#Media Monday – Suzanne Wilson
Today’s Media Monday comes to us from Suzanne Wilson, web content manager for the Times Media Group’s Phoenix.org.
Times Media Group is a digital and print media company operating in the Phoenix and Tucson metro markets. The company owns the East Valley Tribune and Ahwatukee Foothills News. It also publishes an array of titles, including The College Times, Lovin’ Life After 50, Nearby News Publications, The SanTan Sun News, The Scottsdale Airpark News, The Gilbert Sun News, Valley Lifestyles Magazine and The Entertainer! Magazine. TMG also owns and operates AZ
Integrated Media, a media distribution and custom publishing company.
Suzanne, time to share:
Phoenix.org is the go-to digital resource for local residents and visitors to the Valley of the Sun. From restaurants to real estate, Phoenix.org is keeping visitors in the know about what’s happening in the Valley and where to find those treasured places, attractions and points of interest around this great city of ours.
How did you get into journalism?
I think the writing was on the wall (literally and figuratively) very early in life. I have an aunt who says she knew way back that I would find my way into this profession after observing my habits of reading of newspapers at the age of two. My parents also encouraged discussion about current events at the dinner table, so it was very necessary to stay topical in order to be a part of the conversation.
I’ve always enjoyed the art of communication and storytelling and knew by the time I was in junior high school that I was either going to be an attorney or a journalist. I continued to hone my skills as a writer, editor and broadcaster through school and other activities then landed my first job in the industry as a writer and editor for a radio news wire service where I grew into the role of entertainment news director. Those were exciting times – attending awards shows and red carpet events, sharing information on the latest happenings in the entertainment world and guiding a team of writers and editors to do the same and, hopefully, even more.
I moved from Calgary, Alberta, Canada to Phoenix to pursue a degree in broadcast journalism at Arizona State University. After graduating pre-law from the University of Calgary, I still had the yearning to become a journalist — and so I did. It meant a lot to me to attend a school named after the late great Walter Cronkite. I still hold close the memories I have of the opportunities I had to speak to Mr. Cronkite during his visits to ASU.
Things just seemed to continue to evolve and fall into place after my ASU experience. From getting my first job in broadcast journalism here in the Valley to getting more involved in the local community, Phoenix quickly became a city I could also call home.
What do you like best about your job?
Finding creative ways to share information through Phoenix.org makes this role exciting and new every day. I particularly enjoy the audience engagement in the digital space and learning what interests our neighbors. The possibilities for creative storytelling seem endless on the digital platform and I am thrilled to share my discoveries with our audience.
What do you do in your spare time?
I enjoy running and hiking, getting together with friends for good conversation and hanging out with my family. It’s not difficult to find me at the movies or where there is live (or pre-recorded) music. I also have no guilt or qualms about making it a Netflix night when it feels right.
You can follow Phoenix.org on Twitter and like our Facebook page.
