MIKE BERMAN.

Strategic Communicator  ·  Storyteller  ·  Relationship Builder 

For 20 years, I made my living getting people to stop and pay attention.

As sports anchor and reporter at NBC 5 Chicago, I earned audience trust in a top-3 US market, covered every major sporting event in America, and closed sponsorship deals on credibility alone.

Now I’m bringing those skills to the corporate world: storytelling that moves people, relationships that open doors, and communication that performs under pressure.

SKILLS

Storytelling & Content Strategy

Shapes complex stories for the right audience — executive messaging, brand narrative, and organic content that builds loyal audiences from scratch.

Sports Industry Relationships

Personal relationships with coaches, athletes, agents, and C-suite executives across a $500B+ industry. High-trust access most communications professionals spend careers trying to build.

Earned Media & PR

Spent two decades inside newsrooms deciding what gets covered. Brings that insider fluency to media relations, journalist outreach, and PR strategy that actually lands.

High-Stakes Communication

Delivered live television in a top-3 market — no scripts, no second takes, no margin for error. Brings that same composure to crisis communications and executive presence under pressure.

Media Training & Coaching

Has sat across from hundreds of high-profile figures and coached executives on message clarity, on-camera presence, and communicating with authority.

Public Speaking & Facilitation

Experienced emcee, panel moderator, and on-air talent. Commands large rooms, elevates conversations, and represents organizations with credibility and polish.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Anchored sports at NBC 5 Chicago for nearly a decade — one of America’s most competitive TV markets, serving millions of viewers nightly

  • Covered the Super Bowl, World Series, NBA Finals, Indy 500, Final Four, and College World Series — delivering live under full broadcast pressure

  • Closed $20K in sponsorship deals for radio segments with a near-perfect renewal rate — identified leads, built relationships, and closed on credibility alone

  • Mentored 100+ journalists and communications professionals on storytelling, on-camera presence, and message clarity — including executives preparing for high-stakes appearances.

EXPERIence

2016 – 2026

Sports Anchor & Reporter

NBC 5 / WMAQ, Chicago, IL  ·  Market #3

2014 – 2016

Lead Sports Anchor

WTTV-TV / CBS, Indianapolis, IN

2006 – 2014

Sports Anchor & Reporter

Time Warner Cable News, Austin, TX

2004 – 2006

Sports Anchor & Reporter

WICS-TV / ABC, Springfield, IL