DFW Social Media Powerhouses: Media list

Jessie Jessup, afternoon DJ for KDGE/102.1 FM

Twitter: @JessieJessup (1,366 followers)
Why she makes the list: Afternoon DJ for KDGE/102.1 FM "The Edge." Want to know about cool videos and music, cult films, books or her on-air art contests for listeners, as well as get some random jokes, philosophy and serious discussion (sometimes with rock stars)? Jessup's your woman.
Sample tweet: "Dear Hipster, no matter how cool you think you're making it look ... It's still alcoholism" (Jan. 27)

Ron Corning, co-anchor of WFAA's Daybreak

Twitter: @roncorning (7,785 followers)
Facebook: Public figure page, 3,599 likes; personal page, 1,413 followers
Total followers: 12,797 plus
Why he makes the list: Corning, the co-anchor of News 8 Daybreak is in WFAA/Channel 8 from 4:30 to 7 a.m. -- and then seemingly on Twitter the rest of the day. Much of what he does involves engaging with viewers, but he does it well, and he'll also tweet about (actual) breaking news when it occurs.
Sample tweet: "Getting ready to kick off the Big D Climb at Fountain Place to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society!" (Jan. 26)

Jane McGarry, former KXAS anchor; current contributor to WFAA

Twitter: @TheJaneMcGarry (27,400 followers)
Facebook: Journalist page, 4,609 likes; personal page - www.facebook.com/janemmcgarry (4,999 friends, 4,548 followers)
Total followers: 41,556
Why she makes the list: McGarry, the longtime KXAS/Channel 5 anchor who left the station last year after pleading no contest to a DUI charge, announced her departure via Facebook -- where she remains engaged with a large and loyal following, often by posing a question, sometimes by just saying something that reveals her endearing humanity. On Twitter, she holds conversations with followers, and on both sites, you can see back-and-forth between her and her former NBC 5 colleagues.
Sample tweet: "So I think being on TV is kind of like riding a bike. But what if it's not ?!?!?! Eeeeee ;-)" (Jan. 21, just before her new segment "Starting Over" aired on WFAA/Channel 8.)

Bud Kennedy, columnist for Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Twitter: @budkennedy (6,951 followers); @eatsbeat (3,503 followers)
Facebook: facebook.com/bud.kennedy (5,051 followers); facebook.com/diningguy (2,691 followers)
Total followers: 18,196
Why he makes the list: Yes, we're tooting the horn of one of our own here, but Bud could teach journalists half his age a thing or two about Facebook and Twitter. He sometimes seems to be tweeting with two hands, typing news and local issues into @budkennedy and restaurant updates and opinions into @eatsbeat. He's not shy about retweeting, either, or about debating other local media folk on Twitter.
Sample Facebook post: "Very funny to read Dallas critic @cityofate complaining about the long wait at Magnolia Cheese. Folks, go at off-hours." (Jan. 28)

Brad Watson, senior reporter for WFAA

Twitter: @watsonwfaa (2,942 followers)
Why he makes the list: His tweets (and retweets) from his politics and government beat keep politics junkies in the know.
Sample tweet: "@SenTedCruz has "deep concerns" on immigration path to citizenship "such a path is both inconsistent with rule of law and profoundly unfair." (Jan. 28)

Meda Kessler, editorial director of 360 West magazine

Twitter: @Meda360 (301 followers)
Facebook: facebook.com/360West (6,500 likes); personal page (2,011 friends)
Total followers: 8,812
Why she makes the list: 360 West is a luxury magazine, but Kessler (a former Star-Telegram staffer) goes beyond luxury on social media, with restaurant news, solicitations for help with animal rescues and adoptions and occasionally simply a snarky or cranky but entertaining remark. She's best on Facebook, where she generates a lot of comments.
Sample Facebook post: "Checking out brunch at Reservoir on Foch Street. You know it's more of a bar when one of the offered sides is PBR with tomato juice." (Jan. 27)

D Magazine
Twitter: @DMagazine (29,782 followers)
Facebook: facebook.com/dmagazineonline (29,449 likes)
Total followers: 59,231
Why it makes the list: Anything relevant to Dallas? It's probably been Facebooked or tweeted here, or by one of its offshoots (@DSideDish).
Sample Facebook post: "Author Larry McMurtry calls Dallas a "second-rate city that wishes it were first-rate," ranking it below Houston, Austin and Fort Worth. Ouch. That hurts. Agree? Disagree? Read more about it here: http://bit.ly/Sx8f57" (Jan. 22)

Ed Bark, TV critic
Twitter: @unclebarkycom (2,682 followers)
Facebook: facebook.com/ed.bark (997 friends)
Total followers: 3,679
Why he makes the list: Longtime TV critic for the Dallas Morning News, Bark in 2006 launched his national and local TV website, unclebarky.com. For people who care about the DFW television market, Uncle Barky is indispensable.
Sample tweet: "Hagman carrying hr. 2 of #Dallas on his back with one killer short scene after another. And there's still a very fine one coming with LGray." (Jan. 28)

Robert Wilonsky, digital managing editor at Dallas Morning News
Twitter: @robertwilonsky (6,817 followers)
Facebook: facebook.com/Robert.wilonsky (2,380 friends)
Total followers: 9,197
Why he makes the list: Wilonsky is a longtime Dallas journalist (most recently the Unfair Park editor of the Observer) who, in his new post with the Morning News, writes, links and posts about everything from nightlife and arts to crime and local personalities. His feeds are a must-follow.
Sample Facebook post: "Long story short: [the new Twilite Lounge in Dallas is] a cross between Naomi's, the old Barley House, Ships, the Winedale and every other great bar you've ever loved." (Jan. 25)

Eric Celeste, editor in chief at Creative Loafing, contributor at Culture Map

Twitter: @ericceleste (1,804 followers)

Why he makes the list: Celeste has been in the DFW media market so long (including stints at the Star-Telegram, Dallas Morning News, Dallas Observer and as former managing editor of D Magazine) that he's got his finger on the pulse of what's going on. He's not shy about sounding off on who or what has ticked him off, or delighted him.

Sample tweet: "If you think you're too cool for Kelly Clarkson, have a great life." (Jan. 21)

Jeff Jamison, KTVT/Channel 11 meteorologist

Twitter: @CBS11JeffJam (3,692 followers)

Why he makes the list: If you're wondering what's going on outside your window, and what's coming your way, Jamison consistently tweets weather updates for North Texas.

Sample tweet: "Showers are forming ahead of main line of storms. Heaviest in Parker Co. Should stay nonsevere but find an umbrella pic.twitter.com/wuXbLW1K" (Jan. 29)