#MediaMonday – Megan Butler
This #MediaMonday feature comes to us from Megan Butler, assignment manager for KOLD in Tucson.
Take it away, Megan!
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
How did you get your start in working in media/broadcasting? Tell us your story and experience.
I started working in radio and newspaper in college, but once I graduated, I realized those jobs were far and few between, so I shifted my focus to broadcast journalism. In February 2017, I was hired as an assignment and digital editor at the TV station in Tulsa that I grew up watching. In January 2022, I was promoted to assignment manager. While in Tulsa, I met and married my husband, Tyler Butler, who was an anchor and reporter at the same TV station. We both moved to Tucson and started working at 13News in January 2024. I am the assignment manager at 13News, but I also field produce our live road shows out in the community.
What types of stories are you typically focused on as an assignment manager for KOLD?
We love any and all stories! We have 11 and a half hours of on-air broadcast each weekday, in addition to six hours of digital broadcast (which is like a video podcast). Stories that are not able to go into our on-air broadcast, 99% of the time, we can make work for digital. As a news organization, we have to make sure there’s a news angle to every story so our viewers are benefiting from each interview. Mostly, we use the “harder,” more timely stories (which can include “lighter” stories like events in the community) for our on-air broadcast and reserve all others for the digital broadcast. There’s also no time constraint for the digital broadcast, as there is for on-air, which makes it the perfect platform for stories that need more time.
What are your favorite kinds of stories to plan or coordinate? Any memorable/favorite coverage moment you’d like to share?
When it comes to field producing, I love covering events that are active at the time we’re covering them for our shows, especially the ones that bring a smile to people’s faces. When it comes to covering stories, my favorites are the ones that really benefit the community or people who are in tough situations.
Best advice for PR people pitching you?
Keep those pitch emails short and sweet. The subject line should tell me in one line what you’re about to pitch. In the email itself, I don’t need 10 paragraphs explaining why it’s a great story–I appreciate the effort, but I get hundreds of emails a day and don’t have time to read every long email in detail. Give me a simple breakdown of what the story is/the angle, who is available to speak, where and what time the event is/interviews are available, if this is in-person or virtual, and who the best contact is (email at the very least, but mobile phone numbers are preferred) if it isn’t the person sending the email.
What are some of your hobbies?
I love to read and go hiking. I’m also a big Lego enthusiast–my husband and I have created our own Lego city in our home. Oh, and I love to travel and go on adventures with family and friends.
Do you have any favorite local spots?
I love Scented Leaf Tea House–I’m a big tea lover and this place has the perfect atmosphere! I am also a foodie and love trying new restaurants. Vero Amore is to die for–you haven’t lived until you’ve tried the fettuccine Alfredo from the flaming cheese wheel.
What is the best way to reach you?
The best way to reach me is via email at megan.butler@kold.com. As I mentioned, I get hundreds of emails a day, so sometimes an email or two will slip through the cracks. If you don’t get a timely response from me, feel free to send a follow-up email!
