Archive for the ‘ ABOUT IVO ’ Category

Ivo Widlak

Ivo Widlak has been a journalist for more than a decade. His ability to deliver news and command an audience facilitated his rising through the ranks of Polish journalism to land him positions hosting television programs at the largest network in the country.  Widlak’s broadcast proficiency includes editing and production, filming and hosting.  He added an international dimension to his experience in 2000, when he took the opportunity to host and produce a series on the United States’ democratic system and other social issues.

Widlak also has experience on the other side of press releases as a public relations specialist – a position he held at a software company responsible for informing the public about the Y2K effect. He has also worked as a publicist and social journalist for an internet portal where he wrote dozens of social reports. His work was investigative, undercover in some instances, and controversial – one piece was about meeting people for sex on the internet. H He then spent a month traveling Poland with three A-list artists and promoting a commercial radio station at the 30 concerts he attended as part of a campaign for Radio Zet, the second-largest commercial radio station in the country. In 2000, he organized, wrote script and directed the biggest charity concert in Polish history to celebrate World AIDS Day in Poland, an accomplishment of which he is extremely proud.

Widlak now works as a freelance journalist in Chicago, where he has been a special correspondent for Polish Public Broadcaster and other media outlets. He created his own 30-minute talk show titled Ivo Na Zywo (Ivo Live) on TVP Chicago which airs on Sunday evenings and prepared a hosted a 30-minute news program. In August 2009 Widlak took a post of an editor in chief of internet news source in Polish language for 2 different websites and in just one month boosts visit to the websites by 60%.


R E S U M E

PROFESSIONAL and articulate, ambitious Journalist & Broadcaster with 10+ years experience delivering

SUMMARY

News and programming for Chicago television/media and the most popular television/radio shows and publications in Poland.  Broad expertise in research, reporting, hosting, on-air narration, promotion and event coordination.  Track record of creating, writing, producing and presenting highly profitable programming for children/teens and environmental awareness.

  • Innovative and analytical thinker, able to bring proactive solutions to difficult or high-pressure situations. Combine creativity & problem-solving skills with a high attention to detail.
  • Keen aptitude for both learning and applying new concepts quickly.
  • Consistent, well-organized and dependable performer with the flexibility to adapt to constantly shifting priorities.  Always deliver on commitments.

PROFESSIONAL        Independent Project Work, Chicago, IL                                         2001 – Present

EXPERIENCE                                                                                                                           5+ years

Freelancing for Polish and Polish-American media outlets.

TVP Chicago, Chicago, IL 2004 – 2004

News Anchor, Talk-Show Host, Executive Producer                             8 months

Fulfilled multiple roles for leading television station serving the Chicago Polish   community.

Key Accomplishments:

  • Hosted, prepared and produced own 30-minute talk show.
  • Developed and hosted 30-minute daily news program featuring news from Poland as well as general international and local events.

http://www.wirtualnemedia.pl 2003 – 2004

Publicist                                                                                                  2 years

Handled media relations/publicity for this Polish language Internet site, the largest            in existence focused on mass media news and issues.

Radio ZET, Warsaw, Poland 04/2000 – 09/2000

Promotion Exwcutive                                                                     5 months

Organized promotions for the top commercial and private national radio station in Poland, with the best ratings in its group. Oversaw media sponsorship for multiple, concurrent cultural events.

Key Accomplishments:

  • Designed and launched an effective new logo, including product placements, promotional material and gifts.
  • Successfully coordinated 30 concerts throughout Poland, and traveled with 3 different artists appearing in a 10-city tour.

TVP SA, TVPolonia, Warsaw, Poland 08/1998 – 01/2000

Reporter/Journalist/Public Broadcaster/Host                             1 year 5 months

Delivered news and children’s programming for the only Polish television station broadcast on all continents around the world via satellite.

Key Accomplishments:

  • Produced and hosted the Monday segment of the most popular show for teenagers in the history of the station.  Attained highest ratings each week.
  • Demonstrated diversity by fulfilling roles as On-Air Voice Narrator, Editorial Office Head, Executive Producer and On-Air Special Assignment Reporter.

Silesian Electronic Team SC, Inicjatywa, Gliwice, Poland 05/1998 – 08/2000

Public Relations Expert                                                            2 years 3 months

Managed all public relations, including press conferences and releases, for only company in Poland informing media about Y2K.

Public Broadcasting Engagements, Poland 01/1995 – 01/1998

Host/Broadcaster                                                                                     3 years

Clients:  Wisla Television, Radio PULS, TVP SA, PLAY Films Studio

Key Accomplishments:

  • Wisla Television: Co-created, wrote and presented successful new children and teenagers’ program airing on the first regional TV station in Poland.
  • Radio PULS: Prepared and delivered 10-minute news segments every hour, for the second most popular regional radio station in Poland.  Coordinated print/vocal news and field reporters on multiple assignments.
  • TVP SA TVP1: Developed and hosted a monthly segment on ecology and environmental awareness, on the air for 20 years.
  • TVP SA TVP3: Produced filmed reports on ecology and environmental protection issues for one of 15 regional affiliates of the largest TV network in Poland.  Also co-hosted two 30-minute shows daily for children and teens.
  • PLAY Films Studio:  Researched, produced and narrated a weekly one-hour magazine program for regional cable television.

Journalism Engagements, Poland 03/1994 – 01/1995

Journalist                                                                                            10 months

Clients:  Seven Days in the Region, Local’s Review

Key Accomplishments:

  • Seven Days in the Region: Created and wrote the Arts & Culture section and covered special assignments.
  • Local’s Review: Skillfully authored articles for this 3-city weekly newspaper.

EDUCATION              College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn, IL, 2003 – 2005

Private Institute of Public Relations, Warsaw, Poland, 1999 – 2000

Private Institute of Social Psychology, Warsaw, Poland, 1998 – 1999

The Environmental Protection College, Gliwice, Poland, 1993 – 1998

SPECIAL    PROJECTS

Z&T Television Company, Poland/United States (2000)

Reporter

EVENTS As independent journalist/reporter, traveled to United States to film reports and documentary on current social issues and the democratic system.

Charity Benefit Concert in honor of AIDS’ Day, Warsaw, Poland (2000)

Creator, Executive Producer, Director

Organized and managed successful event attended by First Lady of Poland. Event had broad coverage by correspondents of international media, such as Associated Press, Reuters and Hokkaido.

http://www.Ahoj.pl, Warsaw, Poland (2000)

Publicist

TVP SA, TVP1, Warsaw, Poland (1999)

Senior Supervising Producer, Polish Public Broadcaster

“Polish Summer” Program

Multiple Charity Benefits, Presenter and Host (1995 – 2000)

New chapter: Nowy Dziennik

I just began cooperation with Nowy Dziennik, one of the oldest Polish language newspaper in New York. Please visit Nowy Dziennik’s website.

Human

“What can I say about Ivo Widlak? This polish man has come to America to broaden his horizons. A star in Poland and the makings of a star in the USA. This guys is amazing. He has grown from being a child star in Poland to hosting his own tv show here in Chicago. Ivo has shown in his tv show he understands the problems face by this generation. He is willing to listen to what people have to say and give them a chance to vent their opinions. He is very opiniated also. He has his views and stands by them.

Ivo loves to live life to the fullest. He has done things that many others only dream about. He immigrated to a new country alone. He has plans to explore the world and get the most out of his experience on this planet. From bungee jumping to sky diving, scuba diving, gee Id bet he would love to wrestle a crocodile if he had the chance. That?s what I like about him, willing to give anything a go at anytime.

Ivo is a very loyal and caring person. He does not forget where he has come from. He has close ties with his family and very strong ties with his loyal friends. He doesn?t suffer fools well. He likes to give to make people happy and is always trying to ensure those around him are the happiest they can be. Loyal friends for Ivo are his grounding. It is they that keep him level headed.

Ivo is a compassionate person. He would give you his last dollar he had if you needed it more than he did. He donates time and energy to a lot of causes. The homeless, the hungry, the sick are but a few. He understands people, where they have come from, what they are feeling and uses this to help them wherever and however he can. He does not judge based on colour, race or sexual orientation. To him we are all human.

Ivo is about living life to the maximum. He is stylish always wearing the latest clothing. He is bold. He is elegant. He knows what he wants from life and is going to get it. He has drive, passion and determination. He will succeed. He will face many challenges ahead of him, but he will conquer them all and charge forward. Good luck to him.”

- Charles Lowry

Normalny

“Ludzie,

Pan Ivo nie jest ani dziennikarzem odważnym ani wyjątkowym. Jest po prostu jednym z pierwszych dziennikarzy – normalnych. Nie piszących pod nikogo – mam nadzieje. Tak wygląda dziennikarstwo. Faktami prosto w ryj. Dziennikarz nie powinien nawet pokuszać się o komentarz, chyba, że jest to felieton albo wyraża swoją opinię. I tak robi Ivo. Może wreszcie w naszej buraczanej Polonii zacznie się era prawdziwego dziennikarstwa?”

- anonimowy internauta – 8 luty 2010

Warunki konieczne

“Odsłona pierwsza:

Dobrze pamiętam moje pierwsze spotkanie z Widłakiem – kręcone włoski, lekko okrągła sylwetka i bystro-przenikliwe oczy tworzyły dość zaskakującą kompilacje, no bo jak “aniołek” może mieć tak przenikliwe spojrzenie? W tych oczach było jeszcze coś co mówiło: “Wiem czego chcę i nie popuszczę!”.

Odsłona druga:

Potem zaczęł się jego przygoda dziennikarska w programie dla dzieci i młodzieży.
Szybko okazało się, że jest doskonale zorientowany “co, gdzie, kiedy” a jeśli jakaś ważna informacja mu się wymknęła to natychmiast wiedział gdzie i jak do niej dotrzeć, wykazując przy okazji, że pojęcie zmęczenia i czasu dla niego nie istnieje. To, powiem szczerze, bardzo mi się podobało, bo w pracy dziennikarskiej to warunek konieczny.
Został odpowiedzialny za serwis informacyjny w programie. Po jakimś czasie zaczął go również prezentować na antenie.
Bardzo mi się spodobał, kiedy po latach wystąpił w moim programie już jako gość. Miał za zadanie poruszyć i troche zbulwersować zebranych w studiu, po to by dyskusja na temat snobizmu wakacyjnego była gorąca i to udało mu się doskonale!
Ja osobiście zawsze mogłam liczyć na jego pomoc, w sprawach zarówno zawodowych jak i prywatnych pozwalając sobie jednocześnie na dość odważne słowa krytyki pod jego adresem, w momentach kiedy coś mi się nie podobało. To rzadka cecha!

Podoba mi się że jest człowiekiem, który podejmuje różne wyzwania, aby w końcu dopiąć swego i chciałabym tylko, aby nie przekroczył cienkiej granicy dobrego smaku i gustu w tym co robi…”

- Małgorzata Frydrych, TVP S.A. Katowice

Zapaleniec

“Tak na serio, to chłopak, który potwierdził regułę, że dla chcącego nie ma niczego trudnego, i że właściwie nie ma rzeczy, której nie można załatwić i osoby, której nie można zaprosić do udziału w programie. A oprocz tego facet o duzym poczuciu humoru.

Punktualny, rzeczowy, czasami tylko za bardzo gadatliwy, ale nie ma ludzi z samymi zaletami. Jeżeli się do czegoś zapali, to do tego doprowadzi. Warto takiego poznać i z nim popracować. Pracować z Ivo Widlakiem to wielka przyjemność!”

- Beata Waszczuk, TVP S.A.


Świeże spojrzenie

“Ivo Widlaka spotkałem po raz pierwszy w 1998 roku w Radiu Puls.
Miałem przyjemność zaprosić go do pracy w ramach kierowanych przeze mnie działów w Silesian Electronic Team SA i Radiu Zet.
Bez względu na to, jakie były nasze relacje: pracownik-pracownik, czy szef-pracownik, to współpraca z Ivo Widlakiem układała się zawsze bardzo dobrze. Swieże spojrzenie, profesjonalizm mimo młodego wieku i duże zaangażowanie w pracę to niewatpliwe jego zalety.”

- Jarosław Guc, Radio Zet

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