A producer at WEAU-TV in Eau Claire, Melanie Walleser, is the WBA Young Professional of the Month for the month of July.
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 2027 WBA Awards Gala on May 1 at the Madison Marriott West.
Walleser was nominated by WEAU-TV anchor/reporter Kim Leadholm who wrote of Walleser that, “She excels in leadership, attention to detail, and finding new ways to present content to our viewers.”
Leadholm wrote that Walleser has excellent news judgment and is a mentor to other young journalists.
“Melanie is someone the newsroom goes to for editorial discussions, script reviews, opinions on coverage and problem-solving,” Leadholm wrote. “It is a comfort and a gift to have Melanie at the station. She is someone I look up to as a coworker and a friend.”
Nominate a YP of the Month here.
Here’s more about Melanie:
Company: WEAU 13 News in Eau Claire
Position: Producer
Years at station: Three years and nine months
Started in broadcasting (year): September 2022
1. How did you get into broadcasting?
By accident, but it could not have gone better if I planned it. WEAU’s former news director, Joe Radske, took a shot on me. I definitely wouldn’t be here without his encouragement and the guidance of my beloved anchors Kim Leadholm, Judy Clark, and Alex Loroff.
2. How do you view the role of young professionals in broadcasting?
Journalists are battling a very complex, often scary, landscape online. Harmful content and AI-generated misinformation are undermining trust within our communities. I believe the role of young journalists is to respond with accuracy and integrity. By highlighting community resilience rather than reinforcing the divisive narratives we see online, we can set ourselves apart from the constant stream of “rage bait” and promote ethical journalism in the digital age.
3. What advice would you give to other young broadcasters?
Do not compromise your integrity.
4. What does the future of broadcasting look like to you?
The majority of audiences are no longer tuning in to regularly scheduled programming, like newscasts. They now expect high-quality content delivered instantly across any mobile device. These shifting preferences mean newsrooms have to embrace digital live-streaming platforms, like OTT. But these tools are only as good as the people using them. Audiences also largely respond to the voices and talent they consider “authentic” and relatable. The future of journalism depends not only on the ability of journalists to engage their audience but on those who are willing to invest in them.
