#MediaMonday – Cary Pfeffer
Today’s #MediaMonday comes to us from Cary Pfeffer, a local broadcasting icon who spent more than 20 years in television news. Currently, the author and Rocky Mountain Emmy Silver Circle member hosts Arizona & Me, a weekly Public Affairs program that examines issues and topics relevant to the state of Arizona, its people and its communities.
How did you get your start in the media? What is your story?
My older brother was a radio DJ and so I followed him in that business and then transitioned to TV, first in Omaha, then hired here in Phoenix in 1984. Yikes. I was a reporter at Channel 3, then Channel 12 and then hired away by KCAL in Los Angeles, where I spent most of the 1990s. My boss in LA moved to Phoenix and hired me again, this time as the main anchor at Channel 5. In 2002, I decided I had done all I wanted to do in TV full-time and started my own firm, ClearComm Consulting. A few years back, a former colleague said the TV channel MeTV needed someone to host an interview program. I decided it would be a fun way to use my TV skills and maybe do some good along the way.
Tell us about Arizona & Me and the types of pitches you want?
Our best programs shine a light on good work being done in our community – both in the non-profit world as well as some government functions – heat mitigation/water/homelessness, etc. I always ask for TWO guests – one who is a leader and one who is a ‘worker bee’ who can talk about the day-to-day mission. It is all done remotely over a Zoom-like platform. We tape two 30-minute programs once a month for later broadcast and each program covers a single topic. We try to make the interviews ‘evergreen’ – meaning it is not very ‘time sensitive’ and is more of an overview on the topic or cause. My only caution is this: there needs to be a body of work to talk about – a well-intentioned start-up nonprofit may not work because there is not enough of a track record just yet.
Favorite color?
Green
Favorite TV shows or movies?
I loved the Apple TV series ‘Shrinking.’ Touching, funny and irreverent all at the same time. Otherwise, live sports – Diamondbacks and Suns games especially. Favorite recent movie? ‘No Hard Feelings.’ I think Jennifer Lawrence is so talented – also funny, touching, and irreverent. (I see a pattern here.)
Favorite local haunts?
Hillstone, Rusconi’s, and the Sicilian Butcher.
Something readers would be surprised to know about you?
I appear for about eight seconds in an episode of ‘The X Files’ portraying – of all things – a news anchor. The episode is called “The Trevor” – I‘ve watched it exactly once – and yes, every few months, I receive a small check for my hard work.
Contact Email: Cary@Clear-Comm.net
