CharlieMoger.com

Marketing and advertising advice for owner-operated businesses

  • Home
  • About me
  • My work
    • MogerMedia
    • Wizard of Ads
  • Contact

End of an era, again

Mark Haines

Television news lost something big the day NBC News’ Tim Russert died of a heart attack at 58. Business television lost something bigger with the passing of CNBC’s Mark Haines at 65. Both became giants of their industry, in large part, due to what they didn’t do.

Both were authentic to a fault. They both asked direct questions and hung on to get direct answers for us. It’s said Russert’s interviews could be like talking to a clenched fist. Haines’ interviews, on the other hand, were more of a dry-witted slap-down—but only when deserved.

Tim Russert

Haines’ willful disregard for television’s glamour set him apart visually from the packaged presenters we expect to see. His aww-shucks style, though, couldn’t mask his comprehension of subject. His ability to deliver it to us in terms that bridged the electronic gap made Mark Haines a trusted friend to many who never met him, including me. It’s all equally true of Russert as well.

What’s lost in the passing of these two men highlights the steady erosion of a quality important to television and radio. Compelling content is the byproduct of people speaking directly to us, not down to us; people of standards, who draw a line for principle because doing less would be letting us down. Television seems a little smaller without them. Placing a higher value on trust and respect than on popularity and profits is the stuff of giants, after all.

Share this story:

  • Share
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print

Tagged With: broadcasting, CNBC, haines, heart attack, mark, mark haines, NBC News, nbc universal, passes, remember, remembering, russert, suddenly, television in the united states, Tim Russert

Get more stories delivered direct

You're busy. Keep informed. I'll send new posts directly to your inbox. It's free and you can unsubscribe at anytime.

I won't won't share your info with anyone. Ever. Period.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Your intrepid correspondent

I head both MogerMedia, Inc. and Wizard of Ads Gulf Coast, based in Houston, Texas. We develop winning advertising strategies and creative for the best clients on earth.

Grooveyard of posts past

Copyright © 2025 MogerMedia, Inc.