#MediaMonday – Kim Quintero
Today’s #MediaMonday comes to us from Arizona’s Family’s own Kim Quintero.
So, Kim, time to share!
Tell us how you got your start in journalism? Tell us your story!
I always wanted to work in TV News, even as a small kid. My dad, who worked at a men’s suit shop, frequently had customers who were anchors, reporters, news directors and general managers of all the local TV stations. Once I got into college at Fresno State, my dad asked the general manager of the Fox affiliate if he could hire me for a part-time, behind the scenes position. The GM called me up, I went in for an interview with the news director and quickly landed a position on floor crew. Outside of my school schedule, I’d head to the news station to sort scripts, run teleprompter and run studio cameras for the evening newscasts. They paid me minimum wage, but the experience I gained was priceless. From there, I was trained and became a video editor, writer, assignment editor, reporter and weather anchor. By the time I graduated with my journalism degree, I had enough on-air reporting and weather anchoring material to create a demo reel. I sent it out all over the country and within three months of graduation, I landed my first full-time on-air position as a reporter and weather anchor at the CBS affiliate in Eugene, Ore.
And how did you make your way to 3TV/CBS 5?
From Eugene, I took a job as a weather anchor, news anchor and reporter at the NBC affiliate in Greenville, S.C. During that time, I finished up my second degree for meteorology through Mississippi State. I then applied at a number of stations all over the country. When I interviewed in Phoenix, I had never been to Arizona before then. I immediately fell in love and new this is where I was meant to be. Six years later, I haven’t looked back.
Where did you grow up?
Fresno, Calif.
Favorite type of music?
Depends on my mood. My last concert was Dierks Bentley, but I love rock, old rap, jazz, electronic dance and everything in between.
Favorite color?
Red
Favorite local restaurants or other haunts?
The Valley has so many amazing restaurants. Right now, I’m in love with Flower Child and Forno 301.
Least favorite food?
I’m a foodie. I eat it all.
Three things readers would be surprised to know about you?
I broke my femur in a car accident when I was 18 and currently have a metal rod in my leg (I can still get through an airport without any issues).
My grandparents were migrant farm workers from Mexico and picked cantaloupes in the San Joaquin Valley when I was a kid.
Hiking Grand Canyon Rim to Rim is on my bucket list!
What is the lead time you need for content?
For a weekend weather live shot on Good Morning, Arizona, usually about a week. For a live feature on weekday GMAZ, usually one to two days.
What should (and shouldn’t) people be pitching to you?
If it’s a good story that has a human interest element, pitch it! I’m also look for weather-related ideas and community events for weekend live shots.
What is the best way to reach you?
Social media!
@kimmie_q_wx on Instagram
KimQuinteroNews on Facebook.
Email is next best kquintero@azfamily.com
