Jannette Zorrilla Executive Producer, WVUE Fox 8 Morning Edition

Jannette Zorrilla
Executive Producer, WVUE Fox 8 Morning Edition

Click aqui para español- >Jannette Zorrilla Productora Ejecutiva, Fox 8 Morning Edition

Where are you from?
I was born in New Orleans, but my blood is 100% pure Colombian. Both of my parents are from Caicedonia, Colombia.

Where do you reside?
Post-Katrina, we moved to Metairie, but I grew up in St. Bernard Parish.

What is your favorite plan and place in New Orleans?
I love going out and experiencing new restaurants. I enjoy going to festivals, parades, and concerts.

What is your favorite food?
This is a tough one. There are too many wonderful options to choose! I would say seafood makes up most of my top 10.

What kind of hobbies or activities do you enjoy?
I’m an avid Saints and LSU fan. Watching the games with friends and family is so much fun! I love to read and one my greatest joy is watching and supporting my nieces/nephews play sports, dance, compete or just playing in the backyard.

Where did you go to school?
High school: Andrew Jackson High School, Chalmette, LA. I was part of the last all-girl graduating class.
College-University: University of New Orleans
Degrees: Bachelor of Arts, Drama & Communications

What does your job entail?
I’m the Executive Producer for FOX 8 Morning Edition. It’s a weekday, 5.5-hour newscast. We are the number one morning newscast in New Orleans. I supervise the editorial content, strategy, and morning staff.

Why did you get into this field?
I knew I wanted to be a journalist when I was in the 7th grade. I serve the public by presenting factual, objective information. We hold officials accountable. We provide information to keep the public safe during severe weather events such as hurricanes. We clearly explain issues that impact the public and at times offer entertainment and uplifting stories of hope.

I used to watch WVUE as a child, so it was a thrill when I got my college internship in 1993 and was hired shortly afterwards. I’ve been with WVUE ever since.

What do you enjoy the most about your job?
While I enjoy the day-to-day news production, getting a chance to work on special projects, like documentaries, is great. I really get to delve into a topic, do research and create something brand new.

What would you tell someone who wants to get into this field?
Be prepared before you walk into a newsroom. Consume the news, whether it’s print, TV or digital. Get the apps, follow news organizations on social media. If you want to be a journalist, you must stay current with the news, understand how it’s presented.

What is the best advice you’ve received?
No one has a monopoly on good ideas.

How do you support/help your community?
Over the years, I have worked with various Spanish-speaking agencies to help keep the community informed. I’m especially excited about FOX 8’s partnership with Viva NOLA. Besides offering a bi-weekly on-air segment in FOX 8 Morning Edition at 8 AM where we provide the news in Spanish, FOX 8 News has a web page too, www.fox8news/espanol.

What makes you proud of your heritage?
My family taught me to be extremely proud of Colombia. The language, the people, the food, the traditions, the music. It all colors my life beautifully.
Jannette has won several local and state awards for her newscasts and special broadcasts, including a Regional Edward R. Murrow award for a documentary and a Regional Suncoast Emmy award for a documentary celebrating WVUE’s 60th Anniversary.