School of Communication Grad Keera Frye '20 is an Executive Producer at WDTV Alumni Profile
Meet Keera Frye
- Job Title & Employer
- Executive Producer, WDTV (Bridgeport, W. Va.)
- Major/Program
- Broadcast Reporting
- Minor
- Public relations and advertising
- Graduation
- 2020
- College Activities
- U-View, Competitive Cheer and Dance Team, Broadcast Education Association, Pittsburgh Center for Sports Media and Marketing, Point Park Sports Network, Honors Program, Resident Educator
- Scholarships
- Presidential
- Hometown
- Ruffs Dale, Pa.
- High School
- Southmoreland High School
- Now Living In
- Bridgeport, W. Va.
- Hobbies & Interests
- Writing, sports, travel
“Keera found her calling when she decided to enter the news business. From her first day, it was clear she was a star in the making. She shined during her tenure at Point Park University becoming a news director in her junior/senior year. Keera’s training, knowledge and expertise positions her well to become my new day-to-day floor general. The great Vince Lombardi once said, 'Leaders aren't born, they are made.' Clearly, Point Park University is making leaders. We are grateful to experience the incredible qualities of individuals like Keera who bring our newsroom and studio to new heights.”
"Being a part of U-View at Point Park played a huge role in my success at WDTV ... Beyond U-View, the professors do a great job of preparing us for jobs in the media industry. I completed projects and assignments that required the same skills as the work I do now: editing video, being able to quickly adapt, having good news judgement or just knowing what questions to ask."
Since this story published, Keera Frye is now a producer at FOX19 in Cincinnati.
Tell us about the work you do as an executive producer at WDTV.
As the executive producer at WDTV, I’m responsible for finding local content for our newscast, determining what stories our reporters cover each day and deciding story placement. I also read over and edit our reporters' stories daily.
When I started at WDTV, I was producing the 5:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. shows. Since then, I’ve also produced the 11 p.m. and 6 p.m. shows. Now, I produce the 5 p.m. newscast. Producing that show includes finding and writing local stories, deciding on the order of the show and cutting video for everything.
Since WDTV is in a small market, I’ve also gotten the opportunity to fill in as an anchor for a few shows, which I’ve really enjoyed. Although I decided to work more behind the scenes, it’s nice to get back in front of the camera and use the on-air skills that I learned as a broadcast reporting major at Point Park.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
There are two things that I really love about my job. The first is knowing that what I’m doing is impactful. People rely on local news to find out what’s going on, and I’m one of the people deciding what they’re going to see and what they might need to know that day. I’ve also seen our reporters do stories that really mattered to people, and to be a part of that is really a fulfilling aspect of the job.
The other thing I love about my job is the storytelling aspect. Stacking a newscast is a lot like telling a story. There are connection points between your stories and you’re ordering things based on what is most important for your viewer to know. I really love watching the newscast actually happen because I get to see the story really come together for the viewer.
In what ways did your Point Park experience prepare you for professional success?
Being a part of U-View at Point Park played a huge role in my success at WDTV. Although I was a broadcast reporting major, I gained experience in a lot of different roles at U-View. I believe that allowed me to be able to adapt and take on different roles as needed, which is something I’ve done at WDTV by switching shifts and filling in as an anchor.
By being involved with U-View, I got on-camera experience as a show host and reporter, as well as behind-the-scenes experience as a producer, director and by working audio and cameras. Having an understanding of all those positions has helped me tremendously in my position at WDTV.
Beyond U-View, the professors in Point Park’s School of Communication do a great job of preparing us for jobs in the media industry. While at Point Park, I completed projects and assignments that required the same skills as the work I do now: editing video, being able to quickly adapt, having good news judgement or just knowing what questions to ask.
What advice do you have for prospective students?
You have no idea where saying yes to an opportunity will take you. When I left Point Park, I didn’t think I would end up working in news (I was mostly looking into social media and public relations jobs).
I applied for a digital content job at WDTV, knowing that the news industry was actually still hiring in the middle of the pandemic. Point Park alum Josh Croup '18 was working at WDTV and not only recommended that they hire me, but encouraged me to take the producer position instead. I’m so thankful that he did, because I love my job and might not have found it without knowing Josh from Point Park.
Lastly, embrace and explore Downtown Pittsburgh. You have a unique opportunity to live in Downtown Pittsburgh and be within walking distance to so many different things — from great food, museums, sports venues and so much more.
Connect with Keera Frye
More About: journalism, scholarships, School of Communication Alumni, internships, student athletes, Southmoreland High School, broadcast reporting, Broadcast Education Association, School of Communication, Center for Sports Media and Marketing, Honors Program, public relations and advertising, U-View, success story