Kara Matuszewski Sassone is a multifaceted journalist with more than ten years experience. She has worked as a reporter and anchor for commercial television stations, shot and edited video, written for the web, and written for newspaper. She loves social media, and enjoys using it to develop stories and resources.
In the fall of 2014, Kara is enrolled in Dan Kennedy’s “Fundamentals of Digital Journalism” class at Northeastern University as part of her master’s studies. She will be using this site for some class assignments.
WORK EXPERIENCE:
August 2012 – present
Web Producer and Social Media Specialist, College of Science, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts- Oversee the college’s website, as well as the department and program websites
- Create content for the sites, including articles, photos, and videos
- Handle social media accounts for the college, including Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, and YouTube
- Coordinate all aspects of live streaming events from set up to execution
February 2012 – August 2012
Blogger, Bravado! Designs- Wrote about being a new mom to twins
- Shared stories about breastfeeding
- Offered support to other new mothers and breastfeeding mothers
January 2012 – March 2012
Consultant, Women Online- Worked with Isis Parenting, a parenting company in Massachusetts that offers classes for prenatal care, new parents, and young children
- Worked with executives at the company to develop story ideas to pitch to local media
- Developed a media contact list
June 2011 – September 2011
Media Relations Specialist, HubSpot, Cambridge, Massachusetts- Successfully led media relations campaign of acquisitions of two companies, including one that garnered national attention for its unique style of news release using Tweet-able statements to spread the news
- Successfully led media campaign when company was announced as 33rd fastest growing company and 2nd fastest growing software company on the Inc 500 list
- Wrote press releases and blog posts for several company announcements and events
- Handled all speaking requests and engagements
- Tracked all media mentions and analyzed coverage received
- Networked with and responded to requests from local and national reporters that resulted in articles and television interviews
March 2010 – June 2011
Web Producer, WBZ, Boston, Massachusetts- Wrote stories based on information from the field, the assignment desk, press releases and wire copy
- Edited and posted video from newscasts, web-special recordings, and raw video
- Resized and posted photos, attaching them to stories and adding to slide shows
October 2007 – March 2010
Anchor/Reporter, WLBZ, Bangor, Maine- Anchored daily 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. newscasts, including writing and editing scripts
- Enterprised and reported stories, cultivated sources
- Wrote and updated stories for the web, including uploading video and links
- Performed duties of one-man-band, as needed
- Approved reporters’ scripts and mentored reporters
- Produced the newscasts while the producer was on maternity leave
May 2004 – October 2007
Anchor/Reporter, WCSH, Portland, Maine- Anchored weekend morning and noon newscasts, including writing and editing scripts
- General assignment reporting, including live breaking news
- Covered significant flooding events in southern Maine two years in a row
- Write and update stories for the web, including web exclusive content
November 2001 – April 2004
Reporter/Fill-In Anchor, WLBZ, Bangor, Maine- General assignment reporting, including live breaking news
- Spent several days in New Sweden covering a deadly arsenic poisoning at a church; a story that received international attention
- Covered bankruptcy filings by several paper mills
- Worked as a one-man-band on evening shifts
- Filled in as anchor, as needed
September 2000 – October 2001
Anchor/Reporter, WAGM, Presque Isle, Maine- Anchored and produced weekend newscasts
- General assignment reporting, including performing duties of one-man-band
SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS:
Former Vice Chair, National Professional Development Committee
The Professional Development Committee ensures a broad range of professional development programs offered by the Society.
Past-President, Maine Pro Chapter; Past-Vice President, Maine Pro Chapter
Attended Ted Scripps Leadership Institute as a student in 2006, and as a mentor in 2008
The Ted Scripps Leadership Institute helps participants learn how to make their chapters successful by offering a mix of sessions focused on interpersonal and organizational leadership skills, as well as sound chapter management practices.
EDUCATION:
College of Art, Media, and Design, Northeastern University, EGD May 2016
Pursuing a master’s of art in Journalism with a concentration in Media Innovation
Focusing on web design and development, as well as data visualization
S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, Syracuse University, May 2000
Bachelor of Science, Broadcast Journalism
Also completed Newspaper curriculum
Minors in Economics and Psychology
Syracuse University London Centre, Spring 1999
Studied in London for a semester, focusing on journalism and economics
Kara Matuszewski Sassone 