Hi, I’m
Lauren Thompson Phillips
East Lansing,MI
Summary
Award, winning, journalist who has built reputation on being a trusted, accurate, reliable person. Self-starter who thrives in a face-paced environment. Experienced public speaker who can adjust on the fly and ad lib in virtually any situation. Meets high pressure deadlines daily while maintaining grace and style. Knows what makes a newsroom tick and how to get any story into the headlines. Communicates both written and verbally in clear and concise manner. Master of bullet points. Experience speaking with the nation's top dignitaries down to the average person on the street. Generator of on-air and web content with broad social media reach. Trusted mentor.
Overview
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Nexstar BroadcastingLansing, MI
Evening News Anchor
01.2017 - Current
Job overview
- Lead Anchor for 5:00 and 6:00 live weeknight newscasts
- Responsible for final editorial say over content going to hundreds of thousands of people every day
- Writes news stories, develops leads and constructed headlines
- Works daily on high pressure, hard deadlines
- Ad libs breaking news, adjusts to all scenarios that can happen on live TV while maintaining zero defect product
- Interviews high profile leaders, politicians, celebrities and dignitaries
- Developed and launched award-winning "Cyber Safety" web initiative
- Posts story content and video to website
- Serves as mentor to younger reporters and anchors
- Respected station spokesperson, serving as representative and emcee for major events
- Established and maintains relationships with credible sources
- Covers special events and breaking news with eye for detail and tenacious pursuit of important information
Nexstar BroadcastingLansing, MI
Anchor/Producer "The Capital Rundown"
06.2020 - Current
Job overview
- Produces and anchors weekly political show
- Interviews top politicians including Vice President Mike Pence and other top Washington officials ranging from Attorney Generals to Senators to Presidential advisors.
- Interviews top state leaders
- Tackles controversial topics
- Driver of web content
- Performs interviews and organizes logistics
- Manages overall workflow
Self-employedEast Lansing, MI
Freelance Writer and Media Consultant
01.2015 - Current
Job overview
- Expert writer of press releases and other media copy
- Specializes in conversational writing used for multiple mediums including legislative testimony, addressing juries and speaking events
- Advises in strategic release and media placement to get stories and issues into headlines.
- Writes clearly, concisely and creatively
- Passionate about accuracy
- Master of bullet points
Media GeneralLansing , MI
Newsroom Manager
09.2016 - 02.2017
Job overview
- Maximized performance by monitoring daily activities and mentoring team members
- Directed reporters to proper contacts and sources
- Developed local content and daily top news stories
- Wrote zero-defect news copy specializing in conversational style
- Mentored newsroom employees
- Delegated tasks to ensure high pressure daily deadlines were met
- Edited video for newscasts
- Served as live in-studio reporter
- Covered breaking news
- Evaluated employees' strengths and assigned tasks based upon experience and training
- Collaborated with team members to achieve target results
Media General- WLNSLansing, MI
Weekend News Anchor/Managing Editor
03.2010 - 09.2016
Job overview
- Anchor of live, breaking, zero-defect newscasts
- Responsible for writing clear, concise, accurate copy for newscasts and website
- Determined news of day and assigned reporters accordingly
- Managed all reporters, producers and weekend newsroom staff
- Final editorial say in all news articles and on-air copy.
- Lead weekend news meetings
- Ensured accuracy in all reports
- Oversaw compliance with style guide, editorial guidelines and brand identity throughout entire publication portfolio
Young BroadcastingLansing , MI
Reporter
07.2003 - 03.2011
Job overview
- Award-winning lead reporter of daily live, breaking news
- Master of learning new topics daily and communicating them in clear and concise manner to the public
- Investigated important community issues and put together well-received reports.
- Researched and produced daily news reports.
- Built lasting contacts in law enforcement, government and politics
- Broke many big stories
- Covered breaking news live as it happened
- Helped shape narrative on key issues through effective storytelling and knowledge of public opinion
- Partnered with media executives to produce compelling stories
- Responded 24/7 to emergencies and breaking news stories with strong sense of urgency
Education
Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing, MI
Bachelor of Arts from Journalism
The University of New South WalesSydney, Australia
Summer Studies from Journalism, Media, Web Development
Skills
- Verbal and Written Communication
- Relationship Building
- Time Management
- Fact Checking
- Information Gathering
- Detail-Oriented
- Problem Solving
- Story Pitches
- Public Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Mentoring and Coaching
- Creative Writing
Awards
Honored with numerous awards by the following organizations in these categories:
Michigan Association of Broadcasters
- Best Newscast
- Best Community Service
- Hard News Reporter
- Breaking News
Michigan Association of Broadcasters
- Best Newscast
- Best News Anchor
- Best Reporter
- Best Hard News Report
- Best News Special
Timeline
Anchor/Producer "The Capital Rundown"
Nexstar Broadcasting
06.2020 - Current
Evening News Anchor
Nexstar Broadcasting
01.2017 - Current
Newsroom Manager
Media General
09.2016 - 02.2017
Freelance Writer and Media Consultant
Self-employed
01.2015 - Current
Weekend News Anchor/Managing Editor
Media General- WLNS
03.2010 - 09.2016
Reporter
Young Broadcasting
07.2003 - 03.2011
Michigan State University
Bachelor of Arts from Journalism
The University of New South Wales
Summer Studies from Journalism, Media, Web Development
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