Media Relations, Web and Communications Specialist
Roanoke, Virginia Area
- Current
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- Camera Operator at Virginia Tech
- Staff Writer at TechHoops.com
- General Manager at VTHokieFans.com (Sole Proprietorship)
- President at CWI Media & Marketing
- Past
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- Communications Specialist at Luna Innovations
- Communications Specialist at SRA International, Inc.
- Radio Show Host at WKAV
- Staff Writer/Columnist at The Fauquier Citizen
- Sports Editor at The Culpeper Star-Exponent
- Weekend Sports Anchor at WVIR, NBC 29
- Sports Reporter/Videographer at WSLS TV, Newschannel 10
- Education
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- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
- Recommended
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5 people have recommended Gary - Connections
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- Industry
- Public Relations and Communications
- Websites
Gary Cope (gary.cope@gmail.com)’s Summary
Looking for new opportunity in media or public relations. More than 15 years experience as a communications specialist and journalist. Detail-oriented, highly organized and possesses excellent communications skills. Has a diverse journalism background including television, newspaper and radio. Also has considerable experience in Web and graphic design, search engine optimization, marketing, media relations, and employee and corporate communications.
Gary Cope (gary.cope@gmail.com)’s Specialties:
media, relations, public relations, television production, business writing, editing, videography, voice talent, web design, video production, employee communications, internal communications, radio host, communications, managing editor, search engine optimization, search engine marketing, seo, sem, keyword research
Gary Cope (gary.cope@gmail.com)’s Experience
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Camera Operator
Virginia Tech
(Educational Institution; 5001-10,000 employees; Higher Education industry)
August 2008 — Present (1 year)
Camera operator for the Virginia Tech Athletics Department's Video Production Dept. (Hokie Vision).
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Staff Writer
TechHoops.com
(Privately Held; 1-10 employees; Sports industry)
December 2007 — Present (1 year 8 months)
I write game recaps, article and columns for TechHoops.com, a Web site dedicated to independent coverage of the Virginia Tech Hokies men's basketball program.
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General Manager
VTHokieFans.com (Sole Proprietorship)
(Sole Proprietorship; 1-10 employees; Sports industry)
October 2005 — Present (3 years 10 months)
Welcome to VTHokieFans (VTHF). This site is a small contribution to a big Virginia Tech football and basketball following. Here at VTHF you’ll find game highlights, an ever growing list of Hokie-friendly bars and restaurants, a regularly updated blog, news and information about Virginia Tech football and basketball.
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President
CWI Media & Marketing
(Government Agency; 1-10 employees; Research industry)
October 2005 — Present (3 years 10 months)
CWI Media & Marketing was founded in 2005 by Gary and Donna Cope. Donna is a marketing and sales professional with more than 15 years of experience, including seven years as a marketing and sales manager for a multi-million dollar company. Gary is a veteran communications specialist with a background in television, radio, newspapers, corporate communications, and graphic and Web design.
CWI offers a wide range of media and marketing services such as Web and graphic design (e.g. real estate Ads for home buying guides), video production (e.g. real estate video home tours) and podcasts, just to name a few. -
Communications Specialist
Luna Innovations
(Public Company; 201-500 employees; LUNA; Research industry)
June 2006 — December 2008 (2 years 7 months)
• Designed, developed and maintained corporate Web site (www.lunainnovations.com).
• Managed four Web sites, including design, maintenance and content.
• Implemented search engine optimization (SEO) efforts that increased traffic from search engines, including Google and Yahoo, by 22%; also increased pages per visit by 18% and new visits by 12%.
• Directed Web advertising campaigns (pay per click) using Google Adwords.
• Developed internal corporate portal and established quarterly content review to ensure updated content.
• Produced videos demonstrations of experiments to be shown to clients.
• Served as consultant on government contract involving Web site design.
• Member of the Communications Task Team and Environmental Stewardship Committees.
• Edited press and news releases. -
Communications Specialist
SRA International, Inc.
(Public Company; 5001-10,000 employees; SRX; Information Technology and Services industry)
May 2003 — May 2006 (3 years 1 month)
• Senior writer and editor for company magazine.
• Wrote articles about the company’s technical work and projects.
• Wrote and edited corporate e-mails and weekly newsletter for distribution to employees nationwide.
• Developed internal communications plans such as corporate-wide software update rollout plans by IT.
• Faculty member and Curriculum Board member for SRA University.
• News anchor, producer and creative director for SRA TV.
• Produced Webcasts for SRA TV’s Web site and intranet. -
Radio Show Host
WKAV
(Broadcast Media industry)
March 2002 — August 2003 (1 year 6 months)
• Covered local sporting events including high school, middle school and recreational leagues.
• Wrote and edited games stories, briefs and feature stories.
• Assisted in the design and layout of the sports section.
• Wrote regular editorial column. -
Staff Writer/Columnist
The Fauquier Citizen
(Newspapers industry)
October 2002 — May 2003 (8 months)
• Covered local sporting events including high school, middle school and recreational leagues.
• Wrote and edited games stories, briefs and feature stories.
• Assisted in the design and layout of the sports section.
• Wrote regular editorial column. -
Sports Editor
The Culpeper Star-Exponent
(Newspapers industry)
March 2002 — October 2002 (8 months)
• Covered local sporting events including high school, middle school and recreational leagues.
• Wrote and edited game stories, briefs and features.
• Established strong links to the community and developed trust among local athletes, coaches and athletic directors.
• Designed the sports section and prepared it for printing. -
Weekend Sports Anchor
WVIR, NBC 29
(Broadcast Media industry)
September 1999 — March 2002 (2 years 7 months)
• Wrote, edited and produced local sports stories for daily television newscasts.
• Enthusiastically covered University of Virginia, Virginia Tech and James Madison University.
• Established a positive working relationship with the athletes, coaches and administrators. -
Sports Reporter/Videographer
WSLS TV, Newschannel 10
(Broadcast Media industry)
January 1998 — September 1999 (1 year 9 months)
• Reporter, videographer, editor and fill-in anchor for local NBC affiliate.
• Covered local news from politics to community service organizations.
• Covered high school sports, but focused primarily on covering Virginia Tech football and basketball.
Gary Cope (gary.cope@gmail.com)’s Education
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Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
BA , Communications , 1993 — 1997
Made Dean's List Fall 1994.
- Activities and Societies:
- Pi Sigma Epsilon - professional business fraternity
Resident Advistor (1995-1996)
Head Resident Advisor (1996-1997)
Additional Information
Gary Cope (gary.cope@gmail.com)’s Websites:
Gary Cope (gary.cope@gmail.com)’s Interests:
media relations, public relations, web development, web design, graphic design, project management, teaching, blogging, social media
Gary Cope (gary.cope@gmail.com)’s Honors:
2004 Virginia Press Association Award, Best Sports Feature Writing
Gary Cope (gary.cope@gmail.com)’s Contact Settings
Interested In:
- career opportunities
- consulting offers
- new ventures
- job inquiries
- expertise requests
- business deals
- reference requests
- getting back in touch
