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News Anchor Makes Change In Career Direction

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By WALT BELCHER

wbelcher@tampatrib.com

Published: December 14, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG - Bay News 9 anchor Jen Holloway says the time has come to reinvent herself.

"I thrive on change - it keeps you young - and that is why after 11 years in news, I'm going to try something different," says Holloway, 38, who has been with the 24-hour cable news outlet since it launched in 1997.

Holloway is leaving, but she's not going far. On Dec. 31, she exits the anchor desk for a marketing job across the hall in the Bright House Networks office complex. She will be back on the screen in 2009 as the spokesperson for the cable company that owns Bay News 9.

A former Miss Georgia from tiny Hiawassee in that state's northern mountains, she joined Bay News 9 as the first full-time traffic reporter in the Tampa-St. Petersburg market.

Promoted to weekday morning anchor in 2000, Holloway is one of Bay News 9's most popular on-camera personalities. When her current six-year contract expired, she did not want to commit to another long-term deal.

"I also didn't want to start my day at 2 a.m. anymore," she says, so she bargained with management for a different job. "Although I may come back and fill in on the news if they need me."

Holloway, who is single and has no children, says working without a contract gives her a new freedom.

Also in January, she stars in her first infomercial for an exercise device that she invented called the Workout 180. "I am never nervous on camera, but shooting that infomercial was a challenge. I had never done anything like that before," she says.

Holloway's budding career as an inventor began by chance. In 2005, a then-new PBS series, "Everyday Edisons," picked her from 500 people who brought their ideas to an open audition in Tampa. She was featured during the 2007 season.

Named after legendary inventor Thomas Edison, the series follows amateur inventors from their idea's conception through its marketing. There's a possible payoff if the product sells.

The 180 is a compact, portable workout system with push-up bar, resistance bands and a balancing platform. It has won praise from the fitness industry, but so far Holloway hasn't made a dime.

"Some people think that I'm leaving Bay News 9 because I've made a lot of money, but that's not the case," she says.

The costs of development, manufacturing and marketing must be recouped before the inventor gets a share. "Someday I might get some money, but it's been satisfying just seeing my idea become reality," says Holloway, who has more inventions in the works.

Weekend anchor Erica Riggins will take over the morning shift beginning Monday. New hire Jody Lowery is the new weekend anchor. Holloway will work the prime time shift until the end of the month.

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