Graham Media Group is proud to announce that Allison McGinley, News Director of WKMG News 6, has been named News Director of the Year by Broadcasting and Cable.
Each December, Broadcasting and Cable selects the winners of its annual awards, saluting the top broadcasters in local television. This year, that honor goes to long-time WKMG employee Allison McGinley.
McGinley began working with WKMG News 6 as an intern in 1994. From intern to news director, she has served the Central Florida community through a variety of roles at the station.
Upon promotion to News Director in 2015, McGinley has also led the newsroom through some of its toughest challenges, beginning with the massacre of 49 people at Pulse Nightclub in June of 2016. Recently, she led her team through the COVID-19 pandemic, successfully innovating new ways of communicating with viewers on all platforms, 24/7. One of those innovations includes the launch of “Solutionaries” with Graham Media Group. “Solutionaires” is a new digital newscast that focuses on solutions-based journalism and highlights people who are making a difference for others.
McGinley’s commitment to Central Florida is best reflected in the many community causes that she has advanced through the power of the station, such as WKMG’s ”Make Ends Meet” segment. The segment, with investigative reporter Mike Holfeld, has recovered nearly $2 million in missing, misplaced or stolen benefits, due to viewers who suffered the most during the pandemic.
Beginning in 2016, the station, along with anchor Matt Austin, also led the charge to make texting and driving a primary offense in the state of Florida. In 2019, the bill to do just that was signed into law by the governor.
“Allison brings a remarkable understanding of our communities and uses it to tell stories in a way that both inform and inspire audiences on each of our platforms," said WKMG Vice President and General Manager Jeff Hoffman. “Her superior skill set allows her to be both advocate and supporter of the people she leads and the audience she serves in the best traditions of journalism.”
Honoring her commitment to journalism and the community, WKMG has been a finalist for the National Association of Broadcasters Community Service to America award each of the past four years, winning the award in 2019 and 2020. WKMG is also the current Florida “Station of the Year,” as recognized by the Florida Association of Broadcasters, and the newsroom has won a bevy of Murrow Emmy awards, as well as statewide honors.
In 2018, Allison was named to the Board of Directors of Radio Television Digital News Association and was recently appointed Chair of the Association for 2022.
“This honor is a testament to the team and culture we have here at WKMG,” McGinley said. “When we align around a singular vision and a common purpose -- to reflect and be of service to our community -- our work echoes that passion. This award demonstrates the success and effort of our entire team.”