Michael Horton
Houston,
Summary
Digital content producer specializing in audience growth and data-driven storytelling, with a proven record of leading newsroom performance across key engagement metrics. Experienced in leveraging analytics to drive content strategy, increase reach, and maximize audience retention.
Overview
2027
2027
years of professional experience
Work History
Digital Content Producer
KPRC 2 (NBC)
Houston
2024 - Current
- Generated 4.33M engagement minutes, 8.78M pageviews, and 4.94M unique viewers in 2025, leading all team members across every core audience metric
- Outperformed the next-highest performer by 53% in total engagement, demonstrating significantly stronger audience retention and content depth
- Authored the highest-performing story of 2025 (781K views), with four articles ranking among the top 10 most-viewed
- Consistently ranked #1 in engagement, reach, and total consumption across the newsroom Leveraged real-time analytics (Chartbeat) to optimize headlines, publishing timing, and story selection, driving sustained audience growth
- Produced content for a top-10 U.S. media market, reaching and engaging a large, diverse audience Selected as a credentialed media representative for major events including the Houston Rockets, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and College Football Playoff
Website Editor
SB Nation (Milwaukee Bucks)
Milwaukee
2023 - 2024
- Promoted from Staff Writer to Editor based on content performance
- Produced and edited written and audio content to enhance audience engagement
- Managed contributor content to maintain consistency and uphold quality standards
Teaching and Grading Assistant
University of Wisconsin
Madison
2022 - 2023
- Facilitated discussion sections and assessed student performance in journalism and sports communication courses to promote engagement and understanding
- Guided students in writing, critical thinking, and analytical skills development, fostering academic growth
- Provided actionable feedback that improved student outcomes and shaped course content
Education
Master of Arts - Journalism And Mass Communication
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, WI01-2023
Bachelor of Arts - Communication
Texas A&M University
College Station, TX01-2022
Skills
- Audience Analytics (Chartbeat, Google Analytics)
- Digital Content Strategy & Optimization
- SEO & Engagement Growth
- Writing & Editing
- Social Media Strategy
- Content Management Systems (CMS)
- Interviewing & Reporting
Timeline
Digital Content Producer
KPRC 2 (NBC)
2024 - Current
Website Editor
SB Nation (Milwaukee Bucks)
2023 - 2024
Teaching and Grading Assistant
University of Wisconsin
2022 - 2023
Master of Arts - Journalism And Mass Communication
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Bachelor of Arts - Communication
Texas A&M University