Samantha Gray Hissong
Los Angeles,CA
Summary
Los Angeles-bred creative writer, music business expert, and digital culture analyst armed with more of a decade of experience in print and online media. Story-driven wordsmith adept at developing engaging copy and investigating issues with tenacity. Versed in dissecting viral trends and breaking news. Enthusiastic about shaping public opinion on key issues. Highly effective at working a clear narrative and simplifying complex topics. Tech-savvy go-getter quick to learn new software and programs. Multifaceted lover of arts and culture with great time-management and task-juggling abilities.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Staff Writer
Rolling Stone
01.2020 - 02.2022
- Enhanced readership by producing high-quality reviews and coverage of various pop culture events and entertainment industry developments.
- Tapped to be one of publication's first music business reporters, tasked with injecting pages with insight into inner workings of modern-day industry.
- Analyzed music's increasing globalization and entanglement with tech, and led publication's crypto/Web3 coverage as it pertained to entertainment.
- Submitted accurate, engaging, and fact-checked copy.
- Managed multiple assignments simultaneously while maintaining consistent quality.
- Collaborated effectively with editors to refine content.
- Consistently met tight deadlines under pressure.
- Developed strong relationships with sources, resulting in exclusive interviews and unique content.
Editor
HITS Magazine
09.2013 - 12.2019
- Improved publication quality by diligently proofreading and editing articles for grammar, spelling, and consistency.
- Kept up-to-date on industry trends and emerging topics to ensure relevancy of published materials.
- Rewrote, and edited pieces to improve readability and impact.
- Collaborated with writers to improve content structure and clarity, resulting in increased reader engagement.
- Checked reference sources to verify dates, facts and statistics.
- Collaborated with graphics department to develop visual elements.
- Developed and maintained pool of expert field sources.
Radio Show Host, Writer, Co-Producer
Dash Radio
10.2015 - 01.2017
- Hosted, wrote, and co-produced comedic music show Prescription Playlists, prescribing songs for listeners' problems and interviewing buzzing new artists.
- Crafted original scripts, showcasing a strong stylistic voice.
- Recorded and edited audio files using Vegas software.
- Also assisted in programming company's alternative rock station, Dash Alternative.
Education
Media Studies
Emerson College
Boston, MASkills
- Effective writing
- Strong research skills
- Deadline management
- Keyword optimization
- SEO knowledge
- Interviewing
- Editing
- Story development
- WordPress proficiency
- Brand voice consistency
Additional Information
Has moderated conversations for Sotheby's, the Recording Academy's Grammy Museum, and Mondo NYC. Has also been tapped as an expert commentator by the BBC, CBS' Inside Edition, and more.
Timeline
Staff Writer
Rolling Stone
01.2020 - 02.2022
Radio Show Host, Writer, Co-Producer
Dash Radio
10.2015 - 01.2017
Editor
HITS Magazine
09.2013 - 12.2019
Media Studies
Emerson College
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