Summer Knowles

Reliable. Credible. Personable.

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

More than 7 years of journalism experience, including 2+ years of anchoring
Creative storytelling & writing, demonstrative live reporting & anchoring skills
Proven team player/leader in meeting deadlines and goals under pressure
Tech-savvy skills, including but not limited to social media networking, website management and blogging to interact with viewers to increase station’s online presence within the community

BROADCASTING EXPERIENCE

KSLA (CBS) Shreveport, LA 2010 – Present
Anchor/Reporter

Anchor KSLA News 12 This Morning (5a-7a), KSLA News 12 at 9, KSLA News 12 at Noon
Communicate news stories clearly, concisely and conversationally live on air with appropriate tone and emotion
Monitor AP alerts and local crime web sites for breaking news before, during and after newscasts
Present breaking news, adlib descriptions of live pictures and interact with reports in the field
Brainstorm, research, write, proofread and update news scripts
Establish and maintain dialogue with viewers online, soliciting comments & news tips and answering questions
Write, post, send out, and update teases and breaking news alerts on Facebook and twitter
Advise and brainstorm live shot locations, story angles and interactive standups and liveshots for the show
Generate story ideas, write, edit, shoot and present general news stories and special reports on air

WPEC/WFLX (CBS & FOX) West Palm Beach, FL 2009 – 2010
General Assignment Reporter

Wrote, shot and edited news stories
Reported live from the field on multiple deadlines; developed and maintained contacts for story updates
Covered breaking news, gathering information quickly & presenting facts while ad-libbing unfolding information
Posted stories to the web

KTVI (FOX) St. Louis, MO 2006 – 2009
General Assignment Reporter

Generated and pitched multiple story ideas daily
Reported live from field on multiple deadlineson general news stories and breaking news
Hosted St. Louis’ Most Wanted
- met with FBI contacts to conduct interviews about criminals on the run from federal agents
- assisted FBI in catching several of its most wanted suspects, some of whom voluntarily turned themselves in after seeing themselves on the Most Wanted Segment
Blogged for station web site, successfully soliciting and responding to viewer comments, questions and news tips
Posted stories to the web

WCAV/WVAW/WAHU (CBS, ABC, FOX) Charlottesville, VA 2005 – 2006
General Assignment Reporter

Generated story ideas daily
Wrote, shot and edited news stories
Reported live from the field on multiple deadlines; developed and maintained contacts for story updates
Posted stories to the web

NBC NEWS CHANNEL Charlotte, NC 2004 – 2005
Freelance News Writer/ Producer on the National Desk

Researched, wrote and edited national news stories for distribution to 200+ NBC affiliates
Reviewed video for stories, ensuring video matched scripts and were factually correct, properly formatted and completed by deadline
Enhanced news judgment skills by determining the content for news feeds
Facilitated newsgathering process by maintaining contact with NBC affiliates during breaking news
Booked and monitored satellite feeds for affiliates

VOLUNTEERISM/AFFILIATIONS

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: Full, four-year athletic (Track & Field) Scholarship
National Association of Black Journalists, Member
Investigative Reporters and Editors, Inc., Member
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Member
High School Journalist Workshop, Host (coached students on how to write for TV, conduct interviews, establish on-air look, etc.)
St. Louis FBI Citizen’s Academy, Graduate (strengthened Bureau contacts, resulting in tips on lead/exclusive stories; completed FBI’s firearm training, winning the competitive assault rifle firing categories)
City Academy Friends Board committee, Member (helped plan and coordinate fundraising events, developed contacts with community leaders)
Mistress of Ceremony/Motivational Speaker/Reading Advocate (Elementary/High Schools, Non-profit organizations, police/security leagues and community organizations i.e.: NAACP & Black Chamber of Commerce)

EDUCATION
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
B.A., Journalism

Gallaudet University
(American Sign Language & Deaf Culture Courses)
Betty & Leonard Phillips Deaf Action Center
(American Sign Language & Deaf Culture Courses)

--- conversational in Spanish and mildy conversational in American Sign Language ---

COMPUTER PROFICIENCY
Specialized Editing and formatting Applications/Hardware

•AP ENPS                   •iNews                               •DVC Pro and P2
•Leitch                   •Bade                           •Avid
•Edius                    •Microsoft Office Suite    •CBS Newspath
•CNN News Source     •Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, Blogging)