Carolyn MacKenzie On What It Takes To Co-Host A Morning Show

Smart, fun and fashionable, Carolyn Mackenzie has been a journalist for more than 20 years and has been co-anchoring Global’s national morning show since 2015. We sat down with Carolyn to chat about her career and her on-air style. —Vita Daily

Hi Carolyn! What inspired you to start your career in broadcasting?

It was just time. I had gone to school for journalism, I had interned and volunteered plenty … it was just time for me to get my start, which as it turned out, was a small news bureau on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia.

What are your predictions for the future of the media industry?

Ever evolving. In my 22 years in this business, it has changed leaps and bounds. In fact, given how much it has changed, I’m not even sure I can predict what it will look another quarter century from now! Can we become even more digital? I’m sure anything is possible but I’m just not sure robots as TV hosts will pass muster.

If you were not in media, what industry would you work in?

When I hear about other people’s jobs, I’m always so intrigued. I sometimes wonder, what if I had gone a different route? The idea of owning your own business is very exciting. I could also see myself in the area of casting for film and television, I feel I’ve got an eye for talent. There’s also design. I quite enjoy architecture and design so that avenue could have been quite an interesting one as well.

What has been a highlight of your career? Any surprises along the way?

There have been a million surprises, hiccups and roadblocks along the way but that’s life. I’m not sure I have one highlight of my career. The path I’m on right now is one long highlight. Joining The Morning Show has been such an exhilarating ride, where I have done more than I could’ve ever imagined.

What motivates you in your work?

The thrill of putting together a brand-new show each and every day and trying to make it better than the last. Also our viewers. When they write to us saying how much they enjoy the show and what’s it meant to have our show on during this crazy time, that’s the best motivation to keep working hard and putting out our best.

What are two things you wish others knew about your career?

How time-consuming it is! We live and breathe this show all hours of the day and how hard I’ve worked to get where I am. I’ve worked my butt off have since Day 1 and still do. But because I love what I do, I take pleasure in the work. But getting here, there were a lot of ups and downs—and a lot of tears!

What is one piece of advice you’d give someone that wants to pursue a career like yours?

Work hard. Stay at it. Don’t give up. Persevere. Do extra. Be extra. Because if you don’t, there are many others who will.

What’s your personal style mantra/philosophy?

Find beauty in simplicity. Less is almost always more.

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