Building tomorrow's media from the best of yesterday's news
San Francisco Bay Area
- Current
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- Reporter, community manager, strategist at Oakland Local
- co-creator, community manager at Reynolds Journalism Institue
- Contributing writer at Serena Software
- trainer, newsletter editor at Knight Digital Media Center
- Editor, E-Media Tidbits group weblog at Poynter Institute
- partner at I, Reporter
- Media consultant, content strategist, writer, editor at Amy Gahran media consulting
- Technology Consultant and Freelance Journalist at Society of Environmental Journalists
- Past
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- Founder at Boulder Carbon Tax Tracker
- consultant, developer, writer at J-Lab
- Editor, InFocus newsletter at Eastman Kodak
- Managing Editor at E Source
- Managing Editor at Energy User News
- Education
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- Temple University
- Recommended
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1 person has recommended Amy - Connections
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- Industry
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- Websites
Amy Gahran’s Summary
VISION: It strikes me that journalism is just a means to an end. The goal is to help people and communities understand their world, share their perspectives and concerns, and make better decisions.
...At the same time, media is moving much faster than most established news organizations and journalism institutions could ever hope to keep up.
MY PASSION is to discover the best ways to continue to achieve the goals of journalism, while thinking beyond the tools, organizations, strategies, and players of the news biz as we've known it so far. In the process, I hope to find ways to carry into the future the best from journalism as we've known it in order to help shape the future.
SO: WHAT DO I *DO*? I help organizations and individuals achieve their goals through effective, creative use of online, social, and mobile media. I also work on my own projects in these areas, and help build project teams.
Much of my work has involved journalists, news organizations, and related institutions. I'm expanding beyond this group to work with community-focused projects, librarians, Government 2.0, and technologists of all kinds (especially for collaboration, mapping, and social media).
MY BACKGROUND is in journalism and editorial management -- but my skill set has advanced far beyond writing stories and managing editorial systems. I keep abreast of the latest tools and services. I spot opportunities and pitfalls, manage experiments, and craft successful strategies.
I can show you how to constructively participate in the public conversation in ways that will engage and energize you, engage your community, leverage your strengths, and support your mission. More importantly, I can help you understand how participating in the public conversation can help you reach and refine your goals.
Consulting services include strategic consulting, seminars, one-on-one coaching, weblogs, writing, editing, technology assessment, and project management.
Amy Gahran’s Specialties:
libraries, government 2.0, community, technology, journalism, online media, social media, mobile, development, software, web applications, iPhone, geo-media, weblogs, content strategy, training, seminars, coaching, writing, editing, editorial process, publishing, communication, journalism, content style, project management, editorial management, technology assessment
Amy Gahran’s Experience
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Reporter, community manager, strategist
Oakland Local
(Online Media industry)
April 2009 — Present (8 months)
Helping to launch an issue-focused news/community hub for Oakland, CA -- with special attention to the environment and mobile technology.
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co-creator, community manager
Reynolds Journalism Institue
(Online Media industry)
January 2009 — Present (11 months)
I helped to build this Ning-based online community site to foster collaboration and experimentation in to further news and journalism projects.
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Contributing writer
Serena Software
(Privately Held; Computer Software industry)
June 2007 — Present (2 years 6 months)
I write periodic columns and articles explaining the business value of cloud computing.
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trainer, newsletter editor
Knight Digital Media Center
(Online Media industry)
August 2006 — Present (3 years 4 months)
I've helped KDMC run several workshops and other programs aimed at helping newsroom leaders learn how to capitalize on new opportunities available in online, mobile, social, and other kinds of digital media. Includes presenting, coaching, writing, weekly newsletter production, and more.
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Editor, E-Media Tidbits group weblog
Poynter Institute
(Non-Profit; Newspapers industry)
March 2006 — Present (3 years 9 months)
Tidbits is a leading weblog for news professionals that covers online media and technology developments of interest to journalists and journalism educators/students. As editor, I coordinated the efforts of volunteers and authored about 60% of the blog posts. The Poynter Institute is a leading journalistic research and mid-career education organization.
Tidbits: http://www.poynter.org/tidbits -
partner
I, Reporter
(Online Media industry)
May 2005 — Present (4 years 7 months)
For much of my consulting work, including developing the RJI Collaboratory, I team with fellow journalist and consultant Adam Glenn. Our clients have included J-Lab, the Knight Digital Media Center at USC Annenberg, and more. Together we won a Knight News Challenge grant, to operated the local citizen journalism project Boulder Carbon Tax Tracker.
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Media consultant, content strategist, writer, editor
Amy Gahran media consulting
(Online Media industry)
October 1998 — Present (11 years 2 months)
Mostly I help organizations and individuals wrap their brains around online media -- especially social and collaborative media such as weblogs, forums, Twitter, wikis, etc. This includes projects such as launching, writing or managing weblogs, developing realistic and effective online or social media strategies, training and speaking, smart implementation of technologies such as mobile communications and content management systems, creating e-learning content, general writing and editing, and more.
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Technology Consultant and Freelance Journalist
Society of Environmental Journalists
(Professional Training & Coaching industry)
October 1990 — Present (19 years 2 months)
I've worked for SEJ in various capacities since 1990 -- I was the organization's first employee.
Current contract roles: I help guide key web technology and program decisions for SEJ. I've also been a regular writer for SEJ's Tipsheet publication since 1995.
Volunteer roles: I organize major events at SEJ's annual conference (workshops, networking events, etc.). I also have coordinated volunteer blog coverage of the SEJ conference. I founded SEJ's lively members-only discussion e-mail list. I assist SEJ staff and members in variously journalistic and consulting capacities as needed. -
Founder
Boulder Carbon Tax Tracker
(Online Media industry)
July 2006 — September 2008 (2 years 3 months)
Co-founder of a one-year public exploration and discussion of the nation's first municipal carbon tax. Funded by a grant from the Knight News Challenge.
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consultant, developer, writer
J-Lab
(Online Media industry)
June 2006 — June 2008 (2 years 1 month)
Helped create an interactive database of thousands of citizen media sites across the US, accessible via an interactive map.
Also wrote several tutorials to help citizen journalists understand how to use online and social media tools and strategies -
Editor, InFocus newsletter
Eastman Kodak
(Public Company; 5001-10,000 employees; Photography industry)
July 1998 — June 2000 (2 years )
Contract position. Developed and launched an e-mail newsletter on photography tips for consumers. Sent out monthly to members of the Kodak.com site. Responsible for planning, writing, and producing the final version of the newsletter. Required close regular coordination with staff in many departments of Eastman Kodak.
Also created web content for many sections of Kodak.com -
Managing Editor
E Source
(Privately Held; 11-50 employees; Utilities industry)
April 1995 — September 1997 (2 years 6 months)
E Source (a spin-off of the Rocky Mountain Institute) was a leading energy information services company, mainly serving utilities. It provided research, reports, and consulting on emerging clean-energy and energy-efficient technologies and strategies.
As managing editor, I supervised the creation and production of 3-6 white papers and other major reports each month. This included planning the schedule, setting deadlines, hiring freelance writers, editing drafts, and coordinating with production for print publication.
After I left E Source in 1997, I continued to provide periodic freelance writing and editing through 2006. -
Managing Editor
Energy User News
(Public Company; 1-10 employees; Publishing industry)
May 1991 — November 1994 (3 years 7 months)
Managing Editor for a busy monthly trade magazine on energy efficiency in nonresidential buildings. Started as a technology reporter (beats: building automation systems, wholesale power & gas markets, fuel cells, photovoltaics, energy statistics). Promoted after 2 years to managing editor. Managed 3 reporters. Set editorial schedule and deadlines, trained reporters, edited copy, coordinated with production, advertising, covered conferences.
Energy User News was owned by Chilton Co., which was part of ABC at the time.
Amy Gahran’s Education
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Temple University
BA , Journalism , 1986 — 1990
- Activities and Societies:
- Worked on the student magazine. Held six journalism internships. Spent a semester studying in London, UK.
Additional Information
Amy Gahran’s Websites:
Amy Gahran’s Interests:
conversational media, online media, blogs, training, coaching, energy, environment, science, journalism, citizen journalism, podcasting, communications, women's issues, hiking, Malian music
Amy Gahran’s Groups:
Society of Environmental Journalists, Poynter Institute, Media Bloggers Association, Online News Association
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Online News Association -
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Amy Gahran’s Contact Settings
Interested In:
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