#MediaMonday – Brien McElhatten
As an “Alison” who spells her name with only one “L,” I can appreciate the importance of spelling others’ names correctly. As a “Brien” with an “E,” ABC15’s multimedia journalist Brien McElhatten can too.
I first met Brien when he visited a Rocky Mountain Emmy meeting in late 2011, interested in joining our board. He was active with the chapter in Indiana back in the day.
As of January 2012, he is a full-fledged board member and already helping us make Fall’s Rocky Mountain Emmy Gala one for the history books.
In getting to know him better, I quickly learned there is far more to Brien than reporting news and sitting in meetings with me – as wonderful as that much be for hours on end.
So, today I am pleased to profile Brien as a part of our regular HMA #MediaMonday series.
(New to #MediaMonday? There is a full list of our past profiles here. Each week, we profile a member of the media by simply asking them one question – “what do you want to tell the blogosphere today?”)
So, Brien, what do YOU want to tell the blogosphere today?
I’ve been enjoying Arizona for a little less than two years now. Having spent a considerable amount of time in the Midwest, I can appreciate the warm winters, sunny skies and mountains galore.
Professionally, I’m what you call a multimedia journalist. That’s a fancy way of saying a reporter who shoots and edits video while also acting as a field producer and assignment desk. I thoroughly enjoy traveling the Valley and the state to tell the stories of the people, places and things that affect our lives.
I arrived in the 115-degree Sonoran heat in July 2010 fresh from the corn fields and flat expanses of the Hoosier State. I began my career in Fort Wayne, Indiana as a multimedia journalist. I actually left college early for that job, but have since finished my Bachelor’s degree from Ball State University.
I spent 10 years of my life in the small central Ohio town of Galion. There are probably more pigs and cows than people there. Hundred-year-old brick buildings surround the town square where you’ll find a drug store that still sells penny candy. And yes, the proprietor knows your name.
In high school, I had an early taste of the television world when I was invited to report and anchor for Channel One News, which is a teen-oriented newscast seen in middle and high schools across the country. I was sent to Boston, San Diego and Los Angeles to cover stories for the network with several other aspiring journalists who I still stay in touch with.
That single experience solidified my career direction.
In college, I blogged for the Indianapolis Star and filed digital reports for the paper during a two-month field study in central Mexico.
During the first phase of my professional career, I covered the restructuring of the auto industry in the heart of the rust belt and reported live from the inauguration of President Obama.
Now I live in the East Valley with my wife Laura, who also worked with me at that little TV station in Fort Wayne. She still holds her Emmy win over my head. We met at Ball State working as reporters for the student television station.
We have no children yet, but two spoiled German Shepherds named Jack and Scout.
I’ve been grateful for the experiences this journalism industry has provided me and I hope to pay it back through quality work right here in the Valley. I hope to meet many of you while I enjoy throwing away my snow shovel and buying a nice pair of sunglasses.
