SPJ Phoenix

12/12/2025

Many thanks to all who connected and reconnected Tuesday at SPJ Phoenix’s Valley Media Holiday mixer! Great food and brews and door prizes. Happy holidays — we’ll see you in 2026!

12/04/2025

Valley media peeps: Say goodbye to 2025 with people who get you. Join colleagues and competitors 5:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, for the legendary '25, presented by SPJ Phoenix. It's at a new location: Arizona Wilderness Brewing's Miracle Mile, 1418 E. McDowell Road, just west of the 51. The SPJ chapter taps into its vast (?) treasury to spring for a plentiful array of free appetizers. We'll also have a few door prizes. Deets:

Illustration by Mark Scarp We thought of breaking into song about the 2025 edition of the one and onlyValley Media Holiday Mixer –“It’s the most…WON-derful TIME… of th…

11/26/2025

Kristin Gilger, retired ASU Cronkite School journalism professor (right) joined her son, Father Patrick Gilger, S.J. (left), Tuesday at Changing Hands bookstore in Phoenix to discuss her new book, “My Son, the Priest.” There wasn’t an empty seat for their discussion!

11/14/2025

SPJ's national organization recently honored SPJ Phoenix with its 2025 Circle of Excellence Award for Professional Development. It's the second time in three years that our chapter has received this honor (we won it in 2023 as well). In announcing the award, SPJ cited the long-running Valley Publicity Summit, efforts to revitalize the First Amendment Coalition of Arizona and relevant programs for journalists. Many thanks from a grateful Valley of the Sun pro chapter! https://wp.me/pzYUS-1n9

11/01/2025

Valley media peeps: Feel that chill in the air? (OK, we didn't, either.) But mark your calendars anyway for 5:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, for the one and only '25, presented by SPJ Phoenix. It's at a new location: Arizona Wilderness Brewing's Miracle Mile location, 1418 E. McDowell Road, just west of the 51's McDowell exit. The chapter taps into its vast (?) treasury to spring for a plentiful array of appetizers. Say goodbye to 2025 with people who get you. We'll also have a few door prizes. Deets:

Illustration by Mark Scarp We thought of breaking into song to tell you about the 2025 edition of the one and only, legendary Valley Media Holiday Mixer — “It’s the most…WON…

09/23/2025

What a day! The 21st annual Valley Publicity Summit is now history. Dozens of media and public relations pros spent Saturday morning connecting and reconnecting, networking and engaging and knowing how and about what local media want to be pitched with story ideas. (And no phones or computers were necessary!) Many smiles and compliments highlighted the event, including that participants appreciated the value of meeting in person people they had been emailing for years!
SPJ Phoenix thanks everyone who participated and once again made the Summit the greatest Saturday morning in Valley PR-media relations.
Special appreciation goes to Josh Weiss, Laura Slawny and their dedicated colleagues at 10 to 1 Public Relations for hosting us at their gorgeous Scottsdale offices and atrium. See you in 2026!

09/15/2025

Valley PR pros: We're having a one-day flash sale! Sign up today for SPJ Phoenix's , this Saturday, Sept. 20, and it's only $99 plus processing fee (reg. $114). Over 30 expected local media representatives will be on hand to talk story pitching with you. Hurry: Sales ends 10 p.m. today, Monday, Sept. 15. PRSA Phoenix

The greatest Saturday morning in Valley media-PR relations ( ) returns for its 21st year!

09/09/2025

Attention Valley public relations pros: We just set an all-time record. The , Presented by SPJ, is now expecting 32 representatives from 26 different Valley media outlets at its 21st annual edition Saturday, Sept. 20, in beautiful Scottsdale.
The latest onboard include KTAR News 92.3 and Independent Newsmedia. Check out the list! We have media pros from TV, radio, print, digital, podcasters and influencers looking forward to discussing their story pitch preferences with you during the greatest Saturday morning in Valley PR-media relations.
Secure your spot today for a return to our fabulous Scottsdale location, which earned high marks from PR and media professionals last year. Elevate your PR career. Step up to the Summit! (Your competitors are.)
Details, list of expected media and registration:

The greatest Saturday morning in Valley media-PR relations ( ) returns for its 21st year!

08/29/2025

SPJ Phoenix mourns the death earlier today at 75 of retired longtime azfamily 3TV CBS 5 journalist , one of Arizona's first Latino anchors. He was honest, ethical, kind and respected. Our condolences go to his family and colleagues.

Family members shared that Frank Camacho, 75, died on Friday morning after a battle with cancer.

08/27/2025

Arizona journalists: Find out what you may not know about your rights in a free online training 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 10, via Zoom, presented by SPJ Phoenix. Details, sign up to get Zoom link:

A First Amendment reporter and an Arizona media lawyer will help fill you in.

08/24/2025

Couldn't make it to see SPJ Fellow of the Society Valeria Fernández in her Aug. 21 Phoenix appearance? Our chapter website has a great a slideshow of photos! The event was cosponsored by SPJ Phoenix and the Arizona Latino Media Association.

Valley of the Sun SPJ and the Arizona Latino Media Association welcomed multimedia journalist and independent filmmaker Valeria Fernández Aug. 21 for an appearance in the art gallery at Joy on Four…

07/10/2025

Today our SPJ Phoenix chapter remembers Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist , who died recently, the Arizona Mirror reported July 8. Among Benson's many well-deserved accolades -- earned over more than four decades holding the powerful accountable with his pen -- was his 2019 induction into the chapter's Order of the Silver Key. Inductees are recognized for performing honorably in journalism for at least 25 years, the majority in Arizona, and upholding the First Amendment right of free expression. Read more:

Photo courtesy Claire Ferguson Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Steve Benson, whose sharp wit and keen moral and political insight combined with a mastery of pen and ink to hold the famous and pow…