Michael Collado
(He/Him)
Tampa
As seen in:
FindTheBestCarPrice
Covers:
Automotive and Finacial
Doesn't Cover:
Motherhood and Politics
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
At the Review-Journal in Tampa.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes, briefly.
How is social media changing news?
Social media allows non-journalists to contribute to the news cycle. In some cases, this can provide a unique and personal perspective.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Danny DeVito's portrayal of Sam Hudgens in "L.A. Confidential" was wonderfully sleazy.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
It mean pursuing the truth.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
By email.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
I use Google Docs, GMail and Notes on my MacBook Pro.
What's your favorite social network?
Twitter/X for breaking news.
Who do you wish followed you?
Morgan Housel
Why did you become a journalist?
To pursue the truth.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
No.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
I am most proud of my coverage of the One Show Advertising festival in 2011.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Don't be boring. You can have the greatest exclusive in the world but you need a compelling way to communicate it.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Mornings.
What's the best pitch you ever got?
Cover the 2011 One Show Advertising Festival.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
To cover the opening of a Supermarket in Las Vegas.
What's your favorite drink?
I am strictly a water guy!
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
I enjoy going for long walks. I find that moving my body stimulants the creative side of my brain which translates to better writing.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
I enjoy reading CNBC.com for financial news. Also, the website features a subsection on personal finance which I find interesting.
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
That it is easy.
Would you like to take the Muck Rack Interview?
Create a Muck Rack profile.