Abby Rhoad Email & Phone Number

Lancaster, Pennsylvania Area

Leads team of six photographers and graphic designers while overseeing daily and long-term projects with a newsroom staff of around 100. Uses technical and creative skills to brainstorm ideas and implement feedback. Coordinates about 50 weekly assignments for three full-time, one part-time and six freelance photographers each week. Oversees annual budget of $29,000 for freelance photography coverage.Collaborates with nine departments and 40 reporters in the newsroom, in addition to advertising and IT teams. Drives projects from concept to completion with high attention to detail. Oversees visual and design aesthetic for the 35,000-circulation LNP print newspaper and 12,000-subscriber LancasterOnline.com. Streamlines processes within daily and non-daily workflow, including photography assignments, graphic design requests, freelance budgeting, reporter/editor collaboration, process for commercial reuse requests and working with internal and external teams to overhaul photo archiving system.

Lancaster, Pennsylvania Area

Critical position that led and managed the night news desk. Ensured editing and presentation of content was fair, balanced, accurate and compelling. Oversaw a smooth flow of content throughout the night and that daily deadlines were met. Essential in shaping an evening work environment that champions excellent journalism, collaboration, creativity and teamwork.Led staff of 10 people, ensuring consistent quality and that daily deadlines are met. Included providing feedback, mentoring younger designers and streamlining daily processes, adjusting content and coverage as necessary.Utilized project management skills to ensure a smooth flow of content throughout the night. Budgeted 16- to 32-page A sections daily with stories and art that’s vital to LNP readers. Updated digital platforms while using metrics and analytics to make informed decisions on content assignments and placement across all platforms.

Lancaster, Pennsylvania Area

Edited content and designed variety of pages for daily newspaper.

Harrisburg, Pa.

Innovative, award-winning team member for Pulitzer Prize-winning paper. Led development of print features department. Produced engaging content from conception to design across all newspaper sections, including front page. Integrated local coverage through multiple departments, while repurposing online content for print. Served as point person for features columnists.Developed leadership, analytical and time management skills as head features designer. Included writing, curating and editing, then creating engaging illustrations and designs that reached thousands of readers each day. Improved efficiency among designers by creating new design libraries and shortcuts. Led department brainstorming meetings, coordinating coverage and content for three 10- to 12-page weekly Living sections.Headed the PennLive/Patriot-News team of volunteers to lead a successful fundraising campaign for United Way through innovative fundraising events, games and promotions.

York, Pennsylvania Area

Designed and edited content for all sections of 4 daily newspapers and magazines. Grew digital readership by using SEO best practices on 4 websites and managed social media accounts. Served independently as lead features wire editor and contact person for sister newspaper and weekly publications. Began weekly blog that garnered more than 10K views. Increased efficiency by streamlining design process with redesign for consistency in style across 4 newspapers.Created magazine feature and saw through from concept to publication: included developing new concepts, finding products, setting up photo shoots, writing and designing final packages.

I was a team member of the Yankee Candle Co. store in the York Galleria Mall, in York, Pa., on a part-time basis, assisting customers with their fragrance needs.

Oversee sales associates, open the store, handle money

Designed award-winning layouts for West Virginia’s third-largest daily newspaper, magazines and special sections. Ensured quality by editing colleagues’ work for errors and design elements. Oversaw and led copy desk several nights a week. Grew online audience through website’s infancy.

Assisted students in learning common research methods and seeking information from multiple sources, while teaching techniques and formulas for analysis of information, research paper writing and citation. Prepared students for future news writing, reporting and correct usage of AP style.

Bachelor'S, Biology, Journalism

Activities and Societies: The Chimes student newspaper, Pi Phi Epsilon social sorority, Sigma Tau Delta honors English fraternity, Women's.

M.A.J., Journalism

Activities and Societies: Society of Professional Journalists, The Parthenon, Graduate Teaching Assistant