Melanie Watson

www.melanie-watson.weebly.com | mwalicia92@gmail.com | Hampton, GA 30228 | 770.262.5641

| References & Writing Samples Available Upon Request |

EDUCATION
The University of Georgia, Athens, GA
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, May 2015
Emphasis: Magazines | Certificate: Sports Media | Minor: Communication Studies | Orgs: UGA NABJ, InfUSion Magazine

SKILLS
Proficient in Social Media | Networking | Interpersonal Communication | Booking | Interviewing | Graphic Design |
Searching for Relevant and Interesting Story Angles | Website Development and Maintenance |
Experience with Microsoft Office Suite, InDesign, Photoshop, Audacity and Adobe Premiere |
Event planning experience from leading an award-winning student organization |

EXPERIENCES
Social Media Coordinator, Black&Sexy TV, Los Angeles, California, October 2013 present
http://www.blackandsexy.tv
Correspond directly with founding partners Dennis Dortch and Numa Perrier, along with various writers/producers, to
generate and discuss social media ideas and campaigns
Contribute interactive posts and graphics for various web series to the Black & Sexy Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Host live twitter "parties" where fans are encouraged to live tweet using a designated hashtag while watching various shows
Communications Intern, JDP Communications, Atlanta, GA, May 2014-August 2014
Pitched story idea/interviews with Madden NFL 15 game guide contributors to various outlets in all 32 NFL markets
Successfully pitched stories with various radio stations and the LA Times; Personally submitted a story that was published by
the Seattle Times
Gathered and chronicled social media posts of high-profile athletes such as Tony Hawk and Lolo Jones for various movie
screenings
Student Multimedia Journalist, Grady Sports Media, Athens, GA, August 2013 May 2015
Covered high school football, college basketball, volleyball, tennis, and equestrian
Wrote deadline gamers, press releases, feature stories, and profile stories. Conducted postgame interviews and prolific
interviews. Used various types of social media such as Storify, video, live tweeting, and infographics to generate content
Worked with the UGA Sports Communications department at the 2014 Division I NCAA Tennis Tournament for three weeks
Freelance Journalist, Atlanta Journal-Constitution via Fast Copy Communications, Atlanta, GA, September 2014-June 2015
Interview various people in the Atlanta area for each respective issue
Cover different subjects from month-to-month such as bioscience, motorsports, military, and entertainment
Produce short, written pieces in a quick turnaround each month usually receiving and completing assignments in four days
Sports Editor/Sports Writer, InfUSion Magazine, Athens, GA, January 2011-April 2015
Search for story ideas and conduct interviews with prominent individuals, like NBA player Damien Wilkins and NCAA/
WNBA analyst LaChina Robinson, in order to intrigue readers and network at the same time
Led an all-female, multicultural sports section to produce diverse stories two years in a row
Edit stories, communicate with photographers for the best illustrations possible, and meet deadlines set by Editor-In-Chief
Coordinate meetings with writers to discuss and create the theme and storyboard for each issue; ensure they meet deadlines
Co-founder, Atlanta Hawks Fan Site, Atlanta, GA, April 2011 - (Currently on hiatus)
http://atlhawksfans.weebly.com
Came up with the concept of covering the Hawks from an always positive fan perspective and focusing on the players from a
personal aspect with business partner
Gained media credentials within first two years of launching the site. Designed/maintained web pages and researched
information regarding the team
Created interesting content for fans including exclusive interviews with players and personnel such as Jamal Crawford, Jeff
Teague, Mike Scott, Bob Rathbun and Basketball Insiders Lang Greene