Landon S. Gibson
Meridian
Summary
To obtain a position in the field of journalism and communication that enhances my skills and abilities while allowing for growth and advancement.
Professional journalist with strong focus on delivering timely and impactful news. Experienced in investigative reporting, interviewing, and multimedia storytelling. Team player known for adaptability and reliable performance in fast-paced environments. Strong writing, research and communication skills.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
News Reporter (Freelance)
The Kemper County Messenger
11.2022 - Current
- My responsibilities include determining information’s newsworthiness; conducting interviews; transcribing interviews; writing and formatting stories; curating hard news, breaking news, and feature stories; creating content for magazines; proofreading and editing copy for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.
Interim Publisher/Editor
The Newton County Appeal
07.2022 - 10.2022
- My responsibilities included training, managing, and leading staff; editing copy; designing and paginating the weekly newspaper and special publications; enhancing subscription rates; uploading articles to website and social media accounts; generating revenue; and producing localized, quality stories of importance to the communities we served.
Publisher/Editor
The Star-Herald
02.2022 - 07.2022
- My responsibilities included curating news; selling print and digital advertisements and campaigns; training, managing, and leading staff to success; generating revenue; publishing the weekly newspaper, special sections, and magazines; creating online content; editing copy; paginating and creatively designing page layouts; actively communicating with leaders in the community and beyond; photography; driving a single-copy route; creating local political campaigns; holding public officials accountable; and more, while still maintaining my responsibilities as the sole news reporter.
- - Active member of Kosciusko Lions Club.
News Reporter
The Star-Herald
05.2021 - 02.2022
- My responsibilities included attending local meetings and work sessions of city aldermen, board of supervisors, and both county and city school boards; determining information’s newsworthiness; conducting interviews; transcribing interviews; writing and formatting stories; curating hard news, breaking news, and feature stories; creating content for magazines; proofreading and editing copy for grammar, spelling and punctuation errors; writing weekly lifestyles stories in partnership with the Kosciusko Foundation for Excellence in Education; designing pages and coordinating classified and legal advertisements in the paper each week; uploading articles online; actively using QuarkXPress, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Adobe Photoshop; drafting tweets/Facebook posts for all stories printed; taking photographs for stories and other special publications; overseeing and coordinating photoshoots/photo opportunities for special publications; and coordinating the creation of multiple stories simultaneously.
Student News Writer
Mississippi State University Office of Public Affairs
09.2020 - 05.2021
- My responsibilities included evaluating information to determine its newsworthiness, conducting interviews, transcribing interviews, writing and formatting stories for news releases, daily spotlights and feature stories, editing writing for grammar, spelling and punctuation errors, drafting tweets for the university’s social media accounts, and coordinating the creation of multiple stories and projects simultaneously.
Student Technician
Mississippi State University ITS Dept.
01.2020 - 09.2020
- My responsibilities included installing/uninstalling software, reimaging computers along with delivering and picking up computers. This involved directly communicating with professors, staff and faculty regularly, diagnosing issues with computers and thinking critically to resolve errors.
Social Media Manager
Time 2 Shine Car Wash
09.2018 - 01.2019
- My responsibilities included regularly photographing and posting pictures engaging consumers to bring in business. This involved creating plans of action with strategic and modern avenues to advance the company’s social media presence as well as bring in more revenue. I posted interactively with weekly giveaways and contests to further the company’s outreach.
Education
High School Diploma -
Clarkdale High School
Meridian, MS05-2017
Bachelor of Science - undefined
Mississippi State University
Starkville, MS04.2021
undefined
Meridian Community College
Meridian, MS05.2019
undefined
East Central Community College
Decatur, MS05.2018
Skills
- Community engagement
- Content creation
- Editorial management
- Interview techniques
- News writing
- Project management
- Internal communications
- Media relations
- Brand promotion
- Strategic messaging
- Corporate messaging and speechwriting
Timeline
News Reporter (Freelance)
The Kemper County Messenger
11.2022 - Current
Interim Publisher/Editor
The Newton County Appeal
07.2022 - 10.2022
Publisher/Editor
The Star-Herald
02.2022 - 07.2022
News Reporter
The Star-Herald
05.2021 - 02.2022
Student News Writer
Mississippi State University Office of Public Affairs
09.2020 - 05.2021
Student Technician
Mississippi State University ITS Dept.
01.2020 - 09.2020
Social Media Manager
Time 2 Shine Car Wash
09.2018 - 01.2019
Bachelor of Science - undefined
Mississippi State University
undefined
Meridian Community College
undefined
East Central Community College
High School Diploma -
Clarkdale High School
Awards
Mississippi Press Association 2021 Better Newspaper Contest - Editorial Division, First Place, Feature Story
Mississippi Press Association 2022 Better Newspaper Contest - Advertising Division, First Place, Best Editorial Special Section