INSIDE THE MASS MEDIA

OF MARC WATTS

INSIDE THE MASS MEDIA

OF MARC WATTS

CORRESPONDENT

DISTINGUISHED CORRESPONDENT: WHEN YOU CAN MAKE THE CLAIM THAT YOUR REPORTING SAVED A MAN’S LIFE, USHERED THE GENRE OF REALITY PROGRAMMING, HAS BEEN PARODIED ON LATE NIGHT TV AND SPURRED AN INTERNATIONAL DIALOGUE ON A RACIAL EPITHET, YOU CAN SAY YOU’VE HAD A JOURNALISTIC CAREER OF DISTINCTION.

TRIAL OF THE CENTURY

We watched in awe every morning, afternoon and night during the O.J. trial and seriously we thought he even slept there, because every time we turned on CNN, there he was. Impeccable and unflappable. Every tailored suit wrapped him just right. Every necktie was always perfectly aligned. Always dressed to a T, reporting from outside the courthouse. We were all J-school students who dreamed of covering thee biggest story ever! “Man he reads that teleprompter smoothly,” we would say. And then we found out after the trial, there was no teleprompter at all. It was all off the top of his head. He was the closest thing to a “computer correspondent” the world had ever seen. Marc was like Siri. He was Intellectual, factual, objective, with glasses even sometimes nerdy sounding. As a correspondent he spoke emphatically projecting deep knowledge of criminal law. He never rambled and knew when to shut up. Just the facts. No opining. A stark contrast to what we see on TV nowadays, with reporters flexing hand gestures, in a way “pleading” with the audience to pay attention while peppering their commentary with the phrase “I Think.” Marc Watts never had to beg us to pay attention and never said “I Think” because he always knew.

 

Excerpt from “The Artful Safari of a Broadcast Journalist”

 

MARC HAS TRAVELED THE WORLD CHASING STORIES OF ALL KINDS IN A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT GENRES. SPORTS, COURTS, CRIME, GANGS, DISASTERS, RIOTS, THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE OUTDOORS…GET MOST OF HIS ATTENTION.

 

MARC THE BRAND: AN ACCIDENTAL NEWS CORRESPONDENT

He has worked with corporations, CEO’s, universities, TV networks, tech startups, on-air talent, top circuit speakers, pastors, politicians, weather anchors, actors and sports stars. I mean by this, that he has played an integral role in the development of those brands of the people he has worked with. He has transformed nobody’s into somebody’s. No one, from a communications perspective has taught me so much in such little amount of time that I’ve spent with him. For all his success, however, you’ll hear very little of him tooting his own horn. That’s so antithetical in today’s world of, “Me, me, me! Look what my client did. Look at whom I’m hangin’ with! (And trust me, Marc knows all the A-listers. He’s taught many of them how to do TV!)

 

Marc’s social media profile as well is relatively low key. Holding a Master’s degree in political science, Marc makes no political statements whatsoever, even though he could. He used to be a National Political Correspondent with CNN. People who know far less than he does are out there on Twitter trying to portray themselves as experts. I asked Marc one time why he chooses not to create a larger social footprint. It’s obvious to all of us who’ve worked with him that he tones it down and dials it back. “I’m a very private man who has a somewhat public career,” Marc told me. LinkedIn’s vibe suits him the best, and occasionally he uploads videos ranging from his days as a roving reporter to the well-being of Africa and its wildlife, to his YouTube channel. He’s more well-versed in the art of modesty than narcissism.

 

“I’ve always looked at social media as part of my resumé so I’m mindful of what I put on it,” explains Marc. “I need absolutely zero validation from others, and I’ve had my moment in the spotlight so I’m not craving to be popular. If somebody wants my opinion on something, they’ll find a way to reach me. If it’s a reporter out there who seeks my training services, he should know how to track me down and get ahold of me. If not, he’s not a very good reporter. My public opinion post about the trivial matters of the day isn’t likely to move the needle anyway.” When a bruh commands respect and doesn’t demand it, that spells distinction.

 

Excerpt from “The Artful Safari of a Broadcast Journalist”