#MediaMonday – Kelsie Blazier

Today’s #MediaMonday comes to us from Kelsie Blazier, a content planner at ABC15.

Kelsie, time to share:

Tell us about growing up? What were your passions?
I grew up on the Phoenix/Glendale border but moved onto a horse property when I was in 5th grade. My house was bonkers but in the best way. At one point we had a German Shepherd, Siberian Husky, Golden Retriever, a cat, a goat, a horse, and I fed a random chicken that wandered into our front yard. I was super active, though. I played softball for 10 years, then became a cheerleader in high school. I always felt like a nerdy cheerleader since I was also the editor-in-chief of my high school newspaper for two years, and a part of yearbook. I was a busy kid, and I guess that translated into the job I have now.

Tell us how you got your start in journalism?
I credit my high school newspaper and my journalism teacher, Peggy Gregory, for inspiring my love of journalism. Somehow I always knew I wanted to be a journalist but Mrs. Gregory was someone who believed in me early on and I will always carry that with me. Also, my parents were huge supporters of what I did. Freshman year of college I decided I wanted to be a doctor, and my mom actually put the kibosh on that “dream.” She told me, in a loving but serious way, that I was and have always been passionate about journalism. That pep talk reinvigorated me and pushed me to pursue lots of internships in college.

Tell us about your career trajectory and how you ended up at ABC 15?
My career trajectory feels like it took a lot of twists and turns. I felt like I needed to leave home after high school, so I went to New York University where I double-majored in Broadcast Journalism and English and American Literature with a minor in creative writing. Honestly, I worked my butt off in college!

I interned at Redbook Magazine, amNewYork, Lucky Magazine, Project Syndicate, and then at WNBC where I worked for the late Gabe Pressman. Gabe was a legend in New York and being his intern is what made me love working in local news. I could write a novel about Gabe and all he did for me. Following my final internship at Nightly News, Gabe helped me get my first job as a production assistant on the WNBC assignment desk. Very briefly, I worked at the Today Show as a researcher. Then I left NBC to work at a now-defunct startup.

While at the startup, I’d applied to the Columbia School of Journalism and got it, so when the startup failed, I had grad school as a landing pad. I spent nine months getting my Masters, then moved back to Phoenix when I graduated. I freelanced for a bit, then asked around about newsroom jobs. A high school friend was working at ABC15 and pointed me toward a position at the Real-Time Desk, and here I am!

Do you want pitches? If so, what kind?
Yes! Always! There’s no specific pitch I want – I’m very open to receiving any and all pitches. I will say, though, my favorite pitches come from the community – people who call into ABC15 with real issues that they trust us to help them with. If I don’t answer your first email, make sure to follow-up!

Favorite type of music?
Really anything, it just depends on what mood I’m in or the mood I want to be in. Right now I’m listening to a lot of Rüfüs Du Sol and 90s rock/alternative.

Favorite color?
These days I think I’m gravitating toward yellow.

Favorite TV shows or movies?
Far too many to list but here’s a small list:

• Fleabag
• The Office
• Rick and Morty
• Party Down
• Succession

I also really love to watch early reality TV. It’s really fascinating to see how the genre has evolved from the early 2000s to where it is now.

Any foods you hate?
I’m allergic to bananas so I feel like I have to hate them by default. And meatloaf.

Favorite local small businesses or restaurants?
Raul & Theresa’s Mexican Restaurant: My family used to go to Raul and Theresa’s all the time when I was a kid. Whenever my dad worked in Goodyear, he would bring home a huge order of food. It was and is always such a treat!

Mi Patio: Again, one of those restaurants my family frequented when I was a kid. Love the atmosphere and the food. Once I saw Samantha Mohr from Channel 3/5 there in the late’ 90s. My mom made me go say hi and ask for a photo or autograph. Our family still brings that up every time we go out for dinner at Mi Patio.

The Gladly: Take a look at their Instagram — @thegladly — and tell me the food doesn’t look ridiculously mouthwatering. I took my boyfriend there for his birthday and cannot say enough good things about the food, drinks and the service. If you go, order “That One Drink.” They’ll know what you’re talking about.

Ocotillo: I’ve never been to a restaurant that uses seasonal fruit and vegetables so well. Every plate of food is a work of art! The outdoor space is a gem in Phoenix – very romantic. And there’s a cat named Mittens that will sit with you by the firepit or join you politely at your table.

Best email:
kelsie.blazier@abc15.com