John Merker
- Account Executive
- Hearst Television
School Information
School: University of Kansas
College Major: Other
Years at College Works: 2012 to 2013
Career Information
Working For: Hearst Television
Title: Account Executive
Industry: Media
Brief Description of Duties / Responsibilities:
Much like my previous Account Executive roles, I’m overseeing numerous clients and lead lists but was faced with learning a whole new widget in Television/commercials versus the print world I’ve become accustomed to. Hearst Television’s presence in Kansas City consistes of KMBC 9, KCWE 29, MeTV Kansas City and the Very Local streaming app. With what is essentially endless advertising solutions, I’m tested daily with developing the perfect cross-platform campaign to move the needle for my clients. The most rewarding part of this job is when I can watch a small businesses get their first start on TV. The excitement a new advertiser has seeing themselves in a commercial will never get old. In 2022 I earned the Hearst Television Eagle Award for excellence in sales at my station, KMBC 9. I’ve since continued to set personal records in sales and determined for more.
What Has Been Your Proudest Accomplishment Post-CWP?Hitting 205% on my Back-To-School paper quota.
College Works Career Impact
In one sentence, what has CW meant to you?
College Works Painting has meant a means to creating a professional work ethic that will set the tone for my future career.
What was the greatest lesson you learned from your CW experience?
There is a science to selling. If I want to sell more, I need to do more meetings, and if I need more meetings, I need to market more.
Advice
What advice do you have for potential CW participants? Current CW participants?
Find what motivates you to succeed and focus on your own personal goal.
What’s your best advice for someone interested in entering your career field?
Make sure to embrace your competitive nature. Sales is a numbers game and the only person holding you back from being the best is yourself. Your success is directly translated from your effort.
What’s your favorite memory from CW?
This is cliche, but you get out of the program what you put into it, and there’s no other job/profession that this statement better applies to.