Twitterview #105 – With Tracy Perlman (@Partray)

@JoelECarlson – It’s time to par-tay with @Partray on today’s AM Twitterview. Let’s get things rolling!

@Partray – Good morning! I’m so excited to be a part of this!

Q – #1    So to start @Partray – Where did you grow up, and what were some of the steps you took to get where you are today?

A:    I’m from StP. I always knew I wanted to work in TV, specifically @wcco. In HS, Darcy Pohland mentored me…

… and that eventually led to two internships. After college @ KU, I worked in KC for 2 yrs. 14 mos ago I came to @wcco.

Q – #2    The passing of Darcy must have been especially tough on you.  My sympathies. :(  So what is your role at @wcco?

A:    I always called Darcy my guiding light, now she’s my guardian angel.

My role @wcco is morning producer. I write the 4:30 & 5 am newscasts. That means I pick, research & write all of the stories

I get to work at 10pm and don’t stop writing and researching until my show’s over at 6 am. It’s a crazy schedule, but its worth it.

Something I <3 is we use a lot of SM in our AM shows. It’s fantastic, bc our viewers get to be a part of the show.

Q – #3    About the 4:30am show, what prompted the creation of that program, and was it hard to get the “crew” to agree?

A:    The 4:30 show was in the works before i moved to AMs (I used to produce the 10p ‘cast). Everyone was on board b/c there was a need…

.. for local news that early. The feedback we’ve recieved has been great. People love that we’re on when they’re up.

and, (here’s a secret) we’re all a little loopy @ 4:30 – so if you tune in, you don’t know what we’ll do next!

A really cool thing we do with the 4:30 show is called “Who’s up? What’s Up?”

We ask viewers to go to @wccowire and tell us what’s up.. then read it on TV. It lets us have a convo with viewers, which is great.

Q – #4    That’s great that you get some creative freedom. Probably get some “Sleepy Tweets” too. :) What drew you to news?

A:    Like many in the media, I’m super curious & not shy. I’ve always wanted to know everything about everything.

I also think you can’t stop learning. And in the news, you’re constantly learning and exploring. Also, I get bored easily

.. there’s so much to absorb and so many directions you can go in. I literally do 5 things at once. But I like that.

Q – #5    How neat for you! Are you an AM person? Also, who are 10-15 people that you follow for learning, humor or inspiration?

A:    I’m really a night person – but I guess at one point the PM becomes AM, right?? :o) the adjustment hasn’t been bad

Some people I <3 to follow: superrockstartastic coworker @ericamayer, @derusha is good for laughs & knowledge…

for news: @wccobreaking, @wcco (obvi), @mpr, @npr, @cnnbrk… for sports: @wccorosen, @perkatplay, @minnesotatwins

oops – I meant @derushaj! (lord knows Jason loves all the mentions he can get!!) ;o)

I honestly follow so many random people that i get a really great mix of news, sports, bloggers, casual tweeters, businesses & more

oh, and i love following @seanaskinner. He’s a photog at @wcco and has totally embraced SM – he sends out pics & story info.

Q – #6    Lots of good folks at @wcco. Now for the FAVS questions – Favorite: restaurant, store, summer activity & Nat news anchor?

A:    yay! I’ve been thinking about my FAVS all morning! OK get ready…

burger: @bulldogNE. Restaurant: Champps in StP. Ice Cream: Grand ole Creamery. Store: toughie, depends on my mood.

Summer activity: #twins & @stpaulsaints games, bikes, lakes, anything outside! esp live music… Best local band: Root City Band

No true fav news anchor, I think @katiecouric does a great job, & I think Diane Sawyer is a good story teller too

But in town, I think @wcco has the best on air team by far. a ton of experience, knowledge & skill. I’ve always been impressed w/them

also, (quick plug, sry) the AM team @WCCO is GREAT on SM. We have the @wccowire, we tweet & use FB pages every AM.

AM Weather updates from @morningwxguy & latest on overnight news from @HollyWagnerWCCO. best way to know in the AM.

Q – #7    @KatieCouric uses Social Media well too. Do you see how news is delivered to be changing? No just info, but stories?

A:    absolutely! SM is completely changing the way we get & deliver news. Everything is instant (re: @wccorosen & Favre)

that’s a cool think about @wcco. We use all SM so we can share what we know with everyone in their own language.

for instance, @derushaj tweets & blogs all day long so you’re constantly going along with him.. we use that same concept on @wccowire

@wccowire keeps you up to speed with stories as they develop & shows you the cool things we’re learning/seeing thru the day.

a lot of our reporters & photogs are SM users so it’s easy to

I think people expect their news right away & it does make our jobs a little more difficult, but hey, we want info RIGHT NOW too.

Also, SM lets us tell different stories differently. On TV you see the final product. with Twitter & wcco.com you get the latest..

.. so you can keep checking back for more. But it’s not as “final” as TV. But it’s give & take

There’s an art to TV storytelling. Pictures, sounds, writing – there’s a finesse you can’t get through web & 140 characters

Q – #8    BREAKING NEWS happens more frequently now due to cable & the internet. To end today – what goal or mantra can you share?

A:    Fight the good fight (do what u believe in) & Keep learning & keep exploring. There’s a lot out there to discover

@JoelECarlson – Curiosity and being inquisitive can be good things! Thanks @Partray for your time and the work that you do. Have a GREAT weekend!

@Partray – Thanks you too, this has been a lot of fun! Enjoy the BEAUTIFUL weather!!

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