Emma Simmons

Experience

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  Delias

  Jun 2010 - Sept 2010

  Fashion Representative

  -Improved store efficiency by working quickly and multitasking: answering phone calls, operating the cash register, organizing merchanise, etc.-Enhanced customer experience by easily relating to customer and finding fast solutions to complaints-Increased store sales by informing manager of patterns in item popularity for future orders-Established positive relations among employees by suggesting after-hours activities and willingly working overtime

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  The Center for Social Leadership

  May 2012 - Jul 2012

  Social Media and Marketing Intern

  -Managed the social networking handles of two nonprofits and their CEO: The Center for Social Leadership, Global Leadership Institute, Anthony Silard--improved 'follower' ratio and increased company visibility. -Functioned as personal assistant to Anthony Silard (CEO of the CSL, acclaimed author, featured in PBS documentary)-Helped run and manage the 2012 Gallup Young Leaders Program for low-income youth in Washington D.C.

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  The Famous Door

  Sept 2013 - Jan 2014

  Cocktail Waitress

  -Handled multiple orders at once while preparing and distributing beverages to customers promptly-Quickly cleared tables of waste-Engaged customers to enjoy the live music while maintaining professional demeanor

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  Jackson Brewery Bistro Bar

  Feb 2015 - May 2015

  Hostess and Server

  Hostess:-Maintained inviting and pleasant demeanor to welcome guests into the establishment-Ensured optimum seating and provided accurate wait-times -Handled to-go orders and merchandise sales -Efficiently facilitated and processed hundreds of tour-group sales daily for our partner, Livery ToursServer:-Quickly processed food orders and attended to customers' needs throughout their meals-Successfully carried heavy trays of food and drinks to and from an upstairs kitchen-Relayed customer complaints to both manager and kitchen staff in order to both resolve immediate problems and prevent them in the future-Cleaned tables, rolled silverware, and made preparations for next-day operations Show less

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  Little Donkey Taqueria

  Sept 2015 - Jan 2016

  Server

  -Maintained and applied vast knowledge of beer, whiskey, and tequila-Transported and organized heavy restaurant supplies-Ensured quality service while handling multiple orders at once

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  Community Food Bank of Central Alabama

  May 2016 - Jan 2017

  Development Associate

  • Assisted in writing and editing grant proposals, reports, program evaluations• Created marketing materials: newsletters, e-blasts, event flyers, ads, brochures via Adobe Creative Cloud• Managed and created content across social media platforms; conducted monthly analytics reports for strategic planning -Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Flickr, SproutSocial• Served as staff photographer: http://www.flickr.com/photos/feedingal• Maintained databases for grants, volunteers, and donors• Event planning: Open House, cause marketing, benefits• Volunteer management -Scheduling, tours, orientations, database entry, reports -Immediate supervisor of Americorps assistant Show less

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  ABC 33/40, Birmingham

  Mar 2017 - Feb 2019

  Digital Content Producer

  Duties:• Edited reporter stories for grammar, accuracy, clarity, and AP style• Ensured consistent engaging content on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) tailored to time-specific audiences (total digital audience: 350k); executed live video, created graphics, devised social strategies, monitored analytics (Facebook Insights, Crowdtangle, Shareablee), used analytics to interpret interest trends• Used social clues, trends to generate, pitch story ideas for reporters• Wrote concise, provoking push notifications for app subscribers to preview and generate interest in top broadcast stories• Cut and edited viewer-submitted video for web and broadcast using Adobe Premiere Pro• Translated broadcast scripts, AP copy, social media posts, press releases, and court documents into web stories for the Central AL market• Curated web stories, including those from sister stations; reconfigured website layout for maximum audience engagementAccomplishments: • Won the 2018 Edward R. Murrow Regional Award for Website in 2018, the 2019 Edward R. Murrow Regional Award for Multimedia, and the 2019 Edward R. Murrow Regional Award for Social Media• Developed and implemented social media strategy rendering ABC 33/40 #1 in Central Alabama market (Fox 6, WVTM 13, CBS 42, al.com) on Facebook, #2 on Twitter as averaged by weekly social engagement • Increased national online syndication rate of ABC 33/40 stories by more than 50% • Authored first Sinclair national articles on Roy Moore controversy following Washington Post report Show less

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  Shelby County Newspapers, Inc.

  May 2017 - Apr 2021

  Writer & Photographer

  Freelance food writer and photographer for Vestavia Hills Magazine, Homewood Life, Mountain Brook Magazine

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  Birmingham Magazine

  Oct 2018 - Jun 2020

  Writer & Photographer

  Freelance writer and photographer covering food, culture, and business

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  CBS 42

  Mar 2019 - Apr 2021

  Digital Executive Producer

  Duties:• Strategized for the long-term growth of the CBS 42 digital audience by setting KPIs and planning coverage for major events and special projects• Used CBS42.com traffic trends to inform long-term strategic planning and decisions on daily content to grow in-DMA traffic• Trained, coached, and managed a 9-person digital team and the generation of daily, in-depth digital coverage• Created, enforced guidelines and policies to ensure brand cohesiveness across all digital platforms• Contributed, edited, and optimized web stories for high search value and journalistic integrity• Assisted in managing sales content elements with strong revenue potential and web user interest• Identified new opportunities to expand CBS 42's digital footprint to new and emerging technologies• Developed, maintained new sections of CBS42.comAccomplishments:• Served as executive producer of Nexstar Media Group's nationally-syndicated digital program, "Coronavirus House Calls," (1 million+ views every weekend), which received a regional 2021 Edward R. Murrow Award for "Excellence in Innovation." • Awarded "Best Website" by Alabama Broadcasters Association for CBS42.com, a first-time win for the station (2019)• Awarded Nexstar's July 2019 Digital Impact Award for spearheading CBS 42's tremendous website growth (72% increase in overall traffic and 173% jump in video views month-over-month) and culture shift (see attached link)• Spearheaded tremendous year-over-year growth (2018-2019): +262% total users, +246% sessions, +158% total page views, +262% video views• Devised and executed Nexstar's digital content plan for the 2020 National Championship Game• Devised and executed joint digital coverage plans for Nexstar Alabama stations during events of statewide interest, e.g. historical Iron Bowl• Served as executive producer, co-writer, web designer on mini-documentary series: Getting Warmer: Heating up Alabama's Cold Cases (see attached link) Show less

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  Nexstar Media Group, Inc.

  Apr 2021 - Aug 2023

  I devised market-specific strategies to grow and deepen the connection with the digital audiences (netting 65 million+ pageviews per month) of Nexstar's TV stations in 16 noncontiguous U.S. markets with high growth potential.I provided real-time and postmortem analysis of digital editorial planning, coverage, distribution, and subscription strategies for local markets, especially during or in anticipation of heightened website traffic—whether it be for national breaking news, a major ongoing news event, or a special project of high performance potential. When coverage gaps or legally sensitive issues arose, I worked alongside the in-market digital team (i.e. writing, editing, headline testing, SEO tweaking, etc.).Nexstar’s executive leadership and station general managers counted on me to vet, hire, and develop local digital newsroom talent, including digital directors, executive editors, reporters, audience/site editors, social media managers, and newsletter managers. Show less Duties:• Strategized for the long-term growth of Nexstar's digital audience in the Plains Region by setting KPIs, creating staffing plans, and developing/delivering training curriculum• Analyzed website traffic trends (via Google Analytics, Looker, Chartbeat) in an effort to make decisions on both daily content and longer-term content development that will grow in-DMA/target traffic• Trained and coached digital journalists (digital writers, audience editors, and content promotion specialists) across the company on audience growth strategies• Developed creative and efficient methods for discovering, assigning, and packaging digital story ideas• Worked with digital newsroom staff on a daily basis to ensure a steady stream of interesting content is SEO-friendly, packaged for maximum engagement (+pageviews/session, +sessions/user) from target audience, and promoted strategically (via external platforms, app/desktop push alerts, newsletters)• Expanded total content distribution opportunities and grew valuable audiences for each• Built positive working relationships with newsroom staff and management to ensure Nexstar affiliates were first to market with significant breaking news and exclusive content that facilitates an inclusive, digital-first culture• Monitored national, state, and local news websites, blogs and social media for breaking news and trending topicsSome things I'm proud of:• Developed and delivered training curriculum for hundreds of digital reporters (of various skillsets, beats, experience levels, etc.) • Coached 13 digital managers through team skills assessments and workflow implementation to standardize editorial process in alignment with audience KPIs• Developed SEO internal linking strategy for regional partner promotion on all Nexstar sites• Joined Nexstar's Culture Committee to promote an inclusive and diverse workplace Show less

  • Regional Director of Digital Audience

    Mar 2022 - Aug 2023

  • Digital Audience Regional Executive Producer, Plains

    Apr 2021 - Mar 2022