Anna Robertson
THUR APRIL 20, 2023 | 7:30-9:00 pm MDT
Discover why and how this successful ABC Network exec decided to help our planet by starting the first mainstream climate brand. And how it can help all of us discover new ways to care for the planet.
IN-PERSON GATHERING:
Home of Ed and Kristen Iversen
3582 Oak Rim Way
Salt Lake City, UT 84109
If there is no parking to be found near the home you can also park in the “park & ride” lot on the NW corner of 3900 South and Wasatch Blvd. Oak Rim Way is just east of the intersection on the north side.
Or join us at your home via Zoom.
Thanks to Kristen and Ed Iversen for sharing their home again with us. And thanks to Jana Spangler for continuing to host us via Zoom. Below is some helpful info for being part of a Zoom convo. I will also note below the Zoom address so that you can connect. The link is in large blue all caps. If you are not on my email list then either join at the bottom of this site’s home page or text or call me at 801-695-5036.
I’m delighted that those who can’t attend in person can join us via zoom. I’m sorry I can’t give you the same care and attention given to those in person. But if you ever can join us physically in the same space, then I hope you will. Research shows that being with people who are seen, felt, and heard in person reaps many benefits. We would be blessed by your presence.
THE CONVERSATION:
April brings us showers, flowers, sprouting gardens, and the worldwide celebration known as Earth Day. Anna will be sharing her personal story of transitioning from a successful news career to making earth care a priority. And finding ways of thinking and doing that appeal to those not as likely to be identified as tree-huggers and environmentalists. In addition to Anna’s story, we will open it up to the group for brief sharings about what you have done or hope to do to help our planet be able to continue to care for us and every other species. Please invite others of any age who might benefit from or add to such a discussion.
ABOUT ANNA:
Anna Robertson is the co-founder and Chief Content Officer for The Cool Down, the first mainstream climate brand, which was recognized as one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies of 2023. Anna is an Emmy Award-winning executive and producer who has shaped media brands and built content that speaks to Americans. Prior to The Cool Down, she served as Vice President for Content & Partner Innovation for ABC’s Owned Television Stations where she prioritized climate coverage and executive produced the special “Our America: Climate of Hope.” She was a significant contributor to the Yahoo News brand, leading Yahoo Studios and becoming Yahoo’s Head of Video. Anna began her career at ABC News, first as Diane Sawyer’s producer and then as a senior producer for Good Morning America. She lives in Park City, Utah with her husband and two children and is very involved in local sustainability efforts.
EXPLORE BEFORE WE MEET:
From Anna:
To learn more about The Cool Down, I encourage attendees to check out our website, the Cool Down, sign up for our newsletters, and take a look at our first data report around how we can engage mainstream audiences around climate topics.
From Jay:
- Online media vets launch The Cool Down, a platform aspiring to be America’s go-to climate site
- Why is the world so beautiful? An Indigenous botanist on the spirit of life in everything—Robin Wall Kimmerer, author of Braiding Sweetgrass. This link also comes with some moving music Robin collaborated on. Braiding Sweetgrass is one of my all-time favorite books of any genre.
- Jimmy Kimmel interviews climate change science and author, Katharine Hayhoe, about her book, Saving Us. I heard Katharine speak last year in Salt Lake and she is impressive. She has a way of articulating our need to care for the earth in ways that can reach a lot more people. And we need to reach a lot more people if we really hope to move the dial.
- Click on the Zoom link above for either last month’s recorded conversation (if the event date has passed) or the live conversation now. If you are participating in the live conversation keep reading.
- When you are connected you will either be waiting in a lobby and will let be in shortly or you will immediately be able to see other participants. Please make sure that you muted and that your video is on if you choose to have it on. (Love to see and hear you live, but we’ll take curious lurkers also.)
- If you can’t hear the host, me, or others, find your settings and make sure you have a working microphone and speaker selected. Also, make sure you have your volume up. OR tell me or others to speak up!
ZOOM ETIQUETTE:
- Please mute your microphone before entering and when you are not speaking so noises are not heard by everyone else.
- Rather than have the whole group watch you try to get your camera or screen positioned, or play with funky green screen backgrounds, feel free to get that figured out prior to when we meet.
- Resist the urge to multitask—be with us fully if at all possible. But we’ll be grateful for whatever presence you are able to offer. Just knowing you are there is nice.
- If you are going to multitask, or wander around a lot, please turn off your video and make sure you are muted. No one wants to be distracted by you eating or using the loo.
- If you are having difficulty with the technology, don’t hold up the meeting by distracting other participants for solutions. Try Googling your problem. I do that with most of life’s problems.
- Speaking of distractions—just as when we used to meet in person in the good old days, let’s be cautious about using the chat for side conversations that may distract others. You can always ask for people’s contact info and continue your conversation—I’d love that to happen. Or, let me know, and I’ll do my darndest to give you a chance to share to the group.
- Please share air time and follow the guidelines under “Intentions” on this website.