Television News Talent Careers: Review Your Presentation, Look, Career and Goals Frequently.

©  Millennium Media Entertainment, Inc.

 

Few on the air, are content with what they earn for a myriad of reasons.  However, you might be able to change all that and become happier about your income, getting things where you want them. 

 

I propose you conduct a career review, which I recommend everyone does at least one a quarter.  Opportunities are available now, regardless if you are looking to move up or renewing your current gig. If are good to go with your demo and written materials, this is the best time to move up in the Station News business.

 

 

One of the important things most people forget, or maybe deny, is that your work is constantly being evaluated as part of your management’s big picture, real or imagined, efforts.

 

Not only that, any potential employer can go on your station’s website and check your real work, as often as they want. So, everything you do on the air is an audition, in a way.

 

Like how professional athletes fill stadiums and arenas, you are supposed to bring viewers to your station or network’s News programs, albeit in a subjective world.  You may not hear this very much, but it is true.  No argument that content is why people watch. 

People like to get their news from people they like, trust and are comfortable with.  You can’t attract viewers with content alone.  People tune in and prefer to watch you, if they liked your previous work.

You can’t control the brand that management has attached to your news product.  However, you have to adapt you presentation style to fit their brand.

You can contribute to what they are trying to accomplish with their brand, while developing your career, no matter if you want to move or stay put.  The idea is to make yourself attractive to another company or the one you work for now.

Are you working within the prescribed brand? Does no good to Fight City Hall. You will loose and your frustration possibly will manifest itself in your work. Worse. I propose you objectively, as much as possible, park your ego and take stock of where things stand with your career now. 

 

There could be a reason why you are not where you want to be now and it would be best to identify what it is. 

Word of caution; Don’t rely too much on what your friends and co-workers tell you about your work.  Some don’t want to hurt your feelings, don’t know or view you as a competitor.

Take some time on your day off and take stock of all the components affecting your career. 

Consider the following checklists:

Career Structure  

• What is in your Contract? 
  Do you have market outs?  If so, which ones are you interested in? Would moving affect your personal life?
• What is the mutual notification timeline between you and your employer? Update your resume, making sure it is factual, to the point and one page.  No clever fonts or any other paper color than white, otherwise you may stand out for the wrong reasons.  No self flattery about yourself.
• You can update your resume DVD and build a library of links.  Your work can be stored on YouTube and the settings can be set to either public or not.  You are able to control who sees what on YouTube.
• You really need to update your content on YouTube, as well.  It’s not helpful if you are outdoors in winter clothes, pitching a job in April, May or June….Unless it is some of your best work.
• Keep in mind that this is now a links driven business.  Potential employers often want to see links, first.  So, be ready for that. 
• Have three ready to email, all the time.  Remember too, they can usually get on your station website and see what you did today, yesterday, last week……whatever. I advise to treat as many work days as possible, as an audition. You never know when a possible employer is checking your work.

Your Look —Wardrobe

• Take a look at your wardrobe.  I usually encourage clients to stay away from plaids and stripes because patterns too frequently clash with graphics add pounds.  Also, viewers might be looking at the patterns you are wearing and miss your lead.  The eye can work that way.
• Anyone familiar with my philosophies will tell you I am adamant that black is no one’s color.  Dark complexions blend into black and lighter complected people usually look like ghosts, against black. 
• It’s about colors that flatter your skin tone and hair color.  End of the day solids are your best friend, as long as they are not Gothic.  Greys and lighter colors, even pastels will work better for you.

Your Hair

• How about your hair?  It is important you personally, as well as to the audience, plus those viewers who look at your work for professional/hiring purposes. 
• Don't post any Hip pictures of yourself anywhere.  All your pictures must look professional, reflecting what you do.
• Generally speaking shoulder length hair or a bit longer, with sweeping bangs, seems to still be The Look.  It depends on the shape of your face and build how far you go, in terms of length. 

• I see this look all the time with TV/Film Talent here in the land of endless beauty queens.  (The Philippines)  You may not know it, but The Philippines is one of the fashion world’s trend setters.  One reason is the Filipino wardrobe approach is understated elegance. 
• Lastly if you color your hair, make sure no dark roots are showing and try to use as little spray as possible.

Dietary Planning and Try to Get Regular Exercise

• Your performance is affected by your dietary practices.  There are plenty of easy to do diets like the Mediterranean one.  Can’t go wrong with it.  
• End of the day, stay away from packaged or fast foods.  They will mess with your energy, complexion, hair, and your attitude. 

*This blog’s index has many articles about diet, performance and your professional outlook toward your career.

On Air Presentation

Let’s assume you have wrestled down the above checklist, thus far.  Here is a short list of important presentation elements you need to bring to work with you every day.

• Be yourself.  Don’t try to be what you think viewers want.  Conjuring up a presentation style, which isn’t the real you, will make you look unsure or a phony. 
• Your on camera work should be as if you are talking with some one across a table, which half the time you are, when you think about it. 
• How is your voice?  Not everyone was born with an anchor/reporters voice.  Do mike-checks so you are comfortable with your audio decibel. 
• If you have a regional accent, practice managing it.  If you have to lower it, no big deal.  Practice dropping and projecting. 
• Don’t over annunciate or stretch out words. 
• You should report or anchor using your normal communication style that you do with friends and family. 
• If you get breathless, use shorter sentences, which are better for communicating information with, anyhow. 

 

Final thoughts

• You are a unique brand which is comprised of look, journalism, presentation and personality.  
• Be the brand, you are comfortable with.  
• The above will enhance what you do on air.  
• Defining or even redefining your brand takes a little patience and a plan. Redefining or freshening you brand is good for you and the viewers. They will notice.

I purposely structured this piece so that you can tie down things affecting your career in sequential order.  Seems like a practical method for taking stock of what is going on with your career first and then work your way through the elements of what you do on Television.

 

Millennium Media Entertainment

 

30+ Years Providing Winning Strategies for Television Networks, Stations, Producers And Talent.

 

 

Millennium Media Entertainment is a Television News, Programming 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 Pidgin, 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

           20^th TELEVISION (FOX)

United/Cris-Craft Television

Television Stations

 

Waga             Atlanta

Wjz                Baltimore

Wbz                Boston

Wsbk             Boston

Wbbm            Chicago

            Wjw               Cleveland

Koaa              Colorado Springs

Wdtn              Dayton

Whio              Dayton

Kdfw              Dallas

Kcnc               Denver

Kcci                Des Moines

Wdiv               Detroit

Wjbk               Detroit

Wtvx              Ft. Pierce

Wlbt              Jackson

Kctv               Kansas City

Wdaf              Kansas City

Kcbs                Los Angeles

Kcop               Los Angeles

Wfor             Miami

Wtvj              Miami

Witi               Milwaukee 

Wcco             Minneapolis

Wsmv             Nashville

Wcbs              New York

Wesh              Orlando

Week              Peoria

Kyw                Philadelphia

Kpho              Phoenix

Ksaz               Phoenix

Kdka              Pittsburgh

WTAE            Pittsburgh

            Katu              Portland, OR

Wgme            Portland, MA

Wtvr             Richmond

Wset              Roanoke

Wrex             Rockford

Kovr              Sacramento

Kutv              Salt Lake City

Ksbw              Salinas

           King                Seattle

           Kmol               San Antonio (Woai)

           Knsd                San Diego

           Kpix                 San Francisco

           Wggb              Springfield

           Wtvt              Tampa 

           Wtsp               St. Petersburg

          

John Sheehan

Millennium Media Entertainment
Skype: John.Sheehan67

johntsheehanmme@gmail.com

Blog: http://johnsheehan17.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Millennium-Media-Entertainment/74464753836

Want To Be A Television News Star? Here's How.

Television On Air Talent Performance: Only Room For The Best Of The Best. Won’t Be Much Left For The Rest

© Millennium Media Entertainment, Inc.

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.

 

Ones who go big, rarely sit on their laurels or ever believe they have arrived. They stay focused and hunger to do even better.

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?

 

Then I suggest you rid yourselves of any and all distractions which might be impeding your career’s growth and development.

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?

Get smart. Someone you don’t know would love to live your life and is working on doing just that, right now.

The naturally blessed will succeed in the business. But the Stars usually possess definable character traits. Learn from them:

1. They seldom complain.
2. Aren’t out publicly too much. No nightclubs or any behavior that could challenge their credibility.
3. Grow professionally and are well versed in their respective Television News Program Disciplines.
4. These guys ask allot of questions and admit what they don’t know.
5. They don’t gossip. Only invites trouble or educates their competition.
6. Real stars take initiative and intelligent risks.
7. Quietly pay their dues, throughout their careers.
8. They are humble, determined and never are satisfied with their latest success.
9. They want to do even better, next time. But, you don’t hear them talk about that.
10. Future and Current Stars are easily overlooked by peers, but not by decision makers.

How does that happen? Maybe just blind luck or right place----right time? Maybe they had the best agent? No…that’s not what happened. They are smart and earned it. What we should do is study and imitate them.

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.

 

Keeping track of the trends set by those at the top of the game? You should be.

Have you thought about what you should be doing to develop your career…i.e.…Your voice, writing, producing and look? Do you think you work for excellence every time you go on the air?

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.

Thanks for reading this and sincerely hope you find the information useful. There also material regarding business and current affairs in Asia, if that interests you. The general blog address is in my contact information and a discription about what we do is below:

John Sheehan

Millennium Media Entertainment
Skype: John.Sheehan67

johntsheehanmme@gmail.com

Blog: http://johnsheehan17.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Millennium-Media-Entertainment/74464753836

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

20^th TELEVISION (FOX)

United/Cris-Craft Television

Television Stations

Television Stations

Waga Atlanta

Wjz Baltimore

Wbz Boston

Wsbk Boston

Wbbm Chicago

Wjw Cleveland

Koaa Colorado Springs

Wdtn Dayton

Whio Dayton

Kdfw Dallas

Kcnc Denver

Kcci Des Moines

Wdiv Detroit

Wjbk Detroit

Wtvx Ft. Pierce

Wlbt Jackson

Kctv Kansas City

Wdaf Kansas City

Kcbs Los Angeles

Kcop Los Angeles

Wfor Miami

Wtvj Miami

Witi Milwaukee

Wcco Minneapolis

Wsmv Nashville

Wcbs New York

Wesh Orlando

Week Peoria

Kyw Philadelphia

Kpho Phoenix

Ksaz Phoenix

Kdka Pittsburgh

WTAE Pittsburgh

Katv Portland, OR

Wgme Portland, MA

Wtvr Richmond

Wset Roanoke

Wrex Rockford

Kovr Sacramento

Kutv Salt Lake Cit

Ksbw Salinas

King Seattle

Kmol San Antonio (Woai)

Knsd San Diego

Kpix San Francisco

Wggb Springfield

Wtvt Tampa

Wtsp St. Petersburg