#MediaMonday – Andrea Robinson
Today’s #MediaMonday comes from a local television icon in Andrea Robinson, who – for 14 years – lit up our screens as an anchor on FOX 10. Just because she stopped waking up at 2 a.m. to cover the morning news daily, however, does not mean she got out of the business!
Okay, Andrea, time to share…
How did you get your start in the media? What’s your story?
I have always been a curious and talkative person. In fact, I was the girl who always got a check mark next to “excessive talking” on my report card! However, what seemed to be a fault when young is what gave me the confidence to work in the media. I love people. Meeting new people and hearing their stories and learning about them will always be a sweet spot in my life. And getting to hold the responsibility to share their stories is the most special job! I went to Arizona State University and obtained my degree in Communications. While finishing my senior year, I did an internship at Fox 10-Phoenix. What an experience! One that soon turned into an audition to be their traffic reporter. I was graduating college and in that same month made my first appearance on local TV in Phoenix as their traffic reporter. It was far from glamorous. The small studio set up was off site, where I turned on my own camera and produced all my reports.
I learned quickly. I was green, I was new, and I felt very underqualified. But the essence of my life has been this quote “Do one thing every day that scares you.”-Eleanor Roosevelt. And that I did.
Going after positions I was not yet qualified for but with effort and grit. For nearly two years I worked four hours a morning and held a full-time job outside of TV to support myself. After a couple of years, the station offered me a full-time position as a weekday, morning show reporter. As they say, “the rest is history.” I climbed the ladder at Fox 10 and eventually was their co-host on Fox 10 Arizona Morning. It was a beautiful chapter of my life and one I hold with love and so many memories. In late 2018, I left to create some more margin in my life. My kids were quickly growing, and I was painfully missing so much of the day and the memories I wanted to have with them. I continued to keep my feet in the water and skills sharp. I launched my own media company and began working with private and public sectors. Telling their stories and getting them out into their communities. It’s been a continued joy to walk this road and continue to share the GOOD news happening every day in our local communities.
Tell us about the work you are doing with the City of Peoria broadcast and what kind of pitches, if any, do you prefer? What topics are of most interest to you?
The City of Peoria and the work I am doing alongside their Communications Department has been so fun! This is the city in which I grew up in, the one I have lived in for much of my life and the one I am raising my own family in. I love the growth and the small-town feel it boasts. The fabric of this community is rich and robust and there are thousands of stories to tell. Right now we have a couple of focuses.
The restaurant scene, it’s buzzing! Hometown favorite spots to new ones too. The segment is called “A Bite To Eat” and we get to feature local restaurants and tell their stories and show off what they are doing.
We are also doing a weekly segment called “Peoria Focus” where we focus on issues and stories that matter to the residents in the city. If there is a story happening in Peoria, a restaurant, a must-have resident who is doing great things, I would love to hear about it!
An email letting me know about something happening within the city limits is the best way for me to know about it.
You also do freelance work beyond Peoria as well?
I do! I currently do voiceover and video work as a freelancer and work as an emcee and host of local and regional events.
Favorite TV shows or movies?
I am loving “Shrinking” on Apple TV and also got sucked into “Hijack” on Apple TV…oh and Landman, just finished it and can’t wait for the next season.
Favorite color?
Black always looks chic on camera, or or red, another great one on camera!
What is something readers would be surprised to know about you?
I am a homebody! I would choose to be home over going out any day. And I love to walk. I used to be a runner, but my body doesn’t love to run lots of miles. However, I walk three-to-four miles every day with a 20-pound vest and it’s the best and most calming rhythm I have found in my day.
Contact Email: andrea.robinson@andrearobinsontv.com
