Mel Meadows

MEL MEADOWS MEDIA PRODUCER & MANAGER Writing / Editorial Management/Production Multi-media professional with over 5 years of experience, solid leadership skills and familiarity with television and audio production, creative writing, and website content development. Experienced in all facets of production including writing, editing, interviewing, marketing, research, production coordination, and publishing. Superior communication skills, fluent in English, proficient in French and basic Wolof with technical skills including Cool Edit Pro, SAW Plus and MS Office. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE MARKETING/EDUCATION COORDINATOR, 2007 - 2008 CHEZ ALPHA BOOKS - Dakar, Senegal Managed daily operations of the only English language library and bookstore in Dakar, Senegal. Reported directly to the executive director, managed a full-time administrative assistant and defined strategy for the development, execution and management of marketing plan. Coordinated with website administrator for management of all website content. Managed part-time English teachers and coordinated international study abroad program. Selected Contributions: * Launched, wrote and edited the first newsletter. WRITER/EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, 2007 - Present PRODUCTION ASSISTANT/INTERN, 2003 - 2004 STL - TV - St. Louis, Missouri Provided production assistance, script writing and on-air reporting for television shows. Operated Teleprompter and computer graphics for both live and pre-taped broadcasts. Liaison for a partnership between STL-TV and the St. Louis American newspaper, wrote and performed weekly news updates. Selected Contribution: * Currently write and executive produce Pathways to Healing, a monthly health news program. COMMUNITY AFFAIRS EDITOR, 2005 - 2007 FREELANCE/CONTRIBUTING WRITER, 6/2005 - 8/2005 EDITORIAL INTERN, 1/2005 - 5/2005 ST. LOUIS AMERICAN NEWSPAPER - St. Louis, Missouri Demonstrated immediate talents upon hire and excelled quickly to become recognized by management as key member of editorial team. Reported breaking news stories. Researched, wrote and edited news and feature articles for both print and online editions of weekly newspaper with circulation of over 70,000. Assigned stories, set deadlines and managed freelance contributors. Awarded regional award for Excellence in Spot News Journalism award in 2006 for a series of stories reporting a capital murder case. Selected Contributions: * Managed story selection and copy editing of Religion, Community Focus and Careers sections. * Trained and managed 5 freelance writers, 2 freelance photographers and interns. CONTRIBUTING WRITER, 6/2005 - 11/2005 EDITORIAL INTERN, 2/2005 - 6/2005 ALIVE MAGAZINE - St. Louis, Missouri Researched, wrote and copy-edited health news briefs and feature stories for monthly health, beauty and fitness magazine with a circulation of 50,000 and an estimated readership of 250,000. ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT STAFF WRITER, 2004 - 2005 THE CURRENT - St. Louis, Missouri Researched and wrote feature stories for weekly university newspaper with approx. readership of 19,000. RADIO ANNOUNCER/BOARD OPERATOR/PRODUCER, 2003 - 2004 KXEN 1010 AM - Granite City, Illinois During 8-hour weekend shift, worked as a board operator, co-producer and on-air co-host of three-hour pre-recorded Christian music program with live breaks at the top of each hour. PRODUCTION ASSITANT/INTERN, 2/2002 - 12/2002 EMMIS COMMUNICATIONS - St. Louis, Missouri Assisted in production and voice talent of commercials for company that operates five radio stations in the #21 U.S. media market. Samples can be heard online at http://melmeadows.voice123.com. READING COACH, 2000 - 2001 CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL SERVICE - BELLEVILLE AMERICORPS - Belleville, Illinois Worked within a team environment on full range of tutoring and community service projects at Franklin Neighborhood Association. Created weekly lesson plans for 6 at-risk students at Franklin Elm. School. EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS Master of Business Administration, anticipated August 2009 Webster University - St. Louis, MO MBA Certificate in Global Commerce, anticipated October 2009 Webster University - St. Louis, MO Bachelor of Arts Degree, Communication, 2004 University of Missouri - St. Louis, MO Broadcast Performance and Production Certificate, 2002 Broadcast Center - St. Louis, MO EDUCATION 1/03 - 12/04 University of Missouri-St. Louis Degree: Bachelor of Arts - Mass Communication, post-graduate writing certificate G.P.A. 3.38 8/01 - 11/02 Broadcast Center St. Louis, MO Degree: Certificate in Broadcast Production & Performance Electronic Journalism: Practical, in-depth training in radio and television news writing, on-camera anchoring and reporting, story placement, interviewing techniques, news ethics, media legalities, localization of national and international stories. Digital Audio Production: Advanced production techniques and extensive training in multi-track audio production using SawPlus and Cool Edit Pro digital production systems. I am an outgoing, energetic voice over talent that enjoys working with people. Recently, I was a guest co-host for Justice for All on KMOX radio (Dec. 31, 2006). As a print journalist and former radio host/voice over talent, I have developed a wide range of interests including health and human interest stories and matters that directly impact readers/listeners.