|
I/V: Jim Parisi, reporter for TV Newz
& founder of Coastal News Network
1st
May 2003
What's
your background - media and personal?
Started
in radio news as an anchor/reporter at a very small
station, worked my way up to the Boston market, the
sixth largest in the US. But the excitement was always
around television, so I chased down a tiny TV job
and started the long climb up again. I was always
an anchor and reporter, but people kept making me
the boss, so I eventually got addicted to seeing the
big picture, running newsrooms with my unique vision.
There's nothing like dreaming up a plan and helping
hard-working people carry it through.
Did
you choose media, or did it choose you?
I
wanted to be a journalist as a small child thanks
in part to the old Superman/Clark Kent shows. It seemed
exciting. Then as a young adult, the Watergate/Nixon
story broke, and the value of reporting the truth
to the public got me hooked forever.
What's
your greatest accomplishments?
The
birth of my children.
Mediawise?
I
was first to greet President Clinton when the Gennifer
Flowers story broke, had two private interviews with
President George Bush (sr), developed the world's
first Interactive Newscast in 1994, founded TVNewz.com,
and now after 16 years of working on it, will debut
the first television newscasts dedicated to those
who live, work or play near the world's oceans, Coastal
News. Played a reporter in a movie with Nick
Nolte, does that matter? :)
What
platform of media do you prefer and why?
Radio
is most fun and comfortable, TV is the most powerful
(for now), but the Internet is the most exciting for
the future!
What
organisations and other journalists do you respect
the most and why?
I
respect those who don't put on airs, or act all self-important.
Those with humility. I respect most the small market,
hard-working News Managers and on-air folks. I love
the 'little guy' most.
What
was the main turning point in your career?
When
I had my first child I realized that nothing I always
thought was important mattered more than time spent
with that baby. I changed my whole life after that.
Walked out in the middle of the day from a News Director
position in New York, left the good money and crazy
hours behind, and decided to find ways to do exciting
media projects as long as I could spend a lot of time
with my family.
Have
you ever been to Australia?
No,
but I love the ocean, so I'd love it. Everything about
me is ocean-related. Born and raised in the "Ocean
State", which is Rhode Island, USA (not an island
by the way, it's a state near Massachusetts and NY).
I'm even an Aquarius, the Water Bearer by sign. I'm
addicted to the sea, thus my Coastal
News Network obsession. The few folks I've
met from Australia were fun-loving and kind people,
always ready with a quick smile. I'd come visit if
the flight was four hours or so....I will have reports
from your country in my Coastal shows...check the
website in two months!
What's
the most dangerous situation you have been in?
Well,
all reporters have been near gunshots and the like.
We've all been stalked as well. But easily the most
dangerous were the times I've had to show the ratings
to TV anchors with big egos, just the two of us in
a small office :)
Future
goals and aspirations?
The run the 'next' CNN,
Coastal News Network, and be THE place the world comes
for anything ocean-related.
What
else would you like to share with our audience?
Do
what you dream. Never compromise that dream. I grew
up a poor Italian kid in the city, and had no business
thinking I could do what I've accomplished so far
(however minimal). When people say you'll never do
a certain thing, smile on the inside, and know you
will do it. Oh, and I love Hot Tamales, that cinnamon
candy!
By
the way, I'm also about to launch a lifelong dream
regional TV program called Coastal
News. Kicks off in June in Northeast USA. To
read an article about that check out www.coastalnews.com,
click on the text or logo.
…end.
For
more information examine: www.tvnewz.com
and www.coastalnews.com
|
