Eric Burns
Atlanta,GA
Summary
Results-driven professional with extensive experience in multimedia production and cross-functional collaboration. Successfully managed editorial processes and operational budgets, enhancing audience engagement and increasing brand visibility through strategic content initiatives.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Executive Producer
WSB-TV Cox Media Group
Atlanta, Georgia
07.2020 - Current
- Manage a team of executive producers and producers, delivering more than 40 hours of live, engaging content at a top-rated network affiliate.
- Lead the daily editorial process, coordinating with reporters on story pitches, ensuring timely story delivery.
- Analyze viewer data to develop strategic planning initiatives, to inform programming decisions, and to make content strategy adjustments for broadcast and digital.
- Manage the operational budget, aligning it with organizational goals and resources.
- Oversee training programs to improve team performance and operational efficiency.
- Recruit new employees, and negotiate employment agreements.
- Review employee performance, and provide ongoing feedback and coaching to drive performance improvement.
- Manage team schedules to optimize workflow efficiency.
Vice President of Content Production
Georgia Public Broadcasting
Atlanta, Georgia
01.2016 - 09.2019
- Promoted to lead the editorial direction, production, editing, and distribution of broadcast and digital content for a department of over 70 employees.
- Created and managed budgets for content development projects.
- Developed strategic content plans to increase brand awareness and engagement on digital platforms.
- Coordinated cross-departmental projects to enhance audience engagement strategies.
- Trained staff on best practices for multimedia content creation and distribution.
- Established partnerships with local organizations for collaborative content projects.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams throughout the entire product life cycle from ideation through launch.
- Worked closely with stakeholders to ensure that all content met organizational objectives while adhering to brand guidelines.
- Managed content calendar to align programming with audience interests and trends.
News Director
Georgia Public Broadcasting
Atlanta, Georgia
01.2014 - 01.2016
- Managed team of journalists to produce engaging news content.
- Oversaw editorial meetings to align on story priorities and coverage.
- Developed relationships with community leaders for news sourcing.
- Trained reporters in effective storytelling and ethical journalism practices.
- Reviewed scripts for clarity and adherence to editorial standards.
- Implemented social media strategies to enhance audience engagement.
- Organized news coverage plans with reporters and producers.
- Coordinated newsroom staff activities to ensure timely and accurate delivery of news content across all media platforms.
- Served as liaison between station management and viewers and listeners when responding to complaints or requests for information.
- Conducted regular performance evaluations of staff members in order to identify areas of improvement.
Supervising Producer
CNN
Atlanta, Georgia
01.2008 - 01.2014
- Promoted to serve as editorial lead, tasked with supervising production teams and providing daily direction to programs and teams across CNN Worldwide.
- Coordinated logistics for live broadcasts and special events.
- Collaborated with network correspondents to create compelling news narratives.
- Concurred with legal department to keep show content clear and suitable for airing.
- Evaluated performance of employees by providing constructive feedback regarding job performance.
- Core member of the content strategy team that helped grow CNN’s digital and social media footprint.
Executive Producer
CNN
Atlanta, Georgia
09.1999 - 01.2007
- Managed the day-to-day editorial direction for several news programs (Showdown Iraq with Wolf Blitzer, CNN Newsroom, CNN Live Today, etc.).
- Oversaw script development and ensured alignment with editorial standards and guidelines.
- Conducted regular meetings with production staff to review progress and address challenges.
- Managed budget allocations for production resources, including equipment and personnel.
- Facilitated communication between departments to streamline workflow and enhance productivity.
- Recruited and hired crew members, including negotiating rates of pay.
- Collaborated with journalists to create compelling story pitches and segment outlines.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Radio And Television Broadcasting
Arkansas State University
Jonesboro, ARSkills
- Content strategy
- Budget management
- Team leadership
- Editorial process
- Data analysis
- Multimedia production
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Audience engagement
- Conflict resolution
- Strategic planning
- Negotiation skills
- Organizational development
- Corporate communications
- Revenue generation
- Business development
Accomplishments
- 2023 Emmy Award. Outstanding daytime/evening newscast (larger markets 1-25) WSB-TV Atlanta.
- 2011 The Peabody Award. Continuing coverage of the Arab Spring - CNN.
- 2010 The Peabody Award. Continuing coverage of the Gulf Oil Spill - CNN.
- 2008 The Peabody Award. Coverage of the 2008 Presidential Primary Campaigns and Debates - CNN.
- 2005 The DuPont Award. Live coverage of the tsunami disaster in South Asia - CNN.
- 2005 The Peabody Award. Live coverage of Hurricane Katrina - CNN.
Timeline
Senior Executive Producer
WSB-TV Cox Media Group
07.2020 - Current
Vice President of Content Production
Georgia Public Broadcasting
01.2016 - 09.2019
News Director
Georgia Public Broadcasting
01.2014 - 01.2016
Supervising Producer
CNN
01.2008 - 01.2014
Executive Producer
CNN
09.1999 - 01.2007
Bachelor of Science - Radio And Television Broadcasting
Arkansas State University
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