Challenges Broadcast Journalists Face in Today’s Media Environment

June 5, 2025 by

To say that today’s media environment is hyper-partisan is an understatement.

And many people are stepping away from TV news outlets and turning to social media platforms that further promote divisiveness with dis- and misinformation.

This climate has certainly increased the challenges broadcast journalists face.

Challenges Broadcast Journalists Face

The timing is far from ideal. Disengagement comes at the same time that Chat GPT and other generative AI are upending the norms of how content is generated and by whom. Plus, platforms are ridding themselves of the fact-checkers who once kept information relatively safe.

As such, broadcast journalists are digging into how to respond to this so that people can access important information they need to make informed decisions. The following actions are essential (but far from easy these days) for broadcast journalists to take.

Don’t Resort to Clickbait Journalism

Given the withdrawal of viewers, there’s an appeal to attract them with clickbait headlines or overly in-depth reporting. This is a guaranteed way to get noticed by TV news talent agents. But for all the wrong reasons. And you can be sure you’ll have a hard time getting placed with any respectable news outlet.

Good broadcast journalists with integrity prioritize facts over sensationalism and provide analysis and context that go beyond the headlines. They focus on stories that are of interest to the public and hold powerful entities accountable.

Maintain Objectivity

Broadcast journalists are under fire to present a fair and balanced story. Unfortunately, this often results in giving equal weight to claims that aren’t substantiated. And the number of fringe viewpoints seeping into the mainstream is ever-increasing – making the line between news and opinion blurry.

To maintain objectivity, broadcast journalists must prioritize factual information from verifiable sources when presenting both sides. Using clear and concise language also goes the distance in sensationalizing or editorializing a story.

Present Multiple Perspectives

Well-rounded reporting is crucial in establishing the credibility of a story. Even so, providing a variety of viewpoints without proper context can create confusion and undermine that credibility. Broadcast journalists must be able to identify credible sources based on relevant expertise and a proven track record. Any opposing views presented should be in the context of factual information that highlights areas of disagreement and consensus.

Allow the Facts to Speak for Themselves

Broadcast journalists – and in particular investigative journalists – serve a critical role in maintaining a democracy. They do this by uncovering truths and holding institutions accountable. In this polarized environment though, such reporting is often dismissed as biased based on the target of the investigation.

This is why broadcast journalists must uphold the highest journalistic standards and ensure that evidence is well-sourced and verified. In this way, they can allow facts to speak for themselves.

Are You a Broadcast Journalist Seeking Representation?

Broadcast journalists play a critical role in a healthy democracy. But the challenges broadcast journalists face in this divided landscape make their jobs all the more challenging.

If you’re an anchor or news reporter who’s committed to unbiased reporting, you need a TV news talent agent who shares this vision.

Mort Meisner is that agent. Contact him today to see how he can make you a name to remember (for all the right reasons) in broadcast journalism.

Filed Under: Blog

FAQs About Mort Meisner Associates

May 20, 2025 by

If you’re a TV news anchor, reporter, meteorologist, or sports reporter, you’ve probably heard of Mort Meisner Associates.

Mort is one of the most well-known and experienced TV news talent agents in the business.

So if you’re on the lookout for representation that’s a cut above the rest, we’ll answer the most FAQs about Mort Meisner in this post.

FAQs About Mort Meisner Associates

First of all, we want to start by saying that if you sign up with Mort Meisner Associates, you will be working one-on-one with Mort Meisner himself. Despite the name of the agency which sounds vaguely like one of those large law firms named after a big-time attorney who would never represent you, this is not the case with Mort.

He will be your guy.

So What Makes Mort So Special?

Mort has over 20 years of newsroom experience. He’s had direct experience as a major market news director, assistant news director, investigative producer, managing editor, and/or assignment editor is a great place to start.

Recognized as an industry expert, Mort is frequently quoted with regard to the news media and is cited in college textbooks on the subject. Many of today’s decision-makers, news directors, and general managers, worked with or for Mort during the span of his career. Relationships drive this business and since Mort has the advantage of knowing so many key players personally, he can reach them directly and get honest feedback on talent.

What Else Makes Mort Unique?

Mort thrives on the connection he has with his clients. Truly. You could call anyone on his impressive roster and they will verify this. With Mort, you’ll never be passed off to an administrative assistant. You’ll always be in the know about who’s viewing your reel and any interest it’s generating from station managers.

Even after Mort places talent, he’ll continue to critique your work and provide guidance to keep you on the right path to reaching your goals. He’ll use his experience and knowledge of the industry to negotiate on your behalf. Since he has a knack for breaking through all the noise of this industry, he’s able to secure you with the most beneficial salary and perks, signing bonuses, and professional development opportunities.

How Does Mort Find Job Openings?

Anybody can search websites for job openings.

But because Mort is so well-known in the industry, he has connections with news directors and management and is aware of job openings before they get posted. And since he is a long-established and respected agent, he’s regularly contacted by station talent recruiters and search firms inquiring about talent that would fit their needs.

In addition, he regularly attends industry events and conferences to stay familiar with the top networks, large broadcasters, and even local executives. He makes the extra effort to put himself out there so he knows what decision-makers want when they set out to hire talent.

Will Mort Help With My Reel?

Of course he will! Although it may not seem like it, a lot goes into coming up with a great demo reel for TV news talent. And your current demo reel may not be highlighting your talents in the best light.

When it comes to creating and critiquing reels, Mort is a true pro. He knows there are various “tricks” reporters can use to make their reels memorable to the average hiring manager and will help you produce a reel that will make you more marketable.

As a veteran in the industry, he does have certain recommendations he offers news talent depending on their career goals. The requirements for an actor reporter, for instance, will be different than for a regular reporter or a hard news reporter.

Will I Be Competing Against Mort’s Other Talent for the Same Job?

Some agencies send one composite reel that features multiple clients for a job. Mort is not down with this. He believes in marketing you specifically for a job and not just lumping your reel in with other Mort Meisner Associates talent. Mort takes pride in matching talent with jobs that are tailored for them – based on the specifications of both the talent and the hiring manager. That’s why he focuses on sending out individual talent reels.

Now You Know!

We hope the answers to these FAQs about Mort Meisner have left you more informed. Whether you’re an aspiring broadcast meteorologist or a seasoned anchor, you should be getting the most from your TV news talent agent.

Your agent should be doing more than just placing you. He or she should be offering you guidance every step of the way.

So if you’re ready to see firsthand what Mort Meisner can offer you, contact him today.

Filed Under: Blog

TV News Talent Agent Mort Meisner Has Always Recognized Talent

May 7, 2025 by

Exceptional TV news talent has more than just great stage presence. While that’s a necessary component, there has to be far more than that.

That’s why talent agent Mort Meisner is frustrated that the industry is moving away from hiring singular talent and replacing it with teams.

And when it comes to recognizing true talent, he’s one of the best in the country. He’s found more than his fair share.

A Couple of Success Stories

When Meisner first started his agent business, one person who stood out among others was Craig Nigrelli. When Meisner met Craig, he had aspirations of becoming an anchor. He also had an agent who didn’t believe in him.

Meisner recognized he was rough around the edges, but believed he could do it. So Nigrelli fired his current agent and Meisner got him a morning anchor job quickly. Of the large pool of talent he now represents, Nigrelli continues to have Meisner represent him and is an anchor in Wichita.

As Meisner became further established as an agent, he was frequently approached by those not in the broadcasting industry looking to change jobs. Irika Sargent was one of those people.

Several years ago, she reached out to him and said she was an attorney who was interested in becoming an anchorwoman. Meisner recognized that she had all the necessary elements in place to make it as an anchor. He also recognized that it would take some time and told her that she’d have to take a major pay cut. Fortunately, Sargent was willing.

From there, she started in a small market in the south, moved up to Houston then eventually Miami. She is now in Chicago where she’s the top female anchor both in background and credibility.

Mort Meisner Has Always Recognized Talent

Of course, an agent isn’t solely responsible for a client’s success. There are always going to be those who have more natural talent than others. They’re just hard-wired for it. Still, no matter your level of talent, having an experienced agent can give you distinct advantages.

When Allen Devlin reached out to Meisner 3 1/2 years ago, he was a reporter at the NBC affiliate in Greenville, South Carolina. Demonstrating serious natural talent, he’d already won several prestigious awards. His goal was to get back to his hometown of Atlanta though. So he reached out to Meisner to figure out how to make that happen. Devlin had a fantastic reel that Meisner oversaw.

With that, Meisner was able to take advantage of his multiple contacts at the CBS affiliate and other stations in the market. Soon enough, there was a bidding war for Devlin’s services.

Recognizing true talent, several stations in the Atlanta market and beyond were courting Devlin. He landed seventeen interviews and received nine offers. He ultimately accepted one of those offers in his hometown of Atlanta. Since that time, he has continued to grow as a reporter and has become an outstanding anchor. Meisner continues to be his agent.

Championing for Every Client

Mort Meisner has always recognized talent and he continues to be a champion for news talent all over the country – fighting every day to ensure they get the benefits and the pay they deserve.

For a deep dive into how Mort started his career and became a true agent of change, you can read his memoir, Enough to Be Dangerous.

And if you’re a broadcast news anchor, reporter, sports reporter, or meteorologist ready to experience the benefit of working with one of the most experienced and well-connected TV news talent agents in the country, contact Mort today! He WILL do everything in his power to get your dream placement.

Filed Under: Blog

TV News Talent Agent Believes in Educating the Public with FACTS

April 10, 2025 by

Back in 2020, former President Barack Obama spoke of the disturbing fact that so many people voted for a man with whom he felt he had absolutely nothing in common. But he made an important point:

“The voters are divided. It has now become a contest where issues, facts, [and] policies per se don’t matter as much as identity and wanting to beat the other guy. You know, that’s taken priority. I do think the current media environment adds to that greatly. This democracy doesn’t work if we don’t have an informed citizenry.”

Four years later, here we are. And TV News talent agent Mort Meisner is even more passionate about the responsibility media has in educating the public with FACTS. It’s an enduring theme in his memoir, Enough to Be Dangerous.

Just the Facts, Ma’am: Educating the Public with FACTS

Mort often recalls one of the biggest stories he would cover – the Tonya Harding/Nancy Kerrigan attack in 1994. The story made international and national headlines.

Incredibly well-connected, Mort knew Detroit Police Chief Ike McKinnon and used him as a source on every aspect of the story. With McKinnon’s intelligence and the mad skills of investigative reporter Scott Lewis, Mort’s CBS affiliate station in Detroit was uncovering the whole seemingly unbelievable and warped plot while national and international media circles couldn’t figure out how they were getting the story before everyone else.

When the CBS network questioned the veracity of the crazy story and asked Mort for his sources, he refused. They threatened to not broadcast the story, to which Mort simply responded, “Fine. Don’t use the story.” When CBS turned it down, Mort gave it to NBC instead. Even though they were his competition, he knew the facts needed to be presented.

Is What We’re Hearing True?

It’s gotten increasingly difficult to know how much of what is out there is fact, and how much is mis-, dis-, or even mal-information.

While Mort was working at ABC in Chicago in 1983, a fire started in the lavatory of an Air Canada flight that spread between the outer skin and inner panels of the plane. It was required to make an emergency landing.

Ninety seconds after the plane landed, the doors were opened. The heat of the fire combined with the fresh oxygen from the open exit doors created dangerous flashover conditions. The plane’s interior was immediately engulfed in flames – killing 23 passengers who had not yet been evacuated.

Mort had a source at the Federal Aviation Administration (remember them?) who provided him with these horrifying facts. So while national newscasts were reporting there were few or no injuries, Mort’s local news was reporting otherwise with the data they had.

This underscores the importance of having impeccable sources. Especially now, when so much bad information is being rolled out as factual.

Demanding Integrity and Truth

Back in that same interview in 2020, Obama went on to say, “I think we’re gonna have to work with the media… to find ways to inform the public better about the issues and to bolster the standards that ensure we can separate truth from fiction.”

Mort couldn’t agree more. His objective has always been to uncover the facts and present them with integrity and truth. And he looks for the same passion in his clients.

So if you’re seeking a TV news talent agent who emphasizes educating the public with FACTS, then contact Mort today. And to get an inside look at Mort’s passion in action, pick up a copy of his memoir. You’ll be entertained, inspired, and even a little bit aghast at times!

Filed Under: Blog

You Need a TV News Talent Agent to Break Through the Noise

March 19, 2025 by

Being a broadcast journalist can be brutal. Maybe this quality is what drew you to it!

Whatever the case, in the highly competitive race for best ratings, stories, and career advancement, even the most talented TV news anchors, reporters, and meteorologists can get lost in the din.

If you can relate to this feeling, then it’s time to secure a TV news talent agent to break through the noise.

The Benefits of Hiring a TV News Talent Agent to Break Through the Noise

When you work with an experienced agent who has connections, prowess, and savvy, you stand a much better chance of seeing your career soar to new heights. A well-connected agent knows how to secure opportunities for you that can transform your career trajectory.

How do they do this?

Highlight Personal Branding

The world of broadcast is full of noisy talking heads that can become difficult to tell apart. An excellent agent knows the value of personal branding and how to parse out what makes you unique. And he or she will work tirelessly toward this end.

Along with carefully reviewing your resume reel, they offer suggestions and constructive feedback for your demo reel. An effective agent will identify your niche – the place where you truly shine – and then do everything in their power to highlight this area of expertise.

This branding also extends to your online presence; ensuring that your personal website and social media profiles showcase your strengths.

Use Powerful Negotiation Tactics

Even if you thrive on the wild and woolly industry of broadcast, you may feel a little sheepish when it comes to salary negotiation. That’s not unusual.

An experienced TV news agents uses their experience and knowledge of the industry to negotiate on your behalf. Because he or she has a knack for breaking through all the noise, they’re able to secure you with the most beneficial salary and perks, signing bonuses, and professional development opportunities.

Take Advantage of a Strong Network

Does your current agent understand the subtle shifts that regularly occur in news formats, viewer preferences, and tech? Are they able to anticipate these shifts and changes so they can position you for success? A lot of this has to do with how well-connected your agent is.

Any agent who doesn’t have an expansive network of relationships with decision-makers such as news directors, executive producers, and station managers is not going to help you get very far. You need an agent who regularly attends industry events, conferences, and social gatherings. Doing so is crucial for building rapport and trust, and gaining insider access to possible opportunities for you long before they become public.

See Placement As Only the First Step

If your agent’s only goal is to get you placed and then move on to the next client, you and your career deserve more than that. Much more.

The difference between an excellent TV news agent and an average one is the ongoing support and guidance they provide their clients throughout their careers. When it comes to contract negotiation, crisis management, and development advice, you need a TV news talent agent who’s going to be there every step of the way.

So if you don’t have that with your current agent, it’s time to move on.

Insist on the Best TV News Talent Agent

To get ahead in your career as a broadcast journalist, you need a TV news talent agent to break through the noise and empower your career journey.

Mort Meisner is that agent. He possesses the skills and connections that will help you thrive, while providing the support you need to have a successful career in broadcast journalism.

So contact him today to get started. And enjoy the advantages of his extensive experience.

Filed Under: Blog

Why You Need a TV News Talent Agent As Your Guide

March 7, 2025 by

Most broadcast reporters, anchors, meteorologists, and sports reporters have a plan for where they want to be at a certain point in their careers. Especially those who are relatively young and/or new to the industry.

But, as they say, life is what happens while we’re busy planning.

As any experienced TV news talent agent will remind their clients – young and not-so-young – things don’t always go as planned. What’s more, the best-laid plan doesn’t always garner the best result. That’s why you need a TV news talent agent as your guide.

Are You Getting What You Need from Your Agent?

Whether you’re an aspiring broadcast meteorologist or a seasoned anchor, you should be getting the most from your TV news talent agent. But how do you know if that’s happening?

If you’re brand new to having an agent, you may not even be aware of what job duties your agent should be performing. And if you’ve been working with the same agent for a very long time, you may have fallen into an established rut where you’ve lowered your expectations.

Yes, experience matters. Ultimately, you want an agent with experience in the newsroom so they understand the world you’re navigating. Ideally, an agent with direct experience as a major market news director, assistant news director, investigative producer, managing editor, and/or assignment editor is a great place to start.

But your agent should also be doing more than just placing you. He or she should be offering you guidance every step of the way.

Why You Need a TV News Talent Agent As Your Guide

Moving forward in your career should never be only about making more money. A good agent will ask you to consider whether your next career move is the best choice for you on many different levels.

For instance, have you come far enough in your career development? An aspiring reporter or meteorologist needs to have stellar writing skills, tracking skills, and live skills. In addition, an up-and-coming reporter needs to hone their source development skills. If these aren’t at the level where they should be, it may not be wise to take that higher-paying position just yet. Your TV news agent should be able to consult you on this.

On the flip side, is the job that’s being offered in the market that you want not paying enough given your level of experience? Your agent should be aware of this and encourage you to strongly consider whether it’s in your best interest to take it when you’re worth so much more. Taking a low-paying job in a place where you won’t thrive (even if it is a bigger market) is not the recipe for success.

What Does Good Guidance Look Like?

Many motivating factors determine a TV news reporter’s or meteorologist’s plan.

For example, perhaps a broadcast sports reporter spent three years developing their skills in a mid-70s market, then took a job in a mid-30s market for two years to further fine-tune their abilities. Their ultimate goal is to get into a mid-teens market and back to their hometown.

But when that opportunity presents itself, an agent should always encourage the talent to think about whether they’re really ready to make the jump to the big time or is more seasoning in order? After all, if they don’t succeed in that market, how might it affect their long-term career?

Even if you ARE a seasoned vet in the TV news talent world, an experienced agent should always be a sounding board for you. Maybe you’re doing very well in a market like Dallas, but your goal is to get to New York. Do you take the first job that’s offered there and hope you can move up? Or do you hold out for your first or second choice position? You should be able to consult with your agent about what he or she thinks is the best decision.

Is Your Agent Truly Interested in Your Success?

If you’re interested in moving forward in your career as a whole person and not just the sum of your parts, then you understand why you need a TV news talent agent as your guide.

Mort Meisner is that agent.

So if you’re ready to use Mort as the ultimate sounding board, contact him today. Having a caring agent with experience and a wide scope can make a huge difference.

Filed Under: Blog

Pairing Amazing News Talent with a Great Agent

February 17, 2025 by

If you’ve been an on-air personality on the TV news circuit for a little bit but haven’t quite made a name for yourself, you may need a better TV news talent agent.

Then again, it could be that you haven’t quite found your footing in the industry and are wondering where you could be stronger.

Whatever the case, success is most easily found when pairing amazing TV news talent with a great agent.

Do You Possess the Qualities of Amazing TV News Talent ?

If you’ve worked a job or two but don’t seem to be going anywhere, you may be missing something.

First and foremost, the key to landing more work and moving up in the industry starts with serious leadership skills. Especially if you’re jockeying for a prestigious position such as lead anchor. And always bring your authentic self. You can bet that the modern viewing public can easily spot if you’re being fake. And if you’re seen as insincere, you will not go far. Never underestimate the importance of highlighting your integrity and humanity. Any robot can report the news. Just ask AI.

In addition, if you want to advance as a broadcaster, you need to be able to get to the bottom of a story. And this requires solid investigative skills and the ability to know the right questions to ask to get the answers and relevant information. You should have excellent communication skills (which include navigating social media) and be able to handle pressure with aplomb.

Also, keep a strong focus on source development. Regardless of how long you’ve been in your current community, or in the industry as a whole, a committed broadcast journalist is always ready to give his or her contact information to community leaders such as city council members, the police, government officials, etc.

Finally, any broadcast journalist who claims that they eat, drink, sleep, and breathe news isn’t passionate so much as neurotic. And this will come across. So it’s important to have other aspects of your life that are equally important (if not more so). Maintain balance in your life to maintain balance in your career.

What Makes For an Exceptional TV News Talent Agent?

Just as there are factors that make for amazing talent, a great agent has specific qualities as well.

Being a TV news talent agent is multifaceted.

You definitely want an agent with experience in the newsroom so they understand the world you’re navigating. Ideally, an agent with direct experience as a major market news director, assistant news director, investigative producer, managing editor, and/or assignment editor is a great place to start. (Bonus points for someone who has ALL of these.)

Not only does this give your agent an edge as far as experience, but it also means that they will have connections that others won’t. And this is crucial.

Furthermore, when a TV news talent agent recognizes true potential, he or she should be willing to coach such individuals to help them find the best job for the most money. Having an agent who does this will likely get you at least 15-20% more than you would get on your own.

Also, you want an agent who regularly attends industry events and conferences; someone familiar with the top network, large broadcasters, and even local executives? An agent who’s making the extra effort to put themselves out there is going to be more in the know about what decision-makers want when they set out to hire talent.

Do You Need a Better TV News Talent Agent?

Maybe you’re already a superstar news personality. Or perhaps you’re relatively new to the industry but have what it takes to become a superstar.

Whatever the case, if you’re not where you want to be, it could be that you’re not taking advantage of pairing amazing TV news talent with a great agent.

Don’t hesitate to contact Mort Meisner. With a highly experienced agent on your side, you’ll have so many more advantages you just don’t have with a subpar agent or on your own. Your career awaits.

Filed Under: Blog

TV News Talent Agent Stresses the Importance of Patience

February 7, 2025 by

They say that patience is a virtue.

Whoever ‘they’ are, they’re right. And nobody knows this better than Mort Meisner – one of the longest-established and most successful TV news talent agents in the business

In his 25 years of placing talent, he’s far too often seen young or new talent in their first, second, and even third jobs, impatient to shoot up the ladder to success. And for those with a TV news talent agent who didn’t have their backs, that success was often elusive. To say the least.

The Trap of Impatience

There’s nothing wrong with being ambitious and aiming to be the best.

But the news industry can be brutal. And for novice TV news reporters and meteorologists, it can be especially daunting. The inclination to grab whatever opportunity comes their way can be very tempting.

And this is understandable. They want to get ahead, make a name for themselves, and, of course, enjoy the financial benefits that come with a higher-paying job. As Meisner has seen, however, such impatience can result in career issues and even disaster. He calls this “short-term gain in long-term pain”

He’s witnessed many truly talented people blow up their careers because they simply weren’t ready for the job(s) they landed. As just one case in point, a young woman whose father was the president of a major network was repeatedly pushed into jobs that didn’t yet suit her. She simply wasn’t ready. And so she failed miserably, over and over again.

Discouraged and burnt out, she was washed out of the business. She would eventually resurface and with proper guidance, encouragement, and patience, would become the host of a nationally televised syndicated tabloid show. Yes, this was a happy ending. But she didn’t get there without having to go backward market-wise – and with a lot of suffering along the way.

The Importance of an Experienced TV New Talent Agent

Any agent worth his or her salt does more than simply place talent.

An experienced TV news talent agent provides stellar guidance to talent throughout the term of their existing contract while helping them to prepare for their next opportunity. It’s up to the agent to counsel the talent on what is appropriate for them in terms of their ability and experience and to inform them when the best opportunity opens for them.

At the end of the day, a solid agent helps burgeoning talent understand what they’ll be getting into with a new job and whether they have the chops yet handle it. In other words, they have to be unafraid to tell the talent what they need to hear versus what they want to hear. Even if that means advising talent to be patient and stay somewhere an extra year on an extension or even two years on a new contract if it’s going to benefit them in the long run.

Because that’s their job.

Does Your TV News Talent Agent Put Your Needs First?

If you feel that your TV news talent agent is more interested in making a buck on placing you than seeing you advance as a person, then it’s time to switch gears.

Contact Mort Meisner today to see how he can help you do more than just climb that ladder to success.

He’ll show you how to thrive.

Filed Under: Blog

What Are the Perks of Being in Local Broadcast News?

January 24, 2025 by

If you’re an adventurous and curious person who still believes in the power of media, you may be considering working as a broadcast news anchor, reporter, broadcast meteorologist, or sports reporter.

It’s a good plan – given that there are still distinct perks of being in local broadcast news.

Possessing the ability to deliver an interesting story in a concise and compelling way is an obvious requirement, of course. And you need to have the personality and the flair to resonate with your audience. But if you have all of that in place, a career in local broadcast news could be for you.

Some of the Perks of Being in Broadcast News

Even though the industry is evolving and adapting to the presence of online news, it still attracts bright and driven people because of the many benefits it offers. Among them are the following:

  1. Being Right in the Action

Working in a newsroom, your job is dictated by deadlines. And you want to deliver the best story (based on facts) within the parameters of those deadlines. This is exciting enough. But you may also be outside the newsroom, where the ACTUAL action occurs, to report on it.

  1. Opportunity to Meet Interesting People

As a local news broadcaster, you’ll interview a wide range of diverse people who hail from a variety of backgrounds. This is an invigorating aspect of the job for those who are highly social. It’s energizing to be around and hear the stories of people from all walks of life.

  1. Deep Connection to the Community

As a local journalist, it’s your job to know what’s happening in your community and the people who keep things running. This makes you more deeply connected with where you live and the people around you. You know the intricacies of your community in a way that most don’t.

  1. Continued Education on the Job

If you’re a curious person who loves to learn and explore, broadcast journalism is a job that pays you to do just this. You’ll continue to broaden your knowledge on all sorts of topics through investigating events occurring in your community. You’ll likely learn something new every day.

  1. Recognition

Many people work in the confines of a cubicle or an office, performing their job day after day. This isn’t to say that what they’re doing is not important. But it’s often not recognized as such. As a broadcast journalist, the research, writing, and reporting you do from day to day is public and provides insights to an audience.

  1. Chance to Travel

In line with not wanting to sit in an office or at a desk all day, local broadcast news journalists have the chance to be out and about in the community. It may not be every day, and it varies from job to job, but chances are you’re not going to be sitting in the same spot 40 hours per week.

Ready to Explore a Possible Career in TV News?

If you find the perks of being in local broadcast news appealing, be sure to check out our blog on how to pursue these careers.

And if you’re already established in the business and are looking for a highly experienced TV news agent to take you to the next level, contact us today.

We’re all about the integrity in the news.

Filed Under: Blog

What Makes for a Great Demo Reel for TV News Talent?

January 10, 2025 by

If you’re a TV news reporter having trouble landing a job, it could be your demo reel.

Although it may not seem like it, a lot goes into coming up with a great demo reel for TV news talent. And your current demo reel may not be highlighting your talents in the best light.

One of your best resources is an experienced TV news talent agent who can guide you on best practices.

So Then What Makes for a Great Demo Reel for TV News Talent?

According to Mort Meisner, one of the most well-known and seasoned TV news talent agents in the country, there are various “tricks” reporters can use to make their reels memorable to the average hiring manager.

For example, Meisner recalls a reel he saw when he was a managing editor in Chicago many years ago. The talent was applying for an anchor/reporter job and she had a montage in her reel that showed her in a leotard doing somersaults, jumping jacks, and other high-energy movements.

No, she wasn’t showing off her body. She was showcasing her fitness level to demonstrate that she was fit for reporting on the “mean” streets of Chicago. She not only got the interview, but she got the job.

Years later as an agent, he worked with a news reporter who had a strong demo reel that highlighted her experience as a hard-hitting reporter. Yet, hiring managers were not biting. It wasn’t until she sent Meisner footage of her tackling a pig at a rodeo that he realized they needed to put that shot in her montage. Not surprisingly, that memorable component sparked enough interest to land her an interview. And she ultimately got the job.

Memorability matters.

Are There Rules for Making Demos?

According to Meisner, there are guidelines but not steadfast rules for making demos. He does have certain recommendations he offers news talent depending on their career goals.

If you’re an anchor reporter, your reel should be in the 13- to 15-minute range. While montages are usually ill-advised for actors, this is not the case for news talent demo reels. As such, Meisner advises a montage that’s about 50% stand ups in the field and 50% shots at the anchor desk. The talent should lead the demo after that with two blocks that showcase his or her area of reporting.

For a reporter, the average demo reel should be a little shorter at about 9-10 minutes. It should begin with a very active minute and a half to two minutes of montage with active, engaging stand ups demonstrating shots of walking and talking. This should be followed by three or four packages, preferably with live wraps. It’s critical the reporter be in the story. Hard news reporters should also include a super feature story.

Does Your Reel Truly Speak for You?

With an impressive roster of clients, it’s clear that Mort Meisner knows how to put together a great demo reel for TV news talent.

So if you feel that your demo reel isn’t getting you the attention you need to move forward on your career path, contact us today.

And let Mort help get you on track!

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