Traci Grant
I'm a communications professional, with experience in print and broadcast news, PR, documentary/unscripted television producing.
Traci Grant
STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS, PUBLIC RELATIONS, TELEVISION DOCUMENTARY SERIES PRODUCTION
Phone:
415-425-8468
Email:
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Address:
Marina District
San Francisco, CA 94123
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Expertise Includes
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Corporate, Strategic and Crisis Communications
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Community Outreach Relationships, Networking
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Message Creation, Media Liaison, Strong Media Contacts
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Public Relations, Public Affairs, Presentations/Public Speaking
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Social Media Platforms, Social Media Message
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Television and Video Production: Unscripted shows, Documentaries, Broadcast
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News, Script Writing, Story Producing
EXPERIENCE
Co-Executive Producer
Field Producer
Story Producer
Researcher
Unscripted Television Development Consultant
Hot Snakes Media
Brainstorm potential storylines, ideas, casting and pitches for unscripted television. (Documentaries and reality shows.)
Field produce video shoots on location, including Zanzibar and Indianapolis for several shows. Conduct on camera interviews, log videotape in search of quality soundbites, interactions and storylines to piece together scenes to support storytelling.
Provided research for Discovery docuseries "The Garden: Cult Or Commune."
Worked as a Co-Executive Producer on the highly rated Discovery docuseries "The Curious Case of Natalia Grace," which premiered in May 2023, and served as a docuseries, "Coming From America," which streamed on HBO Max in September/October 2024.
Freelance Communications
Consultant
Self Employed
San Francisco CA
Contracted to write press releases and consult on public relations/communications projects for a variety of private clients, including overseeing the transition of the communications department for the incoming Alameda County District Attorney's Office from one administration to another. Built the DA's new communications team, comms and media relations plans.
Crafted a Master Document, press releases, online content, as well as other written and video communications materials for the launch of Ovis, a new blockchain/cryptocurrency company based in the Bay Area.
Currently, performing as Ovis's Chief Correspondent, hosting a podcast interviewing media and cryptocurrency experts about issues with the way news stories are covered and media corporations are run.
Hired to create a public relations and branding strategy to help a group of privately-owned fast food restaurants dealing with the aftermath of Covid on business and on consumer confidence.
Ghost-wrote bylines, blogs, thought leadership and other materials in the voices of C-suite executives for B2B and B2C high growth fintech companies.
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Public Affairs Officer
NASA Ames Research Center
Mountain View CA
Handled media inquiries by facilitating interviews and by using decades of experience as a journalist to prep scientists and staff for potential questions, possible controversies, delicate situations.
Created and wrote products for social media and corporate communications, in addition to press releases to generate external, internal and media attention to NASA programs, personalities and research.
Used worldwide media contacts and longtime relationships with reporters to generate interest in and to promote NASA’s accomplishments and ongoing activities.
Employed crisis and strategic communications to control, block and spin information that, potentially, could be covered in an unfavorable way.
Bay Area Correspondent
Al Jazeera America
San Francisco CA
Brainstormed and reported Bay Area stories that appealed to a national and international television audience.
TV News Reporter
KNTV, NBC Bay Area
San Francisco CA
Strategic Communications
Initiated and developed concepts, wrote news and human interest stories, and
collaborated with cross-functional team to produce each story.
Presented breaking news, political business and educational stories, as well as human interest features on the air.
Researched, located and skillfully persuaded key spokespersons to be nterviewed on diverse and sometimes controversial topics.
Analyzed demographics and tailored presentation to each audience, resulting in higher ratings and audience appeal.
Utilized print, online and social networking sites to actively promote features and build a dialogue.
Created website content, tweeted stories throughout the day, and used Facebook to solicit comments from readers/viewers.
Consulted with Public Relations and industry spokespersons, providing insight and advice to assist them in crafting compelling press releases to garner greater media attention.
Received Emmy Award nominations for Serious Feature News Reporting, 2009, for General News Reporting, 2005 and Light News Feature,1999.
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Networking & Relationship-building
Met frequently with leaders in underrepresented communities in order to bring all voices into a broader dialogue on key issues.
Built long-term relationships with Subject Matter Experts, community leaders and political representatives who provided advice and on-air information for a broad spectrum of timely news and feature stories.
Interviewed high-profile individuals, including Governor Gavin Newsom, the Dalai Lama, and local celebrities for news and feature segments that addressed Bay Area issues.
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Team Leadership & Collaboration
Collaborated across the station to brainstorm public interest ideas, develop news messages/angles, pitch stories to newsroom managers, and produce segments.
Conducted media training and worked closely with interviewees to put them at ease in otherwise stressful situations.
Honed a technique to enable participants to naturally tell their stories while being interviewed.
Trained and mentored individuals and groups, including Police Academy recruits, community leaders and politicians, in the effective delivery of information and creating a solid on-air presence.
TV News Reporter
WFTV, Channel 9 Eyewitness News
Orlando, FL
Recruited to bring a more global perspective and new community features to this major Central Florida station.
Built a strong network of contacts across Central Florida to identify and produced features most pertinent to the audience.
Researched, wrote and presented consumer advice segments.
Became channel expert on subjects ranging from NASA shuttle launches and landings to
local pop culture bands.
Bureau Chief & TV News Reporter
NEW ENGLAND CABLE NEWS
Hartford, CT
Recruited as the station's lead bureau newscaster and headed news coverage throughout the state and parts of New England, including story selection, production, staffing, and
office operations.
Nominated for Emmy Award for Light News Feature, 1998.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts
Journalism (minor in Geology)
Medill School of Journalism
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
Evanston IL 60201
High School Diploma
Classical Theater Major
NEW WORLD SCHOOL OF THE ARTS
Miami FL 33132
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Lighthouse for the Blind: Read and recorded articles from newspapers and magazines for visually impaired.
US Citizenship Ceremony: Delivered inspirational speeches about my life as a child of immigrant parents.
Bay Area & Central Florida Elementary and High Schools: Delivered presentations about the life and skills of a reporter and the education needed to become one.
Member, Bay Area Black Journalists Association and National Association of Black Journalists.
Received the Benjamin Fine Award for Excellence in Education Reporting.
SKILLS
Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word - Advanced
Social Media - Advanced
Google Suite
Power Point, Keynote, Canva - Proficient
Avid, I-News, iMovie - Proficient
Spanish - Advanced
WORK AND VIDEO SAMPLES
I am an experienced strategic communications professional, with strong management and relationship-building skills, an extensive network of contacts in a variety of media, corporate, government, community organizations, and diverse stakeholders.
I am an articulate public speaker and creative storyteller, with strong writing skills and an unparalleled knowledge of news media strategies. Highly experienced in creating compelling content and messaging using broadcast, print and digital media for local, national and global audiences.
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Multiple Emmy Award nominee.
Benjamin Fine Award winner for Excellence in Education Reporting.
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Corporate, Strategic and Crisis Communications
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Project management
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Self-motivated
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Strong verbal communication
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Conflict resolution
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Team lead and liaison
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Community Outreach
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Networking
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Media Liaison with Close Media Contacts
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Message Creation
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Script Writing
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Public Relations/Public Affairs
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Presentations/Public Speaking
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Social Media Platforms/Content Creation
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Video Production
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Television and Print Newswriting Formats