Connor Boals
Head of Media at OceanX- Claim this Profile
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Topline Score
Bio
Joanne Murphy
Connor is brilliant. Not only is he a pleasure to work with but he was the absolute driving force of Great Big Story’s creativity and incredible brand partnerships that were brought to life. Connor was also the vital link between editorial strategy and global advertising sales. With a knack for conceptualising creative ideas and brainstorming commercial solutions for brands, his passion for what he does can always be felt by everyone in the room. Both sales and editorial relied on his knowledge of the market, his strategic thinking and his ability to work well under pressure, being relied on by so many different teams. As he managed multiple brand partnership projects, he always delivered with quality, good humour and positive character. Something that I’ll always admire was Connor’s talent in building brand partnership solutions that worked hard for brand partners’ objectives, whilst offering the perfect strategic mix of branding and editorial integrity. He empowered teams on both sides, building complex brand solutions that involved multiple teams across both the Great Big Story and CNN commercial business. Connor will be a huge asset to any team and I look forward to any opportunity to work together again in the future.
Austin Brown
I had the pleasure of working with Connor at Great Big Story, he was my senior and supervising producer in London. As a leader, he always supported the entire team making sure we were striving to deliver the best videos the internet had ever seen. He always encouraged our team to be extra creative and push filmmaking boundaries. I wouldn’t be the filmmaker I am today without his guidance. He is one of the best managers I have worked with and I am happy to now call him a friend.
Joanne Murphy
Connor is brilliant. Not only is he a pleasure to work with but he was the absolute driving force of Great Big Story’s creativity and incredible brand partnerships that were brought to life. Connor was also the vital link between editorial strategy and global advertising sales. With a knack for conceptualising creative ideas and brainstorming commercial solutions for brands, his passion for what he does can always be felt by everyone in the room. Both sales and editorial relied on his knowledge of the market, his strategic thinking and his ability to work well under pressure, being relied on by so many different teams. As he managed multiple brand partnership projects, he always delivered with quality, good humour and positive character. Something that I’ll always admire was Connor’s talent in building brand partnership solutions that worked hard for brand partners’ objectives, whilst offering the perfect strategic mix of branding and editorial integrity. He empowered teams on both sides, building complex brand solutions that involved multiple teams across both the Great Big Story and CNN commercial business. Connor will be a huge asset to any team and I look forward to any opportunity to work together again in the future.
Austin Brown
I had the pleasure of working with Connor at Great Big Story, he was my senior and supervising producer in London. As a leader, he always supported the entire team making sure we were striving to deliver the best videos the internet had ever seen. He always encouraged our team to be extra creative and push filmmaking boundaries. I wouldn’t be the filmmaker I am today without his guidance. He is one of the best managers I have worked with and I am happy to now call him a friend.
Joanne Murphy
Connor is brilliant. Not only is he a pleasure to work with but he was the absolute driving force of Great Big Story’s creativity and incredible brand partnerships that were brought to life. Connor was also the vital link between editorial strategy and global advertising sales. With a knack for conceptualising creative ideas and brainstorming commercial solutions for brands, his passion for what he does can always be felt by everyone in the room. Both sales and editorial relied on his knowledge of the market, his strategic thinking and his ability to work well under pressure, being relied on by so many different teams. As he managed multiple brand partnership projects, he always delivered with quality, good humour and positive character. Something that I’ll always admire was Connor’s talent in building brand partnership solutions that worked hard for brand partners’ objectives, whilst offering the perfect strategic mix of branding and editorial integrity. He empowered teams on both sides, building complex brand solutions that involved multiple teams across both the Great Big Story and CNN commercial business. Connor will be a huge asset to any team and I look forward to any opportunity to work together again in the future.
Austin Brown
I had the pleasure of working with Connor at Great Big Story, he was my senior and supervising producer in London. As a leader, he always supported the entire team making sure we were striving to deliver the best videos the internet had ever seen. He always encouraged our team to be extra creative and push filmmaking boundaries. I wouldn’t be the filmmaker I am today without his guidance. He is one of the best managers I have worked with and I am happy to now call him a friend.
Joanne Murphy
Connor is brilliant. Not only is he a pleasure to work with but he was the absolute driving force of Great Big Story’s creativity and incredible brand partnerships that were brought to life. Connor was also the vital link between editorial strategy and global advertising sales. With a knack for conceptualising creative ideas and brainstorming commercial solutions for brands, his passion for what he does can always be felt by everyone in the room. Both sales and editorial relied on his knowledge of the market, his strategic thinking and his ability to work well under pressure, being relied on by so many different teams. As he managed multiple brand partnership projects, he always delivered with quality, good humour and positive character. Something that I’ll always admire was Connor’s talent in building brand partnership solutions that worked hard for brand partners’ objectives, whilst offering the perfect strategic mix of branding and editorial integrity. He empowered teams on both sides, building complex brand solutions that involved multiple teams across both the Great Big Story and CNN commercial business. Connor will be a huge asset to any team and I look forward to any opportunity to work together again in the future.
Austin Brown
I had the pleasure of working with Connor at Great Big Story, he was my senior and supervising producer in London. As a leader, he always supported the entire team making sure we were striving to deliver the best videos the internet had ever seen. He always encouraged our team to be extra creative and push filmmaking boundaries. I wouldn’t be the filmmaker I am today without his guidance. He is one of the best managers I have worked with and I am happy to now call him a friend.
Credentials
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Advanced Open Water Diver
PADI
Experience
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OceanX
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United States
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Philanthropic Fundraising Services
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1 - 100 Employee
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Head of Media
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Jun 2023 - Present
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Underknown
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Canada
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Media Production
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1 - 100 Employee
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VP, Content Strategy & Development
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Jan 2022 - Apr 2023
Headed up Underknown Studios, the new full-service production studio inside of Underknown. Underknown Studios mission was two-fold: 1) Elevate our new and existing IP to the streamers and broadcasters of the world. 2) Bring Underknown's renowned storytelling skills to produce branded content that hits any partner's KPIs. Headed up Underknown Studios, the new full-service production studio inside of Underknown. Underknown Studios mission was two-fold: 1) Elevate our new and existing IP to the streamers and broadcasters of the world. 2) Bring Underknown's renowned storytelling skills to produce branded content that hits any partner's KPIs.
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Content Development
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Jan 2021 - Mar 2022
Relying on over a decade of building groundbreaking storytelling brands (ReutersTV, NowThis, CNN Digital Studios, Great Big Story), I leveraging this knowledge to help the next generation of storytelling outlets find their voice, develop content, work with brand partners and build audiences. Clients included: BBC, Underknown, Asian Boss and Österreichischer Rundfunk Relying on over a decade of building groundbreaking storytelling brands (ReutersTV, NowThis, CNN Digital Studios, Great Big Story), I leveraging this knowledge to help the next generation of storytelling outlets find their voice, develop content, work with brand partners and build audiences. Clients included: BBC, Underknown, Asian Boss and Österreichischer Rundfunk
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BBC News
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Australia
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Broadcast Media Production and Distribution
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Executive Producer
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Mar 2021 - Jan 2022
I hosted a week-long storytelling training with the BBC Africa team. Their team of journalists, producers and editors from across the UK and Africa pitched several ideas, which I then greenlit and executive produced three. Films included: The story of a deaf mother in Kenya, a team of crusading female lawyers in Nigeria and a really interesting take on the stigma of sickle cell anemia. I hosted a week-long storytelling training with the BBC Africa team. Their team of journalists, producers and editors from across the UK and Africa pitched several ideas, which I then greenlit and executive produced three. Films included: The story of a deaf mother in Kenya, a team of crusading female lawyers in Nigeria and a really interesting take on the stigma of sickle cell anemia.
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CNN
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United States
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Broadcast Media Production and Distribution
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700 & Above Employee
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Director of Creative Partnerships - Great Big Story
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Dec 2018 - Jan 2021
--Oversaw a New York and London-based team of 5 researchers and strategists that responded to 200+ RFPs a year.--Interfaced with CNN International and Domestic sales organizations to ensure success in cross-platform partnerships.--Regularly presented creative concepts at client briefings, conferences and panels across the globe.--Led creative for $15M - $17M in won campaigns per year (2018-2020).
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Supervising Producer - Great Big Story
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Mar 2017 - Dec 2018
--Led Great Big Story's first international expansion. I was tasked with building and leading a team of 6 producers and strategists in London, while simultaneous overseeing editorial for our first franchise office out of Stockholm.--My team of was only 20% of Great Big Story's overall production staff, but produced over 30% of the brand's highest-performing videos, despite not having launched a year after the original production team began.
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Senior Producer - Great Big Story
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Jun 2015 - Mar 2017
--As a founding member of the Great Big Story video operation, I was tasked with helping build the original team, shaping our editorial direction and building our production workflow.--Oversaw the production of 500+ micro-documentaries shot in 50+ countries.
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Producer
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Jan 2014 - Jun 2015
--Hired for the newly-formed "CNN Original Studios" team, I oversaw the production of 8 original digital series for various sponsors.
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Producer
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Feb 2013 - Jan 2014
Produce, shoot, edit, awesomeness. Produce, shoot, edit, awesomeness.
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Thomson Reuters
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Canada
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Software Development
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700 & Above Employee
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Junior Producer
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Sep 2011 - Feb 2013
Produce, shoot and edit shows for Reuters original Web video programming. Produce, shoot and edit shows for Reuters original Web video programming.
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ABC News
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Newspaper Publishing
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1 - 100 Employee
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News Assistant (Radio)
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Mar 2011 - Sep 2011
Assisted in daily newsroom activities, maintained social media presence, communicated with affiliates. Assisted in daily newsroom activities, maintained social media presence, communicated with affiliates.
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News 21
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India
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Advertising Services
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Fellow
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May 2010 - Aug 2010
Developing innovative story packages on aging in America Developing innovative story packages on aging in America
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Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism
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United States
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Higher Education
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100 - 200 Employee
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Graduate Student
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Aug 2009 - May 2010
Digital Media Concentration Digital Media Concentration
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Circle of Blue
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United States
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Writing and Editing
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1 - 100 Employee
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Staff Reporter
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Jun 2009 - Sep 2009
Corresponded with global industry leaders to provide coverage on global desalination and water reuse trends. Reported the source of a delay in vital USGS water use data. Posted daily news briefs to the Web. Edited photos, contributed to Web production. Corresponded with global industry leaders to provide coverage on global desalination and water reuse trends. Reported the source of a delay in vital USGS water use data. Posted daily news briefs to the Web. Edited photos, contributed to Web production.
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The Vermont Cynic
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Media Production
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1 - 100 Employee
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Managing Editor
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Mar 2008 - Mar 2009
Managed the production of a 6,000 weekly issue college newspaper, as well as daily Web updates. Reported a pattern of suicides on campus, led to the institution of a new fall break. Covered social justice issues, livable wage campaigns and the freezing of the endowment after the economic crash. Oversaw 18 editors in campus and Local News, Sports, Life, Arts, and Features coverage. Managed the production of a 6,000 weekly issue college newspaper, as well as daily Web updates. Reported a pattern of suicides on campus, led to the institution of a new fall break. Covered social justice issues, livable wage campaigns and the freezing of the endowment after the economic crash. Oversaw 18 editors in campus and Local News, Sports, Life, Arts, and Features coverage.
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Burlington Free Press
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Newspaper Publishing
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1 - 100 Employee
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Reporting Intern
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Jun 2008 - Aug 2008
Worked a local business beat, reporting on the early effects of the economic downturn on local commerce. Filed daily stories and photos for Web and print edition, plus larger weekend stories. Worked a local business beat, reporting on the early effects of the economic downturn on local commerce. Filed daily stories and photos for Web and print edition, plus larger weekend stories.
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Editorial Director
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Nov 2007 - Apr 2008
Founded and launched a 66-page online magazine on local arts and culture. Oversaw entire production, directed staff and met projected launch date. Assigned and edited all written content, assisted with creative design. Founded and launched a 66-page online magazine on local arts and culture. Oversaw entire production, directed staff and met projected launch date. Assigned and edited all written content, assisted with creative design.
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Education
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2009 - 2010
The Graduate School of Journalism at Columbia University
Degree: M.S, Journalism, digital media concentration -
2005 - 2009
University of Vermont
Degree: B.A, English, Anthropology
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