Being a TV news talent agent can be grueling work – both mentally and physically. And for many agents who have been doing the work for a couple of decades, they start slowing down, phoning it in, or simply retire.
Not nationally-renowned TV news talent agent Mort Meisner. With more than 30 years under his belt, Mort continues to be as engaged with his clients as he was when he first started – going the extra mile in placing clients where he knows they will thrive.
But for many news reporters, meteorologists, and sports reporters, this often means taking jobs in smaller markets as they hone their skills and build a name for themselves, all with Mort’s help.
The Story of Aaron Parseghian
Many young men and women come to Mort with the dream of working in their hometown. For some of these folks, their hometown is in a larger market like New York, St. Louis, Cleveland, or Detroit. For them, the journey often takes a little longer.
This is how it worked for Aaron Parseghian. His dream was to return to his hometown of Boston.
When Aaron signed with Mort, he was in Grand Rapids. He shared with Mort his desire to work in Boston, and Mort told him he’d need one stop before having a chance there. Aaron listened to and trusted Mort, so he accepted a position in Tampa. He would spend a few years there, gaining experience in this larger market while he and Mort put together a fantastic demo reel. One that would make him especially attractive in Boston.
He would stay in contact with Mort, asking for his advice and guidance every step of the way.
The Benefit of Working with a Nationally-Renowned TV News Talent Agent
Mort believes it’s crucial that agents be upfront and honest with clients about whether they’re good enough (or will likely ever be good enough) for their hometown or dream market. In many cases, reporters or meteorologists might have what it takes to get to their dream market, but are unwilling to accept that it takes time. And without a willingness to learn and be coached in order to grow, they may never get there.
With so many years in the business, Mort could see that Aaron was a dedicated and hard worker and that he did have what it took. And it didn’t take long for Aaron to recognize that he had made the right decision in signing with Mort. In his words:
“Mort is an absolute rockstar and exactly the kind of person you want in your corner. He’s been both my agent and my friend for over three years now. From the start, he turned my goal of reaching a top 20 market into reality, quickly lining up interviews and securing an offer in Tampa that he successfully negotiated up.
When I set my sights on an even bigger goal, returning to my hometown of Boston, Mort was relentless. He made sure I was in front of the right people, coordinated interviews, and kept pushing through every hurdle until we landed the right fit.”
Of course, even though Aaron had developed an impressive reel, there still needed to be an actual opening in Boston.
Landing the Job in Boston
In the final year of Aaron’s contract in Tampa, Mort worked tirelessly with his ear to the ground trying to find not just any job in Boston, but the right one for Aaron. Meanwhile, Aaron continued to hone his skills and deepen his experience as a reporter.
Mort knew eventually they’d find someone in Boston who would fall in love with Aaron. As it turned out, two stations were interested in him. But there was only one job that was right for Aaron. The stars aligned and Aaron is heading back home where he’ll begin the first week of August at CBS-owned and operated station WBZ in Boston.
Aaron and Mort both credit the hard work each put into landing Aaron this well-earned and well-deserved position. It’s a true testament to teamwork.
Looking for a TV News Talent Agent Who Will Put You First?
As Aaron says of nationally-renowned TV news talent agent Mort, “I’m incredibly grateful for his unwavering dedication and hustle, and I look forward to continuing our partnership for years to come.”
If you’re a reporter, meteorologist, or sports reporter aiming for a new market but feeling stuck, contact Mort today.
And get ready to see what he can do for you.
