Hi, I’m Rolando Pujol.
I still remember being a kid in the backseat of my parents’ rust-colored Ford Fairmont station wagon, watching the world go by one blinking neon sign and kitschy roadside attraction at a time. We’d pull off for pie at a chrome-plated diner or snap photos in front of a giant fiberglass mascot—small detours that felt like magic. Even then, I sensed those places had stories to tell.
Hi, I’m Rolando Pujol, a lifelong journalist and the creator of The Retrologist, where across Instagram, Substack and other platforms I chronicle America’s vanishing roadside culture for more than 100,000 followers.
By day, I’m the executive producer of digital content, innovation, and strategy at WABC-TV Channel 7 Eyewitness News in New York, where I lead digital storytelling and shape how news travels online. Whenever I’m away from the newsroom, I often find myself between a two-lane highway and a flickering motel vacancy sign.
That love of classic Americana inspired my book, The Great American Retro Road Trip. It’s a coast-to-coast adventure taking us to vintage diners, drive-ins, motels, and Main Streets—equal parts travelogue, photo album, and affectionate tribute to the places that made family road trips unforgettable. If you’ve ever turned your head at a faded roadside sign or felt something stir in your chest at the sight of a Googie roofline, this book is for you.
My Professional Experience
WABC-TV, Channel 7 (New York, NY)
Executive Producer, Digital Content, Innovation and Strategy (2019–Present)
Oversees production of digital-first video (including Emmy-winning documentary projects for ABC/Hulu) as well as podcasts and other initiatives. Co-architect of station’s digital and social-media success.
WPIX-TV, Channel 11 (New York, NY)
Director of Digital & Social Strategy (2012–2019)
Managed the station’s website and social media channels. Launched the WPIX Archives franchise and revived classic programming (e.g. rediscovering the original “Yule Log” broadcast and the lost “Magic Garden” holiday special). Under my leadership WPIX’s digital audience saw strong year-over-year growth, at times reaching No. 1 among TV stations in the New York market.
Antenna TV (Tribune Media)
Director of Social Strategy (2017–2019)
Directed digital content and social campaigns for the nostalgia-focused multicast network.
The Retrologist (Independent)
Founder/Editor (2012–Present)
Created and curates this popular blog, Instagram account, and newsletter devoted to vintage Americana. Publishes original essays and photography about roadside history and retro culture.
New York Daily News
Multimedia Editor (2011-2012)
Curated homepage and wrote stories, some of which also appeared in the print edition
New York Nonstop (WNBC-TV)
On-Air Host (2009-2011)
Hosted segments on New York history and neighborhoods called “Hidden City” that aired on New York Nonstop, Channel 4.2, WNBC’s New York-focused diginet. Contributed segments weekly to the channel while working at amNewYork.
amNewYork
Managing Editor (2005-2011)
Oversaw news coverage, launched and contributed to multiple blogs, and reported and wrote news and feature stories for tabloid newspaper operated by Newsday.
Newsday (New York, NY and Melville, NY)
Assistant Editor/Assistant City Editor (1996-1997, 2001-2005)
Assistant editor for Long Island and New York editions; assistant city editor for New York edition
The Morning Call (Allentown, PA)
Copy Editor/Bureau Chief (1997-2001)
Served as night copy editor, content editor, and later bureau chief of the Lehighton-based news bureau, overseeing coverage in northeastern Pennsylvania.
Journal News (White Plains, NY)
News Editor (1996)
Served as a new editor for multiple editions of what was then known as Gannett Suburban Newspapers.
Pocono Record (Stroudsburg, PA)
Copy Editor (1995)
Served as Dow Jones Newspaper Fund copy editing intern.
New York Times (New York, NY)
Copy Person (1994-1995)
Served as an assistant in the newsroom while attending Columbia University.
My Honors & Awards
New York Emmy Awards
Multiple regional Emmys for television and digital news projects.
The Edward R. Murrow Award
Society of Professional Journalists’ Sigma Delta Chi Award
The Deadline Club Award
Education
Columbia University (New York, NY)
Bachelor of Arts, History, Class of 1995
