The hubbub over the shared services agreement between KGMB-TV and KHNL/KFVE-TV has been out of the headlines for a few days, but it is sure to resurface Oct. 14 at around 11 a.m.

At that time the Hawaii chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators will be staging a luncheon featuring a panel of local television news veterans discussing “;The Changing Face of Local Broadcast News.”;

Keoki Kerr, investigative reporter at KITV, and anchors Kirk Matthews of KHON-TV and Keahi Tucker of KGMB have pledged to provide behind-the-scenes insights to attendees gathered for the Plaza Club buffet.

The event takes place before the impending and potentially drastic change of the presentation of news by KGMB, KHNL and KFVE later in October, which is being challenged by local media watchdog and community groups.

“;It is one of those things; we finally lassoed in all three (anchors) to give some great highlights on everything,”; said Kapono Ryan, IABC-Hawaii member.

Most things are sure to stay under wraps, given the relative silence of KGMB Marketing Director Candace Hirleman's blog on the KGMB Web site.

Her first post in weeks popped up yesterday, the first since Aug. 26, when she said, “;My brain is practically mush because I spent today writing some thoughts on branding & marketing for our new entity — the soon-to-be-merged KGMB, KHNL & K5.”;

She wound up with two full pages “;and I'm just getting started.”;

Given all the moving pieces involved in creating and branding an entity the likes of which is unprecedented in Hawaii, it is easy to understand her long absence from blogging.

“;Being a brand manager in the time of great change isn't easy,”; she wrote yesterday.

She divulged zero secrets as to what the audience can expect from the stations' merged news operation, including what it is to be called, but indicated we will see inklings next week. They will be “;the first touches of a marketing campaign designed to explain who we are; the new media entity you've been hearing and reading so much about.”;

With two network affiliates merging news and other operations along with an independent station, local competitors are likely also loading for bear with their own marketing strategies.

It is unlikely that KITV and KHON, Honolulu's other network affiliates, will simply lie down to be steamrolled as the industry approaches the November Nielsen rating period that runs from Oct. 29 through Nov. 25.

Registration for the IABC-Hawaii monthly luncheon costs $25 for members, $35 for nonmembers and $15 for students.

Reservations can be made online via credit card, or checks payable to IABC-Hawaii can be mailed to P.O. Box 3434, Honolulu, HI 96801.

The contact for more information or reservation assistance is Julie Ford, at 593-2890 or by e-mail.

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Erika Engle is a reporter with the Star-Bulletin. Reach her by e-mail at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).