TALIA AVAKIAN
MULTIMEDIA JOURNALIST
Los Angeles, CA . taliaavak@gmail.com. www.taliaavakian.com
EXPERIENCE
Freelance Reporter
Los Angeles, CA : Aug. 2019-Present
TRAVEL + LEISURE — Digital News Reporter
New York, NY: Aug. 2016-Aug.2019
• Reported daily travel news stories on transportation, infrastructure, tourism, and technology
• Produced travel features with original photography and conducted on-air interviews
• Wrote SEO-based news articles and features
TIME INC. — Digital News Reporter
New York, NY: Nov. 2017-March 2018
• Wrote breaking news stories across publications including Time.com, Fortune, InStyle, Southern Living, Money, T+L, and People
• Produced print content surrounding travel for Time.com and Time Magazine
• Produced original features and expert advice regarding travel for Time.com
BUSINESS INSIDER —Digital Travel Reporter
New York, NY: April 2015-Aug. 2016
• Wrote daily content on real estate, culture, travel, tech, and business developments
• Worked with data and graphics teams to produce exclusive lists and multimedia pieces
• Conducted reporting for video features and produced original photo and video stories
NBC I-TEAM — Freelance Reporter
New York, NY: Nov. 2014-Dec.2014
• Broke story on HIV positive New Yorkers stopping medication to qualify for gov.-funded housing programs
• Conducted full reporting, interviewed sources for air, and wrote web copy
NBC UNIVERSAL, TODAY— Production Intern
New York, NY: Sep. 2014-Dec. 2014
• Pitched, shot content, created interview questions, and edited video
• Served as a primary source to assist with breaking news content due to quick turnaround
BBC AMERICA/BBC Travel— Digital Travel Reporter
New York, NY: Dec. 2013-Sep. 2014
• Created photo features, wrote daily content, and managed social media
• Created first video series tied to digital
SKILLS
• Pitching, reporting, shooting, and editing for digital, print, and broadcast
• CMS, SEO, traffic optimization, social media strategy
• Adobe (Photoshop, In Design, Premiere, Pro Tools), Final Cut Pro, AVID, Microsoft
· Languages: English, Armenian
· Syndications: MSN, Fox, The Independent, Slate, SF Gate, Yahoo Finance, Inc., People, Smithsonian Magazine, Boston Herald, Real Simple, Extra Crispy, Coastal Living, Food and Wine, WNBC-TV, ScienceAlert, Essence, the World Economic Forum, and more.
EDUCATION
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY, M.A. Reporting the Nation In Multimedia Dec. 2014
• Courses: Multimedia Reporting, Investigative Reporting, Data Reporting, Ethics, Digital Newsroom
LOYOLA MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY, BA English and Journalism May 2013