Experience

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  The Gazette | Cedar Rapids

  • United States
  • Newspaper Publishing
  • 1 - 100 Employee

  • Digital Content Manager

    • Jan 2024 - Present

    - Optimize digital news product through multi-format content enhancement, experimentation, and close monitoring of story analytics.- Grow revenue - Manage team of multimedia editors to optimize and improve digital product- Manage SEO services utilizing external partner fulfillment- Partner with senior newsroom leaders to inform audience and coverage strategy, reporting, and analytics.- Organize training to help staff understand news metrics and analytics- Work with other newsroom leadership to help utilize digital storytelling tools and techniques as part of the reporting process.- Leverage emerging digital tools to help enhance digital storytelling.

  • Product Manager

    • Jan 2023 - Jan 2024

    - Optimizing and managing web app Corridor Careers- Lead Digital Marketing Services

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  Mount Mercy University

  • Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States

  • Adjunct Faculty

    • Feb 2021 - Present
    • Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States

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  MobileDemand

  • Hiawatha, Iowa, United States

  • Senior Content Writer

    • Apr 2022 - Nov 2022
    • Hiawatha, Iowa, United States

    • Create content for blogs, articles, product descriptions, social media, case studies, white papers, emails, campaigns, video scripts, webinars, podcasts and the company website• Manage key messaging throughout all campaigns and platforms• Conduct in-depth research on industry-related topics and trends to develop original content• Proofread content for errors and inconsistencies• Assist the marketing team in developing content for strategic campaigns

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  Corridor Business Journal

  • North Liberty, Iowa, United States

  • Editor & Chief Content Officer

    • Jan 2021 - Apr 2022
    • North Liberty, Iowa, United States

    - Supervise, train, mentor, write and edit content- Set and maintain editorial direction- Develop and deploy communication plan across all platforms- Community liaison

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  KGAN TV

  • Cedar Rapids, Iowa Area

  • News Director

    • Sep 2013 - Sep 2019
    • Cedar Rapids, Iowa Area

    • Utilized strong strategic communication and leadership skills to initiate, implement, and direct a new digital-first format focusing on real-time reporting for digital and social platforms resulting in Facebook growth from 18,000 to 94,000• Designed and implemented new branding strategies to attract and maintain an audience for two broadcast media outlets, their digital platforms, and social media engagement resulting in growth across every platform• Built a successful multi-platform breaking news strategy resulting in renewed community confidence as well as earning Upper Midwest Regional Emmy’s for Breaking News three years in a row (2016, 2017 and 2018)• Recruited, trained and mentored newsroom talent reducing newsroom turnover by 25%• Designed and initiated news sponsorship/sales opportunities up to $100,000 annually• Developed the station’s news annual budget and consistently exceeded expectations

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  Diversity Focus

  • United States
  • Non-profit Organizations
  • 1 - 100 Employee

  • Fellow

    • Jan 2013 - Dec 2014

    A member of the Fellowship Program. The purpose was to leverage community leaders by building a bridge between emerging communities throughout the Corridor. The fellow acted as a liaison between Diversity Focus and each targeted community. In addition they offered guidance for new programming, events, projects and research to attract and retain people of diverse backgrounds.

  • Sr. Director Communications & Media Affairs

    • Nov 2012 - Sep 2013

    - Provided leadership while building and implementing a marketing strategy - Designed, launched, and maintained a new website, social media plan, and engagement model resulting in double-digit growth across each platform - Served as a public speaker and public relations spokesperson

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  The Gazette Company (now known as Folience)

  • Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States

  • Senior Director Information Content

    • Apr 2009 - Jun 2012
    • Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States

    • Ensured accurate and credible news was gathered, managed, and reported for broadcast, print, digital and social media• Managed business services and systems; strategic business planning; community relations, personnel management; contracting and contract negotiations• Expanded exposure of news content across multiple platforms at The Gazette Company resulting in new audiences based on Nielsen and Google Analytics in broadcast, digital, and print• Designed and managed an annual budget of $4 million and a staff of 75 working out of four office locations• Increased efficiencies and eliminated duplication of services across all platforms by pioneering a news reporting system allowing access to updated information• Brought together five independent teams into one content operation resulting in increased productivity and expanded reach to additional audience/customers• Mentored and trained staff to use market research to deliver desired content resulting in a larger share of sales revenue

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  KCRG-TV9

  • Cedar Rapids, Iowa Area

  • News Director

    • May 2001 - May 2009
    • Cedar Rapids, Iowa Area

    • Designed and delivered enhanced coverage of local issues resulting in a dominant number one position in sales and revenue in the market• Developed, implemented, and measured performance of key strategies using consumer research• Recruited, trained, and mentored managers and employees to deliver key branding strategies resulting in a number one position in the market• Provided continuous news coverage throughout the 2008 flood while overcoming a number of catastrophic obstacles such as lack of equipment, people, and location resulting in KCRG earning the Small Business Association Award for Journalist of the Year

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  WLNS-TV6

  • Lansing, Michigan, United States

  • News Director

    • Apr 1998 - May 2001
    • Lansing, Michigan, United States

    • Initiated, implemented, and directed new branding strategies to attract and maintain audience leading to growth in market share• Led staff in award-winning efforts to keep people safe during major riots resulting in enhanced image opportunities for the company• Motivated young staff to achieve success by using a diverse range of people, communication, and interpersonal skills resulting in winning an Overall Excellence Award by the Associated Press

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  WBAY-TV

  • United States
  • Broadcast Media Production and Distribution
  • 1 - 100 Employee

  • Assistant News Director, Executive Producer

    • 1995 - 1998

    - Drove company success by coaching and training all news staff- Resulted in growing into a number one position in the market and industry awards for breaking and investigative news- Trained and mentored producers on writing, branding, and award-winning newscast execution

  • Producer

    • 1993 - 1995