Diana Fairbanks

Experience

• 

  KRTV

  Nov 1997 - Dec 1999

  News Anchor

  Anchor of the 5:30pm weekday newscast and dual duties as producer and solo anchor of the 10pm broadcast. Newsroom leadership role developing, writing, shooting and editing features, series pieces and special reports for weekday newscasts. Began at KRTV as reporter then solo anchor and producer of the 5:30pm and 10:00pm weekend newscasts also wrote, shot and edited feature pieces and special reports for weekday newscasts.

• 

  WPBN/WTOM

  Dec 1999 - Jan 2012

  News Anchor

  Nearly a decade as the main anchor for 7&4 News earned a trusted connection with the public and relationships with community leaders across the region. Leadership Grand Traverse and time at the Poynter Institute enhanced effectiveness as a journalist and understanding of the business community and local government. Senior newsroom leader collaborated with team to set daily content and coverage including series pieces like "Buddy Check" with Munson Healthcare. Served many charitable organizations and the station as a spokesperson through events like Swingshift and the Stars.Began at 7&4 as solo anchor for morning show, developed, wrote and edited content across multiple newscasts as an anchor, producer and reporter. Researched and booked guests for the morning show, created a Northern Michigan Authors segment. Show less

• 

  WIVB/WNLO-TV (LIN TV Corp)

  Jan 2012 - Jul 2014

  News Anchor

  Solo main anchor of the 5:30pm and 10:00pm weekday newscasts, managing the pressure of strict daily deadlines to complete projects with poise and professionalism. Set news priorities, develop junior staff, research, write and edit broadcast and online news content. Cultivate strategies for engaging with community organizations. Build relationships with local businesses and organizations in professional and volunteer roles. Utilize social media platforms to educate, inform and manage personal brand as part of the station's overall strategy to connect with viewers and build credibility. Enterprised and produced Emmy-nominated content which also earned a New York State Broadcasters Association Award (Best Feature). Show less

• 

  Northwestern Michigan College

  Sept 2014 - now

  As the Associate Vice President of PR, Marketing & Communications at Northwestern Michigan College, I play a pivotal role in fostering the College's reputation and engaging diverse stakeholders. My leadership focuses on crafting and executing comprehensive communication strategies that align with NMC's mission and vision.Championing Strategic Communication:I spearhead the development and implementation of multi-faceted communication plans, ensuring clear and consistent messaging resonates with a broad spectrum of audiences.I collaborate closely with the President and senior leadership, providing strategic counsel on communication tactics for key initiatives, thought-leadership events, and media interactions.Proactively mitigating potential risks, I lead the development of robust emergency and crisis communication plans, enabling NMC to effectively respond to unforeseen circumstances.Building a Cohesive Brand Identity:As the College's brand manager, I oversee strategic positioning, market analysis, and reputation management, ensuring NMC's unique value proposition is effectively communicated across all channels.I champion best practices and cultivate a collaborative environment where innovation flourishes. This includes leading the development of data-driven marketing plans that attract students, motivate supporters, and bring our brand vision to life.Leading a Talented Team:I foster the professional growth and development of a talented team of communication professionals, including writers, graphic designers, and digital marketing specialists.Through collaborative partnerships with College departments, I ensure strategic alignment and seamless communication across all initiatives.By establishing transparent tracking and reporting mechanisms, I demonstrate the effectiveness of our efforts and inform continuous improvement. Show less

  • Associate Vice President of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications

    Jun 2021 - now

  • Executive Director of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications

    Sept 2014 - May 2022
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  TEDx Traverse City

  May 2016 - May 2016

  Featured Speaker

  Long time television news anchor Diana Fairbanks begins asking the tough questions of her own industry and in the process finds the courage to walk away from a system that isn’t all that it appears to be, in an effort to truly serve the community and find a more authentic and fulfilling life. She encourages everyone to consume news responsibly, carefully considering every click.