How to Be Executive News Producer - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Jun 17, 2023 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

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The rise of digital streaming services has had a major impact on the television industry, resulting in a significant decline in the number of traditional news broadcasts. This has caused a subsequent decrease in demand for Executive News Producers, who are responsible for overseeing the production of news programs, from pre-production to post-production. As many news channels have switched to digital platforms, job opportunities for Executive News Producers have drastically decreased, leading to more competition for the few remaining positions. At the same time, the growth in digital media has allowed for more creative opportunities for those seeking to get into the industry, such as creating content for social media and web-based platforms.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a Bachelor's Degree. To become an executive news producer, you will need to have at least a bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, or a related field. You may also need to have several years of experience in the news industry.
Earn Experience. Aspiring executive news producers should seek out internships and other opportunities to gain experience in the news industry. This will help you build your resume and give you valuable insight into the industry.
Develop an Expertise. To become an executive news producer, you will need to be knowledgeable in a particular subject or area. This could include politics, business, sports, or entertainment. Developing expertise in a certain area will help you stand out from other producers and make you more attractive to potential employers.
Network. To land a job as an executive news producer, you will need to network with people in the industry. Attend events and talk to people who are already in the business. This will give you the opportunity to make connections and learn about job openings.
Apply for Positions. Once you have built your resume and gained the necessary experience, you can begin applying for executive news producer positions. Use online job boards and industry websites to search for available positions.
Develop Leadership Skills. As an executive news producer, you will need to be a strong leader who can motivate a team of reporters and editors. Developing strong leadership skills will help you stand out from other candidates and make you a more attractive hire.

The key to becoming an effective and efficient executive news producer is organization. When a newsroom is well organized, producers are able to prioritize tasks and manage their time more efficiently. This makes it easier to identify the most important stories and create content that meets deadlines.

having clear communication and expectations between producers, editors, and reporters is essential for successful collaboration. Furthermore, staying abreast of current events can help producers stay ahead of the news cycle, giving them the advantage of being prepared for any unexpected news stories. By following these simple steps, executive news producers can become successful in their roles and ensure that the newsroom runs smoothly.

You may want to check International News Reporter, News Digital Editor, and News Caster for alternative.

Job Description

Oversee daily news production, including planning, researching, writing, and editing stories.
Develop and maintain relationships with internal and external news sources.
Prepare editorial materials for broadcast and digital media platforms.
Manage staff to ensure that all stories are produced accurately and on deadline.
Monitor news feeds, evaluate news stories, and select content to be covered.
Collaborate with other news producers and reporters to ensure comprehensive reporting on assigned topics.
Create, implement, and monitor quality standards for broadcast and digital media.
Direct the activities of technical staff during live broadcasts.
Coordinate with other departments, such as marketing, sales, and programming to ensure a cohesive message.
Stay up-to-date on current events and industry trends.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Excellent writing and editing skills
Excellent communication skills
Strong organizational skills
Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
Ability to work independently and collaboratively with a team
Ability to work with a variety of departments within the newsroom
Ability to stay current with news, trends and events
Knowledge of broadcast newsroom operations
Knowledge of broadcast regulations and standards
Knowledge of newsroom software including video editing platforms
Knowledge of social media platforms
Ability to think strategically and creatively
Understanding of news production and production values

Being an executive news producer requires a variety of skills and expertise to be successful. The most important skill to have is the ability to think strategically and to have excellent organizational skills. These skills are essential for managing time effectively, staying organized, and making sure the newsroom is running smoothly.

an executive news producer must have excellent communication skills in order to effectively communicate with their team and stakeholders. They must also be able to think critically and make decisions quickly. Finally, they must have a good understanding of technology, as they often need to use various software or equipment to produce news stories.

All these skills combined are essential for an executive news producer to be successful. This in turn leads to better production of news stories and a more efficient newsroom.

News Technical Director, TV News Anchor, and News Strategist are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have as an Executive News Producer?
How would you handle a situation where you disagreed with the news director on a major story?
Describe a time when you successfully managed multiple newsroom projects at once.
What strategies have you used to increase ratings and viewership?
What is your approach to ensuring that all coverage is timely, accurate, and unbiased?
How do you ensure that the newsroom meets deadlines?
Describe your experience with digital and social media platforms.
How do you collaborate with other departments to create engaging content?
What techniques do you use to generate creative ideas for stories?
How would you handle criticism from viewers or viewers comments on social media?

Common Tools in Industry

Content Management System (CMS). A software platform used for creating, managing and publishing digital content. (eg: WordPress)
Video Editing Software. Software used to edit video clips. (eg: Adobe Premiere Pro)
Audio Editing Software. Software used to edit audio recordings. (eg: Audacity)
Social Media Management Software. Software used to manage social media accounts and track analytics. (eg: Hootsuite)
Digital Asset Management Software. Software used to store, organize, and manage digital assets. (eg: Adobe Creative Cloud)
Graphics Design Software. Software used to create visual content. (eg: Adobe Photoshop)
News Aggregators. Software used to collect news from various sources and present them in one place. (eg: Google News)
Presentation Software. Software used to create and deliver presentations. (eg: PowerPoint)
Broadcast Automation Software. Software used to automate the broadcast of television and radio programs. (eg: Ross Video Xpression)
Project Management Software. Software used to plan, organize, and manage projects. (eg: Asana)

Professional Organizations to Know

National Association of Broadcasters (NAB)
Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ)
Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA)
National Press Photographers Association (NPPA)
Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE)
Online News Association (ONA)
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS)
International Press Association (IPA)
Association for Women in Communications (AWC)
National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ)

We also have News Broadcast Technician, News Broadcast Engineer, and News Web Content Manager jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Newsroom. The physical place where news is produced, typically including desks, computers, and other equipment used to create and distribute news content.
Anchor. The person who serves as the presenter of a news broadcast, typically reading from a script and providing commentary.
Reporter. A journalist who gathers information through research, interviews, and other means and then reports it in a written or broadcast format.
Assignment Desk. A group of editors in a newsroom responsible for assigning stories to reporters, assigning topics for news broadcasts, coordinating live reports, and more.
Script. A written document containing the text of a news broadcast or other story.
Editing. The process of revising and preparing content for broadcast or publication.
Technical Director. The person in a newsroom responsible for the technical aspects of a broadcast, such as setting up cameras, controlling audio levels, and more.
Production. The process of creating and assembling news content for broadcast or publication.
Graphics Department. The division of a newsroom responsible for creating graphics and animations for use in news broadcasts.
Budgeting. The process of allocating resources to different parts of a newsroom in order to maximize efficiency and meet deadlines.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Executive News Producer?

An Executive News Producer is responsible for the overall content, quality and direction of news broadcasts, as well as managing the production staff. They typically work closely with the news director and other journalists to ensure that broadcasts are timely, accurate and engaging.

What are the duties of an Executive News Producer?

The duties of an Executive News Producer include selecting news stories, assigning reporters to cover stories, coordinating and supervising production staff, ensuring deadlines are met, and ensuring accuracy and objectivity in news broadcasts. They may also be responsible for overseeing the budget and scheduling of staff and resources.

What qualifications are necessary to become an Executive News Producer?

To become an Executive News Producer, applicants must typically have a bachelors degree in journalism, broadcasting or a related field. Some employers may also require a minimum of five years of experience in the news industry. Strong organizational and communication skills are also important for success in this role.

How much does an Executive News Producer typically earn?

The average salary for an Executive News Producer is around $67,000 per year, according to PayScale. However, salaries can vary depending on experience, location and other factors.

What type of environment does an Executive News Producer work in?

Executive News Producers typically work in a fast-paced newsroom environment, where they must be able to multitask and work under pressure in order to meet deadlines. They also need to be creative and able to think on their feet in order to come up with engaging stories and ensure accuracy.