Jeremy Kauffman is the executive producer for News 12 NJ, located in Edison, NJ. When Professor Janes told us we needed to find and interview a professional radio producer or TV producer, I got extremely nervous. I could only imagine how busy these people who are high up in their jobs are. This project ended up benefitting me much more than I had thought though. One of my mother's students is the sister of Michele Powers, the local weather anchor over at News 12 NJ. Michele Powers helped me get in contact with Jeremy, who is the executive producer for News 12 in order to complete my assignment.
I thought Jeremy Kauffman was the perfect example of an electronic media professional for this blog post because he has been through it all. Jeremy deals with the entire company, from production to performance to hands on to reaching each employee. Throughout this blog post I will describe what Jeremy does at his job, how he got started, what has led him to being the executive producer and also what he feels is going to be the future for News 12 based on the newer technologies in our world.
Jeremy, as I stated before, is the executive producer, in which he handles everything that happens in the studio as well as on air activities and procedures. Jeremy basically runs the show. He tells his employees what needs to be done that day. He attends the executive meetings that are held everyday. What topics should be touched upon and how to touch upon them. Jeremy made very clear that he wants his station, along with his employees to stress, that his station is the station of record. News 12 is an exclusive, 24-hour local news channel dedicated to serving 14 counties in New Jersey (News12.) Jeremy makes sure that his message, being number 1, is made clear and that his employees prove that through their work and message on air. Being in the News business is not as easy as it seems. You constantly have competition between other news channel who want the same slogan and representation. Jeremy stated also that in order to be a great news channel, like News 12, and to have the title that they have, "the largest, most-watched, local news channel," as also found on their website.
Jeremy got started by starting lower in the business. He was at first just an employee until he decided he wanted to take charge rather than just being a hands on guy. Jeremy had a passion for news as well as making the company as great as they are. By him knowing he could make a difference, he was able to move up in the company.
Jeremy had experience at News 12 as a current employee as well as a smaller news stations, which i'm not sure of the name. The experiences that led Jeremy to this position mainly had to do with his passion for news and his passion for the job. I know Jeremy had started off as the assistant news director for a while as well. As stated before Jeremy wanted to make clear that this would be the best news channel locally.
One thing that Jeremy said he loves are his employees. He said his biggest asset would be his employees because they are the ones he needs to be able to count on. The one thing about the news is that you need to bring your listener what they want to hear RIGHT away. This is not an easy task and Jeremy made clear that his employees are always ready to bring the listener the news. If their is breaking news going on locally, his team is always on the case. Jeremy really did not state anything he did not love about his job. The only thing he said that makes him nervous is the economy. He has such a passion for his job that the economy is the only thing that may drag them down because of AD dollars and advertising in general. With the economy being the way it is, many people are trying to save their money instead of buying ad space.
When I asked Jeremy about the future of News 12 and what he thinks the newer technologies will bring, he replied with how News 12 is going full HD next year. Jeremy also said they will be getting a brand new set with a completely new and updated graphics package as well. Jeremy was not sure about where the future of the station itself would go. He believes that as of right now, and for a while, the station will remain the same. He was a little nervous though that satellite and FiOS may bring them into a draw back. With the way technology is now, in a few years everything may go to satellite which will not be good at all for them because their other slogan is "never on FiOS, never on satellite."
A great idea in order for students to get their foot through the door is with assignments like this. I was dreading doing this assignment (station profile assignment) at first, but once I got my foot through the door, I really enjoyed the experience. So many students received internships through this assignment. Internships are the best way for one to get their foot through the door and get some hands on experience which is what will land you a job eventually. Even starting low in the job will keep gaining you experience.
Experience is extremely important. Think about it this way - would you want to hire someone for a job if you were the manager if they had no experience? Of course not. Experience is what will make you learn. Hands on experience is the best thing you could gain. The best place to gain experience is through an internship that consists with your major or minor. For example, my minor is event planning and I just received an internship at a bridal magazine. Working at a bridal magazine may not be the experience I will need in the future, but meeting people through the internship and doing different activities in the internship is what will benefit me in the long run.
Qualities/characteristics that are needed for working at News 12 NJ would definitely be talent and personality and reliance. News 12 is all about reaching their demographic. You need to have people who will bring the audience their news when they want it and make sure they cover each segment of what the audience is looking for. Talent is the main key as well. You want someone who is going to attract your customers and has that personality you won't find on other stations. Reliance is another key to having this job. The producers and such need to be able to rely on their employees since they are the ones transmitting the news and information to their audience.
As for whether there was an industry journal/trade publication they would recommend reading, I did not get that answer out of Jeremy. I believe his response to that would be to simply watch News 12 and other news channels and see what is alike and different. The best way to find information is by doing research. Which channel brings me my news faster? Which channel is accurate? Which channel can I rely on the most?
Some other media:
This example is on the future of news - the digital divide (future)
I thought this was a cool video on what news producers, anchors, executives, accomplish. (news)
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