Samson X Horne

Partnering with and advising key internal departments including: Operations, Customer Service, DEI, Compliance, HR, Change Management and IT.

• Writes and edits concise and impactful content for internal communications.
• Responsible for day-to-day maintenance of intranet.
• Leads and supports content research, development and editing for intranet.
• Oversees use of company-wide email delivery platform (Poppulo).
• Leads internal DEI strategy as advisor to employee resource groups and maintaining company-wide DEI calendar.
• Partners with executive leadership on planning, logistics and internal promotion for quaterly town hall meetings and annual all-employee meeting.
• Leads internal department's editorial calendar.
• Ensures consistent messaging that is used internally and reflected in external communications.
• Responsible for planning, coaching and development of Corporate Communications interns.

Produced engaging content for internal and external stakeholders by:

• Managing social media accounts for Pittsburgh's electric utility (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Nextdoor); increased LinkedIn and Facebook accounts by 8,000 and 2,500 followers, respectively, two years in the role.
• Analyzed social media engagement and produced tracking reports
• Built, edited web pages on external website: DuquesneLight.com
• Developed and implemented social media strategy to increase engagement and reach new audiences.
• Crisis communications experience: served as company spokesperson during severe weather events.
• Drafted press releases detailing relevant newsworthy information and supporting brand reputation; and worked with news media to spread positions
• Compiled, edited content for customer newsletters
• Managed company newsroom/pressroom page
• Drafted op-eds and thought leadership pieces for company executives
• Led internal/external DEI messaging
• Served as member of DLC's Charitable Giving Committee
• Represented DLC as part of Vibrant Pittsburgh's "Next Generation Council"

Evening digital manager for Trib Total Media's websites TribLive.com, PGHTrib.com and 12 Trib neighborhood websites • Posted eye-grabbing stories on website • Used analytics to monitor stories' success • Made adjustments within text/headlines to improve SEO • Moderated comment section on websites • Sent push alerts • Curated content from various sources/outlets to produce aggregated stories of topics of interest • Oversaw social media accounts, posting several times per hour • Interacted with audience on social media platforms through public replies and direct messages • Delegated tasks to reporters • Uploaded video/audio to stories • Responsible for night editing of late copy and monitoring national/international wires to post relevant articles to website. Evening viewership grew 37% during my tenure.

Served as co-chair of company Diversity Committee, with senior management, administrators and staff, focusing on inclusivity in the workplace and within the newspaper's coverage area • Selected to join as a member of Vibrant Pittsburgh's "Next Generation Council" which strives to attract and retain young professionals from diverse backgrounds to the region.

Hired after 1 year of consistent exceptional work as freelance contributor • Served as general assignment reporter covering Pittsburgh's eastern neighborhoods, writing articles on deadline for both daily and weekly editions; between 5 and 7 factually correct, concise and engaging news stories per week • Wrote features, business, political, investigative and spot/breaking news stories • Two-part investigative series prevented sheriff's sale of one family's home after discovering municipality misplaced their sewage payments, but claimed they hadn't paid.

Contributed 3-4 stories per week • Wrote on strict deadlines • Developed strong relationships with sources • Pitched stories, covered assignments • Contributed quarterly book reviews

Tackled company's rigorous management trainee program to earn promotion to assistant manager within 10 months in Atlanta's highly-competitive rental market.

• Recognized frequently as consistent top sales performer
• Responsible for employee development including coaching toward promotion opportunities
• Grew branch inventory by 45 percent, raising approximate value to $3.5 million
• Selected as Pittsburgh Regional representative for Pittsburgh Chapter of Urban League Young Professionals
• Earned Masters degree while working 50-hour weeks