Media & Culture Content Strategist

CANDICE FREDERICK

Media Professional

Brooklyn, NY 617-***-**** **************@*****.*** LinkedIn CandiceFrederick.contently.com Media professional with a background in journalism and a strong record of creating impactful content strategies that grow audiences and drive engagement. Experienced in brand marketing, book publicity, PR firm collaboration, and managing email newsletters that resonate across entertainment, lifestyle, and news verticals. Skilled at partnering with editorial, marketing, and analytics teams to deliver audience-first messaging across digital channels. Passionate about storytelling that connects and converts.

Expertise: AP Style, Editorial Leadership, Pop Culture Analysis, SEO Optimization, Digital Journalism, Feature Reporting, TV & Film Criticism, Social Media Strategy, Audience Engagement, Editing, Celebrity Profiling, Interviewing, Research, Media Relations, Brand Development, Project Management, Festival Coverage, Trend Forecasting, Press Releases Recent Professional Experience

HuffPost November 2021 – February 2025

Senior Culture Reporter

● Engaged millions of readers with high-profile interviews, timely, thought-provoking analysis and feature reporting on pop culture, and sharp TV and film criticism.

● Identified gaps in popular discussions in order to draw more audiences with stories that were additive and often examined thorny, complex figures and subjects with nuance.

● Represented the Culture team at Sundance and Toronto International Film Festivals, identifying emerging trends and forecasting Hollywood’s evolving landscape.

● Strengthened the Culture desk’s reputation as a go-to destination for insightful pop culture reporting that intersects with society.

● Partnered with Audience and Visuals teams to help optimize editorial packaging, enhancing reach and engagement across diverse readerships.

● Key Accomplishments:

o Created, launched, and wrote The ‘90s Notebook series, providing in-depth cultural analysis that reshaped perspectives on the decade’s influence in pop culture. o Conceived and spearheaded and co-wrote the Cancel Culture Unraveled series, an eight-article deep dive into public shaming and accountability, challenging mainstream narratives. o Conceptualized and developed high-impact celebrity profiles, surpassing performance benchmarks while igniting conversation and reader engagement.

Freelance Work August 2017 – November 2021

Television and Film Journalist

● Contributed cover stories, film and TV reviews, features, reported pieces, and celebrity interviews to publications such as The New York Times, Vulture, The Guardian, Harper’s Bazaar, Teen Vogue, HuffPost and more.

● Founded, managed, and was the sole writer of Reel Talk Online, a respected platform for in-depth analysis of films and the movie industry, driving critical discussions and engagement.

● Key Accomplishments:

o Offered expert commentary on Hollywood and cinema as a panelist, specializing in intersectional criticism and the evolution of cinematic television. OK! Magazine August 2017 – November 2018

Digital Reporter and Editor

● Wrote 6–8 daily articles on celebrity and pop culture news, delivering fast, engaging content optimized for digital audiences via WordPress.

● Crafted SEO-driven headlines, subheads, and metadata, maximizing search visibility and reach.

● Edited and refined 6–9 celebrity features and breaking news stories daily, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and compelling storytelling under tight deadlines.

● Optimized visual content by editing stock photography in Photoshop, enhancing article presentation and audience engagement.

New York Public Library December 2014 – August 2017 Communications Manager

● Elevated the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture’s visibility as a premier resource for scholars, art enthusiasts, and the public, strengthening its position within the NYPL and beyond.

● Spearheaded content creation and strategic messaging for events, special projects, and initiatives, developing and editing high-impact materials across magazines, brochures, blogs, and email newsletters.

● Managed creative talent, hiring and overseeing photographers, videographers, and designers to enhance publications, events, and exhibitions.

● Key Accomplishments:

o Guided the editorial vision for all printed and digital content, curating a multi-platform social media and marketing strategy that grew audience engagement by 20K. o Produced and curated 15 audio interviews for an oral history project in collaboration with StoryCorps, preserving vital narratives and historical perspectives. Additional Professional Experience

DJC Communications September 2010 – August 2014

PR Account Executive

Penguin Group USA March 2009 – September 2010

Publicity Assistant

Essence Magazine August 2006 – December 2008

Editorial Assistant

Education, Affiliations, Accolades, and Technologies Bachelor of Science, Journalism, St. John’s University Affiliations:

● Online Film Critics Society and Critics Choice Association Member

● Nominating Committee Member, Independent Spirit Awards’ inaugural Scripted Series Category (2021) Accolades:

● Recipient of the National Association of Black Journalists Awards (2008, 2009) Technologies:

● Athena, WordPress, CMS, Photoshop, Google Workplace, Slack, Cision, Hootsuite, Mailchimp, Constant Contact

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