This year, it will be a different back-to-school season for Mari Payton.
After nearly 20 years at KNSD-TV NBC 7 San Diego, Payton, a senior investigative reporter, recently retired from TV news to spend more time at home with her family, including two young children.
“Like a lot of people, COVID-19 gave me some time to reflect,” Payton told Times of San Diego. “It was a very difficult time for me, anchoring live newscast from my living room, while home-schooling young children.”
“Now my children are ages 9 and 6 and they need me more than ever. My husband works in the restaurant industry and has crazy working hours. I was tired of working early mornings, weekends and holidays for decades.”
Payton said her “tipping point” about her future as a TV news reporter and anchor occurred this past March.
“One of my best friends from college was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer,” Payton said. “We are the same age. She also has two young children. I am very close to her and her extended family. She and her grandparents, mom, and husband have always been so supportive of my professional career.”
“As I was supporting her and her family though this challenging time, it really made me realize tomorrow is not promised. My friend was perfectly healthy, until she wasn’t. I realized I needed to refocus my priorities on my own health and my family’s well-being. When I quit NBC, I called my dear friend and told her she had inspired me to make this big change. She, again, was fully supportive of this big decision.”
Payton arrived in San Diego in January 2006, after working for one year at the NBC affiliate WLBT in Jackson, Miss.
Previously, she attended the University of Southern California, graduating magna cum laude with a double major in political science and broadcast journalism. She worked as a production assistant for NBC News during the 2000 Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles, and as an intern on Capital Hill for Sen. Dianne Feinstein.
“I’ve worked for NBC my entire professional career,” Payton said. “When I came to San Diego, I was the youngest on-air reporter at the station and in the entire market. I was overwhelmed at the time, but I learned from the very best reporters, anchors and photojournalists.
“I had opportunities to go to bigger markets, but I didn’t leave. I fell in love with San Diego and started a new life here, got married and had kids. I’ve grown-up at NBC.”
The family plans to remain living in San Diego.
Payton admits she made plenty of enemies as an investigative reporter at NBC 7.
“I’ve been verbally threatened and called all kinds of things over the years,” Payton said. “People have threatened to sue me, which never actually happened. But, there were plenty of lawyers involved. I always made sure my reporting was fair and accurate.
“When you are a journalist, you are talking to people on what could be the best or worst day of their lives. It’s a huge responsibility and privilege.”
Payton shared with Times of San Diego a few of her most memorable news stories, including:
- Downtown Drivers Abusing Handicap Placards for Free Parking — “We watched city and courthouse employees using handicap placards to park illegally,” Payton said. “When I confronted the drivers on the street, they all denied it, but we had surveillance on them for months.”
- Emotional Support Animals a Growing Problem on Airlines — “We found a San Diego psychiatrist who was writing letters allowing animals to fly for free,” Payton said. “Flight attendants told us all these animals could jeopardize passengers’ safety.”
- Secret Government Database Tracking Journalists, Humanitarian Aid Workers, Attorneys — “We uncovered a secret surveillance effort by San Diego border agents that targeted more than 50 people, including journalists and immigration advocates,” Payton said. “Our reporting led to calls by lawmakers for an internal investigation by the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General.”
- Diploma or Deportation: Students from Poor Countries Spent Their Life Savings at Aristotle University — “Students from Cameroon, Ghana, India and Vietnam told us there was very little instruction and the university threatened to take away their visas and have them deported if they were late on tuition payments,” Payton said. “After our series of exclusive reports, the school closed down.”
Payton signed off the air on a Wednesday and started working at her new job the next day. She is currently working for a company called Thank You Small Biz, with headquarters in the North County. The company consults with small businesses owners nationwide with tax-credit programs and tax law services.
“I work with CPAs, lawyers, data analysts and payroll specialists,” said Payton. “I’m doing a little bit of everything, media and public relations, marketing, social media and sales. I’m learning so much, feeling challenged and feeling appreciated in my new role. But, I’m also getting to spend more time with my family.”
Payton said of all the things she will miss about the news businesses, it will be her former colleagues.
“Both my kids’ god parents are former colleagues, including senior producer Paul Krueger and anchor Greg Bledsoe,” Payton said. “Also, I consider Monica Dean, Catherine Garcia, Megan Tevrizian and Rory Devine like my sisters. But I know we will remain friends forever.”
Payton said she has received many encouraging notes since leaving the station in mid-May. “I am so grateful for all the viewers and their notes during the good times and the bad. For example, during the pandemic, when my kids were born, when I left NBC, and everything in between,” she said.
TV Reporter’s Foundation Paying for Back-to-School Haircuts
The Larry Himmel Neighborhood Foundation, named after the late San Diego television personality and humorist Larry Himmel, will host its 7th annual Back-To-School Haircut Drive from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Aug. 5, at Skyline Church’s Rancho San Diego campus, 11330 Campo Road in La Mesa.
Miles Himmel, son of Larry Himmel who established the nonprofit foundation in February 2015, told Times of San Diego that between 250 and 300 haircuts will be provided to children ages 18 and under by staff and students with the California Barber & Beauty College, Integrity Barbershop, Paul Mitchell School, Align Hair Studio and Associated Barber College of San Diego.
In addition, free school supplies will be available, including backpacks, notebooks, pens and rulers. Also, free food will be provided, along with ticket giveaways to local attractions.
The event is open to all children and their families. RSVPs are not required.
A statement said the haircut drive “aims to equip children with the confidence and tools they need to start the upcoming school year with enthusiasm. Larry Himmel Neighborhood Foundation recognizes that a fresh haircut and essential school supplies can significantly affect a child’s self-esteem and overall academic success.”
“Every child deserves the opportunity to start the school year with confidence,” said Miles Himmel. “Together, we can ensure that children in our community have the resources they need to succeed.”
Donations to support this event can be made at the foundation’s website at larryhimmelfoundation.org.
Miles Himmel said the foundation has provided a combined total of about 1,500 haircuts since the event was first held six years ago.
The foundation’s namesake was a feature reporter for 35 years at KFMB-TV known for his “Larry Himmel At Large” commentaries. He was hired at Channel 8 in 1979 and went on to become the station’s longest-serving human interest reporter. He died in November 2014 from pancreatic cancer at the age of 68.
LA Tourism Taps Allied Global for Media, Strategy and SEO
The Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board, the nonprofit, destination-marketing organization for the Los Angeles tourism industry, has selected Hollywood-based Allied Global Marketing as its agency of record for paid media planning and buying after a competitive review.
Allied also will provide LA Tourism with strategy, search-engine optimization and influencer marketing support. A statement said Allied will leverage its proprietary technology to drive visitation to the Los Angeles area by generating awareness and conversion in key national and international markets.
LA Tourism spends a reported $23 million annually on advertising.
“Allied Global Marketing is uniquely positioned to join forces with LA Tourism,” said Bill Karz, LA Tourism’s VP of brand and digital marketing. “We found their industry knowledge, creative approach and unique insights to be the perfect fit for us.”
Kelly Estrella, Allied’s chief of marketing operations, said, “We’re excited to leverage our team’s expertise to drive measurable tourism results. Los Angeles is a dynamic and thriving destination on every traveler’s bucket list. We’re thrilled to bring its message to the world, as part of the continued growth and success of the city.”
In business for more than 30 years, Allied Global Marketing built its roots in advertising and publicity for movie studios to become a full-service marketing agency that today works with the world’s leading entertainment, cultural, film, sports, gaming and lifestyle and consumer brands. The company has a staff of more than 400 employees who work in 24 offices in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Latin America.
San Diego Press Club’s Deadline for 50th Journalism Awards
The San Diego Press Club’s deadline for submitting entries to its 50th annual Excellence in Journalism awards is 9 p.m., Monday, July 31.
The awards program, featuring more than 500 awards in 180 categories and 10 divisions, recognizes achievements in journalism and public relations among San Diego County residents whose work aired or was published from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023.
Award categories cover a variety of topics and writing styles including breaking news, investigative reporting, editorial, photo essay, press release writing, reviews and specialty reporting.
One of this year’s categories is the Wildcard with “housing insecurity” as the theme for this category. The Wildcard award will recognize a story or coverage that addresses homelessness and housing insecurity, including a root causes and zoning policies that exclude exclusive affordable housing and creates racial, economic and housing segregation.
The awards program also features four career achievement awards, including the Harold Keen Award for Outstanding Contribution in Journalism, Andy Mace Award for Outstanding Contribution in Public Relations, Jim Reiman Enlightened Media Management Award and Drew Silvern Award for Special Achievement in Reporting. Deadline for nominations for the career achievement awards is Tuesday, Aug. 15.
“Every year, we see the impact an Excellence in Journalism award can have on the career of professionals in our community,” said Nicole Vargas, 2023 San Diego Press Club president. “Having our work judged by peers from other press clubs around the nation is a fantastic measure of our skills and talents, and it’s especially meaningful on this anniversary of our club.”
Award recipients will be honored Tuesday, Oct. 3, at an outdoor reception in Balboa Park. For entry information, visit sdpressclub.org.
Rick Griffin is a San Diego-based public relations and marketing consultant. His MarketInk column appears weekly on Mondays in Times of San Diego.
