First Coast News

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

TRUST. Trust is a word you hear in a lot of marketing ads. It is a compelling word to get behind, yet when you do it instills fierce confidence. This ferocious drive for trust in viewership beats in the hearts of our meteorologists. Tonight, during the Opening Ceremony of the #NBCOlympics, our viewers will not only see, but hear why the First Coast News Most Accurate Weather team is one to #trust. The team has been certified #MostAccurate by WeatheRate five consecutive years. It also boasts one of the most veteran forecasters in America in 40+ year Chief Meteorologist Tim Deegan. Don't take my word for it, watch and see the reason why viewers in Jacksonville, Florida trust in this team for yourself. The weather image conceptualized in January, was written and shot by Creative Marketing Manager Paul Bulluck weeks later. It would later be revised again with a new weather product and the build of an impressive 1,250 square foot set. #FirstCoastNews #OnYourSide #NBC12 #ABC25 #Tegna #TeamTegna #MostAccurate #WeatheRate #Meteorologists #Weather #Forecasts #Forecasting