Kate Gannon El Paso, TX 79902 Email: [email protected] Web: www.borderzine.com
Summary of Qualifications Multimedia digital content professional – educator, journalist, writer, editor and coach – embracing the latest technologies to engage and inform communities and build advanced storytelling skills. Proven leader in directing award-winning news coverage, growing digital traffic and developing staff skills in digital communications. Multimedia trainer familiar with a variety of software programs used in video editing, sound editing and photography. Expertise in editorial content management systems and a variety of publishing platforms. Experienced as a social media trainer for professional and community networking. MFA thesis work in screenwriting and literary non-fiction.
Education Bachelors of Arts, Journalism, University of Texas at El Paso Master of Fine Arts, Bilingual Creative Writing, University of Texas at El Paso
Employment
University of Texas at El Paso Lecturer, Borderzine Digital Content Manager, Aug. 2014 – Present Teach courses for the Department of Communication in audio and video production, new media tools and social journalism. Coach students in the Borderzine applied magazine course on stories and multimedia for publication in Borderzine.com. Manage the Borderzine.com website as a showcase and competitive training tool for multicultural student journalists. Duties include aggregating, curating and creating content that supports Borderzine’s mission to promote diversity in news media.
Digitalegre, El Paso Texas Digital Content Strategist, Jan. 2012 – Present Providing customized consulting, coaching, writing, editing and digital content management services to help businesses and organizations grow their brands through digital channels. Working with clients on digital media strategies and helping develop new media channels such as websites, social media, blogs, mobile and more. Developing custom content such as blogs, videos, branding and public relations messaging based on clients’ needs.
University of Texas at El Paso Adjunct faculty, Aug. 2013 – Present Taught courses on Introduction to Multimedia Writing and Video for Personal Expression.
El Paso Community College Adjunct faculty, Aug. 2013 – May 2014 Taught courses on Writing for Mass Communications.
EL PASO TIMES (DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA) Project Manager, May 2013 – Aug. 2103 Manager on a major project to install a new content management system and consolidate newspaper page design operations for the El Paso Times and six New Mexico newspapers in the Texas-New Mexico Newspaper Partnership. Worked with the staff to move all news page design and copy editing functions to a new hub in El Paso. Conducted training for reporters and editors on the Saxotech system at each of the sites and supervised live rollout of the system over a three-month period.
COLORADOAN MEDIA GROUP, FORT COLLINS, CO (GANNETT) News Media Development Manager / Content, Jan. 2006 – Dec. 2011 Launched new products, web tools, developed multimedia and data content and provided training to successfully grow newspaper company Coloradoan Media Group’s digital operation into the leading news and information provider in Northern Colorado. Served with top leadership on the Coloradoan’s Operating Committee, managing company operations and initiatives. Served as Multimedia Editor, leading the newsroom’s multimedia department (photography and video). Supervised Online Department staff in developing and implementing innovative journalism and advertising initiatives to drive traffic for www.coloradoan.com and associated web products. Conducted culture-change training for reporters and editors. Project leader on company’s 2011 digital and social media immersion program Collaborated with Information Center staff and Advertising department managers to create and feed special sections and daily web coverage to attract target audiences and increase revenue. Consistently grew Coloradoan.com page views, unique visitors and depth of readership over a 6-year period. Launched rich media ads, reader interaction, photo galleries, advertising and news video, mobile, text alerts and newsletters as well as new niche sites for moms, prep sports, special reports and databases.
EL PASO TIMES, EL PASO, TX (GANNETT) News Systems Editor, March 1996 – November 2005 Supervised the newsroom’s New Media department for online, broadcasting, non-daily publication and electronic archiving. The new media department, with a staff of eight, produced daily web updates, radio newscasts, television news spots and multimedia projects, a Spanish-language weekly newspaper and a weekly community newspaper. Also managed editorial technology and training in the newsroom. Oversaw technology research, training and workflow issues for a newsroom staff of 80 people, including staff in bureau offices in Austin, Texas, and Las Cruces, N.M. Conducted computer-Assisted Reporting, Internet and pagination training for reporters and editors. Supervised the implementation of Quark Pagination System. Supervised newsroom in conversion of the press to 50-inch Web. Worked on the conversion to a new press in August 1997 and consolidation of operations after the Oct. 1997 closing of the El Paso Herald-Post. Project manager for the development and publication of new non-daily editorial products Project manager for newsroom Convergence, setting up TV and radio broadcasting systems. Project manager for newsroom conversion to digital photography in March, 1998. Member of the newspaper’s original Online Operating Committee responsible for developing and launching www.elpasotimes.com. Coordinated with all newspaper departments to increase volume, quality and frequency of online journalism and reader outreach.
EL PASO TIMES Zones Editor, April 1995 - March 1996 Planned, edited and directed weekly publication of three neighborhood editions (Northeast, West Side and East Side) covering local community issues. Managed a staff of four reporters and one assistant editor.
EL PASO TIMES Assistant Zones Editor, Jan. 1995 - April 1995 Assisted Zones and Business editors. Designed and edited weekly neighborhood editions and Sunday business pages.
EL PASO TIMES News Copy Editor, March 1987 - Jan. 1995 Gained expertise in all areas of universal copy desk. Designed and edited features, business and local pages. Worked front page, wire and slot jobs. Won numerous in-house, Texas and New Mexico press awards for headlines and design.
EL PASO HERALD-POST (SCRIPPS-HOWARD) News Copy Editor, May 1985 - Nov. 1985
Awards
Colorado Press Association – First Place Website Interactivity, 2010 Third Place Colorado Website, 2010 Second Place Colorado Website, 2009 Colorado Associated Press Editors and Reporters Association - Second Place Online Special Package 2010 First Place Online Special Package 2008 First Place Online Breaking News, 2007 First Place Online Special Package, 2007 El Paso Times – Manager of the Year, 2004 El Paso Times – Community Service Award, 2003 El Paso Times – Community Service Award, 2002 El Paso Times – Manager of the Year, 1999 Texas Headliners Association - Charles E. Green Award, Headline writing 1989 winner in the mid-size newspaper category in the statewide contest of the Texas Headliners Foundation: “For demonstrating versatility in a range of headlines from complex international news reports to local feature articles.” Texas Associated Press Managing Editors – First Place page one makeup in Class AAA, 1994; First Place page one makeup in Class AAA, 1993; Second Place page design in Class AAA, 1992; Honorable Mention headline writing in Class AAA, 1989
Training and speaking experience
Journalism in July at UT El Paso: Trainer / Webmaster for 9-day high school journalism workshop. Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Colorado State University: Fort Collins, Colorado. Co-taught 3-week course on The Fate of Traditional Media in Spring 2011. Dow Jones Multimedia Training Academy at UT El Paso: Trainer for a multimedia boot camp for college journalism instructors. June 2010, May 2011, May 2012 and May 2013. A Free Press, The Internet and Social Media in American Journalism, Denver Friendship Force International: Speaker on social media for journalists and bloggers from Krygyz Republic. Aug. 2011. Colorado Press Association Conference 2010: Speaker on New Media practices for newsrooms. Suburban Newspapers of America Interactive Media Symposium, Panelist on Video Opportunities – News & Advertising session in Miami. May 2007. Professional Development Workshop, Colorado Press Women: Speaker on how technology is reshaping news gathering and distribution. March 2007.
News Assistant program coordinator 1996-1998 - Conducted in-house training program to groom El Paso Times newsroom assistants for full-time positions on staff.
Published Creative Writing
Familiar Things (Essay), Rio Grande Review, Fall 2004 What is Gone (Poem), Border Senses Literary Magazine, 2004
Community and professional involvement
Borderland Bloggers, organizer Investigative Reporters and Editors, member Online News Association, member Southwest Public Relations Association, member Journalism and Women Symposium, member
Previous community and professional involvement
National Federation of Press Women, member Colorado Press Women, membership committee WomenGive Fort Collins, Member, philanthropic organization in partnership with The United Way of Larimer County and The Women's Foundation of Colorado. Project Change - Board member of El Paso community taskforce aimed at helping mediate issues of institutional racism. El Paso Red Cross - Board member El Paso Area Chapter Texas Red Cross - Member state communications board Executive Forum - Board Member, El Paso executive women’s leadership organization