It’s no small accomplishment to launch a new magazine, newspaper, Web site or any other news-oriented product. It takes dedication, staff and cash. So when a new pub hits the streets, we should celebrate.

The Charleston, S.C.-based company where I work, Setcom Media Inc., has launched a new quarterly statewide business magazine, SCBIZ. The first issue came out about a week ago and we’re getting great reviews. Setcom Media’s primary product is the Charleston Regional Business Journal, a bi-weekly business publication focused on local news. So going statewide was a big step for this 11-year-old company.

Not only is SCBIZ a print magazine, it’s an online venture with a new Web site and a new daily e-mail, SCBIZ Daily, that offers a roundup of business news from South Carolina. The e-mail hits Inboxes Feb. 26 and it will be exciting to watch these online efforts grow and expand.

What’s your company up to these days? How is it using new media and technology? How are readers/viewers responding? Send me an e-mail at hfisher@spj.org or post a comment.

The recently formed chapter of SPJ at Flagler College in St. Augustine, Fla., is making strides for journalism, both on campus and around the community.

Though the organization is young (established in 2006), the Flagler College chapter has already participated in and organized many events, including:

• hosting a talk with David Carlson, former president of SPJ
• sponsoring an informational event for Oxfam, a relief organization working to end hunger and poverty around the globe
• hosting a talk and question/answer session with Jeannie Blalock, award-winning journalist with First Coast News in Jacksonville

Upcoming events include:

• A campus-wide competition for excellence in journalism. There will be three categories: 1) print journalism, 2) broadcast journalism and 3) photo journalism. Judges of the contest will consist of professionals in the field, and cash prizes will be awarded to the winners.
• Communications Week on campus, March 5-10.
• The week will culminate in a seminar on Florida’s Sunshine and Public Record Laws, hosted by the Florida Press Club March 10. The event will include a speaker from the First Amendment Foundation, a reporter from the Jacksonville Times-Union, and free membership to the Florida Press Club. The public is invited to attend.

The officers for the SPJ 2006-2007 year are Andrew Bernius, president; Molly McCormick, vice president; Andrea Huls, secretary; and Ashley Emert, treasurer.

The next chapter meeting is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 8.

For more information on the Flagler College Student Chapter, contact adviser Helena Sarkio at hsarkio@flagler.edu.