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Creative, multi-talented, driven communications professional with fourteen years of experience in video production and project management. Documented record of successful live broadcast productions, development of new programming, and revitalization of existing projects. Known for managing numerous complex projects, reacting quickly to problems and tight deadlines.

Core Competencies

• Video/Audio Reporting and Production
• Studio/Field Producing and Directing
• News and Promotional Writing
• Interviewing and Research
• Project Management
• Creative Concept Design
• Graphic Design
• Digital Strategy
• Proactive Media
• Internal Communications
• Public Speaking and On-Camera Hosting
• Social Media
• Advertising
• Web Design/Development
• Photography
• Client Management
• Event Planning
• Research

Technical Skills

• Video Editing (Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects)
• Audio Editing (Adobe Audition Pro)
• Graphic Design (Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator)
• Familiar with CSS/HTML/Javascript, WordPress, Plone

Experience

Penn State College of the Liberal Arts
Director of Communications, The School of Public Policy
July 2017 – present

• Plan and execute comprehensive communication plans for external and internal public relations and marketing campaigns through multi-channel dissemination to keep key audiences informed of faculty research and unit achievements.
• Research, interview sources, and translate faculty research into compelling press releases, features, story ideas, photos, video, and audio content.
• Lead the identification and development of strategies and tactics for reaching new and diverse audiences, with an emphasis on the exploration and development of emerging communication channels.
• Create effective marketing campaigns and assets that ensure the School’s message is distributed across channels and directed to target audiences. Analyze campaign performance to provide marketing insights that improve performance and conversions.
• Manage relationships with the media to promote programs, achievements, and faculty research on a national, regional, and local level; respond to media inquiries and coordinate interviews.
• Produce video and audio content, including video interviews, live stream events, and podcasts. Operate all equipment, including cameras and audio gear; edit content, and publish finished products online.
• Design posters, programs, banners, and other graphic elements for general events, campaigns, curriculum, and research conferences using Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Spark.
• Create and distribute on-going communications for internal and external audiences, including social media, email newsletters, events calendars, maintaining an editorial calendar, electronic postcards, and podcast series.

Penn State Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications
Adjunct Faculty, Journalism
August 2021 – present

• Teaching COMM 260W, News Writing and Reporting. This class covers the basic concepts associated with newsgathering and presentation, including interviews, quotes, and Associated Press style. Will teach COMM 360, Audio Reporting, in fall 2022.

Georgia Public Broadcasting
Producer/Director, On Second Thought
January 2017 – June 2017

Producer and director for live, daily radio talk show hosted by former NPR host, Celeste Headlee.

• Pitch, produce, conduct interviews, and edit news radio story segments complemented by rich audio elements.
• Manage performance of live broadcast and control room operations during production; direct remote broadcasts.
• Serve as TD during live program operating ENCO, book and route connection with guests via ISDN, Skype, phone, etc.

WPSU, Penn State Public Broadcasting
Senior Video Producer/Director
November 2007 – October 2015

Successfully created, pre-produced, produced, directed, delivered and coordinated custom video and media productions in various lengths and budgets, including programs broadcast on WPSU-TV as well as promotional, recruiting, and educational videos for Penn State.

• Created, managed, and coordinated video and multi-media projects as the team leader or independently.
• Managed day-to-day operations of multiple concurrent projects with responsibility for the creative vision, meeting technical standards and creating editorial content. This included camera direction, graphics, music, lighting, talent, scripts, location, equipment, file format delivery, etc.
• Generated detailed communications systems with timelines, assignments, project goals, treatments, production rundowns, and equipment details to project team throughout all phases of each project. This was essential in gathering team feedback, coordinating timely kick-off of team member tasks, documenting project progress, enhancing cohesiveness, and efficiency of team efforts.
• Led and directed team members during all phases of the production process including presenting project proposals, running production meetings, directing in field and studio, overseeing post-production, receiving executive producer and client feedback, and final delivery.
• Supervised up to 20 individuals per project, including production crew, junior producing staff, talent, marketing personnel, multimedia, engineering, administration, outside contractors/vendors, and interns.
• Made critical decisions negotiating and resolving technical, editorial, and personnel issues under pressure of live broadcasts and tight deadlines.
• Collaborated with clients and colleagues to develop video and project strategy to meet unique needs and budgets. Communicated project vision and timelines to the production crew, senior leadership, and clients, and informed team of progress.
• Planned project media strategy, served as media spokesperson, wrote press releases, managed social media for projects.

Key Projects:

 On-Air Promotions

• Orchestrated creative treatment including style, graphics, music, content, scripts, scouted locations, scheduled shoots, directed cameras and conducted interviews. Managed editors and audio mix in post-production, and contributed to video editing. Produced testimonials, new branding campaigns, sizzle spots, and program spots.
• Wrote grant proposals and secured funding upwards of $30,000 from sources such as WNET and The Corporation for Public Broadcasting for on-air campaigns, including American Graduate Day, Protect My Public Media, and My Source.
• Received My Source Education Innovation Award from CPB for the Blue Ribbon Readers spot (2010).
• Encoded video to the proper format for publishing to various channels and platforms. Managed content for archival into the digital library.
• Established standard operating procedures and long-range plans for the conversion of production practices of video editing online to offline systems; implementation of new branding campaigns in pre-production editing to the process of uploading to broadcast servers; and in the training of personnel in use of style guides for new on-air logos.

 After Abbey

• Designed, produced and hosted “After Abbey,” a LIVE, post-“Downton Abbey” talk show, which expanded the late-night audience and generated a younger demographic of viewers.
• Implemented new talk show format incorporating social media during the live broadcast, which has now become the current model for local programming on WPSU.
• Selected program topics, designed a new set, developed graphics package, booked guests, developed show rundowns, edited video roll-in elements, promos, and wrote scripts and interview questions.
• Worked closely with senior leadership and development team during project planning to provide budgetary details and editorial concepts that held fundraising revenue and promotional potential.
• Organized and executed events to sold-out crowds, taking the program beyond the screen and social media into local communities for screenings and appearances.

“Our Town” series

• Created and launched a strategy that revitalized the most successful fundraising program in WPSU’s history, increasing annual production to two 60-minute episodes, while reducing the budget, consolidating staff time, and facility usage. 
• Trained approximately 30-40 community volunteers in more than 30 rural towns the skills to capture their stories on video, demonstrating necessary videography skills, and coaching storytelling with visuals. 
• Transformed promotion strategy and production model, which resulted in more volunteer contribution and response. 
• Taught production seminars, presented for PBS at the Annual Meeting in 2013, and led webinars for National Educational Telecommunications Association (NETA).

 Broadcast Talk Show Programming

• Produced more than 200 episodes of 60-minute live call-in programs, including, “To The Best of My Knowledge with Penn State President Graham Spanier,” and “Conversations LIVE,” that were simulcast on WPSU-TV, WPSU-FM, WITF-TV, PCN, and wpsu.org.
• Arranged on-air interviews with local and national celebrities, coached and prepped TV hosts for guest interviews.
• Selected topics, booked guests, researched subject matter, wrote interview questions, and scripts for weekly shows.
• Directed and supervised crew during pre-production and during live broadcasts.
• Served as lead producer and creator of new PSU president’s TV series at the request of President’s office.

http://www.youtube.com/user/whitneychirdon/videos

WPSU-TV (PBS), WPSU-FM (NPR)
On-Air Host, Penn State Public Broadcasting 
February 2002 – present

• Volunteer host for live television fundraising breaks on TV and radio; host video stand-ups w/teleprompter; interviews; etc.

Big Ten Network, ABC/ESPN Sports
Freelance Stage Manager
March 2007 – present

• Produced on-air talent in the booth during live sports broadcasts on Big Ten Network, ABC, ESPN, and ESPN U.
• Dress sets, set and strike equipment before and after shows.
• Manage on-camera interviews with athletes and coaches during games.

WPSU, Penn State Public Broadcasting
Associate Video Producer
October 2005 – November 2007

• Produced studio and field productions for broadcast on WPSU-TV, as well as marketing and educational video projects for Penn State.
• Scheduled productions, organizing numerous crews, researched and wrote scripts and treatments, booked guests and talent, directed live broadcasts and hosted on camera.
• Lead producer for 5 on-air fundraising campaigns each year from 2005-2015, generating approximately $800,000/year in revenue.

WPSU, Penn State Public Broadcasting
Senior Promotions Associate
September 2003- October 2005

• Initiated and executed station development and community events.
• Planned and hosted regional events for community outreach projects and live productions with audience members, which involved managing recruitment of audience and event attendees.
• Designed décor and event themes, selected and scheduled entertainment, and scouted and secured venues.
• Developed promotional strategy including print collateral, press releases, ad copy, event speeches, website content.
• Managed client and donor relationships and interact with major donors to promote station achievements at events.

WPSU-FM (NPR)
On Air Host/ Board Operator 
April 2002- October 2005

• Acted as local host and board operator of National Public Radio programs.

Centre Daily Times
Freelance Writer
August 2002- October 2004

• Interviewed, researched and wrote artist profiles, event previews, spotlight articles and music reviews for the local newspaper.

WPSU, Penn State Public Broadcasting
Donor Services Coordinator
February 2002- September 2003

• Participated in the planning and execution of six on-air fundraising drives for radio and television each year.
• Wrote on-air fundraising scripts for television and radio hosts.
• Coordinated scheduling of local volunteers during fundraising drives.
• Served as primary point of contact for high-level donor calls, questions, and concerns.

The Barash Group
Advertising Account Executive
September 2001- February 2002

• Assessed customers’ needs to sell display advertising for the local magazine.
• Created campaign proposals, designed ad layouts, and wrote copy for client advertisements and promotions.
• Expanded client base through establishing relationships with new businesses.

Centre Daily Times
Advertising Sales Assistant
March 2001- September 2001

• Assisted account executives in the scheduling of display advertisements and in the preparation of ad proofs for clients.
• Researched account territories for potential business.
• Prepared promotional launches for new CDT publications and products.
• Developed advertising plans and campaigns for clients.

Education

The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies and French, 2000
Minor in Women’s Studies

Achievements

Download a copy of my resumé!