by Patty Zubov
NATAS SF Membership Chair
Driving from Monterey on Hwy 68 onto Main Street in Salinas, I’m greeted by a quaint “SALINAS” sign overhead. I’d heard about the renaissance of Salinas and I’m impressed with the brisk action and attractive businesses on Main Street….
At the end of the street, in front of the Steinbeck Center, I spot a KSBW 8 crew car! Shamelessly trying to drum up attendees, I holler from across the street: “Are you going to the Emmy event at Portofino’s?!” I get back the reply: “I hope so!” Then I watch the cameraman and female reporter set up for their stand-up. Later I find out it’s Brooke Kinebrew reporting on the E. coli outbreak of McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers – allegedly the onions to blame came from Taylor Farms, headquartered in Salinas. Timely and local.
WSBW Reporter Brooke Kinebrew and Weather Anchor / MMJ Ariana Ariza enjoy the fare at the mixer.
Brooke did indeed attend! “I’m so glad I made it to the Emmy’s networking event,” relayed Brooke. “Being new to the Central Coast, my goal has been to meet other journalists and connect with people here. I even made a new friend and plan to stay in touch with folks I met!” Brooke mentioned her reporting gig that I witnessed earlier: “Funny enough, I was working on an assignment in the field right before, but I managed to swing by, and everyone was so kind and welcoming. Looking forward to more events and future connections!”
Turns out that Brooke is the NATAS Station Captain for KSBW! (For more about NATAS Station Captains, look for a future article here in Off Camera.)
Chris Carpenter from CSUMB checks in with Austin Castro, VP Smaller Markets
This mixer at Portobello’s Restaurant on Main Street on October 24 was attended by a total of 15 professionals from the NATAS SF Northern California chapter’s Salinas / Monterey market. Spreading the word about this event was Austin Castro, NATAS Vice President of Smaller Markets and Multimedia Journalist / Anchor at the Central Coast’s KION 46.
Also helping to gather locals was fellow NATAS Board member Chris Carpenter, Media Production Specialist at Cal State University Monterey Bay, and VP of Production for Honest Engine Films. “Connecting with local professionals and discussing the dynamic shifts in our industry is invaluable,” said Chris, “especially for our students at CSU Monterey Bay. These connections enrich our Cinematic Arts and Technology program, providing insights and opportunities that directly benefit our students’ learning and career pathways.”
Lisa Montgomery entertains Dot Findlater and Evan Gering.
Austin’s colleague from KION, Meteorologist / Lifestyle Reporter Lisa Montgomery found the event to be a fun distraction from work. “I’m so grateful for the opportunity to meet other creative and talented peers who also live in this beautiful community. I am so inspired by their personal stories and experiences, and I believe that’s what makes these kinds of events so valuable and meaningful.”
Dorothy “Dot” Findlater, CEO of Mirror Image Specialty Talent Agency, added: “Connecting with industry professionals and hearing firsthand about local projects reminded me of the depth of talent in our region. It’s inspiring to see so many dedicated creatives working to elevate storytelling here.” It was fun to learn of her job of finding celebrity lookalikes (recently a Brad Pitt!) for various projects. “I look forward to future collaborations and the chance to help bring local stories to life.”
Evan Gering, founder of local production company Glacial Etch Media, joined the mixer fun.
KION Director / Editor Emilio Tovar noted: “It was a great experience meeting with peers within the other local media news station, and connecting with one another for the night to collaborate to come up with ideas for future NATAS meetings in the central coast!”
Other attendees from KSBW were Producer Chris Hagel, Reporter and NATAS member Felix Cortez, and News Director Cassady Velasco.
KION’s Multimedia Journalist / Anchor Dania Romero came over to Portobello’s on her lunch break from being on the air! Dania is a member of NATAS SF, benefiting already from the members-only program Mentor Match (with mentor Dan Adams, ABC10 Sacramento).
CSUMB student Talia Mendoza commented about the mixer: “It was a great opportunity to meet peers and local people in media from a bunch of backgrounds. I’m hoping to meet even more at the next one.”
And that was the big buzz during the evening: the NEXT mixer for the small but mighty Salinas / Monterey market. This gathering worked well being on a Thursday night on Main Street in Salinas – the next one might be in Monterey, perhaps during the weekend…
To offer your input, email the Academy Office: office@emmysf.tv
BOARD OF GOVERNORS:
Austin Castro
Chris Campbell
Patty Zubov
Membership Chair Patty Zubov greets mixer guests, with her usual wine glass of Red Bull…
VP Austin Castro and Portofino’s Meynardo Guitierrez
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