Graduating from Hearst Television’s Producer Academy: Masterclass

This morning, I’m filled with a sense of accomplishment and gratitude. After an intense week at WESH in Orlando, I graduated from the Hearst Television’s Producer Academy.

This year, the Academy was particularly special as it marked its 20th anniversary. Rather than focus solely on producers, this edition embraced a diverse range of rising managers from our newsrooms, bringing together a broad spectrum of peers from across the country into one classroom.

Topics included content, leadership, budgeting, negotiations, market research, ratings, analytics and action planning. Each session was infused with a through line of Hearst strategy.

These lessons were taught by our company’s elite. Opening remarks were delivered by our CEO and renowned corporate executives led the week. Panels consisted of elite news directors and numerous experts from intersecting fields.

As a lifelong learner, the combination of remarkable faculty and a diverse class offered a rare opportunity to reflect and grow. Everyone who took the stage and everyone I connected with in the hallways offered practical advice that I can put into practice.

Capping off the week, our group project allowed us to work collaboratively across disciplines on a simulated newsroom action plan, ensuring that everything we learned wasn’t just theoretical but immediately applicable. It left us all with a sense of achievement and camaraderie.

As I received my completion certificate, I felt a renewed sense of excitement for the future.

I want to extend heartfelt thanks––not just for the privilege of attending and skills gained, but for the bonds formed and the collective wisdom shared. I walk away from this academy not just with a certificate, but with a trove of experiences and connections that will last a lifetime.