Each Monday, we’re giving readers a chance to get to know the media a little better.
With a little flair.
Our goal is to give readers some insight into the work and work style of area journalists, and get to know a little bit about the person behind the byline. Start your week off with an online networking opportunity through our Media Monday blog post.
This Week: Tracy Vedder, KOMO TV
Tracy Vedder began reporting for KOMO 4 News in 1995 and is now a member of the Problem Solvers Investigative team.
Vedder is the recipient of numerous Radio and Television News Directors Association (RTNDA) and Regional Emmy Awards for investigative reporting. Her most memorable stories include traveling to Macedonia and Albania during the war in Kosovo and to Saudi Arabia during Desert Storm.
Reporting, particularly investigative reporting is her first love. In her spare time Vedder enjoys rock climbing, kayaking, cycling and finished her first – and only – triathlon last summer. All of which she shares with her husband, Dane, and their dog Marley.
Q: What’s your favorite kind of story?
A: The chewy ones. The kind I can really sink my teeth into, that keep me up at night, make my husband question my sanity, and at the end of the day they, hopefully, make a difference and remind me why I do what I do.
Q: If you could have someone else’s job, what would it be?
A: Either a private investigator – or a baker. Don’t ask.
Q: Finish this sentence: “A good PR person is …”
A: …someone who always tells the truth and recognizes that getting in front of a bad story is the ONLY way to be effective and help their employers.
Q: What skills do new journalists need?
A: All of them. Seriously, they need to be able to multi-task like never before. Deadlines are immediate and continuous so that makes it even more important that journalists learn how to handle all the requirements of the new media and still balance the need for fair, complete, accurate reporting.
Q: What hidden talent or skill do you have that viewers/readers don’t know about you?
A: My first love was the theater and I trained to be an actress. Somebody (I think my mother) told me I should have a back-up plan. Who knew reporting would be so much more fun? It ain’t glamorous – but it is almost always fun.
The PR Pro Takeaway: Tracy is, by nature, a digger. It’s clear she likes to get to the bottom of the story. Make sure to include a few extra details in your pitches to Tracy. And keep her in mind for casting calls.