Jonathan Brines
"Jonathan 'JB' Brines: Bringing Nearly 30 Years of Passion, Expertise, and Leadership to Local TV News.
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What JB has is rare: leadership, hands-on coaching, and deep storytelling instincts. The industry needs that now more than ever, especially as younger MMJs and producers are overwhelmed and undertrained.
JB wants to land a role that respects his experience and allows him to keep making an impact.
Proven Track record of success by the numbers:
JB has a proven track record of metrics that shows how he's leading a team to wins, including under pressure and the crucial digital numbers that prove adaptability in the modern newsroom.
1. Market Ratings Growth
Led KSBW to #1 in every newscast during his tenure in every Nielsen sweeps, including 6 PM newscast growth from 18,000 to 20,000 households and reclaiming an 85% audience share.
This shows JB's core ability to lead a team to wins in the most fundamental metric of broadcast success.
2. Election Coverage Performance
Produced election 2024 coverage that outperformed all local stations and national cable outlets, reaching 14,000+ adult viewers across the Central Coast, including 12,000+ aged 35+.
This reflects JB's leadership under pressure, editorial judgment, and execution of high-stakes live programming.
3. Digital & Social Expansion
Drove digital expansion to 859,000 unique users and 2.6M sessions (Feb 2025), while growing social media followers by 40K on Facebook, 28K on Instagram, and launching a YouTube audience of 68K subscribers.
This is crucial for showcasing JB's modern newsroom adaptability, cross-platform thinking, and audience development.
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What My Reporters Say:
"JB has always made an effort to acknowledge my hard work and uplift me when I needed it," KSBW reporter Brooke Kinebrew said.
"I could always count on JB to check my scripts, give advice on interviews and create a supportive setting in the newsroom," KSBW reporter Zoe Hunt said.
Coaching the Next Generation
of Content Creators​​​
For nearly a decade, Jonathan "JB" Brines has been dedicated to coaching content creators in the fundamentals of impactful storytelling. Working one-on-one with digital producers, reporters, and newscast producers, JB helps talent sharpen their performance, craft stronger newscasts, and work more efficiently.
From day one, JB instills a winning mindset.
He teaches MMJs to prioritize digital-first content, conduct effective pre-interviews, and always be thinking ahead to their next original report.
Before stepping in front of the camera, JB guides reporters to identify the key visual element of their story—essential for strong stand-ups and live reports.
When working with a photographer, JB encourages collaboration to elevate storytelling through strategic stand-ups:
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Bridging key moments that lack strong visuals
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Demonstrating core action central to the narrative
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Bringing truth to power with two-shots that capture tough accountability questions
Through his coaching, JB empowers journalists to deliver high-impact storytelling with confidence, clarity, and purpose.
Mastering Performance Fundamentals
When it comes to on-air performance, JB focuses on the essential techniques that elevate a journalist’s presence and storytelling impact.
He coaches reporters on structuring their stories around three key details and one surprise—a simple but powerful method to create compelling narratives.
Reporters learn to hold the mic with their non-dominant hand to maintain a more open and natural stance, and to project with a tracking voice from the diaphragm for stronger, more confident delivery.
Above all, JB instills a core mantra:
Show action. Tell a story. Use emotional soundbites. Don't just regurgitated facts.
By building these habits early, JB ensures that every content creator he mentors is equipped to connect with audiences in a meaningful and memorable way.
