#MediaMonday – Elenee Dao
Today’s #MediaMonday comes to us from Elenee Dao, a reporter at ABC15.
Take it away, Elenee!
Where did you grow up?
I was born and raised in Mesa, Arizona.
How did you get your start in working in broadcasting? Tell us your story and experience.
In high school, one of my friends convinced me to take a TV class with her as a junior. At this point in my life, I wasn’t 100% sure on what I wanted to major in when I went to college. In that TV class, we broadcasted our morning announcements, created videos on campus and more. I grew an interest in broadcasting from that. However, I had the opportunity after that class to participate in the Summer Journalism Institute at ASU’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. In a few weeks, we learned what regular journalism students would learn in a semester or a year and from then on, I knew that’s what I wanted to do.
I ended up majoring in broadcast journalism and got my first job in Twin Falls, Idaho in 2017. That was my first time moving away from home and my first job. While it was hard to be away from home, I felt like I learned a lot. I was there for two years and then moved onto Spokane, Washington for my second job and then landed a job at ABC15 in Phoenix in August of 2022.
What types of pitches or stories are you looking for?
I typically cover a lot of education stories; however, I cover general assignment stories as well.
What are your favorite stories to work on? Any favorite past stories you want to share.
My favorite stories include talking to students who are excited to share their stories. I love listening to anyone in our communities about any issues they’re facing or exciting news they’d like to share.
Here’s one of my favorites, hearing from kids about the previous school year.
Any advice for PR people pitching you?
We want to hear from local people affected by any issues that are going on that have to do with any stories you’re pitching. That is one of the challenges we run into every day. We want people to connect to the stories we’re telling, and the way to do that is by hearing from people affected by it. I know that’s not always feasible, but if you can provide people who are affected by certain policies or benefiting from a specific program, it makes it easier for us to be interested.
What are some of your hobbies?
I love to read and enjoy trying out new local restaurants.
Do you have any favorite local spots?
One of my favorites is The Parlor in Phoenix. That is, hands-down, one of my favorite places in the Valley. Another go-to is Jin Shabu, an Asian hot soup place located in Chandler.
What is the best way to reach you?
I can be reached via email at Elenee.dao@abc15.com
I can also be reached on Facebook, on Twitter/X, and on Instagram.
