Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Professional Awards
RELATED EXPERIENCE
Affiliations
Timeline
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Patricia Horwell

Patricia Horwell

Sarasota,FL

Summary

Resourceful, strategic planner, and decisive leader with exceptional people skills. Over 15 years of experience as a results-focused News Editor, coordinating, assembling, producing, and publishing tailored content. Excellent communication, planning, and problem-solving abilities with a forward-thinking approach. Demonstrated track record of securing coveted interviews and capturing breaking news stories. Proactive and goal-oriented professional with outstanding time management and problem-solving skills. Recognized for reliability and adaptability, with a swift capacity to learn and apply new skills. Committed to leveraging these qualities to drive team success and contribute to organizational growth.

Overview

27
27
years of professional experience

Work History

Editor/Copy Editor/Writer

Patricia Horwell
01.1998 - Current
  • Owner/consultant of freelance reporting, editing, public relations, writing and photography business
  • Edited Wellen Park Journal, a marketing vehicle for the Wellen Park community
  • Responsible for content and the hiring of freelance writers and photographers.
  • Collaborated with writers to improve content structure and clarity, resulting in increased reader engagement.
  • Managed multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality editorial work.
  • Edited and/or wrote copy for Charlotte County Florida Weekly (including health and home sections), Town Chronicle, ABLE newspaper, Suite Life Magazine, Venice Gondolier, Endo Pro Magazine, Islander News, Bozeman Daily Chronicle and Sarasota Herald Tribune 'Style.'
  • Write and design brochures, newsletters and fliers using Adobe Creative Suite
  • Set layouts and selected photos for stories to boost readership.
  • Increased reader retention through engaging headlines and compelling story leads.
  • Adhered to Associated Press and internal style guidelines, educating staff on standards.
  • Optimized web content with SEO strategies to drive traffic and enhance online visibility of publications.
  • Write press releases
  • Photography

Editor

Florida Weekly
09.2018 - 04.2020
  • Developed and launched Venice Florida Weekly for Florida Media Group LLC.
  • Responsible for content and hiring of freelance writers and photographers.
  • Enhanced publication quality by diligently proofreading and editing articles for grammar, spelling, and consistency.
  • Conducted thorough fact-checking to ensure accuracy and credibility of published information.
  • Developed style guides and editorial processes to maintain consistent voice across all published materials.
  • Contributed original articles on various topics, showcasing versatility as writer and editor.
  • Established strong relationships with freelance contributors, expanding pool of talent available for future projects.
  • Managed multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality editorial work.
  • Photography
  • Newspaper ceased publication because of the pandemic

Resource Communications Coordinator

The Salvation Army of Venice
01.2016 - 12.2017
  • Responsible for all marketing, public relations and communications for this non-profit charity organization catering to south Sarasota County
  • Developed publicity materials, created press releases, and coordinated/recruited 100+ volunteers
  • Maintained website and administered all social media
  • Photography
  • Wrote and edited content for operations, marketing and public relations needs.
  • Assisted with planning, production and execution of email blasts, digital signage boards, special event flyers and social media campaigns.
  • Increased event attendance through targeted marketing efforts, resulting in higher levels of community engagement.
  • Built strong relationships with key media contacts to ensure favorable coverage of company news and events.
  • Optimized website content for search engines, driving increased organic traffic and improving online presence.
  • Raised company awareness with well-executed public relations initiatives, securing positive press coverage.

Marketing Coordinator

Gulf Coast Heritage Association, Inc.
01.2013 - 12.2016
  • Responsible for all marketing (planning and execution), public relations and communications for Historic Spanish Point, a 30-acre outdoor museum covering 5,000 years of prehistory and history of the Osprey, Florida area
  • Liaison to Chamber of Commerce and the county tourist board (Visit Sarasota)
  • Photography.
  • Wrote, edited and laid out monthly membership newsletter and designed ads.
  • Maintained website.
  • Answered general marketing department inquiries by email, phone, and mail.
  • Developed visually engaging marketing materials to support product launches and promotions.
  • Collaborated with external agencies on advertising campaigns, ensuring alignment with overall marketing objectives.
  • Composed daily posts for social media and helped build corporate presence on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
  • Created engaging brochures and flyers to use for promotional materials and distribution.
  • Increased customer engagement through the creation of compelling social media content and strategies.
  • Coordinated public relations activities, securing positive press coverage for company initiatives.
  • Created and managed marketing budgets to monitor expenditures, control costs and increase ROI.
  • Delivered consistent results by maintaining a keen focus on data-driven decision-making across all aspects of the role.
  • Optimized email campaigns to increase open and click-through rates.
  • Wrote and distributed press releases to increase brand visibility.

Director of Public Relations

Sarasota-Manatee Jewish Housing Council
01.2011 - 12.2012
  • Official spokesman for large senior living community offering full continuum of care
  • Developed and distributed all publicity and communication with media, did media buying and placement, created or ordered print materials, and designed advertising campaigns.
  • Liaison to Chamber of Commerce.
  • Maintained media archive.
  • All photography.
  • Executed social media plans to create cohesive online presence.
  • Maintained proactive media relations program by distributing news releases for placement.
  • Coordinated special events such as press conferences or product launch parties resulting in increased brand awareness and media coverage.
  • Reviewed marketing materials and documents for brand accuracy and trending design.
  • Managed editorial calendars and rescheduled PR events and meetings.

Communications Officer

Sarasota Opera
01.2006 - 12.2011
  • Responsible for all communications to media, public relations for Sarasota Opera and marketing/public relations for Sarasota Youth Opera
  • Oversaw community, patron, and media relations as well as providing on-air and in-person interviews.
  • Established key relationships with media representatives, securing positive coverage for organization.
  • Developed compelling press releases to generate media interest and highlight organizational achievements.
  • Engaged in professional networking to maintain strong relationships with communications and media professionals to drive partnerships and effective dissemination of mass communications.
  • Served as primary media contact (local, national and international), directing all publicity, image, and media campaigns; developed media press kits and releases
  • Served as editor of patron newsletter, assigning stories and deadlines to other departments
  • Managed company public relations archives, and oversaw special events publicity
  • Addressed complex, sensitive issues in collaboration with Marketing Director
  • Supervised marketing volunteers and youth opera marketing interns
  • Coordinated media interviews with organization staff, board members and volunteers.
  • Conducted media relations and responded to media requests for information.
  • Monitored media coverage of organization closely to identify opportunities for proactive outreach.

Education

English -

Brooklyn College of The City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY

Skills

  • AP style
  • Editing and proofreading
  • Clear Communication
  • Keen eye for detail
  • Research
  • Content Planning
  • Content organization
  • Creative Cloud and Microsoft 365 expertise
  • Writing features
  • Content Development
  • Relationship Building
  • Document Proofreading
  • Story pitching
  • Event coverage
  • Interviewing skills
  • Community Relations
  • Layout Design

Professional Awards

Second Place - Agriculture and Environmental Reporting - Florida Press Association 2024 Better Newspaper Contest.
Best Newspaper in the State - Florida Weekly. Florida Press Association 2020 Better Newspaper Contest.
First Place- Feature Story - “Ten minutes in paradise,” where the entire Florida Weekly staff contributed to the report. Florida Press Association 2020 Better Newspaper Contest.
First Place-Investigative Reporting (Claudia Ross Memorial Award) Florida Press Association 2003 Better Newspaper Contest.
First Place-In-Depth News Reporting. Florida Press Association 2003 Better Newspaper Contest.
First Place for Excellence in War on Terrorism Coverage. Florida Press Club 2002 Excellence in Journalism.
First Place for Excellence in Education News Writing. Florida Press Club 2002 Excellence in Journalism.
First Place for News Writing. Florida Press Association 2001 Better Newspaper Contest.

RELATED EXPERIENCE

Community Relations Coordinator -Venice Regional Medical Center


Managing Editor - Long Island Community Newspaper Group, a chain of 10 community weekly newspapers


Affiliations

  • Member Society of Professional Journalists

Timeline

Editor

Florida Weekly
09.2018 - 04.2020

Resource Communications Coordinator

The Salvation Army of Venice
01.2016 - 12.2017

Marketing Coordinator

Gulf Coast Heritage Association, Inc.
01.2013 - 12.2016

Director of Public Relations

Sarasota-Manatee Jewish Housing Council
01.2011 - 12.2012

Communications Officer

Sarasota Opera
01.2006 - 12.2011

Editor/Copy Editor/Writer

Patricia Horwell
01.1998 - Current

English -

Brooklyn College of The City University of New York

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