5 Questions for Today’s Gracie: Rayna Banks, ESPN Associate Producer

Name: Rayna Banks
Company: ESPN
Title: Associate Producer
Gracies Award and Year: Outstanding Special or Variety – 2015

Five Questions for Today’s Gracies

1. Who is your inspiration as a woman in media?

My colleague, ESPN investigative reporter Paula Lavigne exemplifies what journalism is about: uncovering the truth and reporting it to the masses. Paula allows nothing to prevent her from getting to the truth. She leaves absolutely no stone left unturned, is persistent and won’t back down to any challenge. To name just a couple recent examples, Paula has uncovered high stakes gambling on youth football, which ultimately led to nine arrests on felony bookmaking charges. She exposed the dangers and results of when major college institutions don’t act on reports of sexual assaults on their campuses. She examined and identified questionable charities of professional athletes and has uncovered the health risks fans face from the foods they’re being served at stadiums around the country. Paula’s work has made an impact on these issues and in some cases created change. Isn’t that the goal of journalism?

2. What advice would you give to a girl who wants a career in media?

Be persistent. Out of college, I applied for at least 30 entry-level TV jobs across the country and never got a callback. I followed other passions, served in the AmeriCorps and continued to submit my resume and reach out to my one contact I had at ESPN (which was my dream job). A year and a half later, ESPN called. I got an interview and was accepted into the Production Assistant Trainee Program. So my best advice in addition to being persistent is this – once you get your foot in the door, work harder than everyone else, find a mentor and never stop learning. It’s up to you to climb the ladder.

3. Where do you see the (radio/tv/digital) media industry in ten years?

It’s hard to say where the industry will be in five years let alone ten years. Advancements in technology has given our once TV-only stories new life on other platforms – print, digital, radio, etc… that can all be accessed on hand-held devices. I hate to even guess, so basically we need to find ways to adapt, take risks and embrace change.

4. What does winning a Gracies Award mean to you?

We are in a business where we don’t get recognized or thanked every day, so it’s truly an honor. It’s especially meaningful and inspiring to be surrounded by so many smart and powerful women.

5. If you could bring any date to the Gracies Awards Gala, who would it be?

For as boring as it may sound, I have to say my husband. We work opposite shifts, so don’t see each other enough. Plus, we have two little girls which means date nights are rare. So, it would be nice to get dressed up and have a night out.