Flagler has ‘Tallant’ with post-grad success

By Alyssa Prehoda| gargoyle@flagler.edu

With Communication Week underway, the success of Flagler alumni can be seen throughout various panels, including two-time emmy winner Shane Tallant.

Tallant is probably best known for being the host of the HGTV show “Designed to Sell.”  Tallant got his start in television right after graduating Flagler, at the age of 21.

“Flagler was a great environment for me to begin my career path of hosting and producing television programs,” Tallant said.  “I think the small classrooms and hands on instruction was a key factor in learning a lot and learning the skills quickly.  Additionally, the late Dr. Caroline Dow was vital in my motivation being high upon graduation.  She made it very easy to get excited about going out into the ‘real world.'”

Tallant first became an entertainment reporter for FOX 30 News in Jacksonville, Fla. and worked his way up from there by being, as he put it, “the likeable guy.”  From there he made the journey back home to Pittsburgh to become the entertainment reporter for the local news station KDKA-TV and later became recognized as one of “Pittsburgh’s 50 finest.”

After his success in Pittsburgh, he left for California, where he became the main host for “THE MIXX” and “The Daily MIXX,” a role which helped contribute to his two Emmys in hosting and journalism. As the host, he interviewed Hollywood’s “A-listers,” and became a respected member of the National Academy of Television Arts and Science and the Broadcasts Film Critics Association of America.

Tallant went on to host a string of other talk shows and morning shows until this past February, when he went off on his own to launch “Music City 411,” a country music entertainment magazine based out of Nashville, Tenn.

After his own success in television and broadcasting, he said he has some advice for Flagler students.

“Do something. Don’t just wait for opportunities to come to you,” Tallant said. “You have to get off your rear ends and make it happen for yourselves. With Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and all of the other social media outlets, the choice is yours to create content and be relevant.”

Tallant especially advises student to utilize social media.

“If you have something to say, say it.  It counts,” Tallant said. “Your boyfriend will re-tweet it and you never know who else may find it interesting.  Don’t saturate yourself, though.  Be mindful of what you say and when you say it. Also, remember that employers do read Facebook walls and Tweets.  So keep it clean and don’t say anything you wouldn’t say to your Mom and Dad.”