Tag: Chase Cain

GSAB Profile: Chase Cain

Posted on by admin

Chase Cain is a storyteller, covering climate change for NBCLX on Peacock. His reporting has earned three Emmy Awards and a National Edward R. Murrow for an innovative story about the impact of a warming planet on Southern California’s endangered Joshua trees. Chase documented firsthand the summer of unrest in Washington, D.C., the 2020 presidential campaign, and traveled to Tokyo to cover the Olympics for NBC. Previously, he reported for NBC in Los Angeles and San Francisco, but his first television job began in Augusta, right after graduating from Grady College in 2005 with a major in Broadcast News. Chase also spent three years at Hulu, creating original content for acclaimed series likeThe Handmaid’s Tale and Castle Rock. Originally from Marietta, Chase is proud to now call Southern California home.


What advice do you have for today’s Grady College students?

The most important advice is to follow your passion. What interests you? What excites you? Follow that! There are plenty of jobs which pay well or seem to be glamorous, but if there’s not passion behind what you do, happiness is far more elusive.

Cain alongside a classmate at the anchor desk for Newsource15 during his time in the College. (Photo: submitted)

What experience during your time at Grady College had the biggest influence on where you are today?

My involvement with Newsource15 remains the most invaluable experience of my time at Georgia. The opportunity (and pressure) to produce a live daily newscast absolutely prepared me for the real expectations of a career in television news. I am eternally grateful for the intentionally challenging instruction of former professors like David Hazinski, Michael Castengera and Steve Smith.


What modern challenges would you like to see current students and recent College alumni solve?

Personally, I would love to see more students pursue environmental journalism and social justice. There’s an important crossroads between the two, and there are far too few journalists bringing attention to those issues. There is no more important story than the future of our planet, our ecosystems, and the survival of our species.


What is your favorite place on campus and why?
Cain stands outside the White House in Washington, D.C. during President Joe Biden’s inauguration. (Photo: submitted)

I always loved Herty Field, and how can you not? I would also use the law library as a favorite study spot. I would feel somewhat out of place as a journalism student in the law library. Would someone ask me to leave? Could they tell I wasn’t a pre-law major? Lol. But I really loved being inside and looking out the window to the beautiful fountain. It was just a wonderful, peaceful escape — and sometimes I would actually study!


How has your field changed from your graduation to now?

The biggest shifts have been in the immediacy of news and the abundance of mis/disinformation. The “fake news” moniker has been incredibly harmful to journalism, and I would encourage everyone to stop using it, stop joking about it. While journalists work to share the truth, we’re also under increasing demands of immediacy. It’s no longer enough to spend weeks producing engaging work. It often needs to be shared while in-progress, and that is fundamentally changing how we work.

 

This series profiles members of the Grady College Alumni Board who make a positive difference in our College. We are grateful for the support and enthusiasm of our Grady Society Alumni Board members.

 

Olympic Games Recap: Chase Cain

Posted on by Sarah Freeman

Those who follow Chase Cain (ABJ ’05) on Instagram saw a totally different side of the Tokyo Olympic Games than most. As a climate storyteller for NBC LX, he showed viewers behind-the-scenes views of the food, culture, weather and some of the lower profile competitions like surfing and skateboarding. Cain’s video features of the Olympic Games included a Tokyo’s approach to COVID, a study of the fuel used in the Olympic flame and the increased number of LGBTQ athletes.  He chronicled his adventures in a series of Tokyo highlights on his Instagram account.

Cain was a broadcast journalism major and earned his NMI certificate at Grady College before working various local market news jobs following graduation. In 2015, he produced videos at Hulu before accepting his current role at NBC LX. He was honored in the 2018 class of 40 under 40 recipients and is assuming a role on the Grady Society Alumni Board starting in spring 2022.

Grady College: What you are doing at the Olympics through your role with NBC LX.
Cain and NBC anchor Lester Holt.

Chase Cain: Each team at NBC typically chooses one anchor or reporter to send to the Olympics to report from the event. I was thrilled to be chosen by my team at NBCLX! For network news, a major goal is to cover the biggest stars and sports for Team USA. For NBC local stations, they typically focus on the hometown athletes. NBCLX has a unique position, because we’re a national channel which aims to provide depth and context on news. That meant that I wasn’t focusing on what anyone else was doing. My stories ranged from explaining why the pandemic was worse in Japan than the United States — to showing people what it’s like to be “the only fan” at an Olympics arena.

GC: How did you prepare to cover the Olympic Games?

CC: Because of the pandemic, I honestly wasn’t sure how to prepare. Would I be interviewing fans? Japanese citizens? No one? What level of access would we have to athletes? In the end, much of my “preparation” centered around customs entry requirements, Covid precautions, and testing. I did a fair amount of research into Japanese history and culture. That even included conversations with people from Japan. I wanted to ensure I understood the context of this unprecedented Olympics Games.

GC: What is your daily work flow?

CC: No sleep. Even less sleep. And lots of caffeine! Seriously. It was one of the most exhausting experiences of my life but also one of the most gratifying. There’s a 13 hour time difference from the East Coast, so when I’m in the thick of my day, most of my colleagues were asleep. That brought plenty of challenges. I typically woke up at 5:30 AM local time to be live for our evening newscast. Then I would spend my day at Olympics events, shooting, editing, and uploading a story for our early newscast before I went to sleep. I typically worked 15-16 hours every day.

GC: How did your time at UGA prepare you for what you are doing in Tokyo?

CC: My senior year in Grady, I was part of the team at Newsource15. I know it’s a rather different program now, but I will be eternally grateful for how challenging our professors made the experience. I had plenty of days where I couldn’t believe the real world would ever be as tough. In hindsight, it was a piece of cake. Learning how to perform every role in a TV newsroom was an invaluable education. Today’s news environment blurs lines of responsibility, and my time at UGA was the perfect preparation for that.

From Athens to Tokyo: Cain ran into fellow Grady alumnus Bo Cordle (ABJ ‘ 05) in Japan.
GC: What is your work focused on now that the Olympics are over?

CC: I’m solely focused on covering the climate crisis for NBCLX. I would encourage every Grady student to consider how climate change will impact their future, because even if it’s not their career, it will impact their career. One of the challenges I face is how to tell stories which create impact. It often feels as though most people are either already deeply concerned about climate change — or are resistant/skeptical for some reason. How do I break through? How do other soon-to-be journalists from Grady break through? I would welcome ideas and conversations.

Chase Cain among seven Grady College alumni inducted into UGA’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2018

Posted on by admin

The University of Georgia’s Alumni Association annually recognizes outstanding alumni who have made an impact in their careers through its 40 Under 40 program. Grady College is proud to have seven honorees in the 40 Under 40 Class of 2018: Brooke Bowen (ABJ ‘07, JD ‘10), Chase Cain (ABJ ’05), Meredith Dean (ABJ ‘14), Josh Delaney (ABJ’11, AB ‘11), Ivey Evans (ABJ ’06, BBA ’06, MBA ‘13), Quanza Griffin (ABJ ‘01) and Lauren Pearson (ABJ ‘02).

Selections were based on the graduates’ commitment to a lifelong relationship with UGA and their impact in business, leadership, community, artistic, research, educational and/or philanthropic endeavors. The 2018 Class will be honored at the awards luncheon on Sept. 13 at the Georgia Aquarium.

Chase Cain on on the red carpet for The Handmaid’s Tale.

Grady College will release profiles of the winners leading up to the awards luncheon.

Name: Chase Cain

Graduation Year: 2005

Current Occupation: Creative Producer, Hulu

What advice do you have for current Grady College students/young professionals?

Every industry represented in Grady College is shifting and evolving at an increasingly rapid pace. First, be flexible. Second, think ahead. What’s the job you want to have at 25 or 30? Then consider what your “next best right step” will best position you for that goal. Yes, I just quoted Oprah! Sadly, many professional recruiters lack the imagination to consider that you could handle a role without the direct experience or qualifications. Also, most recruiters are inundated with applicants for a single role and an ever-growing workforce. Make their job so easy that it doesn’t require any imagination on their part to envision you as the perfect fit for the job you really want. That may require a short-term sacrifice for the long-term goal.

What experience during your time at Grady College had the biggest influence on where you are today?

What was initially a setback became the most valuable lesson I took from Grady. The programs may have different titles now, but the experience is evergreen. I originally applied for admission as a “Broadcast News” major but was denied! Instead, I was offered a spot as a “Telecommunications Arts” student. No sir. That wasn’t what I wanted to do, and I certainly wasn’t going to come so close to my dream to be deterred now. I wanted to be in front of the camera in a newsroom, and this was the major to prepare me for that role. I specifically chose UGA and Grady College for its outstanding broadcast program and faculty. What did I do? Asked for an in-person meeting with the dean of Grady College at the time. After some persistence with his assistant, they finally gave me the time, and I didn’t waste that opportunity. I prepared a pitch, practiced it and delivered it flawlessly in only a few minutes. Needless to say, two years later, I graduated with a Broadcast News degree — and with a GPA putting me on the Dean’s List. After being named to UGA’s 40 Under 40, I would imagine anyone at Grady would agree that never yielding from your dreams is always the right decision. 

Chase Cain hosting a panel at George Washington University

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned as you’ve navigated through your career?

I’ve learned that I must clearly and directly ask for what I really want. No one else can read your mind, and you can’t count on anyone to detect subtle signals. If you want something specific, ask for it! Sure, maybe they say no, but at least they now know what you want. Retired Grady Professor David Hazinski once gave me some terrific advice. He told me that I can ask 100 people for the job I really want, and that I should be prepared to hear “no” 99 times. He impressed upon me, “you only need one person to say yes. Why do you care what everyone else says?” It’s an excellent reminder to fervently chase your dreams and to never be discouraged by obstacles. It only takes one “yes,” no matter how many setbacks precede it.

Seven Grady alumni among UGA’s 40 under 40 class of 2018

Posted on by Sarah Freeman

The University of Georgia Alumni Association has unveiled the 40 under 40 Class of 2018.  The program honors outstanding UGA alumni who are under the age of 40 for their professional and philanthropic achievements.

This year’s class includes the following Grady alumni: Brooke Bowen (ABJ’07), Chase Cain (ABJ’05), Meredith Dean (ABJ’14), Josh Delaney (ABJ’11), Ivey Evans (ABJ’06), Quanza Griffin (ABJ’01) and Lauren Pearson (ABJ’02).

The honorees will be recognized at the annual awards luncheon on Sept. 13 at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. Registration for the event is now open.

Nominations for 40 Under 40 were open from February to April.  Honorees must have attended UGA and aspire to uphold the Pillars of the Arch. Additional criteria are available on the UGA Alumni Association website.

This year’s 40 under 40 honorees, including their graduation year, city, title and employer, are:

  • Kristen Bernhard, 2009, Atlanta, deputy commissioner for system reform, Georgia Department for Early Care & Learning
  • Brooke Bowen, 2007 and 2010, Atlanta, legal counsel, Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia
  • Chase Cain, 2005, West Hollywood, creative producer, Hulu
  • Matt Coley, 2003 and 2005, Cordele, owner/operator, Coley Gin and Fertilizer/Coley Farms
  • Caitlyn Cooper, 2007, Marietta, president, Caitlyn Cooper Consulting
  • Matthew Crim, 2005, Athens, general cardiologist, assistant professor of medicine, Piedmont Heart Institute, Augusta University/UGA Medical Partnership
  • Meredith Dean, 2014, Charlotte, founder, Dean’s List, program coordinator, Seacrest Studios
  • Joshua Delaney, 2011, Washington, D.C., senior education policy advisory, U.S. Senate, Office of Sen. Elizabeth Warren
  • Ivey Evans, 2006 and 2013, Columbus, social purpose manager, Aflac
  • David Felfoldi, 2001,Brookhaven, chief experience officer, SHERPA Global
  • Cartter Fontaine, 2010 and 2012, Athens, CEO, DT Productions
  • Quanza Griffin, 2001, Decatur, public health analyst, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • Betsy Grunch, 2002, Gainesville, neurosurgeon, The Longstreet Clinic, PC
  • Tyler Harper, 2009, Ocilla, Georgia state senator, District 7, owner/operator, Tyler Harper Farms
  • Scott Irvine, 2002, Birmingham, associate professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Alabama
  • Jonathan Jones, 2013, Indianapolis, improvement engineer, Corteva Agriscience
  • Chloe Kelley, 2006, New York, senior vice president, PIMCO
  • William Keyes, 2010 and 2013, Washington, D.C., prosecutor, Department of Defense, captain, U.S. Army
  • William “Billy” Kirkland III, 2009, Washington, D.C., special assistant to the president, deputy director of intergovernmental affairs, The White House
  • Ryan Leveille, 2013, Atlanta, global design manager innovation lab, General Electric
  • Erin Lincoln, 2005, Atlanta, associate director, Tretra Tech, Inc.
  • Carrie Settles Livers, 2002, STEMpreneurship educator, Brookwood High School
  • Mohamed Massaquoi, 2008, Atlanta, owner, Mohamed Massaquoi Inc.
  • Margaux Charbonnet Murray, 2002, Atlanta, medical director, Medically Complex Care Program, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
  • Muktha Natrajan, 2011, Atlanta, postdoctoral fellow, Emory University
  • John Ozier, 2002, Nashville, vice president of creative, ole Song LLC
  • Lauren Pearson, 2002, Birmingham, managing director, Hightower Twickenham
  • Ryan Prior, 2012, Atlanta, cross-platform associate producer, CNN
  • Lucas Puente, 2010, San Francisco, lead economist, Thumbtack
  • Tameka Rish, 2003, Atlanta, vice president of corporate partnerships, AMBSE
  • Ben Ross, 2008, Statesboro, owner/pharmacist, Forest Heights Pharmacy
  • Latham Saddler, 2005, Washington D.C., director of intelligence programs, National Security Council, Navy SEAL, U.S. Navy
  • Adrianna Samaniego, 2010, San Francisco, CEO & co-founder, Area 120, Google Inc.
  • Julie Secrist, 2006, Atlanta, senior project manager, Southeastern Engineering
  • Rhondolyn Smith, 2004, Winterville, clinical pharmacist, Northside Hospital
  • Jabaris D. Swain, 2001, Philadelphia, fellow cardiothoracic surgery, hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
  • Amy Washington, 2009, Bogart, founder/ executive director, Kupendwa Ministries
  • Chip Wile, 2002, Ormond Beach, president, Daytona International Speedway
  • Michael Williams, 2001 and 2006, Kennesaw, director of finance, The Home Depot
  • Stephanie Yarnell, 2006, New Haven, physician, division of law and psychiatry, Yale University Department of Psychiatry.