Marcelino Benito
Recipient of the Best television reporter award in The Charles E. Green Awards (2023)
Marcelino Benito, KHOU
Marcelino Benito, KHOU
Judge’s Comments:
Marcelino's storytelling is exceptional. Marcelino's poise, pacing, attention to detail, use of statistics, graphics and story selection set him apart. Marcelino's on-site, live-reporting is compelling, fact-based and paints a vivid picture of what is occurring around him. His conversational delivery, warmth and personal connections to the community make him approachable, trustworthy and consistent. In his packages, his SOT selection is profoundly impactful and moving. He has the chops to clearly be on a national or even international level.
Judge: Melissa Knowles
Judge’s Bio:
Melissa Knowles boasts an exceptional two-decade career in entertainment and sports news, spanning live and scripted broadcasting. A regular guest host on FOX's 'Dish Nation,' Melissa's longest tenure was as an entertainment news reporter for "Morning Express with Robin Meade". Her daily segment, 'What's Poppin', was a captivating dive into the latest breaking pop-culture news, showcasing her distinctive conversational style, quick wit, and polished storytelling. Melissa's versatility shines through in her frequent anchoring on Headline News as well.
Renowned for her vibrant personality, Melissa creates genuine connections with her audience, stemming from her early days as a reporter for Channel One News. Prior to joining the HLN/CNN team, she hosted 'Trending Now' at Yahoo! News and covered major events like The Summer Olympic Games in London and Super Bowl XLVII for Yahoo! Sports. Melissa's versatility extends to news reporting, as seen in her role as a correspondent for BET News, covering significant events such as the presidential inauguration in 2013 and the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington.
Melissa's sports reporting experience includes coverage of the Detroit Pistons for Fox Sports and an anchor role for 'Big 12 This Week' on ESPNU. She also served as a sideline reporter for the ESPN family of networks, offering in-depth coverage of college sports. With a Bachelor of Arts degree from Southern Methodist University, Melissa's journalistic background is robust.
Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Melissa and her family currently call Atlanta their home. Beyond her broadcasting career, Melissa and her husband Scott are deeply committed to philanthropy and community service. Their dedication to non-profit educational initiatives aims to close the opportunity and achievement gap for economically disadvantaged youth, highlighting Melissa's passion for making a positive impact beyond the screen. A multi-talented professional, Melissa Knowles continues to captivate audiences with her charisma, versatility, and dedication to excellence.
To see the award-winning television reporting from Benito, visit the link below: