RASHAUN HALL rashaundhall@gmail.com
Career Summary:
- Digital media strategist with proven success in crafting content, multimedia and social media programs for print, online and broadcast mediums
- Journalism professional with established relationships with digital and pop culture brands as well as contacts in the music, sports and entertainment industries
- Noted media expert with a background in online, television and print with the ability to effectively manage multiple assignments with speed, accuracy and efficiency
Employment History:
March 2010 – July 2010
Director of Editorial Strategy, Moguldom Media Group
- Supervised Editorial and Strategy initiatives across Moguldom╒s portfolio of websites (Bossip.com, Hip-HopWired.com, TheAtlantaPost.com, BossipTwitter.com, MadameNoire.com) that reach over two million unique visitors and 50 million pageviews monthly
- Responsible for working with advertising sales team on creative advertising packages and strategic partnerships with organizations such as Ford, Axe Deodorant and ABC to ensure the clients’ online presence is measureable and aligned with business and traffic goals
- Launched MadameNoire.com, a lifestyle site aimed at affluent women of color. In its inaugural month, the site reached 81,000 unique visitors and 268,000 pageviews
- Managed video and social media marketing initiatives across the portfolio including the launch of four YouTube channels which aggregated more than 200,000 views in their first month.
- Supported business development and content syndication initiatives with sites like TMZ, RadarOnline and Clear Channel
- Counseled senior management on best digital practices and strategic content alliances in order increase site traffic and engagement
- Managed a staff of 10 full-time editors as well as freelance writers and multimedia producers
- Developed and managed creative strategies and editorial synergies across divergent publishing brands to grow aggregate traffic via strategic partnerships.
March 2009 – March 2010
Freelance Journalist/Digital And Social Media Consultant
Interview, Essence, XXL, Complex, Uptown, BET.com, Universal Music Group, Warner Bros. Records, StreetLevel.com, theBVX.com, Kidult.com, RashaunHall.com
- Leverage relationships with public relations professionals and other media executives to create original and thought-provoking content
- Develop and execute digital media plans to ensure the clients’ online presence is measureable and aligned with business and traffic goals
- Counsel clients on best digital practices and strategic content alliances in order increase site traffic and engagement
- Regularly called upon by broadcast and print media outlets, including Metro, theloop21.com and Fight! Magazine, to offer commentary regarding entertainment and pop culture with various media outlets
Jan. 2007 – March 2009
Online Editor, GIANTmag.com
- Developed and managed the strategic vision and editorial voice for the 2009 Webby Award Honoree (magazine and celebrity/fan); including the creation of original content, news, reviews, features, blogs and audio/video assets
- Identified partner content sources and negotiated agreements with 3rd party sponsors and advertisers
- Worked closely with marketing and advertising to create unique and relevant content packages that established and drove new revenue channels while maintaining the editorial voice and vision of the magazine
- Monitored traffic patterns using Google Analytics and reported findings to senior content management in order to adjust programming to increase site traffic and SEO – within four months of site launch, reached 1 million unique visitors
- Cultivated an online community via our BlackPlanet social network to encourage users to contribute their comments to the content site and increase engagement
- Served as subject expert on urban and pop culture for various media outlets
- Managed the CMS to create, manage and publish content and text, video audio and photo assets
- Frequently contributed content, both as a writer and editor, for the magazine, including the “Beats & Bars” music column
- Served as the liaison between the editorial staff and the web developers
- Provided counsel to senior level executives on unique, non-traditional partnerships and strategic alignment with bloggers to promote the brand across various media platforms
Sept. 2005 – Jan. 2007
Director of Content, SOHH.com
- Oversaw the aggregation from outside news sources and creation of daily content for news, video, blogs and social media channels
- Managed and cultivated writing staff of 11 to perform day-to-day editorial and programming activities to ensure timely news coverage
- Provided counsel to senior level executives on unique, non-traditional partnerships and strategic alignment with blogs, film festivals and other like-minded events to promote the SOHH brand across various media platforms
- Fostered ongoing dialogue with the site’s community of users to increase engagement and better serve the audience
- Developed and maintained strong relationships with relevant influencers, managers, agents, and publicists in order to ensure maximum opportunities for coverage
- Served as subject expert on hip-hop culture for various media outlets including USA Today, XXL, The Newark Star-Ledger and New York Daily News
April 2005 – Sept. 2005
Senior Editor, The Source Magazine
- Assigned and top edited features and packages
- Contributed and edited the Record Report music section
- Maintained and leveraged relationships with relevant influencers, managers, agents, and publicists to ensure maximum opportunities for coverage
Sept. 2004 – Feb. 2005
Writer/Producer, MTV News
- Scripted and produced daily on-air and online music news coverage
- Wrote and produced segments of MTV’s “You Hear It First,” which highlights emerging artists
- Developed and maintained strong relationships with relevant influencers, managers, agents, and publicists in order to ensure maximum opportunities for coverage
Dec. 2003 – Sept. 2004
Editor, Billboard Radio Monitor Magazine
- Wrote and edited copy for leading music industry trade magazine
- Co-founded the annual Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Conference and Awards creating an additional yearly revenue stream for the trade — developed and managed attendee lists and packages, created and staffed panel discussions, negotiated sponsorships and produced the awards show
- Served as subject expert on music and entertainment culture for various media outlets including The New York Times, Newsweek, USA Today, The New York Post and CNNfn
Aug. 1999 – Dec. 2003
Editor, Billboard Magazine
- Wrote copy for leading music industry trade magazine
- Built and developed and maintained strong relationships with relevant influencers, managers, agents, and publicists in order to ensure maximum opportunities for coverage
- Built reputation as recognizable voice in music journalism by writing multiple cover stories, features, music reviews and Beats & Rhymes, a weekly column focusing on rap/hip-hop news
EDUCATION:
New York University, School of Education
Bachelor of Science, Communications Studies