ABBEY O'BRIEN BARROWS Storyteller

EXPERIENCE

Public Relations Specialist - Kennesaw State Universty in Kennesaw, GA (August 2021-present)

- Write for a variety of media, both print and electronic, including feature stories for the Kennesaw State University Magazine, press releases and stories for the web
- Currently creating a video-based feature story series to highlight compelling stories around the University
- Provide strategic counsel and work collaboratively with deans and department heads on public relations activities that enhance the reputation of colleges and/or departments
- Work with the media relations team to pitch stories to the media and respond to requests for media experts

Multimedia Journalist/Traffic Anchor - WCSC in Charleston, SC (May 2018-June 2021)

- Shoot, write and edit compelling video stories for television broadcast
- Write articles for Live5News.com and post content to social media platforms on a daily basis

- Identify and develop story ideas for television and the website
- Created a franchise focused on feature stories during the pandemic called "Lowcountry Strong" and was responsible for all video, web articles and story pitches
- Anchor traffic reports in-studio for the morning show (5-8:30 a.m.)

- Use social media to report on up-to-the-minute traffic alerts
- Fill in on the anchor desk
- Started a franchise called "What's Driving You Crazy" to get answers to viewers' questions and concerns about Lowcountry roads
- Traveled to Dallas and New Orleans to cover the Clemson Tigers football team in College Football Playoff games

Multimedia Journalist – WBTW in Myrtle Beach, SC (June 2016-May 2018)
- Pitch, shoot, write and edit stories for the 11 p.m. newscast
- Fill in as an anchor/producer for News13 weekend morning shows and Fox News at 10

Multimedia Journalist - Carolina News in Columbia, SC (August 2015-December 2015)
- Member of a 30-person class that produced two live broadcasts everyday
- Rotated between multiple roles including: reporter, anchor, director, photographer, digital content producer and weather specialist

Intern - NBC’s TODAY Show in New York, NY (Summer 2015)

- Assisted producers with research, interview transcriptions, music cues, local shoots and live segments
- Pitched, interviewed and wrote for TODAY.com

Intern - WIS-TV in Columbia, SC (Summer 2014)

- Helped reporters shoot video in the field and put stories together in the newsroom
- Researched and wrote stories for producers in ENPS

Student Journalist - Munich Multimedia Maymester in Munich, Germany (May 2014)

- Traveled to Munich and Berlin, Germany with a class of 25 students
- Researched, conducted interviews and completed a full broadcast and print piece

HONORS AND AWARDS

- Southeast EMMY Award for Best Morning Newscast, Small Market (2021)
- RTDNAC First Place for Sports Special (2020)

- RTDNAC First Place for Breaking News (2020)

- RTDNAC First Place for Sports Special (2019)

- SCBA STAR Award of Merit for Feature/Franchise reporter (2019)

- RTDNAC First Place for General News by a Multimedia Journalist (2018)

- RTDNAC First Place for Health-Medicine reporting (2017)

- SCBA STAR Award of Merit for Feature/Franchise reporting (2017)

- RTDNAC Best Student TV News Reporting Award Recipient (2016)

- SPJ Region 3 Mark of Excellence Awards:

        - 2016 Television News and Feature Photography Finalist

        - 2016 Television Breaking News Reporting Finalist

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

VP of Communications (volunteer) - Atlanta Alumnae Club of Pi Beta Phi (June 2022-present)

- Manage the club's social media accounts, create newsletters, and use communications as a way to bring women together.

Reading Partners (2019-2020)

- Volunteered once a week as a tutor at Angel Oak Elementary School
United Way of Horry County (2017-2018)
- Volunteered once a week at Socastee Elementary School

St. Andrew's Catholic Church (2016-2018)
- Volunteered once a month with the teen Sunday school program

EDUCATION

- University of Alabama

    - Masters in Journalism and Media Studies

    - 4.0 GPA
- University of South Carolina Honors College
   - Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communications
    - Summa Cum Laude

SKILLS
-Proficient in shooting and editing video

-Strong writing skills using AP Style

-Knowledge of social media platforms including: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok

-Strong communication/interpersonal skills

-Ability to work under deadline pressure in a fast-paced environment

-Strong news judgement

-Proficient in the following programs/equipment: Adobe Premiere Pro, Edius, Canva, JVC cameras, GoPros, Microsoft Office programs