#MediaMonday – Megan Thompson

Today’s #MediaMonday features Megan Thompson, who is an Enterprise and Investigative Reporter at ABC15 in Phoenix, Arizona. Abbie and I had the pleasure if spending an early and very chilly Friday morning at Chase Field ahead of the Cheez-It Bowl with Megan.

So, Megan, time to share!

Tell us how you got your start? Tell us your story!
I got into journalism in high school. I went to Highland High in Gilbert and I was lucky enough to be a part of their Video Production classes as electives. We did the morning “news,” aka the announcements on school events and after-school activities. It was my teacher in that course, Mr. Holck, who told me about how one of the best journalism schools in the country was just down the road! So, I checked out the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University and fell in love! I just didn’t comprehend that the people I saw on TV were everyday people and it could be me. I was hooked instantly!

Tell us how you came to start working in the media scene?
ASU played a huge role in getting me opportunities to learn from the best in the business. I worked hard to be in every club on campus and took every “little” job available. I worked the desk at the school’s broadcast network, Cronkite News on PBS, my freshman year. From there, I started working non-paid internships that truly paid me with a wealth of knowledge. I learned directly from professionals in the Phoenix market and it was instrumental in my learning.

Where did you grow up? 
I grew up right here in the Valley. My parents picked out a plot of land in the tiny town of Gilbert, Arizona before it became what it is today! They still live in the home I was raised in since I was just a 1-year-old baby. It is so special to them to be able to turn on the TV and see their daughter. I definitely have proud parents who have always been incredible cheerleaders.

Where do you live now?
I live in East Valley now with my fiancé and our two-year-old shelter pup named Henry.

Favorite type of music? 
I really love pop music and musical theater. I really just love upbeat music to get going!

Favorite color? 
Definitely blue!

Three things readers would be surprised to know about you? 

• I was a competitive basketball player as a kid/teen. I thought that was going to be my ticket through college!
• From elementary school through junior high, I ate a peanut butter sandwich with no crust every single day. Talk about a boring, picky eater!
• I’ve donated my hair twice to Locks of Love, a charity who makes wigs for people suffering from cancer.

Do you take pitches? If so, any guidelines?
I do! My pitches are very unique though. I cover Operation Safe Roads, a franchise that is a part of ABC15 Arizona. I cover safety-related stories dealing with wrong-way driving, pedestrian deaths, speeding, red-light-running, etc.

What is the lead time you need for content or pitches? 
I’m flexible since I’m an investigative/enterprise reporter.

What is the best way to reach you? 
Email, since I’m usually out and about! Megan.Thompson@abc15.com.