By Dwight Woodward
By the time you read this, word of Ohio University's ongoing battle with Ohio State University over the trademark of the word "OHIO" will have spread to fans of the popular "Today" morning news show.
Freelance p roducer Mike Leonard and his crew visited campus Oct. 21 and interviewed students and university officials about the dispute. Leonard also visited the Columbus campus of Ohio State in preparation for a segment that was scheduled to air in November.
Ohio State, in a federal lawsuit, is contesting Ohio University's trademark of the word "OHIO" on athletic uniforms and sporting goods.
"I think it is a good story, and it definitely got a reaction when I brought it up with people ," Leonard said. "The fact that one word can be so important is interesting."
Leonard interviewed Director of Legal Affairs John Burns and the Singing Men of Ohio, visited an exhibit on "Ohio" at Alden Library and stopped by a class in progress.
Leonard, who worked for NBC for 10 years, now has his own production company. Assisting Leonard with the story were his son, Matt, a videographer, and his brother Jack, the crews sound man.
While Leonard is known for hi s humorous takes on life, he promised not to poke fun at the schools' ongoing dispute.
"I try to do a humorous piece without just telling a joke -- I try to tell the truth," Leonard said. "The humor will come in how it is edited."
Leonard said the OSU officials were very congenial, but "I like this campus better. It is classic and very beautiful."
While Leonard comes up with many of the ideas for his segments, which often focus on humorous elements of everyday l ife, this idea came from NBC.
Vice President for University Relations Adrie Nab had sent Ohio University alumnus and "Today" show co-anchor Matt Lauer background news clips and information on the legal challenge. Leonard said Lauer forwarded it to the show's coordinating producer, who reviewed it with other producers during a story meeting. It was judged a viable story, and the group determined that Leonard was the reporter best-suited to handle the assignment.
Assistant Vice Presid ent for University Relations Bryan McNulty said there are benefits to the national attention.
"One effect of the Ohio State challenge is that it gives us very valuable national publicity making the distinction between two major universities, Ohio University and Ohio State University," McNulty said.
