Cassandra Parsons
HD Media
Huntington,WV
26
Years of experience
Experienced journalist specializing in features and news writing and editing for digital and print publications. Remote management experience with staff and freelance journalists across multiple states. Maintains strong editorial judgment, integrity and accuracy in all published work. Reliable, teachable, and detail-oriented with disciplined grammar, style, and deadline execution.
Work History
Regional Features Editor
4 Years 3 Months- Manages production of digital and print feature content for large daily newspapers
- Develops story ideas for arts, events, food, and local-interest coverage
- Crafts engaging headlines that enhance reader interest on features pages
- Develops and creates targeted content tailored to specific reader groups, increasing audience engagement
- Conceptualizes and manages special sections
- Manages production of news, features and sports content for weekly newspapers
- Coordinates remote staff and freelance journalists to ensure timely content delivery aligned with editorial standards
Special Projects Editor
16 Years 9 Months- Directed production of special publications and total market coverage to enhance audience engagement and reach
- Oversaw production of news, features, and sports content for four weekly newspapers and their digital platforms, ensuring timely and high-quality delivery
- Produced and refined written content for various publications
- Coached and mentored writers to improve content quality and storytelling skills
Regional Editor
2 Years 4 Months- Edited articles and headlines for clarity, accuracy and style
- Developed content ideas focused on enhancing reader engagement and audience appeal
- Supervised staff reporters and freelancers, ensuring high-quality content production
- Oversaw newsroom operations during production, maintaining workflow efficiency
- Published articles on website and updated digital collections
Copy Editor/Paginator
11 Months- Edited copy for accuracy, grammar, spelling, and syntax to ensure clarity and engagement for readers
- Curated and selected relevant content for publication to ensure audience engagement. and designed daily newspaper pages to create visually appealing and informative layouts
- Mentored five reporters, enhancing their reporting and writing skills for more impactful journalism
Reporter/Photographer
1 Year 11 Months- Completed multiple enterprise and investigative series, uncovering insights that informed public discourse
- Reported beat stories, general assignments, and breaking news, capturing key community events and trends
- Photographed a variety of assignments, visually documenting stories that engaged and informed audiences
Education
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Journalism, newswriting/editing sequence
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Visual Communication, photo communication sequence
Skills
Award-winning writing
Precision editing
AP style expertise
Content strategy development
Journalistic integrity
Social media and SEO
Content management systems
Visual storytelling
Headline creation
Editorial planning
Feature writing
Attention to detail
Editorial judgment
Team leadership
Deadline management
Independent and collaborative work
Awards
- West Virginia Press Association, Division 1, 1st, 2nd & 3rd Place (category sweep) for Best Lifestyle Pages
- West Virginia Press Association, 2nd Place, Lifestyle Columnist of the Year
- West Virginia Press Association Advertising Contest, 1st Place, Best Special Section, Tri-State Family magazine
- West Virginia Press Association, 3rd Place, Best Special Section, Discover the Tri-State
- Ohio Public Images Awards, honorable mention for stories regarding developmentally disabled adults
- Associated Press Society of Ohio, 2nd Place, Community Service Reporting, for six-month police department investigation
- Gannett Well Done, Runner-up, Public Service Category, for six-month police department investigation
- Newspaper Network of Central Ohio quarterly contest, Honorable mention, project enterprise category, for "Domestic violence exposed" series
- Associated Press Society of Ohio, Second place, Best Breaking News category, for "Mom murdered"
Timeline
Regional Features Editor
HD Media
08.2022 - CurrentRead More
Special Projects Editor
HD Media
11.2005 - 08.2022Read More
Regional Editor
The Herald-Dispatch
07.2003 - 11.2005Read More
Copy Editor/Paginator
The Chillicothe Gazette
07.2002 - 06.2003Read More
Reporter/Photographer
The Chillicothe Gazette
08.2000 - 07.2002Read More
Ohio University's Scripps School of Journalism
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) from Journalism, newswriting/editing sequence
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Ohio University's School of Visual Communication
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) from Visual Communication, photo communication sequence
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