The Meteoric Rise of Allen Devlin
If you’re searching for a TV news talent agent, you certainly want one with connections. And you also want one with an impressive roster of talent. But it’s more than just judging the numbers. Taking a look at the success of that talent is also important. Choosing an agent who recognizes amazing talent and knows […]
Could You Become a News Reporter or Anchor?
If you find broadcast journalism exciting, you may wonder what it takes to become a news reporter or anchor. On the surface, it may look like an easy enough job. How hard can it be to sit behind a desk and read news stories, right? Plus, you’d become something of a local celebrity. But that’s […]
What Are the Qualities of Great TV News Talent?
Are you currently working as a broadcast journalist but having trouble landing jobs? Is this confusing because you’re frequently told that you’re good at what you do? You very well may be a good meteorologist or reporter. But just as in any profession, certain skills and traits are required to excel as a broadcast journalist. […]
TV News Talent Agent Has VERY Wide Reach
Think about the last time you watched a newscast. You probably had some familiarity with the anchor, news reporters, sports reporter, and/or meteorologist. And why wouldn’t you? They’re the faces of the news business. But have you ever considered what goes on behind the scenes? Chances are, every news person in front of the camera […]
Are You Getting the Most From Your TV News Talent Agent?
Whether you’re an aspiring sports reporter 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 […]
How Is Your TV News Talent Agent Accessibility?
Whether you’re an anchor for a national network or a meteorologist in the smallest market in the country, you should be able to easily access your TV news talent agent. What’s more, he or she should be getting right back to you. Yet, as the industry grows and expands, an emphasis on TV news talent […]
Sharing Goals with Your TV News Talent Agent
As a TV news anchor, reporter, meteorologist, or sports reporter, you’ve done all the necessary footwork to find the perfect TV news talent agent. But just how perfect is he or she? Do you feel that sharing goals with your TV news talent agent is something you can do? Or is your agent more interested […]
The Top 6 Questions to Ask A TV News Talent Agent
If you’re a TV news anchor, reporter, meteorologist, or sports reporter and you’re in the market for hiring an agent, you may be wondering where to start. To find the best fit when vetting an agent, it’s important to do due diligence. Because anyone in the industry can TELL you they’re an agent. So we’ll […]
Is Your TV News Talent Agent Negotiating the Best Deal?
TV news talent, including anchors, reporters, sports reporters, and meteorologists, are no strangers to having multiple offers from various stations. So what to do? Unfortunately, too many of these folks don’t have a reliable agent negotiating the best deal for them. Thus, their first order of business should be to hire an experienced TV news […]
TV News Talent Agents Who Thrive While Industry Falters
Times are tough in the media industry. There’s no denying it. If you’re seeking TV news jobs, this fact may be enough to discourage you from finding an agent. After all, the stock prices of major firms are in free fall. And more than a handful of companies are buying people out, laying people off, […]
Bidding a Happy Farewell to Noncompetes for News Talent
One of the struggles top TV news talent agents in the country face is helping their clients be more mobile in their existing markets where they often want to stay. Part of what makes this such a challenge is the existence of noncompete agreements (NCAs). So TV news talent agents (along with TV news anchors, […]
Why You Need a TV News Agent With Connections
Are you a TV news anchor, reporter, or meteorologist seeking great representation? When you start vetting agents, it can be confusing and even overwhelming. There is a wealth of people calling themselves agents and will happily flash their “qualifications” to get you on board. Many of them are not legitimate, however. So if you’re looking […]
When Is It Time to Hire a TV News Agent?
If you’re a TV news anchor, reporter, or meteorologist, you may be pondering whether it’s time to hire a TV news agent. This is a big decision and shouldn’t be made lightly. There are many factors that you need to consider when setting out to boost your career with an experienced TV news agent. Ask […]
Mort Meisner Associates Welcomes Steve Koles
Steve Koles has joined Mort Meisner Associates as an agent. Steve has deep experience as a News Executive and News Director for more than two decades and has previously served at the CBS Affiliates in both Columbus and Rochester. Steve will be responsible for recruiting and representing new clients to the long-time, established agency for […]
Allegations of Sexism and Racism At CBS
One of the most interesting aspects of Mort Meisner’s new memoir Enough to Be Dangerous is looking back at how sexism and racism thrived in the news industry in the 1980s. It’s also one of the saddest. First, because treating women and people of color as second class citizens was acceptable behavior. This always bothered […]
Writing a Memoir; Growing a Friendship
When Mort Meisner set out to write his memoir, Enough to Be Dangerous, he had no idea he’d gain a friend along the path. Mort had some reservations about the first writer he commissioned to help him with the project. When the writer decided to depart to a foreign country with no explanation, those reservations […]
Mort Meisner to Appear on Extra This Month
When Mort Meisner set out to write his memoir, Enough to Be Dangerous, he never dreamed he’d one day be interviewed on television’s Extra about it. It makes sense though. His memoir tackles the timely issues of racism and sexism that thrived for the decades he worked in the news industry. In his interview, Mort […]
The Power of Local News
Last week on 60 Minutes, former President Barack Obama spoke with wisdom and insight so many of us have come to miss. He spoke of the disturbing fact that 71 million people voted for a man with whom he feels he has absolutely nothing in common. But he made an important point: “The voters are […]
Despite Restrictions, “Enough to Be Dangerous” Launch Party a Success
When Mort Meisner scheduled his Enough to Be Dangerous book launch party for the end of October, he had no idea what to expect. After a long spring in lock-down, then a summer with some lifted restrictions, it was tough to know what to expect for October. Nevertheless, the launch party at Andiamo’s in downtown […]
Building a Family – Part Two
As chronicled in his new memoir Enough to Be Dangerous, Mort Meisner recalls his life in TV News and Rock & Roll. But a person cannot be defined by his or her job alone. Each of us is more complex than that. In last week’s blog post, we highlighted the deaths of Mort’s parents, the […]
Building a Family, Part One
In his recently published memoir Enough to Be Dangerous, Mort Meisner recalls the violence he experienced in his family of origin. Given the rage and anger that filled every corner of his childhood home, it wouldn’t have been surprising if Mort had opted to not have a family of his own. But as with every […]
Hard Knocks Management
Mort Meisner has been electrifying the airwaves on TV and radio—as well as telling it like it is in print and online media—during interviews about his best-selling memoir, Enough to Be Dangerous, released on October 1st. As a guest on Fox 2 Detroit’s Let It Rip! he did just that with his hard-hitting spin on […]
Taking a Walk Down Memory Lane
When Mort Meisner sat down to start writing his memoir Enough to Be Dangerous, he was flooded with mental snapshots of his life. After all, if you know Mort, you know he has a steel trap of a memory for days of yore. In some cases, reliving the past was a pleasant walk down memory […]
“Giving Birth” to a Memoir
People often compare writing and publishing a book to childbirth. And they’re right. “This is like giving birth!” Mort Meisner exclaimed recently while tending to the final details of his memoir, Enough to be Dangerous, to be released on October 1, 2020. After years of thinking about sharing his story in print, Mort is still […]
The Changing Face of the News Industry
Obviously, the talent is the face of the business. But true talent possesses far more than stage presence. While that’s an absolutely necessary component, there has to be far more than that. That’s why talent agent Mort Meisner finds it depressing that the industry is moving away from hiring singular talent and replacing it with […]
A Nod to the Mentors Who Planted the Seeds
Nobody makes it to the top alone. Mort Meisner is quick to acknowledge this fact. And he is ever grateful to everybody who fostered him along on his path to success. There were two people who were especially pivotal in his upward climb. Over the many decades in the business, Sportscaster Dave Diles and News […]
Everyone Deserves a Second Chance
If you lived in the Detroit area in the 1980s, you may remember the WJBK FOX2 branding campaign with the “It Takes Two” jingle. The song was originally made famous by Marvin Gaye and Kim Weston. Mort Meisner hired Kim Weston and Marvin Gaye’s brother Frankie Gaye to perform the WJBK version. In doing so, […]
Some of the Big Stories – Part Two
In our previous blog post, we talked about some of the big stories in Mort Meisner’s career that boosted ratings. But some of the other big stories in his career were those that truly moved him. They were the stories that made him want to get involved on a deeper level. And at the end […]
Some of the Big Stories – Part One
At the publication of this post, the Democratic National Convention is in full swing. Without going into detail, it’s making all of us aware of just how much things need to change. Yet, as the old adage says, the more things change, the more they stay the same. Mort Meisner is no stranger to this […]
Egos Aplenty in Enough to Be Dangerous
It seems in the past few years (let’s say a little over three and a half), many of us have had the experience of trying to stomach the antics of a raging ego-maniac. In some respects, at least, navigating the trails of the ego-maniacal has been familiar territory for Mort Meisner. Working in the world […]
Choosing What Goes into a Memoir
Mort Meisner has had a full life. So when it came time to write his memoir, determining what would make the cut was a feat. To say the least. Right now, the baseball season is in full swing. (Whatever “full swing” means in this era of the coronavirus.) And it has recently left Mort nostalgic […]
Enough to Be Dangerous – Thank You, Bruce Springsteen
Many of us remember the first time we saw a musical act that transformed us. For Mort Meisner, it was Bruce Springsteen. In fact, Mort would hold the record in Michigan for attending the most Springsteen concerts, were it not for 97.1 The Ticket radio personality Mike Stone. Stone is such a diehard fan that […]
Enough to Be Dangerous – When a Guidance Counselor Truly Guides
Most of us know the adage, “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.” And chances are, a great many of us have experienced this. Sometimes the teacher is an actual teacher – the English teacher who introduced you to an amazing author or the science teacher who shared your passion for chemistry. Maybe […]
Enough to Be Dangerous – Mort Continues to Address Racism in Broadcasting
In his new memoir, Enough to Be Dangerous, Mort Meisner chronicles the blatant racism that permeated the television broadcasting industry. As we discussed in previous blog posts, racist behavior during those years was widely accepted as business as usual. Mort never saw it that way. He was troubled by such gross improprieties and fought tirelessly […]
Enough to Be Dangerous – Broadcast Industry Leaders Need to Do Better
Detroit sports radio lacks diversity. One particular station in Detroit has no African American voices whatsoever. What’s more—white men host almost every show. And this in a city that’s nearly 82% black. How does this make sense? It doesn’t. And broadcast industry leaders need to do better. Sports radio claims that they just don’t have […]
Enough to Be Dangerous – Mort Meisner’s Adventures in Rock and Roll
In 1969, Mort Meisner started living the rock and roll life. No, he wasn’t in a band. But his meteoric rise in the industry as a top music promoter would expose him to unparalleled superstar talent. He would come to work with huge names such as Elton John, Sly and the Family Stone, David Bowie, […]
Enough to Be Dangerous – The Challenges for Women in the News Industry
In our last couple blog posts for Mort Meisner’s new memoir – Enough to Be Dangerous – we looked at the prevalence of racism in the news industry and its detrimental impact. While the situation was slightly better for women in the news industry, it would be naïve to assume they were ever taken as […]
Enough to Be Dangerous – Racism Allegations Rock High Levels of the Television News Industry
This week, an article in the Huffington Post claimed that a senior ABC News executive made insensitive and sometimes racially tinged comments about several journalists of color at the Walt Disney-owned unit. Mort Meisner was beyond saddened by this allegation. He knows the executive in question and it seems out of character for her. Even so, as […]
Enough to Be Dangerous – Fighting Racial Injustice in the News Industry
Mort Meisner has spent a lifetime deeply troubled by racial injustice. Recent events have left him heart-broken and devastated – yet moved and encouraged by the massive surge of protesters FINALLY standing up for black lives. Mort is no stranger to this. He spent decades fighting racial injustice in the news industry. And while he […]
Enough to Be Dangerous – Chronicles Darker Beginnings
For some, the echoes of a difficult and abusive childhood are so haunting that success as an adult is elusive. This has not been the case for one of the nation’s top TV news talent agents, Mort Meisner. Not by a long shot. In his memoir, Enough to Be Dangerous, Mort explores the impact those […]
Mort Meisner Memoir – Enough To Be Dangerous -Blog 1 – Coming October 1
Mort Meisner Shares How He’s Enough to Be Dangerous in His Powerful New Memoir Coming October 1, 2020 What’s Enough to Be Dangerous, you ask? The short answer: Enough to Be Dangerous is Mort Meisner’s memoir. And while we won’t be so cliché as to say, “But it’s so much more than just a memoir,” […]
Confessions of an Investigative Reporter – Matthew Schwartz
We are happy to share the announcement that a client and dear friend of ours, Matthew Schwartz, has written his memoir about his award-winning career. “Confessions of an Investigative Reporter” has received phenomenal early reviews and is a must-read for anyone in the news business. It will be released in May and is available for […]
What to Expect from Your News Talent Agent
Hollywood has long found comedic value in portraying talent agents in various ways. Sometimes they’re represented as smarmy opportunists with their sights so laser-focused on acquiring talent, they’re willing to do anything to get it. Anything. On other occasions, they’re the frazzled cigarette-smoking stress cases buried under so much paperwork in a disorganized office that […]
Creating a Great Demo Is Crucial
What does it take to be successful in the television news business? Strong writing, performance, and on-camera skills, along with being attractive? Yep. Those ABSOLUTELY have to be there. But to be honest, they won’t mean a thing if you haven’t put any energy into creating a great demo. Seriously. You could be the next […]
What Makes for the Best News Talent Placement Agency?
If you’re looking to find the best news talent placement agency, there are many from which to choose. But there are precious few who will truly put you first. If you’re an experienced news personality, you need more than just an agent. You need a trusted partner – someone you know is honest and to-the-point, […]
The Importance of Relationships in News Talent Placement
How well connected is your news talent agent? In other words, how many people in the broadcast industry know your agent not just by name, but by his or her stellar reputation? If you’re unsure, then it’s time to consider a new agent. Because if your current agent doesn’t know the people and the players […]
Why Coaching for News Anchors Is Important
If you’re a news anchor, then you likely fall into one of three talent categories for TV broadcasters – average, above average or elite. There is a fourth category – below average. Getting to the level of anchor is typically not reserved for below average talent. Neither is it reserved for elite talent though. In […]
Finding the Most Experienced News Talent Agent
Are you an established news personality looking to forward your career? Then you know it’s not easy. You’ve done the work required to get this far, but you’re ready for a change. You can go out there and start scouting for a new station in a new city or new market. You’ll get much further […]
On-Air Talent Find Ally In Metro Detroit
Veteran news chief Mort Meisner builds niche in scouting By Maureen McDonald / Special to The Detroit News HUNTINGTON WOODS — Mike Huckman was getting burned out chasing ambulances and fire trucks around Metro Detroit to find prime time stories for WXYZ-TV. To get a shot at an anchor post in national broadcast he turned […]
