VICTORIA A. CARUSO

**** **** ***** ? South Plainfield, NJ 07080

516-***-**** ? acfnrt@r.postjobfree.com

http://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriacarusodavis/

PUBLIC RELATIONS REPORTER FREELANCE WRITER

Award-winning writer with experience in public relations, community journalism and magazine

publishing. An expert interviewer with a passion for reporting and a reputation for impeccable ethics.

Adept storyteller who treats spot-news, features, education, politics, sports and quality of life issues with

equal passion. Deadline-driven and detail-oriented with proven record of success in obtaining timely and

prominent coverage.

EXPERTISE

? Community Journalism ? Proofreading/Editing ? Media Pitching

? Celebrity Interviews ? Research & Fact-Checking ? Press Releases

? Travel Writer/Reviewer ? AP Style ? Photography

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Victoria Caruso, LLC ? New York & New Jersey

Principal (June 2010 - Present)

Providing public relations, media consulting and photography with diverse client base, including libraries,

village government and non-profits. Work closely with clients to determine needs and appropriate

approaches to maximize coverage in print and online editions as well as radio and television outlets. Write

press releases, announcements and articles for publication; provide coverage and photography at events;

serve as spokesperson and media contact before and after events and/or distribution. Clients include The

Sarah Grace Foundation For Children With Cancer, Inc., Long Island Opera, Alexander?s Angels, the

Incorporated Village of Westbury and Westbury Memorial Public Library.

Key Accomplishments

? Created the Incorporated Village of Westbury?s 2011 Recycling Campaign. Developed community-

wide recycling slogan; wrote, directed, filmed and edited public service announcement

(YouTube.com: Westbury Village Recycling Campaign) used to promote the effort and encourage

students, residents and businesses within the village to do their part.

? Increased community awareness of Westbury Memorial Public Library services, programs and

offerings by supplying local media with weekly news releases and event notifications, resulting in

increased utilization of services, program attendance and patronage.

? Successfully pitched media for coverage of Long Island Opera?s premiere performance at Molloy

College?s Madison Theatre, resulting in the venue?s first sold-out performance to date.

? Assisted non-profits in promoting annual fundraisers, resulting in increased attendance at benefit

dinners, walks and symposiums, etc. and raising monies to support their causes.

25A Magazine ? East Norwich, NY

Features Editor & Travel Writer (July 2012 ? Present)

Interview and write cover stories and in-depth articles on, celebrities, athletes, chefs, business owners and

community game-changers for luxury North Shore monthly magazine. Serve as travel

correspondent/writer, visiting various cities and working closely with public relations agencies, hotel

management and tourism representatives to provide readers with detailed and objective reviews.

Collaborate with managing editor to coordinate and develop story ideas and special issue themes. Work

alongside copyeditor and art director to provide feedback on edits, layout and design. Served as interim

copyeditor and proofreader.

VICTORIA A. CARUSO

Anton Community Newspapers ? Mineola, NY

Editor (February 2002 ? June 2010)

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Eight-year record of commended performance with chain of 18 weekly community newspapers. Served

as editor of two weeklies ( The Hicksville Illustrated News and The Westbury Times) with combined

circulation of 10,000. Produced byline stories on a range of areas (news, sports, business, education,

government, healthcare and community happenings). Attended meetings and conducted in-depth research

and interviews. Provided county- and town-wide news coverage for inclusion in all editions and

contributed to special sections. Edited and distributed town-wide releases. Trained and managed

freelancers and interns. Worked closely with art and typesetting departments to ensure smooth production

of newspapers. Established and maintained respected and trusted relationships with residents, politicians,

religious leaders, school officials and residents.

Personal Achievements and Awards:

? Recipient of prestigious awards from the New York Press Association, Fair Media Council and Press

Club of Long Island.

? Consistently singled out as one of the most prolific writers and productive story contributors among

reporting staff, earning repeated commendations for excellence in writing and reporting.

? Transformed The Westbury Times from a small, hometown advertorial into one of the newspaper

chain?s highest circulated publications over course of eight-year tenure.

? Recognized by the NYS Senate and Assembly, the Towns of Oyster Bay and Hempstead and Nassau

County as well as by local civic and philanthropic groups for dedicated news coverage and attention

to community issues.

South Nassau Communities Hospital ? Oceanside, NY

Public Information Officer/Spokesperson (October 1999 ? February 2002)

Pitched media, conducted press conferences and handled media inquiries. Wrote editorial content for

newsletters, press releases, brochures and public service announcements. Organized, publicized and

conducted press conferences, health fairs, blood drives as well as other in-house and community-wide

events. Updated in-house website, hospital-wide electronic calendar and responded to outside email

injuries.

Richner Communications, Inc. ? Garden City, NY

Reporter/Assistant Editor (July 1998 ? February 2002)

Instrumental in the start-up of two new weekly newspapers ( Merrick Herald and Bellmore Herald)

covering Nassau?s South Shore. Wrote localized weekly stories, time-sensitive pieces and items for

special sections. Covered county-wide events for pickup by newspaper chain?s other 10 editions. Served

as Health Editor.

EDUCATION, PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS & AFFILIATIONS

Education

BA ? News-Editorial Journalism (cum laude) ? Rider University, Lawrenceville, NJ

Member

Society of Professional Journalists, Long Island Chapter

Lambda Pi Eta Honor Society

Active

Panel Speaker ? Rider University Alumni Communications Forum

Judge ? Press Association Better Newspaper Contest

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