Celebrating Pride Month with Team TEGNA

TEGNA is proud of our diverse and inclusive culture, where all employees are encouraged to be their authentic selves and where diversity of people and perspectives are highly valued. Today, we’re taking PRIDE in the good company of Ed Busby, SVP, Strategy at TEGNA.

Then: Talk about your career path, how you got to where you are today at TEGNA.

I was a Partner at Boston Consulting Group working for media companies around the globe – from Mexico City to Amsterdam to Seoul. It was truly exciting but in the back of my mind, I always wanted to work in local media. When I interviewed with Dave Lougee, I knew I had found the opportunity I was searching for.

Now: What is your current role at TEGNA?

I head up strategy for TEGNA – I help drive internal initiatives, identify new adjacencies for TEGNA, and either incubate them internally or work with the M&A team to acquire businesses. But as Dave Lougee says, there is no strategy without execution. One of my favorite parts of the job is the ability to roll up my sleeves and get my hands dirty – not just “think big thoughts.”

My Halo Moment: What was the most rewarding project you’ve worked on at TEGNA?

Getting Premion off the ground was probably the most rewarding project. Premion actually dated back to my days at BCG when we pitched the idea of aggregating OTT inventory as early as 2008. Since it was founded, Premion has grown into a powerhouse with the entire industry following our lead. It was truly a group effort but I will always be grateful to have had the opportunity to play the role that I did.

Good Company: What does being in good company mean to you?

How many people get the chance to work for a company whose mission is to serve the greater good of our local communities? I truly believe that when we are at our best, we have the ability to help bring people together and to make our communities better places to live. That mission also extends to the salesforce as well; we need to do more than just get “our fair share of spend” – we need to generate real results for our advertisers. But we are all in good company when we are all rowing together towards that “north star.”

Note to Self: What advice would you give yourself looking back on earlier days in your career?

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Too often I thought that I had to figure it all out on my own. So many others have been through this before. As an LGBT professional in the 90’s in little Providence, RI, there was no roadmap to success. Since then, living in New York, I have been blessed to be part of a huge LGBT community that has given me the opportunity to both be mentored and to mentor others. In a post-COVID world, I am hopeful that the boundaries of geography will be less of a barrier so whether you are in Seattle, WA, or Odessa, TX you can be a part of that broader community.

PRIDE: Why is Pride Month important to you?

One of the most common questions I hear is, “Why do we need Pride Month anymore?” It is so easy for those of us who are in media and live in urban areas to forget that not everybody has it as easy as we have. LGBT youth commit suicide at nearly three times the rate as straight kids. And trans people still face incredible hurdles. I believe familiarity breeds acceptance; if we can help people in our communities to see each other as human beings, then we can start changing hearts and minds.

Then: Talk about your career path, how you got to where you are today at TEGNA.  

I was one of those unique high school students who knew exactly what they wanted to do – work in the world of advertising and marketing. While attending The University of Texas at Austin (hook ‘em,) I worked for the student media group and got my first taste of news and broadcast media. I got a job at an agency straight out of college and worked my way to director 8 years later. I loved understanding why consumers make the decisions they make and how to best reach & engage them, but the work-life balance on the agency side left me drained and thinking about leaving the industry altogether. 

Luckily, I learned about a consumer insights role for a new “agency-like” department within this new, spin-off media company called TEGNA and it was a perfect fit. I got to flex both my left and right sides of the brain every day as well as learn more about the production and operational elements required to run a successful video business.   

After almost 5 years with TEGNA corporate, I was hired as Director of Consumer Insights and Sponsorships for KUSA/KTVD in Denver, where I have been able to use all my previous roles to provide actionable insights and ideas to generate both audiences and revenue. 

Now: What is your current role at TEGNA?   

Director, Consumer Insights & Sponsorships @ 9NEWS in Denver (KUSA)   

My Halo Moment: What was the most rewarding project you’ve worked on at TEGNA?   

Rebranding our AM show based on a target mindset rather than just a demo. The spirit of that mindset was reflected through a new name, new branding, new creative and a new mission – Mile High Mornings seeks to capture the Mile High Mindset through well-balanced content that informs, challenges and fosters conversation to activate the community to pursue good each day.  

Good Company: What does being in good company mean to you?   

It means that good is at the heart of everything we do and strive to be. I feel seen at TEGNA. I feel accepted at TEGNA, and that is a good feeling. 

Note to Self: What advice would you give yourself looking back on earlier days in your career?   

1. Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want if you aren’t getting it. See the value you bring and know your worth. 
2. Your way isn’t always right, but it isn’t always wrong. Trust yourself but also lean in and learn from others.

Tangible & Emotional Intelligence: What advice would you give to someone looking to work in media/sales/marketing?   

Be sure you have a passion for connecting people with information and a curiosity to learn something new each and every day.   

PRIDE: Why is Pride Month important to you?   

Growing up, knowing you are different from most can leave you feeling a little “less than.” Pride reminds me that I am 100% the person I am meant to be and that celebrating my uniqueness is perfectly fine. Gaga said it best, “Rejoice and love yourself today, ‘Cause baby, you were born this way.” 

Then: Talk about your career path, how you got to where you are today at TEGNA.   

My start in the broadcast local news industry is unique. While I was attending college in Tyler, Texas, I picked up a part-time camera operator position for the evening newscasts at the local NBC Affiliate.  Within a year, I was directing the morning show. Six television stations and nine positions later, I think I may have a small addiction to my career.  

Now: What is your current role at TEGNA?   

I am a Brand Strategist at TEGNA’s Design Tank. My specialty is video production. I support TEGNA’s commercial production teams, coordinating and producing video content that spans client, corporate, and B2B marketing production. 

My Halo Moment: What was the most rewarding project you’ve worked on at TEGNA?  

During my time as a Marketing Producer for WFAA in Dallas, Texas, I produced a series of spots using soundbites from three of Dale Hansen’s Unplugged segments.  Hansen is known for his bold personality and on multiple occasions, grabbed national attention with his controversial, yet heartfelt commentaries. The topics addressed homophobia in the NFL, domestic violence, and racism.  The three thirty-second spots only aired once inside a Dallas Cowboys football game. 

Good Company: What does being in good company mean to you?   

It means surrounding yourself with others that share similar core values, are empathic towards others, have a passion for giving back to their local communities, and are simply a good neighbor. 

Note to Self: What advice would you give yourself looking back on earlier days in your career?  

The advice I would give myself is to be more present and enjoy the projects I’m lucky to work on.  This industry exposes you to extraordinary places and people, and that’s what I am most appreciative of throughout my career. 

Tangible & Emotional Intelligence: What advice would you give to someone looking to work in media/sales/marketing? 

Broadcast media is fast and evolves so quickly. My advice would be to hone in on exactly what you love about media sales and marketing. There is a vast array of areas in which to excel. Pick one and go full speed into the future!   

PRIDE: Why is Pride Month important to you?  

Recognition. Pride Month is a validation of our community and celebrates acceptance. 

Then: Talk about your career path, how you got to where you are today at TEGNA.    

I started my career by interning at The Oprah Winfrey Show in Chicago. After I graduated college, I was offered a junior designer position at Oprah, where I worked my way up to lead designer providing art direction to one or two shows a week. When the show ended, I worked for NEC Display Solutions, a manufacturer of computer monitors and large-screen public-information displays, establishing their content creation service at their US marketing office. I then moved back to Minnesota, where I grew up, to be near my family and was the senior graphic designer for KMSP, a FOX affiliate, before landing my current position with KARE 11 in Minneapolis.  

Now: What is your current role at TEGNA?    

I am the Multimedia Designer at KARE 11 in Minneapolis, where I work with almost every department on everything thing from motion graphics, digital, print, and signage, to building and set décor. 

My Halo Moment: What was the most rewarding project you’ve worked on at TEGNA? 

The most rewarding project I’ve worked on at KARE is providing art direction to KARE’s first documentary, “Love Them First: Lessons from Lucy Laney Elementary.” 

“With unprecedented access over the course of a year, Love Them First: Lessons from Lucy Laney Elementary follows the determination of a charismatic north Minneapolis school principal, Mauri Melander Friestleben, as she sets out to undo history. Not only does Minnesota have the largest achievement gap between black and white children in the United States, but Friestleben also faced another seemingly impossible obstacle, with Lucy Laney at the bottom of the state’s list of underperforming schools for two decades. Under Friestleben’s leadership, standardized test scores from most black students began rising for the first time. Still, when the school encounters a heartbreaking setback, Friestleben is forced to confront the true measure of student success at Lucy Laney. It’s a story of inspiration, heartbreak, perseverance, and the power of love.”  – lovethemfirst.com 

It was an honor to work on such a powerful, award-winning film that shows what one person can do to inspire change in the community.  If you are interested in learning more or watching the film, you can view it at www.lovethemfirst.com.    

Good Company: What does being in good company mean to you?  

Being in good company to me means having people you can rely upon and that can rely upon you. Never let the other party down, and always support each other in accomplishing shared goals.  

Note to Self: What advice would you give yourself looking back on earlier days in your career? 

I would tell my younger self not to be afraid to take risks and to have confidence in your work because others already have confidence in you and your work. 

Tangible & Emotional Intelligence: What advice would you give to someone looking to work in media/sales/marketing? 

I would advise someone interested in marketing to come to the table with ideas and be ready to collaborate with your colleagues in the marketing department and all departments within the company.  

PRIDE: Why is Pride Month important to you?   

I grew up in a small town in southern Minnesota. Growing up I knew I was different but didn’t have anybody around me that I could identify with. I struggled with my identity through my 20s. When I became honest with my authentic self and saw other people around me in my community, especially during Pride, I felt empowered to celebrate who I am. I am also so grateful for TEGNA and KARE allowing our environment to embrace diversity and encourages us to be our authentic selves. 

Then: Talk about your career path, how you got to where you are today at TEGNA.   

I majored in Television and Radio advertising at Indiana University but went to work for Ford Motor Co. as a Zone Manager for the first few years after college. I got my start in media in newspapers; first as an Account Executive for an Atlanta weekly arts and entertainment publication and then eventually the daily newspaper in Atlanta.

My career seemed to take off once I got into media advertising sales. I think that’s mainly because I really connected with local businesses and I developed a passion for helping them grow their business. I moved to New Orleans to accept a management position with NOLA.com (the daily newspaper’s website) before joining WWL-TV as the Director of Digital Media. I was a Regional Digital Director for TEGNA, where I traveled to a group of our stations to help in their digital sales efforts before rejoining WWL-TV as Local Sales Manager.     

Now: What is your current role at TEGNA?  

I am a Local Sales Manager for WWL-TV in New Orleans. 

My Halo Moment: What was the most rewarding project you’ve worked on at TEGNA?   

There are so many projects that I am proud of that I can’t name just one. I love empowering members of my team and watching them become great. It’s fulfilling for me to see people grow in their careers. I was particularly proud of the sales initiatives that we developed for advertisers during the pandemic last summer and fall. One of them was “Chalk It Up” where viewers submitted pictures of their favorite sidewalk chalk art that was popular at that time. A local grocery store sponsored it and our whole team was really proud of it.   

Good Company: What does being in good company mean to you?   

It means that we are focused on doing the right thing all the time and that we surround ourselves with those that do the same. I feel that what is good and what is right, eventually prevails. It’s a great feeling to work for a company that has this philosophy! 

Note to Self: What advice would you give yourself looking back on earlier days in your career?   

I would tell myself to love what I do for a living. It wasn’t until I got in media advertising sales, that my career really took off. When you love what you do, everything falls into place because you work harder and smarter. 

Tangible & Emotional Intelligence: What advice would you give to someone looking to work in media/sales/marketing?   

I would say that you almost have to be “obsessed” with your job. It’s a mindset always to be prospecting and looking for new advertisers and opportunities. When I say “obsessed,” I mean that you have to have the attitude that “I have to do this right day in and day-out absolutely.” In order to do this, you have to be focused on 4 T’s: Truth (always be truthful with yourself and others), be Transparent, Take Ownership (it’s a mindset of consistently driving the business forward and not waiting on others to do it for you), and Tenacity (you have to have a lot of energy and keep going all the time).     

PRIDE: Why is Pride Month important to you?   

Pride is important because it celebrates the accomplishments of LGBTQ people. It is a celebration of being allowed to be who we are in public. It was only 50 years ago that it was illegal for bars in NYC to serve LGBTQ people and they could actually be fined and jailed for congregating. Fast forward to three years ago, I was able to marry my partner of 20 years legally!