Monica German-Prestia of Stefani Style on Five Things You Need to Create a Successful Career as a Journalist
…Entertain. Journalism isn’t just about delivering cold, hard facts — it’s also about engaging your audience. Whether through storytelling, humor, or creative presentation, you can inform while also keeping your readers or viewers interested. A little “infotainment” can go a long way, as long as you maintain journalistic integrity. And finally, educate. Journalism should teach people something new or give them a better understanding of the world. Whether you’re covering politics, social issues, or lifestyle topics, your work should leave the audience more informed than they were before…
I had the pleasure of talking with Monica German-Prestia. Monica is an accomplished journalist, marketing professional, and entrepreneur whose career spans over two decades across the intersecting fields of media, advertising, and public relations. With a foundation in journalism and storytelling, she has built a reputation for crafting compelling narratives and connecting audiences with meaningful content, both as a journalist and through her boutique digital marketing agency, Stefani Style.
Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and raised in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, Monica’s interest in journalism was ignited early. Encouraged by her father to type out the front page of The New York Times as a child, she developed an enduring fascination with current events, politics, and the art of storytelling. This early exposure shaped her aspirations to work in media, a dream that would later guide her professional journey.
Monica German-Prestia began her career at The New York Post, working at its iconic South Street office with views of the Brooklyn Bridge — a setting she describes as “magical” for a young journalist. During her four years at the publication, she contributed to key marketing initiatives and honed her skills in sales and marketing, special section development, and audience engagement. Her work at The New York Post laid the groundwork for her multifaceted career in media and communications.
Her path soon expanded to broadcasting, where she joined CBS Radio’s 92.3 KROCK during the station’s prime years, working on campaigns for Howard Stern’s “King of All Media” morning drive show. At Bloomberg L.P., she served as Director of Latin American Sales, where she managed significant accounts, launched innovative media campaigns, and interviewed business leaders, leveraging her journalistic and marketing background to navigate complex storytelling in the financial sector.
In her journalistic and business development/sales career, German-Prestia has reported and contributed to leading media outlets, including The New York Times, Women’s Wear Daily, NBC, ABC, Fox News, and Cosmopolitan. She is known for her ability to engage with a wide range of subjects, from social issues and politics to lifestyle and the arts. A highlight of her journalistic work was an impromptu encounter with astronaut John Glenn, which turned into an impromptu interview that captured the spirit of a historic figure.
In addition to her journalistic endeavors, German-Prestia transitioned into entrepreneurship in 2007, founding Stefani Style, a digital marketing agency where she applies her storytelling skills to help brands and individuals craft compelling messages. Monica’s work bridges her expertise in media with her passion for connecting clients to audiences in innovative ways. Recently, she helped launch Commercialville.tv, a zip-code targeted, video-based search engine/platform designed to transform the way people search and find local businesses by utilizing zip codes and viewing their results with Commercials uploaded by the businesses targeted by the searcher.
Beyond her professional pursuits, German-Prestia remains deeply connected to her Brooklyn roots and the arts. A devoted fan of Depeche Mode, she also has a passion for authentic Neapolitan pizza and Argentine Malbec. Her personal and professional life is marked by a love of culture, storytelling, and meaningful connections.
Yitzi: Monica, it’s an honor and a delight to meet you. Before we dive in, our readers would love to learn about your personal origin story. Can you share the story of your childhood and how you grew up?
Monica: Oh, absolutely. When I tell this story, I think people are interested because I traveled such a long way to get to the U.S. and come to America. It’s one of those stories that immigrants cherish and love to share. I came here as a little girl in the early ’70s from Buenos Aires, Argentina. My father came here first. It’s similar to other immigrant stories I’ve heard, where the father comes first to build a foundation, start a business, and really establish a foothold in the new country. He was here for two years before my mom, my two brothers, and I joined him. We moved to Brooklyn, actually — to Bensonhurst.
Yitzi: So, tell us what led you to your career in journalism?
Monica: Oh, absolutely. I think that’s an interesting story too. To earn an allowance, my father made me type the front cover of The New York Times. I was always really fascinated with the news, and I grew up in a family where we constantly talked about politics, inflation, unemployment, and the state of affairs — including currency. In Argentina, we typically have issues with the peso being devalued compared to the dollar. So, from an early age, we were very aware of how politics and current events impacted currency and the overall economy.
That early exposure sparked my interest in The New York Times because of my father’s “typing assignment.” I never actually finished typing any front cover, and I never became a great typist! But I did become very interested in world affairs, current events, and the impact of being involved in my community, The news and what was going on in the world always fascinated me.
As a little girl, when I started practicing typing and reading The New York Times, I told myself, “I want to work in news. I want to work at a newspaper or a news station.” So, I pursued that dream. Interestingly, my mother had named me after a famous news anchor in Buenos Aires, Monica Mianovich. I learned that years later, and it felt like such a coincidence — or maybe it wasn’t!
I went on to work at The New York Post for four years at their original location on 210 South Street. It was like a dream come true. Our office faced the Brooklyn Bridge, and it was just magical. I lived that dream, and it was so exciting for me — still is, honestly.
Yitzi: Could you share one or two stories or anecdotes that stick out to you from your professional career as a journalist?
Monica: Hmm, interesting. Well, I’ve met a lot of fascinating people — sometimes not even while I was actively trying to interview them. For example, when I worked at Bloomberg Television, one time I was in the elevator, and this man caught my attention. He seemed really interesting, so when he smiled at me, I smiled back and asked him his name. It turned out to be John Glenn — the astronaut! I asked him a few questions, and I was absolutely mesmerized. Here was this man who walked on the moon, and I just happened to bump into him at the right place and the right time. That’s what I love about interviewing and connecting with people. Sometimes, they seem like regular people, but what they’ve accomplished in their lives is far from regular.
Yitzi: That’s great. Any other stories? Any favorites that stand out?
Monica: One that stands out is the time I interviewed an actor, Lillo Brancato from The Bronx Tale. He was in the news at the time because he had been convicted of a crime. I had just started my blog and thought it would be interesting to meet him and hear his story, so I reached out to him through social media and got the interview. He turned out to be a really fascinating person.
We talked a lot about his comeback. Of course, we touched on the fact that he had committed a crime and served his time — he had been in jail for many years, maybe seven to ten. But the interview wasn’t just about his sentence. We also talked about his role in The Bronx Tale and his experiences as an actor. It was really interesting to me, and the interview was very well received. I think people appreciated the mix of discussing his challenges, his redemption, and his career.
Yitzi: It’s been said that sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Do you have a story about a mistake you made when you were first starting in journalism and the lesson you learned from it?
Monica: Well, I think this lesson goes beyond journalism and applies to everyday life. As I’ve grown more experienced, seasoned, and maybe just older, I’ve learned the value of listening instead of talking — because I can be a bit of a talker. I’ve learned to think before I speak and to take a breath.
When I was starting out, I worked with some media professionals and supervisors, and I was so anxious to share my thoughts that I interrupted a lot. I was eager to get my answers out, but it wasn’t the right approach. Over time, I realized how important it is — not just in journalism, but in life as friends, family members, mothers, sisters, or brothers — to take a step back, really listen, and think about what we’re going to say. Our words have an impact on others, and being mindful of that is so important.
Yitzi: None of us is able to achieve success without some help along the way. Do you have a story about someone more experienced who opened a door of opportunity for you? Or maybe where you opened a door for someone else and it changed their career?
Monica: Absolutely. I’ve had several mentors in my media career, and they’ve been incredibly impactful. Like I mentioned earlier, I’ve always been eager and enthusiastic about journalism, media, and writing, so having mentors really helped guide me along the way.
One of my mentors at Bloomberg was Mariann DeLuca. She played an important role in my career. She listened to me, answered my questions, and was kind — and kindness goes a long way. She taught me a lot during that time when we were working in the network radio division at Bloomberg, and her support really made a difference.
Before that, I had 2 mentors at Stephen Geller, Che Roehner and Mariann Shraky. I was young, new, and very fresh in the industry, and they were both fantastic. They both listened, made work enjoyable, and made me feel supported. Sometimes, when you’re just starting out, you work with people who aren’t very kind, but I was lucky to have had these friendly and encouraging women guiding me.
That experience stuck with me, and I’ve tried to pay it forward. I always try to help younger women entering the workforce when I can. If I see an opportunity to open a door for someone or be of assistance, I make an effort to do so. It’s rewarding to give back in the same way others helped me.
My mother and father, Sara & Elias German & my brother Alex German were very instrumental in laying the foundation to teaching me and helping me understand how the world works. They taught me to focus on education, be independent and work hard & smart toward my goals.
Yitzi: So Monica, you have so much impressive work. Can you share with our readers the exciting work you’re doing now and any new projects? I’d love to hear what you’re up to.
Monica: Absolutely. I work with a variety of diverse and successful clients through my boutique digital marketing agency. I collaborate with different types of businesses — entrepreneurs, chefs, creatives, artists, and tech CEO’s. Right now, my primary focus is on a business called Commercialville.tv, which is incredibly exciting.
It’s a business we’ve been developing for over five years, and just recently launched it. We believe it has the potential to disrupt how people conduct search queries on the internet. Commercialville is a local, zip-targeted, video-based platform where you can search for businesses within your zip code — or multiple zip codes nearby and regionally — and connect with those businesses through video (commercials, that the advertiser has uploaded to the platform. You can learn more about a business you’re interested in in a way that’s engaging and personal. I’m really excited about the potential of Commercialville.tv and can’t wait to see where it takes us.
Yitzi: Incredible. Let’s talk a little more about journalism. According to a recent Gallup poll, only about 36% of Americans trust the mass media, meaning over 60% don’t. That’s disheartening for those of us in the industry. As an insider, what do you think journalists can do to increase trust in the media?
Monica: That’s a really interesting topic, and it’s something I’ve thought about for a long time. Growing up fascinated with the news and journalism, it felt like being a journalist really meant something — you were delivering a story that was impartial and factual. But now, so much of the media feels partisan. Often, when you’re reading or watching the news, it seems like there’s always a slant, a political point of view and that makes it hard to trust what you’re seeing and hearing.
I think the key for journalists is to go back to basics and focus on reporting the facts — just the facts. Of course, that can be challenging, depending on where you work. Some networks or publications may encourage certain points of view or even applaud you for taking a specific stance. But it’s crucial for journalists to leave personal opinions out of their reporting and focus on the truth. That’s the way I was taught, and it’s always been the right way to approach journalism.
When I watch the news or read an article and can sense a bias — whether it leans left or right — it becomes difficult to trust. Sometimes it even feels like what we’re seeing might be made up or exaggerated, which is where the term “fake news” comes in. To rebuild trust, journalists need to return to the core principles of journalism: report the facts without worrying about how it will sound or whether it aligns with one side or the other. Neutral, fact-based reporting is the foundation of trustworthy journalism, and that’s what we need to bring back.
Yitzi: Great. I think another phenomenon I’ve noticed is that opinion is often disguised by making predictions. Stories will say, “This is what will happen under this policy,” or, “This will happen under this administration.” They’re essentially making predictions, but they’re not framing it as opinion. Instead, they present it as fact: “This is what will happen.”
Monica: Yes, I think that really confuses the general public. We don’t always know what we’re listening to anymore. When I was a kid, watching people like Dan Rather and Walter Cronkite, you believed them. They had this air of certainty, and you trusted that they were telling you the truth, based on the facts they had gathered.
But now, we’re not so sure. Everything feels labeled, categorized, or slanted in some way. It’s hard to know what’s truly factual and what’s speculation or opinion. That’s why we need to go back to basics in journalism. It’s about reporting the facts, plain and simple, without trying to shape them into predictions or disguising opinions as certainties. That’s how we rebuild trust.
Yitzi: Beautiful. So here’s the main question of our interview. Looking back on your career, based on your experience and success, can you share with our readers five things you need to create a successful career as a journalist and why?
Monica: Five things. Okay, first, I think it’s important to observe. Be observant. Pay attention to everything around you — what people are saying, how they’re acting, and what’s happening in the world. Observation is key because you need to take in all the details before you can process and report the facts accurately.
Second, fact-check. This is critical. You have to verify what you’re thinking, writing, or reporting. These days, it’s easy for misinformation to spread, and people might post things online that aren’t true. Just the other day, I read something and thought, “There’s no way that’s accurate.” So I looked it up, and sure enough, no credible outlets were reporting it — it turned out to be a spoof. Fact-checking isn’t just a one-time process; you should double, triple-check, and make sure everything you publish is accurate. Once it’s out there, you can’t take it back.
Third, proofread. Proofread your work thoroughly. It’s not just about checking for typos or grammar; it’s about ensuring that your argument or story makes sense and is well-supported. You have to be meticulous before publishing.
Fourth, entertain. Journalism isn’t just about delivering cold, hard facts — it’s also about engaging your audience. Whether through storytelling, humor, or creative presentation, you can inform while also keeping your readers or viewers interested. A little “infotainment” can go a long way, as long as you maintain journalistic integrity.
And finally, educate. Journalism should teach people something new or give them a better understanding of the world. Whether you’re covering politics, social issues, or lifestyle topics, your work should leave the audience more informed than they were before.
Yitzi: Journalism can be an intense career, full of ups and downs, particularly today when job security isn’t guaranteed due to the rapidly changing media landscape. The whole business model has been upended because of new ways to advertise. How does a journalist stay inspired and motivated after the inevitable setbacks?
Monica: I think I’ve been able to survive in this career mainly because I stay curious and genuinely interested. But more than that, you have to evolve. You can’t cling to old ways of doing things. For instance, if you grew up reading newspapers like The New York Times and you don’t embrace the shift to online news, you’ll fall behind. You have to be open to finding facts, searching for information, and continuing to observe, read, and educate yourself wherever the opportunities arise.
I remember working at Bloomberg during the dot-com boom, when new websites were popping up. It was a novel concept for financial news to exist in a digital format back then. And while the dot-com boom started before my time there, for Bloomberg, it was still relatively new. But people adapted, and they evolved to embrace it.
There’s always something new on the horizon. Take Commercialville.TV, for example. It’s new, it’s different, and at first, people may not fully understand or embrace it. That’s normal. It’s common for the general population to be hesitant about something unfamiliar. But even if it’s a struggle, you have to keep moving forward.
I think that’s the key: evolution. As people and as journalists, we have to adapt and keep learning. That’s what keeps life interesting — staying excited about learning new subjects, new ideas, and new ways of doing things. It’s that sense of curiosity and growth that keeps you inspired, even after setbacks.
Yitzi: Monica, because of your great work and the platform that you’ve built, you’re a person of enormous influence. If you could spread an idea or inspire a movement that would bring the most good to the most people, what would that be?
Monica: I think it would have to revolve around peace — a message of peace, a vision of peace. Living in New York as a local resident, I love this city deeply. I’d love to see New York move forward while cleaning up some of the messes that have been created. It’s not about going back to how things used to be, but rather about finding solutions for the challenges we face now.
Of course, it’s not just about New York. On a global level, it would be incredible to create a world where peace is at the center of our existence. That’s an enormous challenge, though, given the complexities we face — countries are changing, politics are constantly shifting, and the world is in flux. But I think having a vision of peace, both locally and globally, is something we should all work toward.
Yitzi: Is there a story behind the David Bowie illustration behind you?
Monica: Absolutely! I love David Bowie. A friend of mine, Marcus Suarez, painted it. He’s a very well-known, fascinating artist and very popular. I actually grew up with him in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. When we would hang out in Manhattan, I would join him while he painted some of the most iconic clubs like SpoDeeOdee in New York City. This was in the late ’80s and ’90s. Over time, he became a world-renowned artist.
When I saw this particular piece, I just had to have it. I’ve always admired David Bowie as an amazing and inspiring artist, someone I respect deeply. And this painting is just so cool, right? [laughter]
Yitzi: Amazing. Monica, how can our readers continue to follow your work online? How can they engage your services or contact you?
Monica: Absolutely, Yitzi. My website is Stefanistyle.com.I’m also on Instagram & TikTok @ Stefani_Style. I will also be writing for Authority Magazine, so readers can connect with me there as well. I’m really excited about that!
Yitzi: Monica, we’re so excited to include you in our team. I’m looking forward to working with you and wishing you continued success, blessings, and happiness.
Monica: Thank you, Yitzi. Amazing.
Yitzi: Thank you for this great interview.
Monica German-Prestia of Stefani Style on Five Things You Need to Create a Successful Career as a… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.