NEWS Assignment Editor Selects the producer, correspondent, and crew to cover a specific news story. News experience required. Degree in journalism preferred. 17 Associate Producer/Field Producer Assists producer and provides back-up in terms of concept, assign- ments, content, and format. News and production experience preferred. Correspondent Position usually found at the network level. On-air reporter who covers a news assignment, reports it back to network news depart- ments, and may supervise the editing of the segment with the news writer and/or film editor. News writing experience required. Degree in journalism preferred. Executive Producer Maintains control over finished product, carries out company policy in news content, involved in directing news staff. News experience required. Degree in journalism preferred. News Anchor Delivers all news live on the air. Must have clear speaking voice and good knowledge of current events. News writing and editing experience preferred. Reporting ex- perience preferred. News Assistant Maintains news service machines, collects and distributes teletype copy and' tapes to news editors and writers, assists in the preparation of sports scores and weather round-ups, and acts as office manager for the department. Entry-level position. News Director Serves as executive editor for all newscasts. Selects events to be covered and stories to go on the air. Responsible for the budget. Directs the news staff. Interrupts programs for special broadcasts. News and management experience required. 18 News Producer Responsible for concept, format, and content of any news program. News and production experience required. News Reporter Gathers news from many different sources, writes and reports it on the air at a local or network station. News and editing experience helpful. News Writer Position usually at large stations or the network. Writes, rewrites, condenses, and processes news material secured from outside news associations or from correspondents for cable, local or network news programs on radio and television. Writing skills and experience preferred. Researcher Position usually at large station or the networks. Reads, interviews, and researches any information required by producers and editors in the field and in the office. Entry-level position. Sports Director Acts as news reporter but specifically for sporting events. Stringer Lives in area distant from station news bureau, and reports news- worthy events from the locale for television, radio, cable, or networks. Tape Editor Edits videotape for preparation of news stories. Experience in production preferred. 19 PERSONNEL Employment Interviewer Position usually found at the networks. Recruits, interviews, tests, and selects applicants to fill current openings, conducts follow-up and exit interviews, and assists in personnel research projects. Personnel Director Supervises staff that recruits, interviews, tests, selects, and refers ap- plicants for employment and handles transfers and promotions within the company. Recommends, interprets, and administers company per- sonnel policies. Administers medical program to assist the employees in maintaining, improving or restoring their health. Supervises the company training program. Prepares and maintains personnel records. PRODUCTION Announcer Delivers commercials, promotion, public service, and identification spots. Microphone and camera technique and ability to read well on sight are necessary. Union membership required at networks and many stations. Copywriter Writes commercial copy for both local stations and advertising agen- cies. Sometimes known as continuity writer. Degree in journalism beneficial. Director Responsible for studio production of programs or commercials and technical action. Knowledge of theatre, film, tape, and camera techniques helpful, as well as knowledge of acting, lighting, technical equipment, and film and tape editing. Degree in broadcast production helpful. Film Editor Edits negative and positive film at film production company for pro- grams and commercials. 20 For top status, cinematic editing degree required. Otherwise, must have vast knowledge of film and film equipment. Membership in union may be required. Apprenticeship to achieve full film editor designation often takes seven years. Guest Relations Director Liaison with general public and networks. Handles ticket distribution and arranges tours of networks. Must have interest in and ability to work with people. Entry level position. Lighting Director Sets lights in motion picture studio for film and tape production. Radio-TV degree helpful and many years of experience in actual production necessary. Apprenticeship usually necessary. Union mem- bership may be required in larger markets. Makeup Artist Applies makeup to performers. Must have training. Apprenticeship usually required. Union mem- bership may be required. Music Director Radio: Catalogs records in local radio station. Often chooses music to be used on programs. May be coupled with disc Jockey or talent responsibility. Extensive knowledge of music necessary. TV: Catalogs video tapes in station or network. Often assists news department. May be coupled with news assistant responsibilities. News Telepromoter Operator Prepares script to be displayed on the telepromoter. Loads and oper- ates telepromoter. Usually an entry-level position. 21 Photographer Takes still or motion pictures or videotape for use in news, production, public relations, or promotion departments. Must be experienced photographer. Station training required. Producer In charge of all development and production aspects of specific live, tape, or film programs. Works on staff of local station, network, or independent production company. Needs overall knowledge of performing, directing, lighting, makeup, technical equipment, and costs. Experience in all fields of radio and television industry necessary. Production Manager Is involved in entire range of station's programs. Determines personnel, space, and equipment needed and supervises studio activities. Production and management experience necessary. Production or Program Assistant Assists producer in all phases of program development and production. Broadcast degree helpful. Entry-level position. Scenic Designer Position usually found at the networks or a production house. Designs backgrounds for shows and supervises construction. Theatre arts background helpful. Knowledge of carpentry and design essential. Union membership may be required. Talent Any performer paid to appear on radio, television, or cable. This includes any person who performs as an actress/actor, singer, dancer, announcer, newscaster, narrator, commentator, lecturer, analyst, mistress/master-of-ceremonies, sound effects artist, demonstrator, moderator, panel member, disc jockey, model, sportscaster, specialty act, puppeteer, or extra. 22 PROGRAMMING Administrative Assistant Responsible for station or network advance program schedule, which is the basic source of program listings. Assists program director. Often handles listener/viewer calls. Entry level position. People skills required. Community Affairs Director/Manager Develops and plans all community projects for radio and television station. Acts as liaison between station and community. Serves as station representative for various educational institutions, government, and civic agencies. At some stations, depending upon the size and market, selects and produces public service announcements, produces public affairs programming, and is editorial director. May be responsible for the maintenance of the station's FCC Public Inspec- tion File and the station's community ascertainment. In many cases works closely with the station's promotion manager. Knowledge of the community is necessary. Broadcast experience helpful. Director of Public Access (Cable) Responsible for the operation of channels available for use by the public. Assists the public in producing its own programming. Disc Jockey (Radio) On air personality or announcer as emcee on music program. Union membership may be required. Program Director/Manager Plans entire broadcast or cablecast schedule. Ensures that local or live tape shows are produced and directed, announcers are sched- uled properly, shows are purchased with consideration of audience taste, show costs, and adaptability to schedule. Is responsible for hiring and firing of personnel within the department. Works closely with station manager, sales director, and public service department. Years of experience in broadcasting or cable necessary before at- taining position. Begins in lesser position in radio, television, or cable operation and works up. 23 Public Service Director See Community Affairs Director PROMOTION Advertising Manager Supervises all broadcast, cable, and print advertising for a specific company. Works with company's advertising agency, applying agency's recommendations to company's advertising and marketing assignments. Advertising experience essential. College degree desired. Assistant's job may lead to managerial position. Director-On-Air Advertising See Promotion Manager Promotion Manager Promotes audience interest in the station and its programs through use of press releases, ads in newspapers, and on-air spots. Usually includes supervision of production of promotional announcements. Writing skills required. Knowledge of film tape, sound recording, and production, as well as broadcast or related degree, helpful. SALES Account Executive Advertising: The advertising agency's liaison between the agency and the client or account. Responsible for analyzing advertising and marketing problems of the advertiser and bringing agency's solutions of those problems to the client for approval. Must understand broadcasting and cable as selling tools and recognize their relationship to other media such as print. Advertising or business administration degree is preferred. Radio/TV/Cable: Sells time on radio, television, or cable to advertising agencies or to sponsors. Works with assigned accounts, selling time, programs, or special talent. Extensive knowledge of sales and broadcasting or cable necessary. Sales training helpful. Bachelor's degree helpful. 24 Co-Op Coordinator Researches availability of co-op dollars and provides leads for sales department. Assists in advertising campaign. Market Analyst (Cable) Conducts studies to project the expected percentage of penetration (number of subscribers) within a community. Previous market research experience helpful. National Representative Salesperson employed by a sales representative firm hired by in- dividual stations to represent them in cities where large advertising agencies have their main offices. Sells clients' air time to agency time buyers. Sales training helpful. Research/Marketing Develops and writes sales pieces promoting various station programs for sale to sponsors. Sales Assistant Secretarial duties. Assists account executives with availabilities and handles makegoods. Sales Manager Establishes and achieves sales objectives, prepares guides for personnel, supervises establishment of effective sales promotion and advertising campaigns, controls commercial copy, and supervises traffic operation. Business or broadcasting degree helpful. May begin as a sales- person and work up to top position. Sales Staff Works with assigned accounts, selling time or programs or special talent. Sales training helpful. Bachelor's degree helpful. 25 Time Buyer/Media Buyer Employed by advertising agency. Buys 30-second and 60-second time periods within specific programs or buys programs on network o station in which advertisers display their products through commercials. Knowledge of broadcasting helpful but not required. Entry level position. Traffic Manager/Traffic Coordinator Makes up daily log, which is a guide for use by radio and television personnel. Schedules all shows and commercial announcements. Knowledge of broadcasting and computers and interest in detailed work essential. Entry level position called traffic coordinator, with some of the duties above. Vendor Specialist Develops, sells and coordinates vendor sales program for station. Vendor program utilizes manufacturer funds for local retailer support campaigns. College degree required with creative and writing skills preferred. Usually start as co-op coordinator or in product marketing. 26