CHRISTI CRAIG
Middletown,DE
Summary
Transitioning back into the workforce after nine years as a dedicated, enthusiastic stay-at-home mom. I bring strong communication skills, attention to detail, and a passion for assisting others and making people feel welcome. Seeking a part-time role as a member service representative where I can leverage my journalistic background to provide exceptional customer support while also fostering positive relationships with clients. Eager to contribute my adaptable nature and commitment to excellence to your team.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
302Do Reporter
GateHouse Media Delaware
04.2013 - 04.2015
- Covering Hockessin, Middletown, Odessa, Townsend, Smyrna and Clayton
- Report on local and state events, securing sources and double-checking facts
- Maintain busy schedule of plays, art exhibits and festivals to keep readers engaged with local events
- Coordinated 2014 Firefly Music Festival coverage for all six Gatehouse Media Delaware publications (print and online)
- Cultivated relationship with key event officials to garner better coverage capabilities, including securing media credentials for eight-member team
- Most outlets were only allowed two-member teams
- Developed coverage plan that included story assignments, day-by-day deadline schedules and social media updates
- Managed reporters on-site, trouble-shooting technical difficulties, editing stories and photo galleries and arranging musician interviews while also creating original content and producing social media posts across six Facebook pages and Twitter
- Introduced online calendar system to readers in effort to streamline events coverage and collection
- Coordinated and modernized special bridal section for Gatehouse Media Delaware’s New Castle and Kent County publications
- Developed story assignments, editorial deadlines and design concepts
- Crafted bridal callouts for print and online, engaging more brides to participate
- Wrote original content utilizing more magazine concepts and edited team’s assignments
- Resolved obstacles, from expert source weaknesses and design flaws to bridal participation
- Contributed to increasing Middletown Transcript’s social media presence by more than 100 percent by creating posts that demand interaction and initiating weekly profile picture change
- Broke 2014 Miss Delaware “de-crowning” story, which was picked up nationally and internationally by various media outlets like ABC News and The TODAY Show.
302Do Reporter
GateHouse Media Delaware
03.2012 - 04.2013
- Covering Dover, Milford and Georgetown as well as some surrounding areas
- Developed extensive Dover-area calendar and introduced online calendar system to all coverage areas
- Created original arts and entertainment content for three distinct coverage areas in southern Delaware
- Maintained four newspaper deadlines per week, with two to three original stories in each publication as well as arts briefs, “best bets” and four print calendars
- Introduced Firefly Music Festival to readers and sustained ongoing coverage with exclusive festival announcements and original stories
- Managed Punkin’ Chunkin’ coverage through source cultivation, preview stories, on-site coverage and photo galleries.
News Reporter
GateHouse Media Delaware
10.2011 - 03.2012
- Covering Milford and Georgetown, DE
- Researched and reported on local political scenes
- Created original profiles, interviews, news briefs and crime reports
- Grew social media presence of Sussex Countian, while also mining accounts for story leads
- Created Milford Beacon Facebook page and initiated weekly profile picture change to keep Facebook pages in readers’ newsfeeds
- Built relationships with local and state officials for exclusive content.
Public Relations Assistant
Caton Marketing
01.2008 - 10.2011
- Placed clients in trade journals and other publications as industry experts and story sources
- Wrote press releases and abstracts
- Created media lists
- Researched conferences and awards
- Maintained extensive spreadsheets documenting research on conferences, awards, publications and contacts
- Wrote client biographies.
Advertising Sales Consultant/Special Sections Editorial Coordinator
Mobile Press-Register
09.2006 - 12.2007
- Assisted with three niche publication launches
- Collaborated with clients for creation of new and existing advertisements, including writing copy and designing layout
- Coordinated layout of Bay Family special sections, writing and editing stories and recruiting freelancers
- Negotiated contracts, pricing and placement of advertisements
- Top performer every month for 14 months, recruiting more than 50 new accounts
Education
Bachelor of Arts - English
University of South Alabama
Mobile, ALSkills
- Administrative Support
- Account Updates
- Office equipment proficiency
- Multi-line phone talent
- Client Relations
- Document Control
- Customer Relationship Management
- Data Evaluation
- Problem Resolution
- Clerical Support
- Calm and Professional Under Pressure
- Multi-Line Phone Systems
- Customer Service
Accomplishments
Special recognitions and accomplishments
- Scooped state, national, and international news outlets with 2014 Miss Delaware "de-crowning" story
- Social Media Management Award, 2014
- Photo of the Year, 2013
- Best annual event coverage for management of Firefly Festival reporting, 2013 and 2014
Timeline
302Do Reporter
GateHouse Media Delaware
04.2013 - 04.2015
302Do Reporter
GateHouse Media Delaware
03.2012 - 04.2013
News Reporter
GateHouse Media Delaware
10.2011 - 03.2012
Public Relations Assistant
Caton Marketing
01.2008 - 10.2011
Advertising Sales Consultant/Special Sections Editorial Coordinator
Mobile Press-Register
09.2006 - 12.2007
Bachelor of Arts - English
University of South Alabama
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