TEGNA, one of America’s largest and most geographically diverse media companies, is investing deeply in new and prospective team members with its Producer-in-Residence (PIR) program, and recent graduates of ASU’s Cronkite School are participating in the program and now serving either as a PIR or have been recently promoted at one of TEGNA’s 64 stations in 51 markets.
Notable alumni participants are as follows:
- Brielle Ashford, Class of 2020: A member of TEGNA’s 2021 PIR class, Brielle entered the program as a strong show producer but found her true love was digital producing due to the program’s exposure to all platforms. She was promoted in May 2021 and currently serves as a digital editor/multimedia producer at WUSA, TEGNA’s CBS affiliate in Washington, D.C.
- Alexa Fuenmayor, Class of 2021: Alexa entered the program in 2021 and is currently serving as a producer-in-residence at WTSP, TEGNA’s CBS affiliate in Tampa, Fla.
- Cassandra Laubach, Class of 2021: Entering the PIR program in June 2021, Cassandra is currently producing the weekday noon show as a producer-in-residence at TEGNA’s KGW, the NBC affiliate in Portland, Ore. She is on track for future promotion as a producer.
- Sarandon Raboin, Class of 2021: After six months in the PIR program, Sarandon was promoted to producer of the 4 p.m. show at TEGNA’s WHAS, the ABC affiliate in Louisville, Ky.
- Jonett Zarate-Velazquez, Class of 2020: Jonett joined TEGNA’s PIR program in 2020 and is currently serving as a producer-in-residence role at KPNX, TEGNA’s NBC affiliate in Phoenix, Ariz.
And although Mackenzie Belley, Class of 2021, did not participate as a TEGNA Producer-in-Residence (PIR), it should be noted she is currently a multi-platform producer at TEGNA’s KREM, the CBS affiliate in Spokane, Wash.
Since launching as a pilot in 2018, TEGNA’s PIR initiative is the industry’s largest program developing future newsroom leaders. Accepting graduating seniors from major journalism schools, regional universities and colleges, including several historically Black institutions, TEGNA is intentional in seeking diverse students who offer underrepresented viewpoints and backgrounds to provide different perspectives to a newsroom. These include diversity of race, sexual orientation, religion and geography.
During the PIR program, recruits receive cross-platform training, especially in the first six months that include a jam-packed two-week virtual boot camp. From that experience, participants move on to a two-year, full-time producer position at a local station.
TEGNA is currently looking for college seniors or graduate-level students with journalism or related degrees graduating in Spring 2022, or current producers with fewer than two years of professional producing experience for stations or websites to join one of its 49 newsrooms. Those interested in applying can do so here. The deadline for submissions is April 8.