Note To Male Anchors: You're ANCHORING, Not Having Cocktails

What happened to the days when news anchors dressed the part? What happened to the dark blue, gray or even black suits… white or blue solid shirts… and nice, bold ties? Today’s local TV male anchors have jumped the shark! So why post today about this? Anchors get a little lazy at holiday time. During one of my terms as a TV news director, I walked into an editorial meeting to find a main male anchor dressed in a dark burgundy suit. I think I almost fell over. What in the world was he thinking? This wasn’t the first attire challenge with this anchor. But, he was CERTIANLY NOT alone in the trend to look… well, trendy.

TV viewers are turning away in droves because they are focused on the lack of quality content offered on our medium’s menu. On-air talent seems too focused on looking ‘trendy’. A male anchor’s attire should support his overall presence and his ability to communicate the quality news that the team has assembled… not distract from it. TV anchors were once viewed among the most respected professionals. Today, that perception is falling faster than George Bush’s poll numbers ever did.

Here’s a new year’s wish for men who anchor the news: LOOK THE PART. Dress as though you’re CEO of your town’s biggest bank. You care for the viewers’ trust just as the CEO of a bank cares for our money. It’s too dangerous to take a risk. Plus, you’re anchoring the news… not having cocktails at the town’s hot spot.

By the way, what happened to the anchor who showed up in my newsroom dressed in dark burgundy suit? I sent him home, telling him he could return to anchor the 11pm news in a more appropriate suit. To his credit, he was back in the newsroom for the 5pm news.

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