Flaco Guapo Media
SAN ANGELO – Angelo State University's 3rd annual Sports Seminar, held Wednesday, March 27 from 12 p.m. - 2 p.m. featured the main event, rather speaker--FOX & Friends' host, Todd Piro, followed by the under-card but equally as important, eight local media representatives from their respective field. The two-hour seminar was held in the Cavness Lecture Hall. The other eight media members included: KIDY FOX’ Malik Mingo and Senora Scott, KLST-TV’s David Wagner, KSAN-TV’s Rachel Turnock, San Angelo LIVE’s Manny Diaz, ASU Ram radio’s Jeremy Bryant and Flaco Guapo Media’s Jim Sánchez. These eight professionals offered wisdom and advice on being in the media business.
Piro, who joined the FNC in June 2017 doubles as a reporter and also occasionally serves as a guest host on the weekends, as asked a wide range of questions during his first hour. “What was the worst and best about either your job now or your profession?” The worst part about our business is that we are getting away from being factually based.”
Photo courtesy of Gigi Scott, ASU senior
Also in media photo, from left-to-right is Gigi Scott. Shout out goes to her for taking several photos for Flaco Guapo Media. Gigi who is a good friend of FGM is scheduled to graduate in five weeks on May 11, 2019.
KLST-TV’s news director, Wagner asked Piro “Do you think our society really wants facts anymore as much as they want the social stuff or the opinions of whatever….” “I’m going be “Pollyanna” (optimistic) Todd here and say yes they do.” Piro believes that the extremes are highlighted way too much, the sensationalism etc. “The ordinary person wants to know the facts that are relevant to them,” he said.
Among the questions asked of the panel, included “How have you seen media whether through print, radio or broadcast or content making, meaning freelance, how has it changed over time,” asked ASU moderator, Dillon Jimenez. KIDY FOX’ Scott stated that it’s not just how much has changed “We always talk about how much it has changed, but it is changing all the time.”
Senora followed up with a comment that was addressed to the next up-and-coming generation of media. Besides being tech savvy, lean on veterans in the news business to learn from them. “You can learn all the technology but definitely get some experience with the ‘old school.’” “Learn how to really write, meaning put pen to paper.” “Really focus on those skills because if your good at the basics [without depending on auto correct or technology] then you become valuable. Don’t take the easy way out,” concluded Scott. 
Miss Ally Coscetti is in the middle. Photo courtesy of her Facebook.
Prior to the second session, Flaco Guapo interviewed a soon-to-be-May 2019 ASU graduate, Miss Ally Coscetti who anchors the weekend news at KSAN. Coscetti, who was hired by Wagner as recently as four months is already on to her next big step as she was hired by a news station in Corpus Christi.
“David Wagner, took a chance on me and now four months later it’s exciting because it’s home for me.” Ally will start out as a full-time reporter and when an anchor position opens up, she will be placed in that position. Ally was asked if she felt she was ready to handle this opportunity so quickly with just being on the job, four months. “I definitely realize I have a lot to learn.”
Coscetti was excited for this opportunity to learn and was willing to take this chance. That was also her advice to ASU media majors. “Go out there and take chances.” “The worst thing that could happen is someone tells you no and if that happens, you bounce back and go for another job.” Or maybe apply for a lower position and will be willing to work your way up, concluded Cosetti.