A young reporter for a Milwaukee radio station, Adam Roberts, is the WBA Young Professional of the Month for the month of December.
The WBA Young Professional of the Month is a nominee for the WBA Young Professional of the Year Award. The award seeks to recognize young broadcasters who have made a significant impact on their stations and communities. A subcommittee of the WBA Board of Directors will select the Young Professional of the Year, who will be recognized at the 2025 WBA Summer Conference on June 18 in La Crosse.
Adam was nominated by 620 WTMJ news director Tiff Pua, who describes him as a “Swiss Army knife” of the newsroom.
“As a reporter, he’s highly skilled in providing in-depth and quality interviews, analysis, and storytelling to the information we provide to our audience. But more importantly, he is willing to challenge himself in subject areas he may not be knowledgeable in to bring the most comprehensive story to our listeners,” Tiff wrote.
“He’s adept at breaking news, severe weather, traffic updates, and general assignment reporting as well as filling-in as an anchor or show co-host as the need arises.”
“He continues to grow his leadership skills in the newsroom by training and guiding new staff on newsroom operations, and actively looks for opportunities to grow his career and management skill set.”
“Adam’s best quality is his wild creativity, which allows him to think outside the normal news storytelling box and challenge the traditional method of news storytelling. He is someone that will make for a great news leader in whatever areas he chooses in the future, as his level of passion for news makes him someone that people want to be around and learn from.”
Nominate a YP of the Month here.
Here’s more about Adam:
Company: Good Karma Brands – Newsradio 620 WTMJ, Milwaukee
Position: Reporter/Co-Host
Years at station: 2
Started in broadcasting (year): 2010
- How did you get into broadcasting?
My interest in broadcasting started with watching the 6:00 news on WBAY in Green Bay and TMJ4 in Milwaukee at my grandparent’s house. I also recall that WTMJ was always on the radio whenever they would drive me around. From there, I would practice baseball play-by-play while watching Brewers games and took broadcasting classes that were offered during my one semester at Fond du Lac High School. I’d even count delivering the morning announcements and lunch menu at St. Mary’s Springs as early broadcasting experience. Eventually, I got my first opportunity for limited on-air time while running the board at WMDC in Mayville.
- How do you view the role of young professionals in broadcasting?
Young professionals offer organizations both energy on-air, as well as an unfettered hunger to achieve big results and prove ourselves. But they also play an important role of offering fresh perspectives to veterans in the industry. Perhaps the best example of this is the different ways young professionals in broadcasting incorporate social media and the internet into their craft. As the next generation of broadcasters, we have a responsibility to employ these elements responsibly, while also not falling on them as a crutch to replace old fashioned reporting techniques and practices.
- What advice would you give to other young broadcasters?
Never be afraid to stop learning. The minute you think you’ve mastered the craft, or are at the top of the game, there will always be someone new gunning for your spot. We can learn so much by acknowledging what we DON’T know. Also, while prioritizing a work-life balance is important for your physical and mental health, take every opportunity you can to try something new. In my time as a broadcaster, I’ve hosted remote broadcasts at dairy breakfasts, commentated professional wrestling matches, and learned the art of producing a three-hour news talk show. Every opportunity you take is another chance to learn a new skill!
- What does the future of broadcasting look like to you?
I believe the future of broadcasting will be determined by how all-in local organizations want to be in keeping local news and local stories a priority. Companies that make investments in young talent who are passionate about sharing the stories happening in their communities will be viewed most favorably in the eyes and ears of the listener. The future of broadcasting will also be HEAVILY influenced by how much technology is allowed to replace human work. The advent of programs like ChatGPT and other artificial intelligence makes it more imperative than ever that human beings still play a role in media. Finally, the future of broadcasting will also include more required effort from those on-air to utilize critical thinking when hearing a report, receiving a tip, or viewing a picture or video online to ensure what we’re seeing and hearing is what’s actually taking place.
