Getting to Know The TEGNA B2B Marketing Team

Dave Neway, Vice President, Ad Sales Marketing

What advice would you give yourself looking back on earlier days in your career?
Real-time feedback is critical, particularly in the presence of behavior that has no place at work. Speak up if someone treats you with disrespect and address the behavior head-on; the alternative – saying nothing and feeling resentful – is essentially like taking poison while waiting for the other person to die. 

Tangible & Emotional Intelligence: What advice would you give to someone looking to work in media/sales/marketing?   
Staying current is one of the most challenging (but rewarding) aspects of working in our field. As a marketer, one of the best ways to add value to the organization is by serving as the voice of the customer, which goes hand-in-hand with serving as the source of market intelligence. Set aside intentional time each week – even if it’s just 30 minutes – to pore over the trades and consider the “so, what?” for each piece of news as it relates to your organization so that you can make this intelligence actionable for product and sales partners.  

If Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would you like to see cast as you?
Seth Rogen, in an instant!

What’s your secret talent?
I have perfect pitch, aka the ability to identify any pitch/note without any reference note. Ie.: when a car honks, I can tell you what chord it was, or, if I hear a song, I can play it back verbatim.  It’s mostly useless as a semi-retired musician, but it’s a great party trick. 😊

Motto or personal mantra?
Derived from the Toltec spiritualists’ “Four Agreements”: Always do your best; be impeccable with your word; don’t’ take anything personally; don’t make assumptions.

What TV show/movie are you sorry/not sorry to admit you love?
I will NOT admit that I love The Ultimatum, Love is Blind, Are you the One, and/or Vivica A. Fox’s “The Wrong” series on LMN. Again, I refuse to admit it. 

Where would you like to go on a dream vacation?
Saba (a teeny island in the Caribbean Netherlands) 

Which cartoon character would you most like to switch lives with?
Sleeping Beauty – I covet her ability to rest for so long.

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Gillian Busch, Senior Marketing Manager

How did you get to where you are today at TEGNA?
I started my career at AMC Networks as a sales assistant, managing commercial inventory for shows (that soon became my favorite) like Breaking Bad, Mad Men, and the Walking Dead. In that position, I worked closely with the integrated marketing team, and soon realized I wanted to move into the marketing world. 

About two years later, I jumped into a marketing role at IFC, AMC Networks’ niche comedy channel, supporting their Digital, Consumer, and Integrated Marketing teams. I learned so much in this role – everything from how to be a clear communicator to balancing multiple priorities – and I gained some great broad marketing experience. 

A few years later, I was looking for my next step, and to make a move down to the DC area, and was fortunate to land a role at The Atlantic magazine in their live events division, AtlanticLive. After about four years of working on events like The Atlantic Festival, Aspen Ideas Festival, and CityLab, I left the company and was hired at TEGNA to work on the B2C marketing team. Early on, I heard about all of the great work the TMS team was doing, and in early 2021, officially moved over to the team to work with national sales, and then later, brand activations. 

Tangible & Emotional Intelligence: What advice would you give to someone looking to work in media/sales/marketing?  Be curious! Set up informational interviews with people outside your direct line of work to understand how they contribute to our business. Volunteer for projects that might be a stretch for your skillset. Always be learning.  

Motto or personal mantra? Not exactly a personal mantra, but I saw this quote a few years ago and it really stuck with me. The most important people worth impressing are 5-year-old you and 85-year-old you.

Where would you like to travel to?
My family had a big Ireland / Scotland trip scheduled right before COVID hit so I’m trying to get that back on the calendar!

What tv show/movie are you sorry/not sorry to admit you love?
All of the amazing reality TV on Bravo.

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Lisa Colgin, Senior Marketing Strategist 

My Halo Moment: What was the most rewarding project you’ve worked on at TEGNA?
Road to Recovery. This impactful campaign works to smash the stigma surrounding addiction and offers resources to those who need help.

Tangible & Emotional Intelligence: What advice would you give to someone looking to work in media/sales/marketing?  
Media is fast-paced, exciting, and ever-changing. Stay, nimble, teachable, and ready to learn from everyone and every situation. 

If you were stuck on an island what three things would you bring?
Spotify, a Bible, and a boat.

Where would you like to travel to?
Australia – my 7th continent.

You’re happiest when …
I’m helping others or exploring a new country.

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Meredith Cunningham, Content Marketing Lead

How did you get to where you are today at TEGNA?
Landing at TEGNA was a dream come true for me. Not only was I back in the landscape of local news media, but all the skills I learned after my newspaper days were being served well, and after two years, I was promoted to Content Marketing Lead. 

What does being in good company mean to you?
At TEGNA, I’m in good company because our values align. In previous positions, I was looking for more than just helping to sell a product. At TEGNA, I get to talk to so many great people who not only sell marketing solutions to our clients but help solve real problems in the community.  I’m so happy that I’m in a position to amplify good stories coming from good people with good intentions. 

What advice would you give yourself looking back on earlier days in your career?
Be patient and keep working hard. Your day will come and your hard work will pay off. 

What movie are you sorry/not sorry to admit you love?
“Jack and Jill” starring Adam Sandler. 

Which cartoon character would you most like to switch lives with?
Louise Belcher from Bob’s Burgers. I admire her quick wit, fearlessness, and appetite for mischief, as well as her problem-solving skills. My inner child is jealous of her adventures, and I wish I had a friend like Regular-Sized Rudy. 

Motto or personal mantra?
I played DIII women’s ice hockey in college, and now that my 6-year-old “nephew” is playing ice hockey too (and loving it) before every practice or game I tell him, “Head up, stick down, skate hard, have fun.” 

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Andrew Nieves, Senior Insights Strategist 

How did you get to where you are today at TEGNA?
I started out as a Sales Assistant but always loved research and insights. My research director at WUSA was a huge mentor for me and always championed me to keep pushing myself to learn more. Now I am in a position where I can help so many people tell stories through data and research, to help businesses grow and succeed. It truly is a dream come true. 

What does being in good company mean to you?
Being in good company to me means always having someone’s best interests in mind, and doing everything possible to help. 

Tangible & Emotional Intelligence: What advice would you give to someone looking to work in media/sales/marketing? 
Never stop learning, and be confident in yourself and your work. Confidence and humility go a long way.

If you were stuck on an island what three things would you bring?
If I couldn’t bring my wife and dog, I would totally bring my fishing rod, a pack of cards, and a book on “how to survive while stuck on an island” lol

What is on your bucket list?
I would love to go skydiving.

Which cartoon character would you most like to switch lives with?
Grog Strongjaw from the Legends of Vox Machina.

You’re happiest when?
I am on a hiking trail with my wife and dog. Being in nature is just unmatched.

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Megan Watkins, Marketing Specialist  

How did you get to where you are today at TEGNA?
After graduating from the University of Georgia, I moved out to Los Angeles for NBCUniversal’s Page Program. The Page Program is a 12-15 month rotational program in the entertainment industry during which one has the opportunity to work and learn in multiple areas throughout the company. During my time as a Page, I was able to hone in on an area of the media industry where I had the greatest interest, Marketing. 

From here, I began my journey in the Marketing industry, and I finally found my way to TEGNA in late 2021. I knew I wanted to work in a highly creative group within the media industry where I would have the opportunity to continue to learn more on a team and at a company that valued the growth of its employees. Luckily, I ended up on the perfect team, TEGNA Marketing Solutions, that truly values each and every team member, and consistently works together to prop each other up. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else!

What advice would you give to someone looking to work in media/sales/marketing?
I would say to always continue learning. Every new job and opportunity, even one that may not be wanted, is a chance for personal growth. Don’t let your biases get in the way of a job that might not look too glamorous, the media industry is all about getting your foot in the door. And never be afraid to ask questions. When you are just starting out, your team will expect you to ask questions, so don’t be afraid to do so. If you won’t believe me, then take the words of Bob Iger, former Disney CEO and the author of The Ride of a Lifetime (one of my favorite books about the industry), “Ask the questions you need to ask, admit without apology what you don’t understand, and do the work to learn what you need to learn as quickly as you can.” 

If Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would you like to see cast as you?
I would love to see Jennifer Lawrence play me. She’s funny, beautiful, and smart, what else could you want?

Motto or personal mantra?
You never know if you’re not going to like something unless you try it first.

What is on your bucket list?
I would love to one day visit every continent! So far, I am at four, I just need to check off Asia, Australia, and Antarctica.