Placing talent at the right place, at the right time.
Name: Jeff Derderian
Market: #33
Current Station: WTNH
Current Title: Freelance Investigative Reporter
Preferred Title: Investigative/General Assignment Reporter
Experience: 20+ Years
Agent Name: Steve Koles
Agent Phone: (248) 545-2222
Agency: Mort Meisner Associates
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 in getting you a showy placement than listening to what you really want?
It’s not unusual for you, as a talented TV news personality, to be faced with the possibility of multiple job offers. When this happens, you can lose sight of what you truly want. Especially because for so long, big markets like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago were the benchmarks of success.
But perhaps you don’t want to live in these cities. They’re just not places where you, for whatever reason, would thrive. If you’re working with an unscrupulous news talent agent, they may try to convince you that you do want to live in these big market cities because it looks better on his or her resume to place you there.
The problem is, if you’re not feeling connected with the place where you live, you could be the top TV news personality in New York City and wonder why you feel so alone.
You’re entitled to your goals and dreams. Regardless of how they may go up against old-school notions of what it means to ‘make it.’ And if your agent doesn’t understand that, you may want to start considering a new one.
You should feel free to share your goals with your agent so that they can work to help you achieve that goal. Regardless of their opinion of your goal. General assignment reporter Shawnte Passmore can attest to this.
Passmore is a native of Southern California who graduated in 2010 with a degree in Journalism from California State University, Long Beach.
Around nine years ago, she went to Detroit for the National Association of Black Journalists convention. At the time, she was a general assignment reporter at KMTV in Omaha, Nebraska – after several years of working as a reporter and journalist in southern California.
It was at this convention that Passmore met her agent for the first time. After having dinner at a local sushi spot, she shared with him that she thought Detroit would be a great place to live – which was an unusual thing to say back then. But there was something about the city that moved her.
Her agent never forgot those words.
Of course, her agent wasn’t able to land her a job in Detroit right away. But with her talent and his connections, she was able to keep moving up the ranks. She spent three years as a reporter/anchor desk fill-in at WFSB-TV in Hartford, followed by two years at CBS-owned and operated KOVR-TV in Sacramento, California.
All that time, her agent worked diligently to get her to the place where she really wanted to be. Today, she is one of the newest members of WDIV-TV in Detroit. By sharing her dream, she’d planted that seed in her agent’s mind. And now she’s working in the 13th largest market in the country.
Which suits her perfectly.
If sharing goals with your TV news talent agent seems a ridiculous idea, it’s time to hit the ‘refresh’ button.
Contact us today to switch to a highly experienced and connected agent whose priority is your happiness.
It’s your life. You deserve to be listened to and honored.
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 offer up what we deem as the most relevant and hardest-hitting questions to ask a TV news talent agent.
Maybe you’re brand new to finding a TV news talent agent. Or perhaps you’re not happy with the one you have now and want to be sure you do it right this time around.
Whatever the case, here are six of the most important questions you should present to a prospective TV news talent agent.
Any agent you’re considering should be able to provide you with a list of markets and stations where he/she has made placements over the last year. An agent with a more extensive list of placements is going to have important connections and clout in a wide variety of cities and markets.
Keep in mind that placements historically tend to happen in clusters. So an agent with farther reach is going to have the inside scoop as to what’s coming up and where. This is especially key when the market is not as active. A savvy agent will be playing it smart by thinking ahead.
How well-balanced is the agent’s representation roster? Be wary of an agent whose “portfolio” is too homogenous. Regardless of your own race or gender identity, you want an agent who knows how to represent everyone. He or she is always on the lookout for where you’re going to be in the most demand.
As a woman or minority, it’s especially important to ask your potential agent if he or she attends conferences that represent these groups. For example, an agent who attends the National Association of Black Journalists convention is going to have more insights and connections than one who avoids such gatherings.
It’s a good idea to know how many reporters, anchors, sports reporters, or meteorologists your prospective agent represents. Because if, for example, you’re a meteorologist looking at an agent who hasn’t repped any other meteorologists, that’s a red flag.
Sure, you might think that that gives you the upper hand because you’d have no competition. But in reality, decision-makers at stations are going to seek out agents whom they know represent a good volume of people working in multiple capacities.
It’s fine to ask, “How many clients do you represent?” Most people seeking a TV news talent agent do. But what’s really more important is how many of an agent’s clients are looking at any given time. You want an agent who can tell you flat out that it’s never more than 15%. This indicates that the agent is going to go the extra mile to be very specific and pointed in his/her searches for the perfect placement.
This seems like an obvious question, but many clients forget to ask this. The simple fact is, but working with an agent who has relationships in whatever region you’re seeking is going to give you a distinct advantage. Sure, it might seem old school. But sometimes old school is the best school.
Similar to question #5, this one takes it a little deeper. You want to know what kind of relationships the agent has with news vice presidents, directors, and general managers. In other words, how connected they are with the decision-makers. When these folks trust an agent, they’re going to be very transparent about their specific needs.
By knowing the above six questions to ask a TV news talent agent, you’re already a step ahead of the game.
So if you’re ready to try them out on some of the most experienced and well-connected TV news talent agents in the country, contact us today!
We’ll help you get your dream placement.
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 talent agent who has an intimate understanding of how the industry works.
In a nutshell, an experienced TV news talent agent will have connections with station news directors and general managers that give him or her backdoor access to information that could affect your decision.
Furthermore, when a TV news talent agent recognizes true potential, he or she is willing to coach such individuals to help them find the best job for the most money. That said, having an agent will likely get you at least 15-20% more than you would get on your own.
Bottom line, with an agent, you have so many advantages that you just won’t don’t on your own. Because of their vast knowledge of the industry (and, more importantly, the people in it), they can help you home in on the best deal when you have multiple offers.
So often, when a talented TV news personality is faced with several offers, they can become overwhelmed and tend to focus on the wrong things when considering which position to take. The following are just some examples:
The first big mistake is choosing a job for its climate, which happens more than you would think. While it may be appealing to live in a place that’s warm and sunny all year, any good agent will tell you that this should not be the driving force behind deciding which offer to accept.
For example, many people are thrilled when offered a position in a city like San Diego. It’s one of the sunniest cities in the country. Yet, once they arrive, they’re befuddled as to why the pay isn’t consistent with the cost of living. That’s because management knows there are plenty of talented people willing to take the position and sacrifice the best deal for good weather.
When an offer comes, folks without an agent (or with an inexperienced one) are tempted to accept it flat out. Rarely, however, is the first offer the final offer.
A TV new talent agent has an implicit understanding of how far an offer can be pushed. They won’t automatically assume that hair, clothing, and makeup are part of the offer – as they often aren’t anymore. The same can be said for relocation costs. While companies may hedge on paying them, an agent knows how to negotiate to get them to shell out compensation for at least part of these expenses.
Finally, they’d advise most talent under the age of 30 to secure a deal that’s no longer than two years in duration. This is because by the time the third year comes around, the salary will no longer be enough – at which point, the agent would set up a renegotiation for more. An exception is for a frontline Anchor who is being offered significant money and terms.
Talent that’s somewhat inexperienced might be eager to allow their agent to accept a deal on their behalf without fully understanding all the tenets of the deal. This should never happen and a morally upstanding agent would not allow this. Every deal should be in writing before the agent AND the talent sign off on it.
At the end of the day, a TV news talent agent negotiating the best deal will come down to some important questions posed to the talent by the agent.
Among the considerations are whether the job will set them up well for the next job, what kind of environment has management created, and if it’s somewhere they’ll want to stay for a long time. And these are just a few.
So if you’re an anchor, reporter, sports reporter, or meteorologist trying to decide between multiple offers and your agent isn’t working hard on your behalf, contact us today. As long-standing professionals in the industry, we will ALWAYS have your back.
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, and/or instituting hiring freezes.
How in the world, you think, will you ever find TV news talent agents who thrive while the industry is crumbling?
The good news is, even in the midst of collapse, Mort Meisner Associates continues to perform and succeed in placing talent at a phenomenal rate.
Maybe you’re a TV news meteorologist or sports reporter looking to go from your first or second job to your second or third job. Or perhaps you’re a news reporter or anchor looking to make the leap to a major market. Whatever the case, Mort Meisner Associates has your back.
They’ve recently done deals for TV news anchors, reporters, and sports reporters in markets of all sizes. They’ve placed talent in major markets including New York, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Denver, Charlotte, Memphis, Pittsburgh, Raleigh, and Portland, Oregon. In addition, medium/smaller markets such as Tucson, Arizona; South Bend, Indiana; Springfield, Missouri; and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina have benefitted from new talent they placed there.
Lean times in the media industry are simply not an issue for Mort Meisner Associates.
You may still fail to see the value of a TV news talent agent. You might be thinking it makes more sense to just go to the internet and search for job postings. This route isn’t likely to give you access to the jobs you truly want because it all comes down to connections. Face-to-face human connections, that is.
Yes, anyone can check a website once a job is posted. Often though, the job is already taken. How come? Because TV news agents with connections are aware of job openings weeks or even months before they’re posted.
This is precisely why you want a TV news agent who has worked in the industry. Mort Meisner Associates agents have worked as news directors, managing editors, and in other management capacities. As such, they know (and more importantly are known by) vice presidents of news, news directors, executive producers, and general managers.
News management trusts these agents because they’ve come from the same side of the desk. As such, they continue to have the inside track. They not only know where the jobs are right now, but where they are going to be. And they know this before anyone else does.
Even now, as the industry struggles, Mort Meisner Associates has the inroads necessary to get you the placement you want.
Whether you’re a TV news anchor, sports anchor, meteorologist, or reporter, you need TV news agents who thrive when the going gets tough.
You’ll find them at Mort Meisner Associates.
So contact us today. We’ve got the connections to get YOU connected.
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, reporters, meteorologists, and sportscasters) who see these noncompetes as hopelessly outdated are thrilled that the Federal Trade Commission opted to promote competition by banning noncompetes nationwide on April 23rd, 2024. While the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is challenging it, the industry is holding out hope for the FTC’s ruling.
The question of the efficacy and necessity of NCAs has been a hot-button topic in the media industry.
Some still feel that noncompetes for TV news jobs are crucial for stations and media companies to protect their investment in talent onboarding, training, and other professional development. They don’t want competitors to benefit from this.
Yet, when used effectively, rivalry can actually help stations retain their talent. When there is rivalry, employees are not eager to join ranks with “the enemy” or their enemies’ allies because they have a bond with their own station.
Another argument for keeping NCAs has been that employees who sign NCAs can negotiate higher raises in return for their loyalty. But researchers from the FTC, and Duke and Ohio State Universities say this isn’t the case. Those with NCAs typically have lower salaries. This is especially true for female and Black talent.
The elimination of NCAs would likely lead to needed salary readjustments.
The FTC’s ruling on noncompetes is evidence that the media industry needs to prioritize talent development, as well as employee engagement.
Noncompete agreements have, in the past, been a means for fixing management shortcomings or holding onto employees in demanding work environments. Their restrictive nature, however, often leads TV news reporters, anchors, and meteorologists to believe there are better opportunities somewhere else.
The banning of NCAs would almost certainly reshape the dynamics of acquiring talent now. NCAs require stations to hire more inexperienced people or those with less relevant skills. Without NCAs, however, talent would have more mobility. And this is a boon for TV news talent agents as well.
At the end of the day, if the FTC’s ruling stands, TV news stations and media companies will need to step up and invest in creating a more positive work environment that not only draws but retains top talent. This includes providing highly individualized incentives, opportunities for professional development, and promoting from within the company.
Once they do this, they will be able to more effectively rely on the loyalty of their top talent while also attracting previously NCA-trapped workers from other stations. This will give them an edge in the war on talent.
And yes, that IS a good thing.
Whether you’re a TV news reporter or anchor, a sportscaster or meteorologist, the banning of noncompetes for news talent will be good news for you. So if you’re not happy with your current position, it’s time to consider a move.
Additionally, if you’re not happy with your current agent – or you don’t yet have one – now is the ideal time to reach out to us. Our agents’ extensive and wide-spanning connections with news directors and station managers around the country will give you the competitive edge.
So let’s see what’s out there!
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 for TV news jobs in the industry, where do you begin?
One of the single most important qualifications you want is a TV news agent with connections.
When you’re looking for an agent, you want someone who knows not only where the jobs are, but where they’re going to be and whether they’re appropriate for you. Any TV news personality is going to have the upper hand with an agent who knows people in the industry.
Unfortunately, the bulk of TV news agents are either attorneys with little to no television experience, or individuals that have an interest in the news (and perhaps even a little experience) but have never been in the trenches. They haven’t worked with the important people who can help you get the upper hand.
While searching for a TV news agent, you want someone who has worked in the industry – ideally someone who has served in management, such as a news director or managing editor. Someone who was in the industry in this way likely knows vice presidents of news, news directors, executive producers, and general managers in a way that others will not.
You might be thinking you can just skip getting an agent. Why bother? Why not just go to the internet and search for job postings? They’re definitely out there.
The fact is, anyone could check a website once a job is posted. Often though, the job is already taken. This is because a well-connected TV news agent knows about job openings weeks or even months before they’re posted. And news management trusts these agents because they’ve come from the same side of the desk.
Thus, their clients get dibs.
When you rely solely on the internet to get TV news jobs, you’re going at it alone. Whether you’re a TV news sports reporter, anchor, or meteorologist, working with an experienced TV news agent with connections means you have a knowledgeable ally. It’s an actual human who has your best interest at heart and will tell you not what you want to hear, but what you NEED to hear to get to the next level.
It’s impossible to put a price on that.
Whether you’re in the early or middle stages of your career, in a middle market looking for another middle market location, or in a middle market and looking to get to a major market or network, you need a TV news agent with connections.
Mort Meisner is that agent. Having worked his way up to the highest levels of TV news management from an entry-level position, he is BEYOND well-connected in the industry.
So if you’re ready to make this crucial step in your career, contact him today. Having him in your lane will be a true game-changer for your career.
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 yourself the following questions:
If you’re brand new to the industry and right out of school, chances are you don’t need an agent. This isn’t a given though.
An agent will happily take on brand new talent if they show real promise and are willing to do the work. In some cases, these newbies have heralded from a school with a broadcast journalism school that produced daily live and professional-looking newscasts so they have a solid reel. But even in cases where there isn’t a reel, agents can use their connections to help promising new talent build one.
Furthermore, when a TV news agent recognizes genuine talent, they are willing to coach such individuals to help them find the best first job for the most money, while also helping them help themselves so they can attain a great second job.
Meanwhile, candidates who have already gotten their feet wet working their first TV news job should definitely consider an agent. S/he can offer you so many advantages that you just won’t find out there on your own – regardless of how well you navigate the internet.
Wow. That’s a heavy question! But what we’re referring to here is whether you want to work for a large network vs. the local level.
Many young up-and-coming TV news reporters or anchors are shooting for the big time. They envision themselves on the larger networks and want the lifestyle that goes with that.
Then there are those who know they want to stick closer to home. They may be starting a family and have a significant other who is rooted in his/her job, family, and friends in their current location. Plus, there is power in local news.
Obviously, for those who are aiming for major market 0&0s, affiliates, or network destinations and are willing to go wherever they need to go to get that, an agent is indispensable. They are well-connected and will be eager to send your tape all over the country to give you the best shot at a new job.
Yet, there is a myth that agents won’t want to work with those seeking local work. And that’s just not true. If you’re already at a local station that’s also in a major market, you’ll want an agent to negotiate your next deal at that station. S/he can also get you a meeting at another station across town if needed.
This leads us to the most important question:
Sure, it might seem easy enough to resort to job searches on the internet to find work. And you can do that.
But consider this. An experienced TV news agent who has connections with station news directors and general managers is going to have backdoor access to information that no website will ever have. Plus, by the time curious applicants see job postings on the internet, they’re typically already taken. A TV news agent can share your info and reel long before that happens.
So once you feel you have some chops in the industry and are ready to explore hiring an agent, you can ask other TV news reporters or anchors for recommendations. In addition, attend conferences and take advantage of networking. Meeting your prospective agent face-to-face will give you a good feel for whether he or she is right for you.
Whether you’re a TV news meteorologist, reporter, or anchor, deciding to hire a TV news agent could be the biggest game changer in your career.
So if the above questions have left you feeling ready to take this next important step, contact us today.
With over 30 years of experience in broadcast news, TV news agents Mort Meisner and Steve Koles know the people and players that fuel this industry. We make the connections that will get you in the game.
Name: Julianne Pelusi
Market: N/A
Current Station: N/A
Current Title: Sports Anchor/Reporter
Preferred Title: Sports Anchor/Reporter
Experience: 10 Years
Agent Name: Steve Koles
Agent Phone: (248) 545-2222
Agency: Mort Meisner Associates
Name: Hayley Fixler
Market: #22
Current Station: WNCN
Current Title: Reporter
Preferred Title: Reporter, Anchor/Reporter
Experience: 8 Years
Agent Name: Mort Meisner
Agent Phone: (248) 545-2222
Agency: Mort Meisner Associates
