TAYLOR MIRFENDERESKI
Multi-platform Investigative & Special Projects Reporter
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Professional Experience
Skills & Software
Reporter, Investigations & Special Projects, KING 5 2016 - Present
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Produces in-depth award-winning investigations and enterprise multimedia projects for KING5.com and KING-TV in Seattle, Washington
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Shoots and edits video, takes still photos, and writes unique stories for digital and broadcast audiences
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Writes long-form digital stories, including narrative-style pieces
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Builds trust with sources and persuades them to talk
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Requests state and federal public records with persistence and negotiates for their release
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Analyzes data using excel and data visualization tools
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Digitally produces all stories, photo essays and videos in the CMS, including editing media, hyperlinking and embed coding
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Experiments with new and creative forms of storytelling, often combining text, audio, video, photos and graphics
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Appears live on air to discuss investigations and special reports
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Collaborates with other reporters in the KING 5 investigative unit
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Named a Peabody Award winner for a 2018 investigation into state special education failures
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Listed among America's best young journalists as a Livingston Award finalist twice in the last three years
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Earned KING two National Edward R. Murrow awards for "continuing coverage" (2019) and "best website" (2018)
Digital Reporter, WCPO - Cincinnati, OH 2013-2016
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One of ten reporters tapped to launch and report for WCPO Insider, the country’s first subscription service for a TV website, WCPO.com
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Tasked with producing in-depth multimedia enterprise stories and special reports for WCPO.com, in addition to occasional TV pieces
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Covered public safety & justice beat
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Embedded with U.S. military troops in Afghanistan to produce "Mission Critical," a 13-minute online news documentary, several TV packages, a TV special and an multimedia digital story; Traveled, reported and produced all stories as a one-man-band
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Experimented with unique ways of covering issues, including photo essays and audio storytelling
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Forged strong relationships with sources
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Part of a two-year, Edward R. Murrow Award-winning team for 'Best Website'
Producer, Glass Half Empty: An American Water War, WOUB News
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Followed six Northeastern Pennsylvania families for more than a year as they sought clean water in the midst of a national debate on hydraulic fracturing and its impact on drinking water
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The 60-minute journalism documentary aired on WOUB, a PBS-affiliate, in February 2014
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Reported, shot, wrote and edited the story as a one-man-band
Digital Content Manager, WOUB News - Athens, Ohio 2012-2013
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Developed and managed daily news content for radio and online platforms
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Supervised web and radio reporters
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Covered breaking news, in addition to in-depth features and special assignments
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Managed social media accounts
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Developed strategies to increase web traffic
Reporter & Anchor, WOUB News - Athens, Ohio 2011-2012
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Covered daily news for WOUB Public Media, a PBS affiliate in Athens, Ohio.
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Shot, wrote and edited news packages and VO-SOTS
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Anchored "Newswatch," a 30-minute daily live regional newscast
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Assisted with election coverage and in-depth news programs
Intern, Nightly News, NBC Universal Winter 2010
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Attended editorial meetings and assisted producers with compiling components for breaking news and feature packages
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Conducted research, transcribed interviews and helped to select the most appropriate b-roll and soundbites during the editing process
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Distributed scripts, rundowns, and routines to senior producers and other staff prior to show
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Worked with Nightly News web producers to write unique content for a digital audience
Intern, Today Show, NBC Universal Fall 2009
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Assisted producers with segments and shoots
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Prepared content notes and suggested interview questions for TODAY anchors and reporters
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Conducted research for stories
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Shot video for TV and web; Edited video for entertainment segments
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Attended editorial meetings, shadowed editors and worked in the control room
Intern, Weekend Nightly News, NBC Universal Fall 2009
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Attended editorial meetings and assisted producers with compiling components for news packages about Fort Hood shootings, Somali pirates, the national pride march and Sarah Palin's Going Rogue book
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Conducted research, monitored feeds and logged tapes
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Obtained a copy of Sarah Palin's Going Rogue book prior to its release, allowing NBC to screen and report on its content before other news outlets
Intern, WCMH-TV - Columbus, Ohio Summer 2009
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Shadowed and assisted reporters, photographers, producers and assignment editors
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Pitched news stories
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Wrote scripts for VOs and news packages
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Edited VOs and news packages using Grass Valley Aurora Edit system
Video Editor, Best Light Video 2009-2010
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Edited commercials and public service announcements for various clients in Columbus Ohio using Final Cut Pro
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Projects included editing approximately 30 commercials for vendors at the Columbus North Market
Campus Correspondent, CNN 2009-2010
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Reported on issues that impact college students
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Shot, wrote and edited news packages for air on CNN.com
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WRITING (AP STYLE & BROADCAST STYLE)
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SHOOTING VIDEO (DSLR AND OTHER CAMERAS)
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EDITING VIDEO (ADOBE PREMIERE, FINAL CUT PRO)
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STILL PHOTOGRAPHY
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EDITING PHOTOS (ADOBE LIGHTROOM, ADOBE PHOTOSHOP)
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ANALYZING DATA (USING MICROSOFT EXCEL AND POWER BI)
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REQUESTING STATE AND FEDERAL PUBLIC RECORDS
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CREATING CONTENT WITH THIRD-PARTY DIGITAL TOOLS (EX: TIMELINES, INTERACTIVE GRAPHICS, ETC.)
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BUILDING AND PUBLISHING FORMS USING CITYBASE SCREENDOOR SOFTWARE.
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DIGITALLY PRODUCING STORIES IN CONTENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
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EXPERIENCE REPORTING IN A CONFLICT ZONE
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BASIC HTML
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LIVE TV REPORTING
Achievements
Peabody Award (2019)
News Category
IRE Awards Finalist (2019)
Broadcast/Video - Division II
National Edward R. Murrow Awards
Continuing Coverage (2019)
Best Website (2018)
Compilation featuring Taylor's reporting
Livingston Awards Finalist (2018)
National Reporting Category
Livingston Awards Finalist (2020)
Local Reporting Category
National Press Photographers' Association (NPPA) -
Best of Photojournalism Contest
2nd Place, Solo Video Journalist — In-depth (2020)
Emmy Awards
NATAS - Northwest Chapter
1.) Investigative Reporting (2019)
2.) Politics/ Government (2019)
3.) Serious Feature (2020)
4.) Video Journalist - No Time Limit (2020)
Katherine Schneider Medal (2018)
Second Place
National Center on Disability and Journalism
Regional Edward R. Murrows
1.) Investigative Reporting (2019)
2.) News Series (2019)
3.) Continuing coverage (2019)
4.) Multimedia (2020)
Kiplinger Fellowship in Digital Media (2018)
Fellow
Emmy Nominations
2020 - 6
2019 - 4
2018 - 4
2017 - 1
Mark of Excellence Award (2013)
First Place, In-depth Television Reporting Category
"Researchers Investigate Links Between Fracking and Water Contamination
Education
Ohio University
Bachelors of Science in Journalism
Honors Tutorial College
E.W. Scripps School of Journalism
Top Graduating Senior (2012)
Professional Affiliations
INVESTIGATIVE REPORTERS & EDITORS
Speaker, 2019 IRE Conference
Speaker, 2019 NICAR Conference
NATIONAL PRESS PHOTOGRAPHER'S ASSOCIATION
Participant, NPPA News Video Workshop, 2015 (Y56)
ONLINE NEWS ASSOCIATION
Member
SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS
Board Member, SPJ's National Board of Directors 2019 - Present
Board Member, Western Washington Professional Chapter 2018 - Present
Co-Chair, SPJ Digital 2015 - 2017
Student Representative, SPJ's National Board of Directors 2010-2012
Served two consecutive terms on SPJ's National Board of Directors, working on behalf of SPJ students across the nation. Oversaw and maintained SPJ's student-oriented initiatives such as "Program in a Box" and The Campus Copy blog. Managed SPJ's student Twitter account. Attended annual board meetings and helped to make key decisions concerning SPJ and journalists across the country.
President, Ohio University SPJ Chapter 2011-2012
Led award-winning chapter's weekly membership and executive meetings, organized service projects and large scale events. Brought in speakers to discuss newsworthy industry topics at weekly meetings. Managed team of nine executive members.
Vice President, Ohio University SPJ Chapter 2009-2011
Assisted in planning and leading weekly membership meetings, organized service projects and large-scale events, including the Ohio Sunshine Summit, a statewide journalism conference for student journalists and professionals to discuss First Amendment and FOIA issues. Helped chapter win National Collegiate Chapter of the Year.
Freshman Liaison, Ohio University SPJ Chapter 2008-2009
Created weekly videos for the Ohio University SPJ blog, attended executive and membership meetings, led and taught video editing workshop to SPJ members and other student journalists.
RADIO TELEVISION DIGITAL NEWS ASSOCIATION
President, Ohio University RTDNA Chapter 2010-2012
Led weekly membership and executive meetings. Organized the first ever Ohio Sunshine Summit, a statewide journalism conference for student journalists and professionals to discuss First Amendment
and FOIA issues. Brought in speakers to discuss newsworthy industry topics at weekly meetings. Managed team of seven executive members. Planned the Ohio University RTDNA 21st Annual Spring Conference, in which top newsroom professionals from local news stations led panel discussions about current industry topics.
Vice-President, Ohio University RTDNA Chapter 2009-2010
Assisted in planning and leading weekly membership meetings, organized service projects and large-scale events. Planned the Ohio University RTDNA 20th Annual Spring Conference, in which top newsroom professionals from local news stations led panel discussions about current industry topics.
ASIAN AMERICAN JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION
Co-Chair, Asian American Student Broadcast Journalists 2009-2012
The Asian American Student Broadcast Journalists is a student networking and support group for AAJA Broadcast students. Managed AASBJ Twitter and Facebook accounts, organized gatherings, mentored AAJA students, recruited new members, and facilitated educational dialogue about industry-related topics.
Broadcast Participant, J-Camp 2007
Participated in a competitive training program for multicultural student journalists. The week-long camp was led by journalists from top news organizations.
2010 - present
2010 - present
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