TheBuzz
TheBuzz
Jaws dropped when it was learned that long-time reporter and anchor Ann Botticelli is leaving journalism for an executive-level position with one of Hawaii's largest public relations firms. Subtractions and
additions at KITVLater this summer she'll join Communications-Pacific Inc. as vice president of corporate communications and public affairs.
"I've been doing this now ... for 22 years, and I've had an awful lot of fun," Botticelli said, pointing out that she started her reporting career as a college student.
Some of her more memorable broadcast and print assignments have included "hunting down Sukarman Sukamto (now known as Sukamto Sia) on the golf course at Waialae," she said, "doing the story about the kids at Nanakuli Intermediate not having a cafeteria and eating in the bathroom," as well as a "massive project on sovereignty."
"I'm a competitive person," she said. "I've enjoyed competing in television but I'm ready for a new challenge. I'm ready to compete in a new arena."
The dynamic nature of the growing public relations firm attracted her, she said.
The new gig at Comm-Pac will have to wait, however. Botticelli will co-anchor her last newscast with Shawn Ching June 16. Then she'll go on vacation with her family and won't start exploring the new arena until July 15.
"I know there's life after TV," she said. "I think it's going to be great."
KITV President and General Manager Mike Rosenberg said he is sorry to see Botticelli go, calling her a good reporter. On the other hand he was pleased that she received the opportunity "based on the fact that people respect the job that (she) did as a business reporter for (us)."
News on the side
KITV Monday quietly launched a mid-day Webcast of local news and weather on www.thehawaiichannel.com called "Lunchbreak.""When we look at page views every day our three biggest hours are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.," Rosenberg said.
"It doesn't take a nuclear scientist to know people are at work eating lunch surfing the Web for information. We thought we'd give them something a little more than looking at headlines on our page or the Star-Bulletin or, God forbid, the other guys," he said.
The Web cast is available only during the mid-day and promotes the on-air newscasts. The station will begin on-air marketing of the Web cast "in the next week or so," Rosenberg said.
Erika Engle is a reporter with the Star-Bulletin.
Call 529-4302, fax 529-4750 or write to Erika Engle,
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210,
Honolulu, HI 96813. She can also be reached
at: eengle@starbulletin.com