Fast Facts
Name: Matt Petrillo
Market: N/A
Current Station: N/A
Current Title: Reporter
Preferred Title: Reporter
Experience: 10+ years
Agent Name: Mort Meisner
Agent Phone: (248) 545-2222
Agency: Mort Meisner Associates
Matt Petrillo
May 27, 2025 by
FAQs About Mort Meisner Associates
May 20, 2025 by
If you’re a TV news anchor, reporter, meteorologist, or sports reporter, you’ve probably heard of Mort Meisner Associates.
Mort is one of the most well-known and experienced TV news talent agents in the business.
So if you’re on the lookout for representation that’s a cut above the rest, we’ll answer the most FAQs about Mort Meisner in this post.
FAQs About Mort Meisner Associates
First of all, we want to start by saying that if you sign up with Mort Meisner Associates, you will be working one-on-one with Mort Meisner himself. Despite the name of the agency which sounds vaguely like one of those large law firms named after a big-time attorney who would never represent you, this is not the case with Mort.
He will be your guy.
So What Makes Mort So Special?
Mort has over 20 years of newsroom experience. He’s had direct experience as a major market news director, assistant news director, investigative producer, managing editor, and/or assignment editor is a great place to start.
Recognized as an industry expert, Mort is frequently quoted with regard to the news media and is cited in college textbooks on the subject. Many of today’s decision-makers, news directors, and general managers, worked with or for Mort during the span of his career. Relationships drive this business and since Mort has the advantage of knowing so many key players personally, he can reach them directly and get honest feedback on talent.
What Else Makes Mort Unique?
Mort thrives on the connection he has with his clients. Truly. You could call anyone on his impressive roster and they will verify this. With Mort, you’ll never be passed off to an administrative assistant. You’ll always be in the know about who’s viewing your reel and any interest it’s generating from station managers.
Even after Mort places talent, he’ll continue to critique your work and provide guidance to keep you on the right path to reaching your goals. He’ll use his experience and knowledge of the industry to negotiate on your behalf. Since he has a knack for breaking through all the noise of this industry, he’s able to secure you with the most beneficial salary and perks, signing bonuses, and professional development opportunities.
How Does Mort Find Job Openings?
Anybody can search websites for job openings.
But because Mort is so well-known in the industry, he has connections with news directors and management and is aware of job openings before they get posted. And since he is a long-established and respected agent, he’s regularly contacted by station talent recruiters and search firms inquiring about talent that would fit their needs.
In addition, he regularly attends industry events and conferences to stay familiar with the top networks, large broadcasters, and even local executives. He makes the extra effort to put himself out there so he knows what decision-makers want when they set out to hire talent.
Will Mort Help With My Reel?
Of course he will! Although it may not seem like it, a lot goes into coming up with a great demo reel for TV news talent. And your current demo reel may not be highlighting your talents in the best light.
When it comes to creating and critiquing reels, Mort is a true pro. He knows there are various “tricks” reporters can use to make their reels memorable to the average hiring manager and will help you produce a reel that will make you more marketable.
As a veteran in the industry, he does have certain recommendations he offers news talent depending on their career goals. The requirements for an actor reporter, for instance, will be different than for a regular reporter or a hard news reporter.
Will I Be Competing Against Mort’s Other Talent for the Same Job?
Some agencies send one composite reel that features multiple clients for a job. Mort is not down with this. He believes in marketing you specifically for a job and not just lumping your reel in with other Mort Meisner Associates talent. Mort takes pride in matching talent with jobs that are tailored for them – based on the specifications of both the talent and the hiring manager. That’s why he focuses on sending out individual talent reels.
Now You Know!
We hope the answers to these FAQs about Mort Meisner have left you more informed. Whether you’re an aspiring broadcast meteorologist or a seasoned anchor, you should be getting the most from your TV news talent agent.
Your agent should be doing more than just placing you. He or she should be offering you guidance every step of the way.
So if you’re ready to see firsthand what Mort Meisner can offer you, contact him today.
TV News Talent Agent Mort Meisner Has Always Recognized Talent
May 7, 2025 by
Exceptional TV news talent has more than just great stage presence. While that’s a necessary component, there has to be far more than that.
That’s why talent agent Mort Meisner is frustrated that the industry is moving away from hiring singular talent and replacing it with teams.
And when it comes to recognizing true talent, he’s one of the best in the country. He’s found more than his fair share.
A Couple of Success Stories
When Meisner first started his agent business, one person who stood out among others was Craig Nigrelli. When Meisner met Craig, he had aspirations of becoming an anchor. He also had an agent who didn’t believe in him.
Meisner recognized he was rough around the edges, but believed he could do it. So Nigrelli fired his current agent and Meisner got him a morning anchor job quickly. Of the large pool of talent he now represents, Nigrelli continues to have Meisner represent him and is an anchor in Wichita.
As Meisner became further established as an agent, he was frequently approached by those not in the broadcasting industry looking to change jobs. Irika Sargent was one of those people.
Several years ago, she reached out to him and said she was an attorney who was interested in becoming an anchorwoman. Meisner recognized that she had all the necessary elements in place to make it as an anchor. He also recognized that it would take some time and told her that she’d have to take a major pay cut. Fortunately, Sargent was willing.
From there, she started in a small market in the south, moved up to Houston then eventually Miami. She is now in Chicago where she’s the top female anchor both in background and credibility.
Mort Meisner Has Always Recognized Talent
Of course, an agent isn’t solely responsible for a client’s success. There are always going to be those who have more natural talent than others. They’re just hard-wired for it. Still, no matter your level of talent, having an experienced agent can give you distinct advantages.
When Allen Devlin reached out to Meisner 3 1/2 years ago, he was a reporter at the NBC affiliate in Greenville, South Carolina. Demonstrating serious natural talent, he’d already won several prestigious awards. His goal was to get back to his hometown of Atlanta though. So he reached out to Meisner to figure out how to make that happen. Devlin had a fantastic reel that Meisner oversaw.
With that, Meisner was able to take advantage of his multiple contacts at the CBS affiliate and other stations in the market. Soon enough, there was a bidding war for Devlin’s services.
Recognizing true talent, several stations in the Atlanta market and beyond were courting Devlin. He landed seventeen interviews and received nine offers. He ultimately accepted one of those offers in his hometown of Atlanta. Since that time, he has continued to grow as a reporter and has become an outstanding anchor. Meisner continues to be his agent.
Championing for Every Client
Mort Meisner has always recognized talent and he continues to be a champion for news talent all over the country – fighting every day to ensure they get the benefits and the pay they deserve.
For a deep dive into how Mort started his career and became a true agent of change, you can read his memoir, Enough to Be Dangerous.
And if you’re a broadcast news anchor, reporter, sports reporter, or meteorologist ready to experience the benefit of working with one of the most experienced and well-connected TV news talent agents in the country, contact Mort today! He WILL do everything in his power to get your dream placement.
Jeff Pegues
April 22, 2025 by
Fast Facts
Name: Jeff Pegues
Market: N/A
Current Station: N/A
Current Title: Anchor/Reporter
Preferred Title: Anchor/Reporter
Experience: 20+ years
Agent Name: Mort Meisner
Agent Phone: (248) 545-2222
Agency: Mort Meisner Associates
Contact
Trevor Thompson
April 11, 2025 by
Fast Facts
Name: Trevor Thompson
Market: #14
Current Station: FanDuel Sports Network
Current Title: Sports Anchor/Host/Reporter
Preferred Title: Sports Anchor/Host/Reporter
Experience: 20+ years
Agent Name: Mort Meisner
Agent Phone: (248) 545-2222
Agency: Mort Meisner Associates
Contact
TV News Talent Agent Believes in Educating the Public with FACTS
April 10, 2025 by
Back in 2020, former President Barack Obama spoke of the disturbing fact that so many people voted for a man with whom he felt he had absolutely nothing in common. But he made an important point:
“The voters are divided. It has now become a contest where issues, facts, [and] policies per se don’t matter as much as identity and wanting to beat the other guy. You know, that’s taken priority. I do think the current media environment adds to that greatly. This democracy doesn’t work if we don’t have an informed citizenry.”
Four years later, here we are. And TV News talent agent Mort Meisner is even more passionate about the responsibility media has in educating the public with FACTS. It’s an enduring theme in his memoir, Enough to Be Dangerous.
Just the Facts, Ma’am: Educating the Public with FACTS
Mort often recalls one of the biggest stories he would cover – the Tonya Harding/Nancy Kerrigan attack in 1994. The story made international and national headlines.
Incredibly well-connected, Mort knew Detroit Police Chief Ike McKinnon and used him as a source on every aspect of the story. With McKinnon’s intelligence and the mad skills of investigative reporter Scott Lewis, Mort’s CBS affiliate station in Detroit was uncovering the whole seemingly unbelievable and warped plot while national and international media circles couldn’t figure out how they were getting the story before everyone else.
When the CBS network questioned the veracity of the crazy story and asked Mort for his sources, he refused. They threatened to not broadcast the story, to which Mort simply responded, “Fine. Don’t use the story.” When CBS turned it down, Mort gave it to NBC instead. Even though they were his competition, he knew the facts needed to be presented.
Is What We’re Hearing True?
It’s gotten increasingly difficult to know how much of what is out there is fact, and how much is mis-, dis-, or even mal-information.
While Mort was working at ABC in Chicago in 1983, a fire started in the lavatory of an Air Canada flight that spread between the outer skin and inner panels of the plane. It was required to make an emergency landing.
Ninety seconds after the plane landed, the doors were opened. The heat of the fire combined with the fresh oxygen from the open exit doors created dangerous flashover conditions. The plane’s interior was immediately engulfed in flames – killing 23 passengers who had not yet been evacuated.
Mort had a source at the Federal Aviation Administration (remember them?) who provided him with these horrifying facts. So while national newscasts were reporting there were few or no injuries, Mort’s local news was reporting otherwise with the data they had.
This underscores the importance of having impeccable sources. Especially now, when so much bad information is being rolled out as factual.
Demanding Integrity and Truth
Back in that same interview in 2020, Obama went on to say, “I think we’re gonna have to work with the media… to find ways to inform the public better about the issues and to bolster the standards that ensure we can separate truth from fiction.”
Mort couldn’t agree more. His objective has always been to uncover the facts and present them with integrity and truth. And he looks for the same passion in his clients.
So if you’re seeking a TV news talent agent who emphasizes educating the public with FACTS, then contact Mort today. And to get an inside look at Mort’s passion in action, pick up a copy of his memoir. You’ll be entertained, inspired, and even a little bit aghast at times!
Aaron Dickens
March 27, 2025 by
Fast Facts
Name: Aaron Dickens
Market: #29
Current Station: KGTV
Current Title: Anchor/Reporter
Preferred Title: Anchor/Reporter
Experience: 20 Years
Agent Name: Steve Koles
Agent Phone: (248) 545-2222
Agency: Mort Meisner Associates
Contact
You Need a TV News Talent Agent to Break Through the Noise
March 19, 2025 by
Being a broadcast journalist can be brutal. Maybe this quality is what drew you to it!
Whatever the case, in the highly competitive race for best ratings, stories, and career advancement, even the most talented TV news anchors, reporters, and meteorologists can get lost in the din.
If you can relate to this feeling, then it’s time to secure a TV news talent agent to break through the noise.
The Benefits of Hiring a TV News Talent Agent to Break Through the Noise
When you work with an experienced agent who has connections, prowess, and savvy, you stand a much better chance of seeing your career soar to new heights. A well-connected agent knows how to secure opportunities for you that can transform your career trajectory.
How do they do this?
Highlight Personal Branding
The world of broadcast is full of noisy talking heads that can become difficult to tell apart. An excellent agent knows the value of personal branding and how to parse out what makes you unique. And he or she will work tirelessly toward this end.
Along with carefully reviewing your resume reel, they offer suggestions and constructive feedback for your demo reel. An effective agent will identify your niche – the place where you truly shine – and then do everything in their power to highlight this area of expertise.
This branding also extends to your online presence; ensuring that your personal website and social media profiles showcase your strengths.
Use Powerful Negotiation Tactics
Even if you thrive on the wild and woolly industry of broadcast, you may feel a little sheepish when it comes to salary negotiation. That’s not unusual.
An experienced TV news agents uses their experience and knowledge of the industry to negotiate on your behalf. Because he or she has a knack for breaking through all the noise, they’re able to secure you with the most beneficial salary and perks, signing bonuses, and professional development opportunities.
Take Advantage of a Strong Network
Does your current agent understand the subtle shifts that regularly occur in news formats, viewer preferences, and tech? Are they able to anticipate these shifts and changes so they can position you for success? A lot of this has to do with how well-connected your agent is.
Any agent who doesn’t have an expansive network of relationships with decision-makers such as news directors, executive producers, and station managers is not going to help you get very far. You need an agent who regularly attends industry events, conferences, and social gatherings. Doing so is crucial for building rapport and trust, and gaining insider access to possible opportunities for you long before they become public.
See Placement As Only the First Step
If your agent’s only goal is to get you placed and then move on to the next client, you and your career deserve more than that. Much more.
The difference between an excellent TV news agent and an average one is the ongoing support and guidance they provide their clients throughout their careers. When it comes to contract negotiation, crisis management, and development advice, you need a TV news talent agent who’s going to be there every step of the way.
So if you don’t have that with your current agent, it’s time to move on.
Insist on the Best TV News Talent Agent
To get ahead in your career as a broadcast journalist, you need a TV news talent agent to break through the noise and empower your career journey.
Mort Meisner is that agent. He possesses the skills and connections that will help you thrive, while providing the support you need to have a successful career in broadcast journalism.
So contact him today to get started. And enjoy the advantages of his extensive experience.
Jonathan Hunter
March 17, 2025 by
Fast Facts
Name: Jonathan Hunter
Market: N/A
Current Station: N/A
Current Title: Reporter/Anchor
Preferred Title: Reporter/Anchor
Experience: 10 Years
Agent Name: Steve Koles
Agent Phone: (248) 545-2222
Agency: Mort Meisner Associates
Contact
Jatrissa Wooten
March 14, 2025 by
Fast Facts
Name: Jatrissa Wooten
Market: #21
Current Station: Spectrum News
Current Title: Anchor/Host/Reporter
Preferred Title: Anchor/Host/Reporter
Experience: 6 Years
Agent Name: Steve Koles
Agent Phone: (248) 545-2222
Agency: Mort Meisner Associates
