CRESSKILL, N.J.—Harry Martin, a resident of Cresskill, is an Emmy award-winning television journalist who has spent more than 45 years in the trenches of daily newscasts, talk-shows and street reporting.
Throughout his 45-year career in broadcasting, Martin reported on major national news events such as the launch of the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster, and the Sept. 11, 2001, attack on the World Trade Center in New York.
As a former weatherman, Martin was always called upon to cover hurricanes: his most memorable experience was his 13-hour non-stop anchoring stint during Superstorm Sandy in 2012. His hosting and writing of two follow-up specials on the recovery have won critical acclaim.
With his vast experience in broadcasting, Martin is one of New York’s most sought-after media trainers and consultants. He has coached Fortune 100 executives, best-selling authors, sports mega-stars, beauty pageant winners and Nobel Laureates.
Martin is currently president and CEO of Martin Digital Media, where he uses his expertise as a journalist, talk-show host, and reporter to help clients refine and craft their messages.
Martin began his career in broadcasting as a news photographer, and he continues to follow that passion today, self-publishing more than a half dozen travel photography books. He is also a recipient of the Albright College Distinguished Alumni Award.
Martin is also acclaimed for his underwater photos, encompassing an array of fascinating subjects, from sharks to sultry women.
In addition to his artistic skills, Martin is an avid musician and former music teacher.
He composed music for the off-Broadway play, “Deceptions,” and co-produced Gavin DeGraw’s first CD, “LIVE at Wilson’s.”
A long-time, self-confessed computer geek, Martin runs his own company, Martin-Software, which specializes in designing and refurbishing websites and optimizing clients’ social media platforms.
I recently interviewed Martin at his home in Cresskill. It was decorated throughout with a spectacular collection of underwater photos of beautiful women, each image artfully staged and saturated with color.
I was also dazzled by a large display case filled with numerous Emmy Awards that had been won by Martin and his wife, Sarah Wallace, also a prominent news anchor.
Carrying some 50 pounds of photo equipment, Martin led me outside to the swimming pool, as he spoke with great pride about Sarah, as well as his 22-year-old son James, and his 31-year-old daughter Sara.
Martin is a man of so many talents that I hardly knew where to begin our interview.
Given his plethora of credentials, I decided to zero in on his broadcast news career, his media consulting company, and, of course, those amazing underwater photos.
• • •
Hillary Viders: As a news broadcaster, you have reported on some horrific events, such as the 9/11 terrorist attacks. How do you keep a cool head when watching tragedies like this unfold?
HM: Through training. You learn to detach yourself because, as a journalist, you have to remain objective. I also think that you have a false sense of security because you’re not a participant, but an observer.
HV: How did you respond to the events of 9/11?
HM: Right after the jets hit the towers, I left New Jersey to cross the George Washington Bridge and get to the Channel 5 News station. Although the bridge had been closed, the Port Authority officials recognized me and let me through. They even asked me to bring some domestic workers across with me. I was on the scene reporting from the World Trade Center that same evening.
HV: Do you ever become emotionally touched by the stories that you report?
HM: Yes, when it involves children. But you have to control those emotions when you are reporting. Sometimes, after the fact, it hits you.
HV: You have had so many interesting and exciting news assignments. Can you recall one that really blew you away?
HM: In 2004 I heard Barack Obama speak at the Democratic Convention in Boston. At the time, he was a senator and pretty much unknown outside of his senatorial district. When Obama delivered his speech, everybody’s jaw dropped! I looked at my producer and said, “Oh my God! Who is this rock star?” It was a historic moment.
HV: Who would you like to interview today?
HM: Donald Trump. I’ve met him several times, but not since he became president.
HV: What would you ask him?
HV: I’d ask him about the inconsistencies in his administration. He’s done some really fantastic things on an international level, and domestically he needs to figure out how to address some issues, such as immigration.
HV: You do media training and consulting for many high powered individuals.
I am assuming that a number of them are used to being in charge and reluctant to change their way of doing things. Do you have a special technique for engaging their trust and compliance?
HM: I put them on camera and do an “interview from hell.” I ask easy questions but challenge every answer and dissect everything they say to make them sweat. It’s a kind of strange technique, but it’s very effective. When they see how they look on camera they are seeing themselves in a totally different perspective, and it’s a humbling experience. The camera doesn’t lie.
HV: What is your primary goal of media consulting?
HM: The purpose of media consulting is to teach people how to communicate with somebody who knows nothing about a specific subject. It’s not about dumbing it down, it’s about using common terminology and making it simple.
My theory about media consulting is that it’s about return on investment. When you’re talking to an audience, what that audience wants is a return on its investment. They are investing time, and in return, they want information, entertainment, and hopefully both together.
HV: I’d like to switch topics for a moment and talk about your underwater photography. As a fellow diver, I greatly admire your artistry in this field. In particular, the glamour shots that you take underwater in the pool are extraordinary. But, how do you get your models to hold their breath for long periods of time while you take the photos?
HM: They actually only have to hold their breath for 15 seconds.
HV: Do you ever use non-professional models underwater?
HM: Yes. I photograph women from a wide variety of fields, from hospital workers to actors. What makes a photograph effective is not just my talent, but the talent of the model. My subjects doesn’t have to be professional models, but they have to be fit, look terrific, be athletic and be able to take direction well. Ironically, some professional models are great at posing in a studio, but underwater they are lost.
HV: You have also photographed great white sharks in South Africa. What was that experience like?
HM: It was exhilarating! I also liked photographing white tip sharks in the Bahamas. I did that with my wife, Sarah, who is also an accomplished photographer.
HV: That reminds me—I wanted to ask you to talk about how you met your wife. It’s an interesting story.
HM: Yes, it is. We both worked as anchors for Channel 7 News, and people kept telling us that we made a great couple. Then, I went to Channel 5 and she stayed at Channel 7, but we kept in touch and eventually began dating. We’ve been married now for 25 years.
HV: In addition to all your professional work, you do volunteer community service, such as serving as executive committee vice chair of the Bergen Family Center in Englewood. What inspires you to support nonprofit organizations?
HM: My mom. She was a special ed teacher in Pennwyn, in Berks County, Penn., at a time when special needs kids were just warehoused and not given proper individual attention. So, I like to support organizations that work with undeserved people in the community. The Bergen Family Center has wonderful programs for people of all ages, seniors, teens, preschoolers, etc.
HV: With all that you have done and seen in your life, is there anything left on your bucket list?
HM: I’ve always wanted to travel to outer space, and I expect to go there one day.
HV: I have no doubt you will!