I really appreciate your approach to hiring and agree with the important aspects that you pointed out. You were looking for the right Human to fill the position. That is the key element.
Thank you for such an excellent picture of what is really behind the story of choosing the people who bring us our news. The reference checking story is all too true, I had a similar experience once, when looking to hire a job candidate who initially seemed promising and yet the stories of their reference completely eliminated them and saved me a lot of trouble in the long run. The qualities you describe of a "onecaster" are exactly what I look for when I choose to exchange my precious time and attention to a media person presenting the news. My current favorite news sources online present in a way that embodies those qualities you describe. Finally, thank you for wrapping up with a comment on how to correctly pronounce Ottumwa. It made me smile and reminded me of my California days, I used to have to tell out of state friends not to call San Francisco the cringe worthy moniker of "Frisco"and instead use "The City" like a local. A little pronunciation practice and understanding of local nicknames and customs goes a long way in helping people coming in from outside of the area assimilate and be accepted as a credible newscaster. If a news presenter doesn't make the time and effort to get those little details right, how can we trust them to be a reliable source of the other important details of factual news?
Sue, the Iowa Broadcast News Association (IBNA) publishes an excellent pronunciation guide that should be a must read for any new reporter or anchor from out of state. The rest of your message is spot on. Thank you very much.
Jon, I drilled it into my head so hard on Nevada and Madrid that when I ran into copy with the state of Nevada or Madrid, Spain, I had to concentrate to make sure I didn’t screw THOSE up!
Reminded me of my time decades ago aa a reporter at KWMT in Fort Dodge working for Jerry Sheeder. He had hired a new reporter from Missouri and I’ll never forget driving home from the station one Saturday morning and hearing the new guy do the noon news. Thought we had covered all the Iowa towns with him. Nope. He pronounced Lamoni as LAY-moan-e.
IBNA used to publish an alphabetical guidebook for all the hard to pronounce names. Don’t know if they still do. I’ve always remembered being a young newscaster at WHO radio when a colleague ran in a breaking news story while I was on the air about a train derailment over the Wapsipinicon River. I’d been in Iowa about two months. Just about had a coronary.
I once called the office of someone I was considering (randomly) and asked the person that answered "how does this person get along with others in the office?" There was a very long pause with nothing said. I finally broke the silence saying "thank you so much, you have been helpful".
Nice tips on the lunch; I've passed them along to my college age grandson.
Excellent description of the hiring process. You didn't mention how you sometimes elevated in-house candidates. And the KCCI history has been a good one with promoting colleagues who are already reporting for the station. I wish the new team who will appear in October the best of luck. Their success will depend on how well they explain issues that are important to Central Iowa viewers and of interest to those who watch online across the country.
Radio was so much easier! When I was assistant news director at KRNT Radio, news director Chuck Seel and I would call down to the University of Missouri - Columbia to ask about good candidates. Neither Chuck nor I were Mizzou grads, but we had great respect for the program in Columbia. We knew that individuals who'd graduated from MU would be well qualified and well prepared. We'd also talk with Jack Shelley who was still at Iowa State as well as John Lytle at Drake about individuals in their programs. We were looking for persons who were curious, could write, and would focus on who, what, when, where, how, and why. It was critical that the new hires get to know the local newsmakers and to understand the peculiar nature of Des Moines. Our attitude was if you are going to be credible, you have to know the territory.
Regarding the guide about pronouncing Iowa towns and names, I think that it was compiled by Jack Shelley while he was news director at WHO. I also think that Tom Reid who was in the WHO news department in the 1950s and early 1960s played a part in creating the guide.
George, it was a simpler time. But you and Chuck built a strong team at KRNT. Those guys (and I think they were all guys then) were great diggers and very good on-air. I can still hear Chuck: “The news at noon brought to you by Bruce and Carlson Furniture”. Can’t remember what I had for breakfast but I remember that.
I need to write a column some day about Shelley. An amazing guy. A pioneer. A big brain. Charisma. And that voice...
Thanks for another informative behind the scenes article. I always thought anchors just read stuff others wrote for them.
How they treat restaurant staff (and others) would be a key indicator of how they are as humans. I like that you paid attention to that.
I really appreciate your approach to hiring and agree with the important aspects that you pointed out. You were looking for the right Human to fill the position. That is the key element.
Thank you for such an excellent picture of what is really behind the story of choosing the people who bring us our news. The reference checking story is all too true, I had a similar experience once, when looking to hire a job candidate who initially seemed promising and yet the stories of their reference completely eliminated them and saved me a lot of trouble in the long run. The qualities you describe of a "onecaster" are exactly what I look for when I choose to exchange my precious time and attention to a media person presenting the news. My current favorite news sources online present in a way that embodies those qualities you describe. Finally, thank you for wrapping up with a comment on how to correctly pronounce Ottumwa. It made me smile and reminded me of my California days, I used to have to tell out of state friends not to call San Francisco the cringe worthy moniker of "Frisco"and instead use "The City" like a local. A little pronunciation practice and understanding of local nicknames and customs goes a long way in helping people coming in from outside of the area assimilate and be accepted as a credible newscaster. If a news presenter doesn't make the time and effort to get those little details right, how can we trust them to be a reliable source of the other important details of factual news?
Your last point is spot on about getting the seemingly smaller details right so viewers trust you on the important stuff.
Sue, the Iowa Broadcast News Association (IBNA) publishes an excellent pronunciation guide that should be a must read for any new reporter or anchor from out of state. The rest of your message is spot on. Thank you very much.
Very informative, Dave. Thank you!
Ne 'vay da and KRNT/KCCI 8, born and raised!
Jon, I drilled it into my head so hard on Nevada and Madrid that when I ran into copy with the state of Nevada or Madrid, Spain, I had to concentrate to make sure I didn’t screw THOSE up!
Reminded me of my time decades ago aa a reporter at KWMT in Fort Dodge working for Jerry Sheeder. He had hired a new reporter from Missouri and I’ll never forget driving home from the station one Saturday morning and hearing the new guy do the noon news. Thought we had covered all the Iowa towns with him. Nope. He pronounced Lamoni as LAY-moan-e.
IBNA used to publish an alphabetical guidebook for all the hard to pronounce names. Don’t know if they still do. I’ve always remembered being a young newscaster at WHO radio when a colleague ran in a breaking news story while I was on the air about a train derailment over the Wapsipinicon River. I’d been in Iowa about two months. Just about had a coronary.
Having begun my 22 year career in TV news at KTVO-TV in "uh-TUM-wah".....I heartily agree.
If only I could have worked for you, Dave! Sigh.
That would have been nice!
👍
Thanks for the peak inside the newsroom.
Stacey has handled the “onecaster” role with stamina and professionalism! Looking forward to seeing how she and Ben work together.
Agree. She’s the consummate pro. It’s not easy carrying a whole newscast by yourself. There’s nowhere to hide. She’s done a great job.
I once called the office of someone I was considering (randomly) and asked the person that answered "how does this person get along with others in the office?" There was a very long pause with nothing said. I finally broke the silence saying "thank you so much, you have been helpful".
Nice tips on the lunch; I've passed them along to my college age grandson.
Excellent description of the hiring process. You didn't mention how you sometimes elevated in-house candidates. And the KCCI history has been a good one with promoting colleagues who are already reporting for the station. I wish the new team who will appear in October the best of luck. Their success will depend on how well they explain issues that are important to Central Iowa viewers and of interest to those who watch online across the country.
Thanks, it cheers me up to think that behind the scenes, managers like you make such an effort to see the whole person.
Radio was so much easier! When I was assistant news director at KRNT Radio, news director Chuck Seel and I would call down to the University of Missouri - Columbia to ask about good candidates. Neither Chuck nor I were Mizzou grads, but we had great respect for the program in Columbia. We knew that individuals who'd graduated from MU would be well qualified and well prepared. We'd also talk with Jack Shelley who was still at Iowa State as well as John Lytle at Drake about individuals in their programs. We were looking for persons who were curious, could write, and would focus on who, what, when, where, how, and why. It was critical that the new hires get to know the local newsmakers and to understand the peculiar nature of Des Moines. Our attitude was if you are going to be credible, you have to know the territory.
Regarding the guide about pronouncing Iowa towns and names, I think that it was compiled by Jack Shelley while he was news director at WHO. I also think that Tom Reid who was in the WHO news department in the 1950s and early 1960s played a part in creating the guide.
George, it was a simpler time. But you and Chuck built a strong team at KRNT. Those guys (and I think they were all guys then) were great diggers and very good on-air. I can still hear Chuck: “The news at noon brought to you by Bruce and Carlson Furniture”. Can’t remember what I had for breakfast but I remember that.
I need to write a column some day about Shelley. An amazing guy. A pioneer. A big brain. Charisma. And that voice...
This answered my question about why it’s taken so long! Thanks!