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.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Could we be any less creative on April 15th?
As I gaze into my crystal ball... the clouds dissipate...
I see a live truck parked near a post office.....
I see a reporter standing next to a mailbox.....
I see video from a branch of H&R Block...
Just thought I'd let you know why I'm not watching local news tonight.
Funniest thing I saw last year... the local station that had tax preps as its lead story, then announced, "Free assistance will be available tonight until six."
It was the station's six o'clock newscast.
I see a live truck parked near a post office.....
I see a reporter standing next to a mailbox.....
I see video from a branch of H&R Block...
Just thought I'd let you know why I'm not watching local news tonight.
Funniest thing I saw last year... the local station that had tax preps as its lead story, then announced, "Free assistance will be available tonight until six."
It was the station's six o'clock newscast.
Monday, April 13, 2009
RTNDA job hunting: What happens in Vegas might get you a job
In a short time some of you will be heading to Vegas for some old fashioned face-to-face job hunting. No emails, no text messages, no links to your website. Just you, one-on-one with someone who could hire you. If you've never been to RTNDA, it can be an eye opening experience.
My first convention was in the mid-80's, and I was of course armed with a satchel full of resume tapes. I had a one day pass that was given to me by a friend, so I used that time to meet as many NDs as possible. Everyone had a badge with his name and position. Reporters and anchors walked around checking out badges before faces. Since my badge said "reporter" no one paid attention to me.
I ran into a network executive I knew who gave me his badge after finding out I only had a one day pass. He was flying back to New York anyway. So the next day I had magically changed into "Network VP." All of a sudden I had all these women staring at my chest and smiling. (I know, you gals reading this are saying "Now you men know how it feels.") Now I was a guy who could change a career, and I had a parade of on-air people who wanted my time.
That's how many NDs will feel at RTNDA; their badges make them people who are in demand. All of a sudden they become rock stars at a convention.
Of course this year the turnout will probably be significantly lower than in years past. Back in the day even the cheapest stations sent their NDs to this affair. The good thing for you is that the bean counting operations won't be sending their people; so any NDs or GMs you run into will probably be from companies that are relatively decent.
Okay, so let's get down to walking the floor. The thing is usually set up like any other trade show, with booths all over the place. Companies will be selling weather equipment, editing systems, cameras, you name it. It's a toy store for NDs. But smart NDs are also keeping an eye out for good talent. It is also an opportunity to conduct interviews without spending money on plane tickets and hotels for job applicants.
First rule: dress for the job you want, not the one you have. I've seen reporters in jeans looking for jobs and some women who looked as though they were auditioning for an escort service. You need to look professional. Bring your best suits, your best outfits. You need to look as though you stepped out of a Spiegel catalog.
Second rule: it is up to you to make the first move. My "do not call" rule goes flying out the window at RTNDA. No ND is going to come up to you. You have to take the initiative. But be casual in your approach. Nothing too aggressive, as this is a casual affair for a ND. Introduce yourself, tell the ND a little about yourself, and then...
Third rule: You've gotta have a tape and resume ready to hand out. DVDs will save you a lot of space and weight in this case, and also allow a ND to look at your work immediately on a laptop. If you don't have something to hand out, this says you're the kind of person who isn't prepared.
There are also plenty of evening functions after the convention hall shuts down for the day. Some of these are open to everyone, some require an invite. You can usually wrangle an invitation from someone you meet. While these are still casual affairs for the NDs, you still have to maintain your professional look and attitude. And by attitude I mean do not drink alcohol at these affairs. You will probably see some managers hammered like they were still in college, but no one wants to hire a party person as a reporter or anchor, especially when the TV websites are frequently filled with stories about on-air people who've been arrested for drunk driving. Things are looser at these affairs, and you can easily strike up a conversation. Keep everything professional.
Collect business cards and make a list of everyone you meet. When you get home (or on the plane) write out a handwritten note to each person and stick it in the mail. NDs love on-air people who are old-school polite.
Any questions, fire away.
My first convention was in the mid-80's, and I was of course armed with a satchel full of resume tapes. I had a one day pass that was given to me by a friend, so I used that time to meet as many NDs as possible. Everyone had a badge with his name and position. Reporters and anchors walked around checking out badges before faces. Since my badge said "reporter" no one paid attention to me.
I ran into a network executive I knew who gave me his badge after finding out I only had a one day pass. He was flying back to New York anyway. So the next day I had magically changed into "Network VP." All of a sudden I had all these women staring at my chest and smiling. (I know, you gals reading this are saying "Now you men know how it feels.") Now I was a guy who could change a career, and I had a parade of on-air people who wanted my time.
That's how many NDs will feel at RTNDA; their badges make them people who are in demand. All of a sudden they become rock stars at a convention.
Of course this year the turnout will probably be significantly lower than in years past. Back in the day even the cheapest stations sent their NDs to this affair. The good thing for you is that the bean counting operations won't be sending their people; so any NDs or GMs you run into will probably be from companies that are relatively decent.
Okay, so let's get down to walking the floor. The thing is usually set up like any other trade show, with booths all over the place. Companies will be selling weather equipment, editing systems, cameras, you name it. It's a toy store for NDs. But smart NDs are also keeping an eye out for good talent. It is also an opportunity to conduct interviews without spending money on plane tickets and hotels for job applicants.
First rule: dress for the job you want, not the one you have. I've seen reporters in jeans looking for jobs and some women who looked as though they were auditioning for an escort service. You need to look professional. Bring your best suits, your best outfits. You need to look as though you stepped out of a Spiegel catalog.
Second rule: it is up to you to make the first move. My "do not call" rule goes flying out the window at RTNDA. No ND is going to come up to you. You have to take the initiative. But be casual in your approach. Nothing too aggressive, as this is a casual affair for a ND. Introduce yourself, tell the ND a little about yourself, and then...
Third rule: You've gotta have a tape and resume ready to hand out. DVDs will save you a lot of space and weight in this case, and also allow a ND to look at your work immediately on a laptop. If you don't have something to hand out, this says you're the kind of person who isn't prepared.
There are also plenty of evening functions after the convention hall shuts down for the day. Some of these are open to everyone, some require an invite. You can usually wrangle an invitation from someone you meet. While these are still casual affairs for the NDs, you still have to maintain your professional look and attitude. And by attitude I mean do not drink alcohol at these affairs. You will probably see some managers hammered like they were still in college, but no one wants to hire a party person as a reporter or anchor, especially when the TV websites are frequently filled with stories about on-air people who've been arrested for drunk driving. Things are looser at these affairs, and you can easily strike up a conversation. Keep everything professional.
Collect business cards and make a list of everyone you meet. When you get home (or on the plane) write out a handwritten note to each person and stick it in the mail. NDs love on-air people who are old-school polite.
Any questions, fire away.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Random thoughts
-Please, guys, stop obsessing about finding openings. It's great to cruise places like tvjobs and nice when you do find an opening, but don't wait for one to send a tape. I keep getting calls from people who say, "I don't see any openings" but trust me, they're out there. One of my clients got a job last year and the opening was never posted.
-This past week I had a recurring headache. Then I realized the reason. I kept getting hit with chunks of sky. Yes, there were clouds in our market and some of the weather people were in their "Let's scare the heck out of the viewers" mode. One night I was attempting to watch something on prime time through the crawls and the squeezebacks while being bombarded with warnings to hide under the bed. Meanwhile, Bella the cat was stretched out on the deck, enjoying the evening. I wish some of these weather obsessives would dial it down a notch.
-RTNDA is just around the corner. If you're going there looking for a job, don't be surprised to see a thin turnout. Stations are cutting back and travel is often the first to go out of the budget. That said, be prepared to do an immediate interview if you cruise the venue looking for NDs. (I'll do a post later this month on this topic.)
-A car wreck is not a lead story. You should all know that. But this past week I saw a station actually promote a car wreck for their late news. Wow, that'll bring in the viewers. Remember, when writing a tease, you have to start by picking a story that will actually interest viewers.
-I'm impressed with the level of writing I'm seeing from young people lately. For years this was the biggest weakness among recent grads, but it has really changed. Kudos to those college profs who stress good writing as well as other skills.
-The most common phrase I hear from new clients is, "I don't want to be a one-man-band in my next job." So if this sentence is kicking around in your head, you're not alone.
-It's a new month. Time to do a story that makes the world a better place. Did you do one in March?
-This past week I had a recurring headache. Then I realized the reason. I kept getting hit with chunks of sky. Yes, there were clouds in our market and some of the weather people were in their "Let's scare the heck out of the viewers" mode. One night I was attempting to watch something on prime time through the crawls and the squeezebacks while being bombarded with warnings to hide under the bed. Meanwhile, Bella the cat was stretched out on the deck, enjoying the evening. I wish some of these weather obsessives would dial it down a notch.
-RTNDA is just around the corner. If you're going there looking for a job, don't be surprised to see a thin turnout. Stations are cutting back and travel is often the first to go out of the budget. That said, be prepared to do an immediate interview if you cruise the venue looking for NDs. (I'll do a post later this month on this topic.)
-A car wreck is not a lead story. You should all know that. But this past week I saw a station actually promote a car wreck for their late news. Wow, that'll bring in the viewers. Remember, when writing a tease, you have to start by picking a story that will actually interest viewers.
-I'm impressed with the level of writing I'm seeing from young people lately. For years this was the biggest weakness among recent grads, but it has really changed. Kudos to those college profs who stress good writing as well as other skills.
-The most common phrase I hear from new clients is, "I don't want to be a one-man-band in my next job." So if this sentence is kicking around in your head, you're not alone.
-It's a new month. Time to do a story that makes the world a better place. Did you do one in March?
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Green Eyed Monsters: available at a conveniently located small market near you
About twenty years ago I'd just started at a new station. My first day was a Monday, and at the end of the day I was headed out of the newsroom when the Assignment Editor stopped me.
"You find an apartment?" he asked.
"Yeah, but it's not ready yet. I'm still in the hotel."
"Then why don't you come by for dinner and watch Monday Night Football with me?"
Nice, I thought.
On Tuesday the reporter at the next desk asked me if I'd gotten moved in yet. When I told him no, he said, "Well, you're having dinner with me."
That's the way to welcome someone new to your station. You're in a new city, don't know anyone, your dishes aren't unpacked and you're still a little nervous about your new work surroundings.
But lately so many clients are telling me they are being welcomed to new jobs as if they are lepers. And most of this occurs in small markets. Shakespeare called jealousy a green eyed monster, and he was dead-on with that one. The monster is rearing its ugly head with the young generation, and I think I know why.
The new generation of reporters has been raised never having been told "no" by parents. (And yes, that is the fault of my generation.) When they've been in competition, no one ever "loses" as "everyone is a winner." And then they get out into the real world and can't deal with a ND who says "no" for whatever reason. When they come in second for that promotion, they find that not everyone gets a ribbon just for participating.
Welcome to the party, pal. Real life aint fair.
And when that "no" concerns a job for which they are passed over, they turn their venom to the person who got the position. Here's the typical scenario. Job opens up, everyone in the newsroom wants it, News Director hires from the outside.
The fallout: "Let's make the new person miserable."
I'm amazed at the calls I receive from young people who get venomous comments from people they barely know. Cutting remarks on appearance, style, and reporting skills are common from people who are barely out of college. They cut down any story idea pitched by the new person.
The result, the new person goes into a shell, finds a better job in a year or two. The jealous people are still stuck, now wishing they'd been nicer to the people who might be able to help them escape. You think the person they abused will have anything nice to say about them?
This is a very small business, and one in which connections are key. People that you cut down could be in a position to help you down the road... if you're nice to them and welcome them to the station with open arms.
Time to bury the green eyed monster, kids. There will always be someone with seemingly less talent who makes more money, has a better job, and seems to get all the breaks.
Might be nice if that person were your friend instead of your enemy.
"You find an apartment?" he asked.
"Yeah, but it's not ready yet. I'm still in the hotel."
"Then why don't you come by for dinner and watch Monday Night Football with me?"
Nice, I thought.
On Tuesday the reporter at the next desk asked me if I'd gotten moved in yet. When I told him no, he said, "Well, you're having dinner with me."
That's the way to welcome someone new to your station. You're in a new city, don't know anyone, your dishes aren't unpacked and you're still a little nervous about your new work surroundings.
But lately so many clients are telling me they are being welcomed to new jobs as if they are lepers. And most of this occurs in small markets. Shakespeare called jealousy a green eyed monster, and he was dead-on with that one. The monster is rearing its ugly head with the young generation, and I think I know why.
The new generation of reporters has been raised never having been told "no" by parents. (And yes, that is the fault of my generation.) When they've been in competition, no one ever "loses" as "everyone is a winner." And then they get out into the real world and can't deal with a ND who says "no" for whatever reason. When they come in second for that promotion, they find that not everyone gets a ribbon just for participating.
Welcome to the party, pal. Real life aint fair.
And when that "no" concerns a job for which they are passed over, they turn their venom to the person who got the position. Here's the typical scenario. Job opens up, everyone in the newsroom wants it, News Director hires from the outside.
The fallout: "Let's make the new person miserable."
I'm amazed at the calls I receive from young people who get venomous comments from people they barely know. Cutting remarks on appearance, style, and reporting skills are common from people who are barely out of college. They cut down any story idea pitched by the new person.
The result, the new person goes into a shell, finds a better job in a year or two. The jealous people are still stuck, now wishing they'd been nicer to the people who might be able to help them escape. You think the person they abused will have anything nice to say about them?
This is a very small business, and one in which connections are key. People that you cut down could be in a position to help you down the road... if you're nice to them and welcome them to the station with open arms.
Time to bury the green eyed monster, kids. There will always be someone with seemingly less talent who makes more money, has a better job, and seems to get all the breaks.
Might be nice if that person were your friend instead of your enemy.
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