Ira David Levy

Experience

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  CNN's Headline News

  Jan 1986 - Jan 1988

  Writer, Editor, and Assistant Producer

  Worked with producers toward determining news content and story ideas. Wrote hard news and feature stories; sports and weather. Performed proofreading and copy writing duties. Also operated studio camera and teleprompter when first hired. Edited audio tape for CNN Radio Network.

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  WRIGHT COLLEGE

  Aug 1995 - Aug 2011

  Assistant Professor

  Full-time tenured Associate Professor of Writing and Journalism; Adviser to a national award-winning print and online student newspaper. Also advised students in generating revenue from print and online advertising, increasing annual revenues by more than 400%.Taught Composition I, Composition II, Intro to Mass Media, News Media Criticism, Media Ethics, Magazine Feature Writing, Basic News Reporting and Writing, Editing, and Business Writing. Awarded tenure, rank promotions to Assistant Professor and Associate Professor. Unanimously awarded all tenure renewals every four years.Students won Second Place in the national L.A. Times Story of the Year competition, National Pacemaker Finalists in 2005, 2006, and 2008. Show less

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  College Media Association

  Jan 1997 - Jan 2022

  Former CMA Board Secretary

  Served as Secretary on the board of directors (2005-2009) of the nation’s largest organization of college professors who advise student media. Recorded meeting minutes, made operating budget decisions and planned annual national conventions. Served as Magazine and Professional Development committee chairs from 2008-2004, coordinating speakers for facilitating workshop sessions at national college media conventions. In 2003, I was awarded College Media Advisers’ “Distinguished Two-Year College Newspaper Adviser of The Year." Show less

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  Out-Write Media

  Aug 2000 - Jan 2018

  Freelance Writer / Writing Consultant

  Write blogs, website content, press releases, PowerPoint presentations, posters, sell-sheets, fact sheets and others. Proofread and edit white papers, reports, and websites. Design and deliver customized business writing workshops for employees at corporate workplaces and conferences. Workshops emphasizeConcise and Clear writing strategiesHow to reduce wordy phrases and redundancies that dilute your message Appropriate levels of tone & formalityProofreading skills that can make or break the deal you wantClient-base includes Abbott Laboratories, The Clara Abbott Foundation, Sears, United Way, SCA Consulting, Illinois Association of Hispanic State Employees. Show less

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  9-11 NY Education Ride

  Jan 2001 - Jan 2003

  Creator and Logistical Planner

  Created, organized, and pedaled 4,486 miles in 70-day cross-country bicycle trip to raise college education funds for children who lost parents in the terrorist attacks of September 11th. This national media campaign included writing proposals, press releases, and website materials; planning all logistics; and designing the bicycle route. Acquired cash, product and service donations from sponsors including Atlas Van Lines, American Airlines, Holiday Inn, Clif Bar and others.

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  Out-Write Media, LLC

  Jan 2010 - Jan 2018

  Executive Producer / Production Manager (Video)

  A proven track record in using the power of storytelling to write and direct corporate videos, and produce print and social media content that support an organization’s strategic brand marketing goals. I collaborate with clients throughout the entire production process. From idea conception, pre-production planning, scripting, organizing shoot logistics; and overseeing production, post-production, and delivery, I use a team approach with clients to create meaningful audience experiences. Organize all pre-production planning and oversee production, post-production, and delivery of final products. Engage in location scouting; hiring crew, on-camera, and voice talent; negotiating crew rates to work within budgets. Ensure all camera units are synchronized for continuity and clean sound. Administer interview questions from off-camera. Create rough assemble notes for client approval, editors and technical directors. Show less

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  Ira David Productions, LLC | DBA Out-Write Media

  Apr 2011 - now

  Executive Producer / On-Air Host

  Executive Producer and on-air Host of Pedal America, the national travel and lifestyle television series for Public Television. Acquired $1M in underwriting sponsorships. The series broadcasts in 92.5% of PBS's HH reach, including PBS's Create TV network and in parts of Canada.Manage all business and shoot logistics, public relations efforts, seasonal and annual budgets, payroll, and insurance; hire and supervise an Emmy-award winning field crew, editors, and on-air talent. Ensure final deliverables met all PBS standards and FCC video footage and music licensing requirements. Show less

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  National Safety Council

  Sept 2014 - Oct 2015

  Content Producer

  Produced video content specifically for this nonprofit organization's Distracted Driving and Prescription Drug Overdose initiatives. This included writing and overseeing all aspects of video shoot logistics from idea conception to completion and delivery. Collaborated on content for the organization’s 2015 CallsKill campaign that generated billions of media impressions. Researched and wrote content for print and social media platforms including Infographics, posters, fact sheets, emails, website blogs, and other projects; and NSC’s Focus On The Drive quarterly digital newsletter. Prepared marketing briefs for in-house marketing and design teams to push through projects from start to finish.Video Clip 1 (Runs 5:13)Video Clip 2 (Runs 3:11) Show less

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  Pedal4Life

  Jan 2016 - now

  President

  A 501 (c) (3) organization.Pedal4Life uses bicycling programs and events to help those in recovery from opioid and other substance use disorders to avoid relapse. Our 6-week Pathway2Home program engages patients in physical activity, builds natural endorphins, and promotes independence. Patients who complete the program keep the bikes, helmets, and locks we give them. The bikes provide transportation to support meetings, job interviews, and jobs. One hundred percent of participants we serve recommend the program.To learn more please visit us at www.pedal4life.org or contact me directly. Show less

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  Appalachian State University

  Aug 2018 - Aug 2020

  Student News Adviser

  Advised students in publishing their print and online newspaper, The Appalachian, and producing The Appalachian Weekly News television show. Transformed the 5-minute pre-recorded show into a 35-minute live weekly newscast. After only 5 episodes, the students won 2nd Place for Best TV Newscast in the nation among 4-year universities at the CMA New York City Spring Convention in 2019.

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  Kansas State University

  Aug 2020 - Jul 2024

  Director of Collegian Media Group

  Director of the Collegian Media Group which publishes the Collegian digital and print newspaper, Manhappenin' lifestyle magazine and the Royal Purple yearbook - ranked by the Associated Collegiate Press as the Number 1 yearbook in the country over a span of 100 years. All three publications won national Pacemaker and Pacemaker Finalist awards in 2022. On March 11, 2023, the yearbook won another Pacemaker. The Pacemaker is considered the Pulitzer Prize of collegiate journalism.