Interview with a News Director

Grape: Continuing our talks with people in the industry, today we sit down with News Director Mike Stand, who runs a newsroom in a medium market. Mike, thanks for taking the time today.

Mike: No problem. It will be a nice break from--

(Reporter enters the Nd's office)

Reporter: Mike, how come Brenda gets to anchor the noon on the Fourth of July? I thought I was next in line?

Mike: Aren't you getting married that day?

Reporter: That's besides the point.

Mike: I'm busy. We'll talk about this later.

(Reporter leaves in a huff.)

Grape: You get that kind of stuff all day?

Mike: Every day. If I didn't have silly interruptions like that I'd get a lot more work done.

Grape: So what's the worst thing about being a News Director?

Mike: You just saw it. I had no idea that psychology was so much a part of this job. What's really funny is that I worked my way up in a major market and didn't see this kind of stuff. Then when I get my first News Director job I run into massive egos, even though we're in the middle of nowhere.

Grape: So how do you deal with it?

(Mike opens desk drawer, takes out giant bottle of Tums and shakes it at me.)

Grape: Let's move on to what reporters want to know. What are you looking for in a resume tape?

Mike: Well, you've got to knock my socks off with something memorable. Remember, I grew up in a big market so I know what really good stuff looks like. I don't expect people at this level to turn out network quality stuff, but you can always tell when someone has that potential. I want to see a reporter who can enterprise stories, who can dig up stuff, who doesn't just show up and collect soundbites.

Grape: How important are live shots?

Mike: It's nice when a reporter can actually show something instead of just talk about it.

Grape: How about the montage?

Mike: Your absolute best piece of work had better be first. Give me several different looks, mix up the live shots, standups, any anchoring. And let me see some some personality.

Grape: Cover letter?

Mike: Make it clever. Don't just tell me you'll work hard, you're a team player and you're willing to do whatever it takes. Every single letter says that. Tell me what makes you different, not the same as everyone else.

Grape: Do you have any openings right now?

Mike: Yes, we're looking for a reporter. (The phone rings. Mike hits the speaker button.) This is Mike...

Voice: Hi, Mike! My name is Holly Wood and I sent you a resume tape last week and I wanted to get your first impressions...

Mike: Did you read the part of the ad that said "No Phone Calls?"

Voice: Yeah, but I figured that just applied to people who weren't aggressive...

(Mike hits the button and disconnects the call.) Mike: Now you see, that gal will go online and tell people I was rude, when she was the one who simply couldn't follow directions.

Grape: So is Holly out of the running?

Mike: She can't follow simple directions, she can't be a reporter in my newsroom.

Grape: Let's talk about economics. How are you dealing with cutbacks?

Mike: Well, it hasn't made my job easier. I really don't want to let people go or cut salaries, but I can only operate with the budget I'm given. I'm trying to cut corners so I can save people's jobs. But sometimes people have to meet me half way. I had an anchor who was grossly overpaid for this market and to be honest wasn't very talented. I asked him to take a small pay cut and he walked. He's still out of work. I took that salary and spread it around to other people who deserve it.

Grape: So who deserves a job these days?

Mike: Well, not people who complain about being passed over for anchoring on their wedding day.

(A flustered weatherman walks in.)

Weatherman: Mike, last night Corinne introduced me as James Doppler.

Mike: Uh, that's your name.

Weatherman: She's supposed to introduce me as "Chief Meteorologist" James Doppler. It's the second time this year she's done that.

Mike: I'll talk to her.

(The weatherman leaves. Mike opens his desk and takes out the bottle of Tums.)

Mike: His title is about to be "unemployed Chief Meteorologist."

Grape: So, back to people who deserve jobs...

Mike: I know it's cliche, but I love team players. People who come to the morning meetings with good story ideas. People who want feedback and don't get mad when you give it to them. People who don't waste my time with petty junk like what you just saw. Who realize this is not the network and don't have a big ego. And I love reporters with a photog mentality.

Grape: What do you mean by that?

Mike: Reporters who carry the gear, realize they're fifty percent of a team in the field. Who will go the extra mile. Trust me, I'll reward those people and when they move on I'll wish them well.

Grape: A lot of stations treat people like ingrates when they look for another job.

Mike: Well, it's the nature of the business to want to better yourself. I don't begrudge anyone who wants to move up the ladder.

Grape: One more question. How much does your station consultant play in your decisions?

Mike: (picking up phone) Let me call the consultant and ask him how to answer that.

Grape: 'Nuff said.