With that, Russell Kinsaul, KMOV Channel 4, had the full attention of everyone attending the Dec. 15, 2005 luncheon at Ces & Judy's. A last-minute fill-in for fellow KMOV's Vickie Newton (who started jury duty the morning of the luncheon) he didn't miss a beat. He kept the year-end luncheon light and informative.

Kinsaul has been reporting events to the St. Louis community since September 2004 and at the luncheon, he offered an insiders look at the news biz and what interests him.

As a self-diagnosed “info geek," he said the news business is perfect for him. He loves to learn something new whenever possible and his reporter career supports that. He has covered a wide range of interesting stories, including chasing tornados, diving in municipal water tanks, flying with the Blue Angels and interviewing former President Bush.

Kinsaul offered a few helpful hints to those in the audience, starting with -- (his words) -- "We're lazy!" So he said to make the story and supporting information you pitch as easy to get as possible. He loves to interview "real people;" not the "CEO type" who may not connect with the audience. If you have to choose between doing an event near downtown versus St. Charles, pick the downtown location because ease of access if a big consideration when thinking about time commitments.

He closed by saying he is very open to receiving emails letting him know of topical experts in the area, especially since he is relatively new to this market. If possible, we should try to direct our story ideas to the reporters who have that as an area of interest. (He is interested in a wide range of topics, especially business and science.) And if you are an "info geek" like him, all the better!

Kinsaul:
Russell Kinsaul
KMOV-TV (CBS-4)