J.B. Eckert

J.B. Eckert:
A Life in News

      J.B. Eckert has been in broadcasting for nearly 50 years. Beginning as a radio DJ, he moved to his one true love, Broadcast Journalism. Until 2006, J.B. was working for the University of Minnesota producing a weekly 30-minute radio program about the U, a 30 minute television program from the U’s Academic Health Center and from it’s Computer Center; writing and producing radio and television promotions, appearing as the Father of the University in 110 appearances from New York to Seattle and creating a series of nearly 200 radio vignettes for the Universities sesquicentennial birthday to which almost a third of all radio stations in Minnesota committed airing them.

     Prior to the University of Minnesota (1987-1992), J.B. worked for Twin City Public Television (KTCA_TV, Channel 2) as a pledge-drive producer and on-air talent. (He still does fundraising for them when asked.)

     From 1983 to 1985 he was a managing editor for CONUS communication, one of the first Satellite News Gathering organizations in America.

      From 1981 to 1983 he re-formated and produced one of the first early morning TV newscasts in the Twin Cities which was viewed by over 50% of the morning news audience. He also worked to recreate the 5PM television News report.

      From the 1960’s to the 1980’s he was a television news street reporter, a feature reporter, a producer of documentaries and multi-screened movies, the Vice President of a state wide radio news network, and a director of radio recreations. His awards include this listed below. While supposedly retired he keeps busy working at Macy’s Department Store, the Minnesota Historical Society as an interpreter at Historic Fort Snelling, a tour guide for Metro Connections, the voice of various activities at the University of Minnesota, keeper of a small shop and writer of the play being produced this November.

AWARDS_________________________________________________________

Minnesota Association of Government Communicators
 (several) Awards each of   Excellence & Merit / 1996 – 2002 / news focused / producer-writer-anchor (radio)

Society of Professional Journalists Page One Award
/ first place / 2002 / prod-
  writer (radio)

ITVA Twin Cities Video Festival / Bronze Award / 1998 / producer (television)   Pedestal Award / University of Mn Institutional Relations / 1996 / for Outstanding   contributions

Agricultural Communicators in Education
 / Bronze Award / 1995 / Writer-
producer-anchor

Other Awards:

New York Film Festival / Bronze Medal / Industrial Film / Conceptualizer-writer Ohio State / First place / Radio News Story Coverage / Producer – writer
Gabriel Competition / Merit Award / Children’s Television Program /   Conceptualizer-writer
Golden Mike Award / Television Historical Series / Creator – producer – writer –   anchor
U-P-I National Radio / First place (2) / Radio News / Producer
NBNA (regional-5 state) (3) Radio News Event Coverage /   Conceptualizer-producer-writer
U-P-I Regional Radio / (2) / Radio New / Public Service / Producer-Talent Minnesota Historical Society / Recognition for accuracy and creativity – TV Historical Series American Heart Association / Recognition for developing 24   hour radio heart programs


Visit J. B.’s website to find out more