A Reporter’s Journey From Covering Sports to Tires With Don Detore of Tire Business

Don Detore is the Editor of Tire Business, an industry trade magazine published by Crain Communications. Before this, he began his tenure at Rubber & Plastics News in March 2013 as a copy editor and was later promoted to managing editor. With over 35 years in journalism, Don has held significant roles at The Repository in Canton, including sports editor, managing editor, and executive editor. He holds a bachelor's degree in communication arts from Walsh University.

In this episode…

When you grow up as a sports fan and eventually become a sports reporter — getting paid to cover historic NFL games, including all-time great basketball players like LeBron James — could you possibly enjoy a job where you write about tires?

According to Don Detore, who spent over 25 years covering sports for Ohio newspapers before transitioning to writing for tire industry publications, the answer is a definite "yes." Since changing direction, Don says he has immersed himself in the industry and fallen in love with it. According to Don, covering the tire industry is fun, interesting, and entertaining mainly because of his relationships with people who have become friends for life.

On this episode of Gain Traction, Don joins Mike Edge​​ to talk about going from covering sports and Hall of Fame athletes to writing about the tire industry. Don takes Mike on his career journey with fascinating stories about constantly trying to get an interview with Fran Tarkenton, being on the field during John Elway's legendary 98-yard drive against the Browns, and a crazy situation he witnessed on the road with a team.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

• Don Detore discusses covering LeBron James as a sports reporter in Ohio
• How an interview with Fran Tarkenton changed Don’s image of his childhood hero
• Why Don and his wife named their first dog Webster
• Don shares how he transitioned from the newspaper industry to writing and editing for tire publications
• What are Don and his team at Tire Business currently working on?
• Don reveals the hit TV show where his mentor’s daughter was a star

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Don Detore on LinkedIn
• Tire Business
• The Repository in Canton
• Webster Slaughter
• Rubber News
• Lance Bullock on LinkedIn
• Mike Edge on LinkedIn
• Tread Partners

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