Thomas Smith's Resume

THOMAS SMITH
Gotha, Florida 34734 - United States http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/

SUMMARY

First social media director at Disney Parks responsible for content strategy, identifying trends in the blogosphere and creating and maintaining key online relationships.

An award-winning journalist, news director and writer with expertise in generating attention and traffic to web content on a variety of platforms.

Accomplished at identifying and leveraging online trends to create unique content in a deadline driven, rapidly changing team environment.

WORK EXPERIENCE
Disney Parks , Celebration, Florida	Nov. 2008 - Current
Director, Social Media
Leads Disney's first online social media team. Responsible for implementing innovative online content strategies in support of global PR initiatives. Oversee content production, distribution and strategy. Insures adherence to consistency of Disney messaging and corporate standards. Identifies and builds online relationships on behalf of Disney. Collaborates with internal stakeholders to identify new content development channels. Organizes and executes social community gatherings at Walt Disney World. Plans and executes social media strategies. Produces conversational content for a variety of message platforms. Analyzes online performance of online properties. -
WKMG-TV/ Internet Broadcasting, Orlando, Florida	2000 - 2008
Online Managing Editor
Responsible for daily online strategy, story creation, managing relationships with online "influencers," content filtering and key audience targeting. Managed on-site TV convergence packages and sales projects. Planned for the long-term growth of web site, sets priorities and plans event coverage. Provided added value to reports initially developed by broadcast reporters. Championed management of non-news sections/franchises. Participated in newsroom planning and problem-solving sessions. Provided guidance to Post Newsweek management on Internet Broadcasting initiatives and emerging technologies. Ensured accuracy of all content posted on web site. Developed ideas to continue to grow web site traffic and community. Maintained online relationships for the site and company. -
WBRC-TV , Birmingham, Alabama	1996 - 1999
Anchor/Reporter/News Manager
Anchored, reported, produced, and edited news and sports content for Alabama's highest-rated television station. Managed staff of two-hour morning show. Created investigative series reports and developed national contacts. Worked under tight deadline pressure for five nightly shows. Reported live on Atlanta's Olympic bombing, Alabama's F-5 tornado, North Carolina's manhunt for Eric Rudolph and other nationally viewed stories. Developed Avid, HTML, Microsoft Office and other computer-related skills. Generated exclusive interviews with celebrities and other state leaders. -
KLAX-TV, Alexandria, Louisiana	1993 - 1996
News Director, Anchor
Managed, trained and supervised news and sports department. Planned and developed yearly budgets. Spearheaded station recruitment and hiring process. Trained employees in writing, editing and shooting of news stories. Started high technology method of tracking file and shot tapes. Interviewed, reported, shot, edited and anchored news stories. Earned awards for reporting from the Associated Press. Launched change in on-air look and increased ratings of night shows -

SKILLS

I'm a multimedia-content creator, storyteller and strategist recognized for driving massive traffic to online properties.

My experience and proven performance in the most deadline-driven, rapidly changing news environments has translated to online success.

Skills in video production, on-air anchoring/investigative reporting, and Associated Press/conversational writing can consistently "tailor" messages to specific audiences to accomplish goals.

Also, I have a passion for search strategies and web analytic strategies that generate results in a data-driven culture.

EDUCATION
Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana , May 1991
BA in Mass Communication
Valencia College , Orlando, Florida, Current
Computer Science
Future Media Concepts , Orlando, Florida , Oct. 2007
Final Cut Pro Video Editing

AWARDS AND HONORS
Disney's first online social media director. Managed top-rated TV news site in Florida. First Place award for Best Feature story from Associated Press. First Place award for Best Spot News from Associated Press. Awarded as News Director for strongest 30-minute newscast. Awarded for investigative reporting from Associated Press. Advanced to become one of the youngest news directors in Louisiana.