Today we’d like to introduce you to Jared Dillingham.
Hi Jared, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
After graduating from Syracuse University, I took a chance and moved across the country to Montana. I’d done very little traveling prior to the move, but the cross-country road trip launched a love of travel which has only grown over the years.
After working as a reporter in Great Falls, MT, and Spokane, WA, I wanted another change of scenery. I started working at 3TV in Phoenix (KTVK) in 2008 and fell in love with desert life.
Over the years, I’ve worked every reporter and anchor shift possible at my station: mornings, weekends, and now as the evening anchor for the past several years.
In Arizona, hiking became a passion and something I do several days a week ( Piestewa Peak or Camelback Mountain) year-round. I hike alone 99% of the time and listen to as many news/politics/history-related podcasts as possible, all on double-speed.
I’ve always loved rescue dogs. We just adopted a 7-year-old who lived her entire life breeding in a puppy mill cage. She never had a name until we named her “Myrtle” last year.
Almost 10-months in, she’s still full of anxiety and likes other dogs much more than she likes us. We’re working with a “dog whisperer” (as I call her) to teach her how to enjoy life as a dog.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk about your work. What should we know?
My love of travel has only grown stronger over the years.
I launched a travel blog, which lays out week-long trips to foreign cities in manageable, affordable itineraries.
While the pandemic put a stop to travel, I knew it would come (or will come) roaring back. While my workdays are full of politics and the pandemic, I wanted to also report on a topic that brings me joy.
I started a travel segment called “Now Boarding,” which highlights deals to domestic and international travel destinations. It’s designed to inspire people who may be wary of travel or think they can’t afford a trip to start planning. The whole goal is to empower our viewers with the confidence to save up, book something, and go explore.
The segment airs Sunday mornings, so it involves me volunteering to work a 6th day each week, but it’s been very successful. Plus, I’m always pleasantly surprised when people come up to me or email that they’ve booked one of the trips I’ve featured on TV.
Great, so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Professionally, I always gladly accept story ideas and news tips. Our station airs more newscasts than anyone else in the Phoenix market, so we have plenty of time for hard news, politics, features, business, health, and entertainment stories. The easiest way is to send a message on Instagram (@dillinjay).
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.jaredsdetours.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/dillinjay
- Facebook: facebook.com/jaredTV
- Twitter: twitter.com/jareddillingham
- Other: Vamos5.com
Image Credits
Matt Ehnes Photography
