Advice for Laid Off Local TV Creative Services and Marketing People–Read for Free

By Paul Greeley
817-578-6324, Paul@NewsBlues.com

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I’ve been there.

It must have come as a shock to all the marketing staff at Tegna’s 68 television stations in 54 markets to find out they’ve been laid off earlier this week.

Who does that?

Actually, it’s happened twice before in recent memory.

In 2020, Meredith Broadcasting laid off 130 marketing and creative services staff at its 17 TV stations across the country.

And in 2009, NBC dropped the creative services staff at all its owned and operated stations. They turned over their creative to an ad agency/production company named Mother.

So, what’s next for you?

It’s understandable to feel anger, betrayal, and frustration.

Get over it, it happens, it’s time to move on.

Unless you have another income source to fall back on, and can turn your back on television, writing, shooting and editing video, you have two choices.

Do I stay where I am or do I move to where another opportunity exists?

I recommend you follow both paths at the same time.

By being proactive, you will feel more in control of your own destiny. If you’re home and not working, spend some time each day job searching, but take advantage of the time you have and spend some time being with family, taking a walk or whatever.

Now, sit down, make up a list of action steps you’re going to take to find a job locally and another list to find a job where one might exist.

You have to be a detective, search websites for contacts, decision-makers, make LinkedIn your friend.

Market yourself creatively. If it’s an email, make it creative.

IN-MARKET STEPS

• Tell everyone you know–friends, co-workers—to be on the lookout for you. It’s not your fault, there should be no shame. They are your network now.

• Contact other local TV stations in your market.

While they may not have an opening in marketing or creative services right now, that might change.
Consider a creative way to contact the GM or CSD about you. I once sent my resume and cover letter in an empty tennis can for a sports producer opening. I wasn’t really qualified but I got a call back from the station.

• Contact ad agencies and video production companies in town.
Your skills as a marketing and branding writer and video producer align with many of the needs in the ad and video production business. Be creative when reaching out to them, make yourself stand out.

• Many businesses, schools, and universities have in-house creative services staff.
Contact the decision makers and let them know who you are, your skills and availability.

• Consider using the power of the press. An opinion piece or letter to the editor of the local newspaper.

TV JOBS IN OTHER MARKETS

• Low hanging fruit are broadcast company websites career pages.
I just went to one broadcast company website and found two openings for creative services directors and 5 openings for producers.

• Find and know the names of and contact information for broadcast company recruiters, VPs of marketing, and other high ups who are part of the decision-making process for local TV stations.
Do not cold call them. Send them something about you in a creative way that will get their attention, then perhaps you can follow up with a phone call.
For example, I know a top broadcast company executive who has an affinity for Cajun food. Perhaps a bottle of Louisiana hot sauce sent to her office with your resume wrapped around it.

• Find and know the names and emails of local TV stations GMs and CSDs.
Make a list and email them something highly creative. Send a link to your reel and supply a form for them to fill out, from ‘the best I’ve even seen’ to ‘consider another line of work’.
Make it funny.

Also, another great resource is Talent Dynamics.  The company maintains the only database of on-air talent, producers, managers, sales managers and creative services professionals.    They are a free resource to the job seeker, to add your profile to their database, go to:  www.talentdynamics.com/join.

As I said at the beginning, I’ve been there. So I don’t care who are or where you are, if you want to talk about it, call me at 817-587-6324 or email, Paul@NewsBlues.com.