Don Smith
Station Manager, Cranford TV
I have been working in Local TV for the past 28 years getting my start at Cranford TV-35 Back in 1994. I have also worked for News 12 and NY 1 as an On-Air Traffic Anchor Over the past 20 years. Along with working at Clark TV-36 I also joined Media First Group in Fairfield as a Traffic Anchor for their Morning show as well as Fill in News Update Anchor for MeTV. In addition to those duties I also have my own YouTube Channel The Tri State Traffic Show which a Live Morning Traffic shows going in depth about traffic and transit conditions for NJ, NY and CT…Live M-F 7am -9am.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoz0O1kD3i5BbfZQU8SF9yg/featured
Using College Interns and How to Find Them (Roundtable)
One of the great things about PEG channels is that they can provide a meaningful internship to young people who want to pursue a career in media production. Unlike the networks, there are no union regulations, no restrictions on what equipment can be used, and little but common sense to restrict creative young minds. The list of successful professionals that started their careers at PEG channels is lengthy. This panel will explore ways to find qualified interns and what to do with them once you have them on board to make their experience valuable and their management relatively painless. Panelists: Abigail Wilson, Production Manager, C-NET, PA; George Fairfield, Station Manager, Piscataway TV; Moderator: Don Smith, Station Manager, Cranford TV
How to Conduct a Great Interview: Interviewing Skills and Tips
Have you ever wondered how to prepare properly for an interview? How do you get the most out of your guest and avoid the single word answers? Learn how to effectively listen, react, and ask the right questions and the right time to ask them during an interview. Professional reporters from local channels in the New York/New Jersey Market will guide you through the steps to help make your next interview the best! Panelist: Panelist: Barry Farber American entrepreneur, sales consultant, author, and talk show host; Laura Jones, Television Journalists, Award-winning television host; Moderator: Don Smith, Station Manager, Cranford TV
Problem Solving Forum: Goals & Obstacles (Roundtable)
It’s important for every institution to set goals in order to grow and improve, but setting realistic goals and achieving them can be challenging. Those challenges can vary depending on the goal and what you are trying to achieve. In many cases achieving that goal depends on finding money, sometimes it’s knowing how to handle local politics; sometimes it’s understanding new technology; and sometimes it’s just a matter of not having enough personnel to execute new plans. This roundtable will be an interactive investigation on the ways JAG members have found to “sell” programs to councils; solved technical problems to reach a goal; or redeployed personnel to cover additional needs without adding staff. This roundtable will help you find ways to address those challenges. Panelist: Don Smith, Station Manager, Cranford TV; Craig Yetsko, Station Manager, North Brunswick TV; Anthony Pagliuco, Station Manager, East Brunswick; Moderator Geoffery Belinfante, External Relations Chair, JAG