Lisa Spinelli
LisaMSpinelli@gmail.com
LisaSpinelli.com
Education:
Columbia University | Graduate School of Journalism | MS, Journalism | May 2004
University of Virginia | BA, English | May 2000
Professional Experience:
Burke, Va. | July 2011—Present
Freelance Writer, Reporter and Copyeditor
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As a freelance journalist I pitch and write articles and shoot photography/video for numerous local news
sources like Northern Virginia Magazine, The Connection Papers and ElevationDCMedia, and national
publications like Fast Company and Mental Floss.
Also revising a non-fiction book proposal under agency with Dystel and Goderich literary group.
Patch | Wilmington and Tewksbury, Mass.| September 2010—June 2011
Editor/Reporter/Columnist
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As editor, I managed all reporters, assignments, production and editing for the Wilmington site. I also wrote
articles, shot photos and created slideshows, shot and edited video and edited all other new media content for
the site daily while running social media accounts and building a following.
After I left as editor, I wrote freelance hard news pieces and two mom columns per week.
ThePhoenix.com, Phoenix Media Communications Group | Boston | October 2008—August 2010
Web Managing Editor
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Led a team of seven while overseeing the daily operations of three award-winning newspaper websites – the
Boston, Providence and Portland sites—totaling 1.5 million pageviews per month.
Coordinated all the content, graphics and page designs for our special projects, blogs and Web-only content.
Worked closely with our marketing team to promote projects and giveaways via social media.
Organized and created weekly email newsletters for all three sites and attended daily meetings.
KWTV/NEWS9.com, Griffin Communications LLC | Oklahoma City | June 2007—July 2008
Lead Web Content Producer and Editor, Associate Producer and Assignment Editor
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Led and supervised a team of three for this top-ranking CBS affiliate while writing breaking news; re-writing
TV reporters’ scripts and copyediting articles; located and assigned articles, videos and pictures for site.
Wrote scripts, produced and edited video for a weekly political debate show for the website.
Designed and created webpages in HTML and graphics in Photoshop for our Election pages.
Rome, Italy and Moore, Okla. | June 2006—July 2008
Freelance Reporter
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In Okla.: Wrote weekly features for the Oklahoma Gazette and hard news for the Associated Press.
Researched, conducted interviews, wrote copy for, and helped design the first Oklahoma University Health
Sciences Center incoming students’ booklet.
In Rome: Was the first RedHerring.com European correspondent. Wrote daily business articles within a fourhour deadline for the site and magazine, often conducting interviews in Italian.
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Contributed to a Harry N. Abrams Inc. travel book on Rome and was the Rome Editor for Bohème Vérité
online magazine. Wrote artist bios for local bands, artists and DJs.
In both countries: Pitched and wrote health articles for Fox News health contributor’s website,
AskDrManny.com, and feature articles for URB, Exceptional Magazine, and DJ Times.
SourceMedia | New York City | Feb. 2005—June 2006
Associate Editor
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Pitched and wrote technology-based weekly features, focusing on accountants and small business owners, for
this multimillion dollar trade publication group.
Covered technology conferences throughout the country, including Microsoft’s Convergence.
Wrote hard news for AccountingToday.com, including three “Tech Briefs” per week.
Queens Tribune | Fresh Meadows, NY | Nov. 2004—Feb. 2005
Associate Editor/Special Section Editor
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Helped manage a team of five for an award-winning, 157,000-circulated, weekly newspaper.
Led and oversaw the newsroom in copy, layout and production of a monthly glossy publication.
Wrote nearly the entire copy for the monthly “special section” and used my creativity to continuously improve
upon past issues while creating fresh ideas for future publications.
TMP Worldwide, Inc. | McLean, VA | August 2000—May 2001
Copywriter
 Wrote, edited, proofread and sold advertisements on all forms of mediums including; websites, newspapers,
magazines, movie screens and radio.
 Wrote and collaborated on ad campaigns, researching and brainstorming with graphic designers, ad executives
and other copywriters while meeting hourly, daily and monthly deadlines.
Works also published in:
Chicago Tribune, Houston Chronicle, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Lakeland Ledger, Alameda Times-Star,
GothamGazette.com, Hamilton Spectator.
Skills & Affiliations:
Languages: Fluent in Italian; some Spanish.
Applications: MS Office, Mac OSX, Dreamweaver, Photoshop, HTML Web-basic certified, iMovie and iPhoto,
Audacity, WorldNow Producer, Ektron CMS, Avid I-News and Media Manager, and Final Cut Pro X.
Social Media: Helped manage and run marketing campaigns on Facebook and Twitter to increase awareness of sites
and build online communities. Attending Hootsuite University for social media certification.
Awards | Affiliations: 2009 NEPA Convergence Award | Society of Professional Journalists.