After The Shot
To say that the last couple of days have been crazy/intense or what ever adjective you want to use is an understatement. It was sheer madness for a while and turned into a controlled madness rest of the way. But now, the iPhone is quiet, and I'm not getting a text message every few seconds. It's time to give my update to all the new followers and anyone else with interest of my story.
First, I'd like to say that I am happy that what might have been a huge disaster turned out to become the "Miracle on the Hudson" Enough can't be said about the pilot Chesley B. “Sully” Sullenberger III of US Air Flight 1549. He did something that no one could imagine. He's a true hero and I can't wait to see him on the Today Show on Monday.
Now, for the recap of the past couple of days.
As many of you know I posted the photo of the plane at 3:36PM, moments after the crash. (Just looked it up on my twitter profile) After which I did not have my phone on me. I gave it to a passenger of the plane and got it back when we were back in Manhattan.
Once I looked at my phone I had a sense that something big is happening. But,I had no idea what it would turn into.
In the ferry terminal I did couple of phone interviews with MSNBC and one with CNN. After that I started to think about getting back to NJ to the car. I ended up taking a cab, and then walking a portion to Port Imperial where the car was parked.
On my ride home I got a call from MSNBC and Good Morning America (GMA). Both, wanted to have me in studio for interviews. GMA arranged a car to pick me up at 7PM to take me to 30 Rock and then to the hotel after the interview.
My first live on camera interview was on the Rachel Maddow show. I got about 3 minutes of air time. It was a big rush to be on live TV. A rush that continued for most of the next day.
Friday started with an early wake up and a call from my home town early morning radio show.
It went something like this:
5:15AM: Wake up to get get ready for GMA.
6:20: Going over to the set. Also, interview with the MJ Morning show from Tampa.
7:30AM: Interviewed on GMA by Robin Roberts
After GMA, the line up went something like this:
20/20 (Taped)
Inside Edition (Taped)
NYC ABC Station (Taped)
BBC in Studio (Live)
BBC on location at Battery Park (Taped)
CNN with Rick Sanchez (Live)
(I don't have links to the other videos, if anyone has seen them somewhere, please post a comment and I will add them.)
After CNN, around 3:30PM, I was finished with interviews and going back to NJ to get some rest. Everything kind of died down at this point. I have done few more interviews since then to local and international newspapers.
So, what now?
What do I do with this new found fame(used very loosely) and notoriety? I'm still figuring this out. I haven't found a blue print for these type of situations. I do know that social media has taken a big step towards acceptance my the average person.
I think it is incredible that anyone at any point can have such an impact by simply posting a picture online. Anyone with a camera phone can report breaking news. I don't think that twittering, flickering, etc., will replace traditional news coverage. But, it can be a great aid for the traditional media channels.
Personally, I am still figuring things out. I want to connect with more of my followers who have reached out and messaged me. Currently, my DM option on twitter does not work. I've contacted them and I hope this will be resolved quickly.
I look forward to feedback and have had a great time during this whole experience.
Thanks for the support and kind words,
Janis
Blogs and interesting stories I've found regarding my twitter picture and the aftermath: (Please send links and I will post them below.)
Fame come fast, but then what: Thom Singer
http://thomsinger.blogspot.com/2009/01/fame-come-fast-but-then-what.html
So what do you do now?
Be your normal, honest, professional, smart, charismatic, intelligent self.
Try that first.
Hi JK,
I’ve been waiting to read this follow-up. Social media has now gone mainstream and things will never be the same. (Would love to interview you for our list)
Wonder if anyone thought to get a screenshot of this page from Friday: http://www.newseum.org/todaysfrontpages/
You were probably all over it.
You didn’t mention how flooded your email inbox must be.. Glad to hear your story. Thanks again for that picture!
The whole thing is such a fascinating look at the twists that media is taking… It’s exciting. Your story is the definition of “right place, right time”… Right tweet, too… I guess. @Megtastic1521
Hi Janis,
for your record keeping — I posted about your photo just moments after it hit Twitter:
http://radiopatriot.blogspot.com/2009/01/twitterers-at-work.html
Yes, My inbox is just over 4,000 emails in the last two days…
I’m inspired by your experience! You witnessed a huge part of history, especially for aviation. My boyfriend goes to Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach and I’m from the St. Petersburg, Florida area. They had Embry Riddle on the news, talking about training pilots for water landings. Here: http://www.wftv.com/video/18498499/index.html
I’ve tried writing about the event on my blog as well. http://mispersonality.blogspot.com/search?q=hudson
Hey Janis, here is a link to the MSNBC coverage that someone posted on YouTube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ih5CPeKl-Ds
Jāni! Here’s the Good Morning America vid: http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=6662114
Plus, check out my post at http://rigatalk.com/2009/01/16/american-latvian-is-first-to-report-the-plane-crash-via-twitter and come soon for a beer! =)
Janis – after the rush of it all, it may never be clear ‘why’ what happened happened. But just for a moment, you were our boots on the ground, and for that – it was historic. Others will follow you (and your lead), and your own personal life story will continue to unfold with a lot more people who care about you involved.
Enjoy everything right now.
What to do now? Just keep keeping your eyes open for opportunities to make a difference
Janis,
Congratulations. I’m sure it’s been a bit of a nutty time for you. The one thing that jumped out at my partner was that on 10 Jan you set a goal (for 2009) to have 1,000 Twitter followers.
Then on Jan 15 – one action and it’s subsequent impact had you achieve that goal many times over in a matter of hours/days.
What a powerful manifestation – by any measurement.
Enjoy this time.
It seems like you are handling things really well so far. Thanks for the update!
Janis,
I truly believe your passion for reporting is what brought you to the level that this experience put you at. You’re very organized in your thought processes and you have a calming presence. You’re great at speaking and at relaying a message to the masses. …The experience proves at any given time and what ever direction your life takes you, either politics, entrepreneurship or both, you will do well.
Janis,
Is snapping a picture qualification for the “NFL or a Rhodes Scholarship?” Some humility might be appropriate. What’s the saying, “everybody has 15 minutes of fame.” For some maybe it stretches out to 24 hours. You were simply in the right place at the right time. Frankly, taking a picture like this is not realistic grounds for commercial advancement. Nevertheless, I am curious about the vitamins you sell, so far we have not heard much detail about that.
As for the real hero in this situation, that was clearly Capt. Chesley B Sullenberger III http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/4275092/New-York-plane-crash-co-pilot-tells-captain-You-pulled-it-off.html
Janis,
I’ve posted it on my blog and it’s really amazing that you were in the right place at the right time.
Hello Janis
I’m a Belgian history teacher. I wrote about your amazing story and my own experiences with Twitter:
http://driesvangils.blogspot.com/2009/01/next-big-thing.html
Grtz
Hallo,
ein gutes Beispiel für Bürgerjournalismus. Ich hörte gerade, wie im Fernsehen der Reporter sagte: Moment mal, wir bekammen in den letzten 2 Minuten gerade eine Nachricht über einen Flugzeugabsturz rein. Dann schaute ich bei Twitter rein, las Deinen Tweet mit dem Foto und klickte auf follow. Du hattest mir sogar noch kurz feedback über eine direct message gegeben. Ich fühlte mich in dem Moment durch Dich näher am Geschehen dran, als durchs Fernsehen. Ein Glück auch, dass den Verunglückten schnell geholfen werden konnte und vor allem, dass niemand zu Schaden kam. Yes: “Social media has now gone mainstream and things will never be the same.”
Hi Janis,
the news is now develloping to be one of the great examples how twitter cn beused. I think, without really knowing at that crazy moment, you will be in an lot of storys people going to tell on seminars, trade hsows etc. And they all are talking about this new way of communicate, the power of the masses
Good luck there and I will be following you from today and looking forward what is going to happen overthere in the coming days, months and years.
Jan, The Netherlands
Hello
Quick question: your picture has been used by media around the world. Have you sought or received any kind of payment for it?
Do the picture agencies regard anything on Twitter as fair game?
Even if this turns out to be your only (extended) 15 minutes of fame, thank you for journaling the aftermath. You have handle it well. If there is a “Accidental Photojournalist of the Year” award, you’d get my vote!
Congrats on showing the world (and many news orgs) the amazing power of Twitter, which puts the world in our hands. We can share without the filter of those who want to control the message.
Congratulations on your progressions in life. Sounds like you are really making moves. Don;t fear where you are going though. Accept it with open arms because it is a gift from God. I am so happy for you and glad I clicked on your link at twitter. Bee blessed!
Hello, Janis.
I’m writing from your birth country Latvia.
I wanted to wish you a happy New Year.
Why don’t you come to visit us? ^_^
Best Wishes, Karlis.
Hello. I also did a podcast and blog entry about your photo: http://speakingofhistory.blogspot.com/2009/01/podcast-167-twitter-social-media-and.html
I also have a copy of the Kansas City Star from the next day – has your photo across the entire front page. If you want a copy I can send it to you. Just leave a comment on my blog.
Thanks.
Eric Langhorst
>I’m still figuring this out.
Figuring what out? You’ve done your interviews and milked your “newfound notoriety” for ALL it is tastefully worth. Now go back to your life and do nothing to “cash in” on this moment, because the fact of the matter is that you were in the right place at the right time. The tasteful person, the thoughtful person will come to the same conclusion. That you think anything else suggests you may not be one of the above. The fact of the matter is that your role to play in this story is over. First step? Start refusing interviews.
Hi all
I’m going to be interviewing Janis this week on my Sunday Mail blog: http://blogs.sundaymail.co.uk/thirdsectorlab/
I’m taking questions over the next 24hrs from my blog followers or you can fire your questions at me on twitter. Just start them with: @ThirdSectorLab
Full info on everything can be found on my personal non-profit blog: http://thirdsectorlab.co.uk/?p=22
I have to say a massive thanks to Janis for agreeing to the interview. I’ve got a feeling this is only the beginning of an exciting journey for him!
Feel free to tweet about the upcoming interview folks.
Thanks
Ross
http://www.twitter.com/thirdsectorlab
well congrats on the success and the crazy days I guess, gives you stuff to blog about anyways.
A new experiece in life, I guess. It is impressing how an iPhone and being in the right place can change one’s life. At least for some days…
I found your picture on an very important german newspaper. Here you go: http://www.faz.net/s/Rub4C34FD0B1A7E46B88B0653D6358499FF/Doc~E20BDE5B1A623437FA03263BCCCC0EBBB~ATpl~Ecommon~Scontent.html
You actually inspired me, to create my own blog! Thank you!
All my best, Daniel
Hey Janis,
I posted a blog about you and the power of twitter right after the emergency landing. Feel free to check it out, here:
http://www.theprpractitioner.com/?p=240
Thank you for the update !
FYI: Yesterday (Sunday Jan 18, 2009)
I was driving on Route 28
(known as Centreville Road)
very near the Dulles Airport area
for the first time I saw about
thirty (30) big brown birds (Geese)
flying past my car
I am so appalled and shocked especially since they’re very near to the Dulles Airport area !!!
(It’s one of these Washingtion DC airports)
I heard vaguely about the “Bailout for Geese” from Sean Hannity, Fox News…
I’m suspicious about where did these Geese and/or big birds come from within Dulles Airport ?
(I have NO idea where or who should we report this to ? ) Please do feel free to report this for me.
These airports should have “tip box” for
all of us to report anything suspicious
via both phone and e-mail.
http://becoming-a-new-yorker.blogspot.com/2009/01/trying-to-beat-traffic.html
FYI I posted a brief blog about the twitter US Air 154 coverage which might interest you. Thanks for providing ‘the shot’ seen ’round the world and a great example of the power of new media. I am waiting for US Airways to show up on twitter… but not holding my breath.
http://www.mikemoran.com/mt/mt-tb.cgi/662
i saw u on with rick sanchez. you were great. don’t know which one of you was more handsome. haaah!
Theres a plane in the Hudson
Bürger-Journalismus und Twitter
Am 15.1. schaute ich zufällig gerade eine Nachrichtensendung im Fernsehen, als der Nachrichtensprecher sagte: Moment, wir bekommen gerade eine Info herein, dass ein Flugzeug in den Hudson-River gestürzt ist. Wi…
The twinterview with Janis Krums is now on my blog. All questions came from the twittersphere. They cover everything you could want to know…the crash, the photo, copyright issues, capt sully, relationship status and more!
http://thirdsectorlab.co.uk/?p=27
Social media has now gone mainstream and things will never be the same.
Exactly, we are in the growing phase and this will be an exciting time to be part of it.
hmmm.. this may be by the chance, but I believe it’s true!