MMJ/DIGITAL CONTENT PRODUCER

Can’t decide if you want to be a traditional Broadcast News Journalist, a Social Media-based Reporter, host your own web shows, or write long-form web stories?  Now you don’t have to choose.  You can do it all.  WMBB, the Nexstar-owned ABC and CW affiliate for Panama City and the Florida Panhandle, is looking for a Digital Content Producer.  This role is essentially replacing our MMJ/Reporter positions across our newsroom.  Qualified candidates will have the skills to write and post original content and news stories on our website mypanhandle.com, all station social media platforms, and produce content for use in on-air newscasts.  You’ll also need experience in shooting & editing video and producing packages.  In short, you’ll be doing everything a Multi-Media Journalist does for broadcast TV and everything for our digital platforms.

That’s the job, but what about the station and the city?  You’ll be living in a beautiful beach community where hundreds of thousands of people vacation.  You will not be shoveling snow half the year.  It’s an even better place to work.  We have a good culture in our newsroom.  We are a beginner’s market for many who begin their journey in the news business. We pride ourselves in owning breaking news and are not afraid to tackle the controversial topics. We’ve won more awards for our coverage than any other local media outlet over the last five years. Our news team works hard but has fun.  It’s a good work environment where everyone gets along well with each other. 

If this sounds like the place you want to begin your career and learn your craft, then you need to apply now.  This job will not last long.  For more on the job requirements and desired qualifications keep reading below.  Hope to hear from you soon. 

Position Responsibilities:

• Monitor all forms of media (print, TV, digital, blogs and social) and be quick to report breaking news stories and always on the hunt for exclusive and or trending content that will grow engagement and drive loyal, local traffic
• Excellent at writing headlines that grow audience and engagement
• Prioritize packaging content that grows page views per visitor and time on site, using headline testing, metric tools and observed patterns to guide decision making
• Curate and aggregate a steady stream of interesting content that is packaged and promoted in a way that generates engagement and repeat site visitation
• Understand different ways to tell a story, particularly producing short videos and choosing great photos
• Evaluate website traffic trends to make decisions on both daily content needs and longer-term content curation that will grow local audience
• Build positive working relationships with newsroom staff and management, work collaboratively on enterprise content, and creating opportunities to market web content on broadcast
• Promote and distribute news content on social media
• Reports news stories for broadcast, describing the background and details of events
• Reviews copy and corrects errors in content, grammar and punctuation, following prescribed editorial style and formatting guidelines
• Reviews and evaluates notes taken about event aspects to isolate pertinent facts and details
• Determines a story’s emphasis, length and format, and organizes material accordingly
• Researches and analyzes background information related to news stories to be able to provide complete and accurate information
• Gathers information about events through research, interviews, experience or attendance at political, news, sports, artistic, social or other functions
• Pitches stories to news managers and news producers which are relevant to the local community
• Receives assignments and evaluates leads and tips to develop story ideas
• Discusses issues with producers and/or news managers to establish priorities or positions
• Checks reference materials such as books, news files or public records to obtain relevant facts
• Revises work to meet editorial approval or to fit time requirements
• Shoots and edits news events and news reports
• Produces and presents reports for all platforms
• Ensures that all content meets company standards for journalistic integrity and production quality
• Writes stories for the web and other eMedia platforms
• Interacts with viewers/users on social media sites
• Performs special projects and other duties as assigned

Skill/ Experience Requirements

• 2 years of experience in digital content and journalism
• Capable of researching, interviewing, and writing original news articles
• Clever headline writer that gets readers to click
• Strong multi-tasking abilities
• Organized, technical problem solver and quick decision maker
• Knowledge of SEO best practices and AP Style
• Enjoys working in teams and has excellent interpersonal skills
• Ease with/ability to learn new technology independently and quickly
• Strong communicator
• Some schedule flexibility (nights, weekends)
• Regularly meets measurements of success
• Strong understanding of Google Analytics; Chartbeat experience a plus
• Proficiency in MS Office; HTML, CSS and Photoshop experience a plus
• Fluency in English
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written with the ability to ad lib when required
• Minimum two years’ experience in news reporting (Depending on market size)
• Superior on-air presence
• Proficiency with computers, telephones, copiers, scanners, fax machines and other office equipment
• Ability to meet deadlines, prioritize assignments and handle multiple tasks simultaneously
• Valid driver’s license with a good driving record
• Flexibility to work any shift