricaneMilton #Milton #Storm #StormPreparedness #Weather #Forecast #Stream #Streaming #Mobile #App #Download #iHeartRadio

STORM AID. The impacts of Hurricane Milton are felt across Florida. First Coast News On Your Side, iHeartMedia and the American Red Cross Northeast Florida Chapter have joined forces to create a strong relief effort. Join us Monday, October 14 at and Tuesday, October 15 at Markets at Town Center from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. to collect recovery supplies for our neighbors hardest hit in the area's first relief drive for Tampa. We hope you'll find time in your schedule to donate what you can to Hurricane Milton Storm Aid: Supply Collection For Recovery. “Many on the First Coast have families affected by Hurricane Milton, and otherd are looking for a way to help,” said Vice President/General Manager First Coast News On Your Side Tim Thomas. “Teaming up with our community partners and iHeart Media is one way we can help with the recovery process. We are On Your Side to help get you back on your feet after Milton and to help provide you with the most accurate and timely information to make decisions that keep you and your family safe.” NEW physical donations and monetary donations will be needed to assist communities in Tampa after what may be one of the most destructive storms on record. We’re asking for NEW, material donations such as nonperishable food, water, hygiene products and pet supplies to help people whose homes took a direct hit by Milton. We also hope you consider donating what you can to the American Red Cross by texting MILTON to 90999 or visiting redcross.org. Financial donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from this disaster. “Many of our fellow Floridians are suffering due to Hurricanes Helene and Milton,” said Program Director WQIK-FM/WKSL-FM Froggy. “We want to harness the giving spirit of our Jacksonville community and help those who are so desperately in need.” Bring your NEW material donations in boxes and bags to the collection site. Our team of volunteers will sort and stack onto trucks headed for areas hit hardest by Milton. Watch First Coast News On Your Side live updates from the supply collection effort starting at 6 a.m. on Good Morning Jacksonville and continue in newscasts at Midday, 5 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. on WTLV NBC12, WJXX ABC25 and streaming on First Coast News+. First Coast Living will also take you live to the donation drive at 11 a.m. on NBC12. And, WQIK-FM 99.1 Radio Host Froggy will broadcast his afternoon radio show live at the supply collection site. The muscle behind Hurricane Milton Storm Aid: Supply Collection For Recovery is a team of volunteers, drivers and trucks from Kroger Delivery, Waychoff’s Air Conditioning, Fenwick Services Plumbing, Cooling and Heating. Your contributions will help provide meals, water, supplies and the bare necessities to those living without electricity and struggling to clean their homes. Visit firstcoastnews.com for a donation list. #FirstCoastNews #TeamTegna #HurricaneMilton #Relief

ON YOUR SIDE before, during and after Hurricane Milton. When your team goes into harms way and goes out of their way to help people in flood-prone parts of our region, it is the essence of living your brand. First Coast News On Your Side showed its strength in dedication to community staying on air from landfall last night well into the aftermath today. The coverage on more platforms, including streaming on First Coast News+ and our radio partners iHeartMedia was comprehensive. While we are grateful our First Coast was spared, we know many of our neighbors in Tampa were not. First Coast News and iHeart Media is holding a relief effort Monday and Tuesday in Jacksonville's Markets at Town Center. We'll be there from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. #FirstCoastNews #OnYourSide #TeamTegna #NBC12 #ABC25 #HurricaneMilton #Milton #Hurricane #FloridaStorm #StaySafeFlorida #iHeartMedia #iHeartRadio

MORE COVERAGE. MORE PLATFORMS to keep you aware before, during and after Hurricane Milton. Hurricane Milton progressed from a Category 1 to a Category 5 Monday. Milton's impacts to the First Coast will arrive Wednesday, with the worst of the weather being Wednesday evening to Thursday morning. The First Coast News Most Accurate Weather team reports the center of the cone targets the Tampa Bay area, but the cone extends as far north as Cedar Key and as far south as the Naples. Remember, the cone shows anywhere the center of the hurricane could go. We ask that you download our mobile app, text APP to 904.633.2402 or download the QR Code on the image below and stay most informed with the changing forecast. You can check out the latest radar and articles from our five meteorologists and team of reporters on www.firstcoastnews.com. We invite you to watch on WTLV NBC12, WJXX ABC25, download our streaming app First Coast News+, free on Roku, FireTV and AppleTV. Plus, listen to us on our radio partners iHeartMedia Jacksonville. Stay safe, stay informed, stay with First Coast News On Your Side. #FirstCoastNews #OnYourSide #FirstCoastNews+ #TeamTegna #Hurricane #HurricaneMilton #Milton #Storm #StormPreparedness #Weather #Forecast #Stream #Streaming #Mobile #App #Download #iHeartRadio

ON YOUR SIDE. Living your brand. At a time when countless people are in need of help after Hurricane Helene, First Coast News On Your Side jumps to partnering with Christian Smith and her American Red Cross Northeast Florida Chapter team to spread the message of 'safe donations.' Consider giving at redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Smith said, "More than 900 Red Cross disaster responders are working around the clock to help those in need." The Red Cross is currently focused on providing safe shelter, meals, emotional support and relief supplies.   She added, "If you can't make a financial donation, you could consider making a blood donation instead. Every blood donor between Oct. 1 and 31 will receive a $10 Amazon gift card. " Helene roared ashore in the Florida's Big Bend area six days ago as a Category 4 hurricane and quickly moved through Georgia, the Carolinas and Tennessee dropping torrential rainfall that flooded waterways and destroyed homes.  More than 130 deaths have been reported in six Southeastern states. First Coast News On Your Side will continue to track the lives impacted or destroyed by Helene's catastrophic damage in Florida and the Southeastern United States. And we trust that you'll weather the next storm with the Most Accurate Weather Team on WTLV NBC12, WJXX ABC25, streaming on First Coast News+ and firstcoastnews.com. #FirstCoastNews #OnYourSide #FCNStorm #Tegna #TeamTegna #HurricaneHelene #Helene #Weather #Storm #RedCross #DisasterRelief #DisasterResponse #HurricaneHelene #Helene #EmergencyPreparedness #Florida

WEATHER IMPACT: Helene left a deadly swath of destruction as she made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane in Florida's Big Bend then barrelled her way across Northern Florida and into Georgia. As grim details continue to unfold, the stations On Your Side were with you before, during and after the storm. The First Coast News Most Accurate Weather Team forecasted the weather impact alert day nearly a week prior. On NBC12, ABC25, streaming on First Coast News+ and Firstcoastnews.com, viewers found a safe-haven for news and weather, without the hype. An example of this, our proof-of-brand produced by marketer Demetrius Kennon. When we say team coverage, we mean it. Lifestyle co-hosts and sports reporters became your eyes in the hardest hit areas, providing live reports from Waycross, GA to Jacksonville, Gainesville and Tallahassee. Our commercial production manager hit the road as a photojournalist and our weekend meteorologist showcased his drone skills and reported live. It's not just our job to keep you safe and informed, it's what we believe is right as journalists and meteorologists. It's what we do. And we trust you'll stay with the station that lives its brand throughout the next major event. First Coast News, On Your Side. #FirstCoastNews #OnYourSide #TeamTegna #Tegna #NBC12 #ABC25 #ProofOfBrand #ProofOfCoverage #Marketing #Helene #HurricaneHelene #Hurricane #Storm #StormCoverage #Weather #WeatherImpactAlert

STAY SAFE & MOST INFORMED. Download the First Coast News app and stay in the know throughout Helene and beyond. Using the 'Near Me' feature on the home screen, press the icon in the lower right corner and safely upload your storm photos and weather video. Sharing your story helps give locals a bigger picture of what's happening in your community. We invite you to continue watching First Coast News On Your Side coverage and stay with the First Coast's Most Accurate Weather Team before, during and after Helene.

PARTNERSHIPS. On this Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp Baseball Club Fan Appreciation Night, I have to thank the organization and the community for the support, partnership and friendship with First Coast News On Your Side. It’s been going strong since 2021. The marketing and sales team helped spark the relationship just after the pandemic. I believe in baseball and I believe in the power of community and the synergy it creates. Tonight was another shining example of humanity. Viewers came to our First Coast News table, just behind home plate, to shake hands, get autographs, pose for selfies and share stories. There is no better place to meet and greet your loyalists while also earning the trust of samplers. This is where we showcase our brand and live it with On Your Sude news, sales and marketing ambassadors; two of which are marketing mentees. The weekend morning and evening team were highlighted tonight with Meteorologist Lee Southwick tossing out the first pitch. This unique opportunity is one developed with the creative minds of the Jumbo Shrimp front office. In return for this, my marketers write, shoot and edit customized First Coast News - Jumbo Shrimp night promos. It’s a moment where we get to take our anchor teams on the field, in the stands, dugout and shoot creative spots that market the promotional nights we join forces. In these nights, the marketing team arrives at the ballpark to hand out exclusive On Your Side swag just before gates open. To say it’s work is a misnomer. It’s a joy to see season-ticket holders and know them by name, it’s a pleasure to talk about family with the Shrimp staff and its amazing to see and feel the heart of America’s pastime beat strong in Jacksonville. Until next season, thank you for the lasting memories Crustacean Nation.

Trust the First Coast's fastest-growing morning news, First Coast News Good Morning Jacksonville to get you and your family into that back-to-school routine. This promo brings all the 'fun' of the 'fourth wall' perspective to local viewers. The promo was developed by Creative Marketing Manager Paul Bulluck and became reality through the help of Marketing Director Kristen Joyal's niece Cora. The 10-year old had an uncanny ability to learn how to take direction and cues from Bulluck, one of the best marketers in the biz. The fifth grader delivered her lines with a pep in her step. The spot was shot in one hour and the whiz kid memorized most of the script before she got on set. The marketing team hopes this unique promo brings a smile to your face. Everyone at the station feels grateful to wake up to warm weather and palm trees here in Northern Florida and we're also grateful to wake up with the Good Morning Jacksonville team. Start your day smarter and with a smile, join us weekdays at 4:30 a.m. on WTLV NBC12 and 5 a.m. on WJXX ABC25.

TRUST Ask Anthony! On the First Coast of Florida, Ask Anthony is a household name, and it stands for problem-solving. The stations of First Coast News On Your Side WTLV/WJXX launched the consumer advocacy franchise led by evening and late anchor Anthony Austin two years ago. He's helped countless people. He's been their voice and now, they're speaking up about how grateful they are for him. The First Coast News marketing team saw success in research after launching viewer testimonials a year ago. With the 2024 Paris Olympics on the legacy NBC affiliate WTLV NBC12, it made sense to create an Ask Anthony campaign that centered around our On Your Side brand, but with a twist. This campaign allows the testimonial subject to meet and thank their advocate Anthony Austin face-to-face. From tears of joy, to smiles, to military salutes, Anthony witnessed it all during this promo shoot. Marketing Producer Demetrius Kennon created the concept, produced, interviewed, shot and edited the spot. "I believe testimonials lend credibility," said Kennon. "It’s personal and authentic. In keeping with the theme of authenticity, there was very little coaching in these interviews; in fact, we had our anchor Anthony Austin pop in for a surprise appearance toward the end of each interview to capture another genuine reaction." Kennon said it wasn’t difficult finding people who wanted to go on air and talk about what Anthony did for them. "It is a testament to just how thorough and effective his investigations are," said Kennon. Kennon added he couldn't have achieved the integrity in the spots without a little help from colleagues. "I couldn’t have achieved this type of quality if not for my two assistant camera operators Glen Vandermolen and Dan Willoughby," said Kennon. "Daniel took cues from me from a hidden room near our interview location as he waited to follow Anthony in with our mobile camera." . If you have a problem, reach out to Anthony and his team of investigators at askanthony@firstcoastnews.com. Let Anthony be your voice and get you the answers you deserve. #FirstCoastNews #OnYourSide #WTLV #NBC12 #WJXX #ABC25 #Tegna #TeamTegna #AskAnthony #Consumer #Advocacy #ConsumerAdvocate