Tony Elkins
As seen in:
Poynter Online,
Medium,
Sarasota Herald-Tribune,
Editor & Publisher,
OpenNews,
USA Today Co.
Covers:
digital content, innovation, engagement, photographers, copy desk, design
Faculty at @Poynter | Founding member @newsproduct | Citizen of the Comanche Nation | on Bsky now
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
Reporter for college newspaper.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes
How is social media changing news?
Everyone can be a journalist with the flick of an opening screen.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Kermit the Frog
What does it mean to be a journalist?
A journalist tells stories. Some are good, some are bad. They uplift, they shine a light, they uncover and expose truth.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
#florida. Needs no explanation.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Tell me how the story is being told. I want to know you have a vision for the final result.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Basecamp, Adobe Creative Suite, some coding. Custom CMS, Wordpress, etc.
What's your favorite social network?
Twitter. Keep it brief and to the point.
Who do you wish followed you?
The ghost of Steve McQueen.
Why did you become a journalist?
Because pre-med was my gig.
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?
The Stolen Ones, a look at under-age sex trafficking.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Work. No matter what it is, how hard it is, just work
When's the best time to pitch you?
Mid-morning, right after the coffee has kicked in.
Would you like to take the Muck Rack Interview?
Create a Muck Rack profile.