James I. Miller

**** **** **** **. ~ Orlando, FL 32803

407-***-****

abpj7i@r.postjobfree.com

Experienced, team-oriented and self-starting media relations manager with strong journalism

background and demonstrated ability to secure strategic media placements in competitive markets

for mission-driven organization using thoughtful, creative and analytical approach.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

The Nature Conservancy Altamonte Springs, Fla.

Media Relations Manager December 2009-Present

Successfully pitch news and feature stories advancing Conservancy priorities with

focus on Florida Chapter; facilitate coverage across media spectrum, including print,

television, radio and Web-only. Placements include The Palm Beach Post, Stuart

News, Bradenton Herald, The Daytona Beach News-Journal, WFSU-TV s The

Florida Channel, WGCU National Public Radio and Creative Loafing Tampa s Green

Community blog site.

Propose, draft and secure placement for strategic op-ed pieces, including Orlando

Sentinel op-ed on top Florida Chapter priority timed with federal partner event.

Author news and feature stories for direct placement in such outlets as Miami Herald

online, Splash! Magazine and the Osceola News-Gazette; devise, write and distribute

press releases drawing attention to Conservancy news.

Cultivate demonstrably productive relationships with reporters, editors, bloggers and

other content producers.

Handle incoming media requests efficiently, providing staff guidance on responses

and using requests to build media relationships.

Work collaboratively with corporate, federal, state, nonprofit and university partners

on media strategies, releases and other communications.

Track and evaluate media coverage using Vocus reporting system. Responsibilities

include providing reports to Florida staff and trustees, handling quarterly Marketing

Resource Center reporting and filing reports to Worldwide Office on Conservancy

Gulf of Mexico coverage in aftermath of Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Constantly develop and refine media contact lists using Vocus.

Generate Facebook and Twitter content on Florida activities; prepare talking points

for response to potential social-media commentary.

Provide strong support for marketing functions through such activities as writing for

nature.org and newsletters, copyediting and shooting video.

Develop reputation among Conservancy marketing colleagues and field staff

members for being cordial, professional, efficient and effective.

Writer Boston, Mass.

Freelance August 2009-November 2009

Cover diverse breaking-news stories under intense deadline pressure in

Massachusetts State House for fast-paced State House News Service.

Craft feature stories for university publications Tufts Journal and BU (Boston

University) Today.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal Daytona Beach and Tallahassee, Fla.

Local Government Reporter February 2003-July 2009

Assistant Bureau Chief (Legislative Sessions) March 2006-May 2009

Selected for four consecutive years to cover Florida Legislature s sessions for daily

newspaper with Sunday circulation of up to 125,000. Promoted to prestigious county

government beat after only 10 months on job.

Devised and executed legislative coverage plans in collaboration with supervising

editors.

Provided crisp, publication-ready copy, online updates and blog entries on diverse

news topics in fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

Provided reader-friendly, explanatory coverage of complex, high-stakes policy

issues, including $2.7 billion commuter-rail proposal and environmentally-motivated

efforts to rein in sprawl development.

Proposed and crafted publicly well-received feature stories, including profiles of

blind advocate for people with disabilities and popular restaurateur killed in

accidental shooting, employing strong interpersonal and interview skills.

Utilized alternative story formats to provide readers with clear, useful information

about such topics as polling-place rules during chaotic general elections.

Maximized story presentation by collaborating with photographers and designers.

Orlando Sentinel Orlando, Fla.

Staff Writer (Intern) Summer 2002

Reported from three counties for major metropolitan daily newspaper. Delivered

intimate profile of family searching for answers about daughter s unsolved murder.

The Herald-Sun Durham, N.C.

Staff Writer (Intern) Summer 2001

Spearheaded award-winning series exploring and exposing city gang problems.

Interviewed more than 70 current and former gang members, community advocates,

law-enforcement officers and policy makers. Profiled jailed gang member and mother

whose son was killed in gang violence.

Holland Advertising Cincinnati, Ohio

Writer February 2000-August 2000

Planned, created and edited business-to-consumer copy for radio, print and the Web.

PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION

Florida Press Club 2004

Excellence in Local Government Writing

Recognized for stories about efforts to create legal restrictions on urban development in rural

areas, lagging public trails network and health and insurance implications of public employees

sick-building claims.

North Carolina Press Association 2001

News Enterprise Reporting

Recognized for Mean streets: gangs in Durham, a multiple-day series. Judges said the

community service value of this project elevated it above the others.

TECHNICAL SKILLS

High-level command of English-language grammar, usage, spelling and punctuation. Fluency in

Associated Press style and with standard proofreaders marks. Proficiency with Windows and

Mac operating systems; Microsoft Office 2007 Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint; Vocus

reporting system; Adobe Acrobat; LexisNexis and WordPress blog platform. Basic knowledge of

HTML and search-engine-optimization.

EDUCATION

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 2000-2002

School of Journalism and Mass Communication

Roy H. Park Fellow

Awarded two-year merit-based scholarship for master s studies in journalism.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 1999-1995

Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies

Focused on religion and culture in Islamic societies.

OTHER EXPERIENCE

Joint Assistance Center New Delhi, India

Volunteer December 1998-May 1999

Researched and developed newsletter for nongovernmental disaster-education

organization; assisted with village-based environmental outreach program.

Travelers Aid International Cincinnati, Ohio

Volunteer July 1997-July 1998

Taught English to adult students of diverse national origins; planned and executed

lesson plans and classroom activities.

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