Marketing Director, May 2010 - Appiction, Austin, Texas
- Handled marketing for the burgeoning mobile development company along with many of its clients. Drew on and offline press coverage for the app company's growth, innovation and design and forged relationships with app review sites. Helped position Appiction-developed apps among influential bloggers and press, developed promotional landing pages and videos and handled media buying and in-app advertising for clients. Handled Appiction's social media including email marketing, Twitter and Facebook, video production and distribution, blogging and message boards.
- Starting from ground zero, helped to design the user experience and utility for a social networking site aimed at Australian tech startups, entrepreneurs and investors. Wrote copy for the site including terms of service, FAQ, about, user info fields and promotion. Curated and built the site's community through Twitter, newsletters, attending events and reaching out to the far flung existing networks for the nation's entrepreneurs. Created promotional and editorial videos as well as news and instructional articles and podcasts. Improved site SEO and promotion through Google Adwords.
- Managed the editorial aspects of the broadcast news station's site, including keeping up with breaking news, creating unique web content to supplement stories, using social networking sites and tools to connect with viewers and editing and embedding video. Worked closely with on-air personalities to carry their content and persona into the virtual space, coaching them through efficient ways to integrate Twitter, blogging and short videos into the reporting process in a way that was also in line with FOX's legal obligations and corporate image.
- With the newspaper's growth, was promoted from writing position to managing freelance writers and reporters, overseeing design and ensuring quality from the computer, to proof to print. After the launch of the company's website, produced original photo slideshows and videos to accompany news stories.
- Oversaw the launch of the company's entrance into the Austin market with the Northwest Austin edition of the paper. Reported on business, government and civics involving interviews with Austin City Managers Toby Futrell and Marc Ott, Mayor Will Wynn and Austin city councilmembers. Covered important North Austin developments such as the opening of The Domain shopping center and the arrival of the MetroRail.
- After noticing a gap in the Austin news market, I created Austin Style Watch street fashion and culture site from square one. This process included purchasing domains, handling hosting, installation of CMS, web design and development, optimizing SEO and promoting the site. Iresearched, wrote, and photographed the site's content and later introduced video in conjunction with Current TV and Expert Village. Worked with advertisers to create specialized sponsered content and used social networks to build the site's audience.
- While holding down a full academic load, reported a variety of stories ranging from soft news to front page stories on immigration reform for the world renowned daily campus publication.
- Reported on fashion and feature stories, analyzing trends in local upscale retail and entertainment
- Coordinated photo shoots, including acquiring clothes, model, location and photographer
- Managed the magazine’s website with monthly updates of society photos, and redesigned templated pages
- Verified facts and copy edited music reviews and feature stories
- Designed and wrote printed promotional materials for fundraising and promotional events
- Casted and corresponded with actors, keeping production on time
- Worked on set as a production assistant setting up lights, maintaining wardrobe and organizing props
- Worked as receptionist taking calls and organization contracts and invoices
- Worked closely with the editorial department writing small stories for publication like “House of Worship” features
- Created a printed children's newspaper for tours
- Wrote a weekly "Teen Scene" paid column writing about teen issues such as dating and graduation
Bachelor of Journalism: multimedia, August 2006 University of Texas, Austin
(Also attended University of Missouri Journalism School, 2002-03)
Courses taken included:
| News Writing | Feature Writing | Journalism Law and Ethics |
| Copy Editing | Intro to Advertising | African Americans in the News |
| Page Design | Online Publishing | Intro to Public Relations |
| Multimedia Production | Writing for the Web |
| Photoshop | Illustrator | Dreamweaver |
| iMovie | Audacity | Microsoft Office |
| Indesign | Flash(action scripting) | Avid |
| Final Cut | Kickapps | Garage Band |
Multimedia Skills:
| Podcasting | Non-linear story telling |
| Blogging, including moblogging | HTML, XHTML, CSS |
| Video editing and compression | User Experience |
| SEO optimization | Basic mobile marketing strategy |
Assistant Program Leader, August 2005 - Girlstart, Austin, Texas
- Taught 7th grade girls about technology and web publishing over the course of eight months including basic HTML, robotics, Boolean searching and desktop computing as part of the nationally-recognized Girlstart program encouraging young women in science, math and technology
- Is this Really Journalism?
- Designed blog with RSS feed looking at internet technology, with a focus on Austin
- Maintained weekly updates with links, tags and photos
- Chosen by Austinist as a "Blog of the week"
- Escorted major authors, such as "John Adams" writer David McCullough and Texas political reporter Jim Hightower to speaking engagements and book signings