Chase the joy.
Mark Albert has escaped the corporate world twice. (although journalism is not really a corporate environment and he’s never worked 9 to 5 at any job in his 25 years in journalism). The first time was to create a travel news and information startup and again in 2023 when he left Hearst to create Media Advisory Experts .
“Each time is like jumping off a cliff – but you decide what parachute your wearing, when to pull it and how far you can fall or soar. It’s all up to you. I love working for myself, building on my own success, the thrill of the chase, and the freedom to determine my destiny. I’m also trying to visit every country in the world, so it helps to be able to travel when I want and work remotely when I need to. I’ve only been to 89 countries so far, so I’ve got 107 to go!”
Adapting to Change
His firm is currently partnered with an AI firm. They’re meeting with media outlets about a tool they’re developing for AI-driven video generation to open up new revenue streams. “It’s incredibly exciting and we’re on the frontier of this space.”
When Mark was first interviewed by CBS News for a national correspondent position based in Washington, DC, he was devastated. And then he got determined. So Mark quit his investigative reporter job at the ABC affiliate in Minneapolis, KSTP-TV after eight years. He put everything he owned in storage, gave up his apartment and moved to DC without a job or long-term place to live. He basically gambled it all. Mark kept knocking on CBS’s door until one day, the then-bureau chief told him to stop by for a meeting. That meeting led to three years at the network, reporting from across the country and around the world, including Peru, Taiwan and Australia. Definitely not a 9 to 5 job!
Taking Risks
Most of his friends told him he was nuts to quit his safe job in Minneapolis. But Mark knew he wanted more and was determined to chase his dream. “So I would say one of my top tips is to not be afraid to take big, calculated risks. I’ve done that move three times in my career and I’m stronger for each one.” This most recent time, Mark left Hearst Television to create his own media consultancy, Media Advisory Experts.
As any small business owner will tell you, it’s definitely not a 9 to 5 or even 8 to 6 job or even Mon-Fri. But you’re building something of your own. “That’s an amazing feeling. It helped immensely that I’m a saver and had the financial ability to do that. It’s always nerve-wracking as things get tight, but I’ve managed to make it work. Another top tip is to stay well informed and be doggedly curious about everything”.
When Mark’s grandmother was dying, he was sitting next to her bedside for the last time and she whispering two words to him: “no regrets.” It’s been a theme that has defined his life and business since. “I’m trying to live my life that way. So I’ve made mistakes – and I’ll make more. But hopefully, I’ll be able to say I did so with no regrets.”
Lights, Cameras, Action
Mark recently started doing live events. Media Mastery Experts LIVE! It’s a multi-day, immersive media training camp for executives, entrepreneurs, thought leaders, public speaker and authors. It’s designed for anyone who wants to elevate their presence in the media, amplify their message and capture earned media placements. When attendees leave, they’ll get video clips of them doing a mock interview with Mark on a studio set next to the White House. They also get clips of a mock podcast interview, headshots, video of them on a stage explaining their expertise that they can send to journalists, along with sessions on how to craft a story pitch to grab a journalist’s attention and get media coverage, how to design a message that breaks through in the media, coaching on body language/voice/intonation/reading a Teleprompter, and much more.
Primary URL: https://www.mediaadvisoryexperts.com/
