Television On Air Talent Performance: Only Room For The Best Of The Best. Won’t Be Much Left For The Rest
This may be one of the most important advisories I have published for clients and friends. We yearly hear about job cut backs, layoffs, furloughs, decreased compensation and more people than ever, on the beach. Some have to regroup their careers in smaller markets or just get out of the business.
What does that tell you? It tells me that our business now mirrors Professional Sports, more than ever. Only the BEST get to participate, get the great jobs or if you will; Play
There are a finite number of positions now in Television News. And, like pro sports, only the very best will be able to work/play, have job security and earn a nice income.
The days of more jobs than available people are behind us. And, in this business, when something goes away, it does for good.
There not more jobs these days…There are fewer. Not everyone gets to have a job anymore…Unless they are very good.
Television Talent brings in viewers just like professional athletes fill a stadium. People come to see the best excel at their craft. A small number are born with a gift for this, while others have to develop it themselves or with outside consulting help. It’s kind of like professional baseball. People start in the minors and some make it to the majors. Many don’t. But, for the ones who do, the task is staying there.
You cannot think in a status quo mode…You had better focus on your career like never before or risk being left behind. If you aren’t careful, you will be left out.
I highly recommend everyone have a life meeting with themselves. Do you really want to be big in TV? This business is fun and addictive. No matter where you work, people know and seek you, out since you are usually a big deal locally. Pretty cool, huh?
That is very seductive and we become accustomed to being celebrities.
How much of that attention will be there if you don’t work in TV, anymore? Oh yeah…your high profile girlfriends and boyfriends…How long do you expect them to hang around with you, if you are no longer a trophy or cool decoration? 
The naturally blessed will succeed in the business. But the Stars usually possess definable character traits. Learn from them: - They seldom complain.
- Aren’t out publicly too much. No nightclubs or any behavior that could challenge their credibility.
- Grow professionally and are well versed in their respective Television News Program Disciplines.
- These guys ask allot of questions and admit what they don’t know.
- They don’t gossip. Only invites trouble or educates their competition.
- Real stars take initiative and intelligent risks.
- Quietly pay their dues, throughout their careers.
- They are humble, determined and never are satisfied with their latest success.
- They want to do even better, next time. But, you don’t hear them talk about that.
- Future and Current Stars are easily overlooked by peers, but not by decision makers.
Do you regularly watch young people on the broadcast or cable networks. Can you spot what it is about them that makes them successful? You are in big trouble, if you can’t or worse, don’t bother. Would you tell a story to a small group of friends, as you do on the air? Do you know the difference?
I am not trying to paint a picture of doom and gloom. Farthest thing from my mind. If that’s all you get from this, then expect a tough career ride in Television. My hope here is get people on track with their professional goals and pursuits.
This is like pro sports and you will have a solid position, as long as you can bring viewers in. Then and then only will you have job security in a very unstable industry. And, like a professional player you can trade up to majors and stay there. I will continue providing clients with new updates about dietary practices that might improve their performance, look and overall health. I will try to keep Millennium Media Entertainment’s Facebook and LinkedIn Pages updated with useful performance related information as often as possible.
In fact, feel free to send some Links to your work and I will do a critique for you. My contact information is listed below.
John Sheehan
Skype: John.Sheehan67
Millennium Media Entertainment is a Television News, Programming D
Development and Marketing Consulting Firm, continuing to do business in the United States. The Company is actively involved with Television Talent Performance, Career Consultation and Representation, on a select basis.
Below is a service outline. This list is designed around individuals and isn’t a Consultation Template, because no two clients are the same.
- Anchoring and Reporting Performance Consultation: Pace, Delivery, Voice Tonality, Voice Overs and developing a Conversational Presentation Style or Brand. Your Brand is your unique presentation signature and how viewers identify with you/your work.
- Daily Performance critiques based on Client provided Links. Feedback via email and/or Skype. At least one status review per week, via Skype.
- Appearance... i.e.…Clothing, Colors, Makeup and Hair
- Health/dietary programs to improve overall health, look and increase performance energy
- Producing, writing and packaging
- Performance Training that fits with Station or Network Brands, industry trends and Strategic Career Planning
- Provide leads, posted job openings and job hunting focusing on the quality companies like Hearst and NBC, avoiding the problematic companies, as I explained yesterday.
- Access to O & O’s, Major Groups and Networks. (Representation Only)
- Demo Development and Consultation.
- Provide Marketing Material Templates...i.e. Stationary, Generic Cover Letters and Bios.
- Consultation Pertaining to New Employment Opportunities.
- Advice for Negotiating New Employment Deals and Contracts. (Consultation Only)
- Contract Negotiations (Representation Clients Only)
- Suggested Tax Write Offs...Such as all Costs Associated with MME Services. (Also cable and computer, phone...Etc.)
- MME will provide receipts for payment for Tax Purposes
President and Chief Executive Officer John Sheehan has over 30 years of Senior Television Management Experience, Consulting Television Station Group Heads, Network Executives, Syndication Presidents, Chief Financial Officers, General Managers, Sales Managers, News Directors and Creative Services Managers about almost every aspect of the Television Business.
Sheehan was Chief News Consultant for Group W Television, later The CBS Owned and Operated Stations in 12 Major US Markets, from 1991 to 1999, responsible for News Content Development, Station Branding and Talent Development.
Besides News, Sheehan consulted several Nationally Syndicated TV Shows including: Win, Lose or Draw, with Burt Reynolds, A Current Affair, The Gail King Show, and Evening Magazine.
Sheehan started Millennium Media Entertainment as a News Program Syndication and Consulting Company in 1999, after being President of the Clemensen Sheehan Rovitto & Company since 1991.
While with CSR, Sheehan worked closely with the CEOs and managements of Allbritton Communications, Anchor Media, CBS Owned and Operated Television Stations, Group W Television (Westinghouse), New World, 20th TELEVISION, Group W Productions, Granite Broadcasting, and CBS’s EYEMARK ENTERTAINMENT.
Sheehan was President and General Manager of Audience Research & Development, from 1988 to 1991. As president, he directed a staff of nearly 60 highly skilled television professionals, providing broadcast research and consulting services to over 120 stations, broadcast and cable networks and syndication clients.
Prior to that, he managed AR&D’s sales and marketing from 1985 to 1988, as Vice President of Client Development. During his time with AR&D, Sheehan increased revenues by over 100%, quadrupling the company’s client base.
Before joining AR&D in 1985, Sheehan was Executive Vice President of SRI Research Center, now The Gallup Organization. He started as Production Manager for SRI in 1978 and within two years, was named Executive Vice President, overseeing all market research and financial operations with a staff of more than 80 people.
Prior to SRI, Sheehan served in the Peace Corps from 1974 to 1978 in the South Pacific. He spent his first year in the region as Director of the Solomon Islands’ Information and Broadcasting Department overseeing a weekly newspaper and the national radio station. He was responsible for each medium’s content, staff development and sales.
In 1974 he was assigned to Kingdom of Tonga as general manager of Tonga Feeds the country’s only source of livestock feed. Sheehan managed all aspects of the company including accounting, inventory, pricing, importing/exporting products, new product development, a farm, government relations, staff development and negotiating foreign aid packages.
When Sheehan left Tonga Feeds, nearly bankrupt when he arrived, the company was earning a 30% profit and influenced 25% of the Kingdom’s economy. Sheehan was offered senior management positions by both the New Zealand and Kingdom of Tonga Governments. He returned to the US in 1978.
Sheehan earned a BA in Journalism from Creighton University. He fluently speaks Tongan, Melanesian, with a working knowledge of Cebuano and Tagalo.
Sheehan also served in The United States Marine Corps.
Below is a partial list of the stations and companies that Sheehan has had working relationships, during his 35 plus year career:
Station Groups, Production, and Programming Syndication Companies
Allbritton Communications
Anchor Media
ABC News
Belo
Buena Vista Television
CBS News
CBS Television Stations
Cox Communications
EYEMARK Entertainment
Gannett Television
Group W Productions
Group W Television
Granite Broadcasting
Guy Gannet Broadcasting
Hearst Argyle Television
NBC Universal
New World Television
Storer Television
20th TELEVISION (FOX)
United/Cris-Craft Television
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