Julia M. Hunter

Professional Experience

Co-Founder & Engagement Editor (May 2019 – Present)

Designed and launched hoptownchronicle.org.
Develop audience engagement strategies.
Analyze metrics across mediums to develop strategies for growth and impact.
Maximize search engine optimization.
Foster community engagement.
Lead donation and outreach campaigns.
Establish distribution partnerships.
Oversee social media strategy.
Track the impact of our journalism through surveys, digital analytics, content analysis, observations, media tracking, and one-on-one discussions.
Contribute reporting and produce data visualizations.
Edit copy. Assist in developing reporting strategies.

Membership & Communications Director (2014 – Present)

Direct communications for the association and its nonprofit, the WNA Foundation.
Publish a weekly newsletter highlighting industry and member news.
Develop member resources and educational programming.
Manage evaluation of member newsrooms to determine areas of need and establish programming goals.
Organize and coordinate all association and foundation events. Manage events budget.
Lead outreach initiatives promoting the role of newspapers in society.
Manage recognition programs, including the Wisconsin Newspaper Hall of Fame, the WNA Memorial Grove, the Future Headliners program and the WNA Foundation Better Newspaper Contest. Secure vendors, sponsors and advertisers.
Facilitate member collaborations and content sharing efforts. Establish partnerships to provide members with additional content.
Advocate for improvements to access laws.
Produce multimedia presentations.
Maintain membership database.
Develop membership retention and growth strategies.
Manage fundraising efforts for the WNA Foundation.

Writer & Genealogist (2012 – Present)

Write freelance articles for various publications, including Travel Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Travel Guide and Professional Mariner.
Conduct genealogical research. Write reports to detail the research process and assist with the analysis of information.

Deputy Clerk & Community Relations Manager (2012 – 2014)

Administered elections for the city. Recruited, trained and managed more than 100 poll workers.
Managed business licensing and ordinance development.
Developed community engagement and outreach initiatives.
Enhanced government transparency through public records and legal notice compliance. Managed city records.
Provided administrative support to the common council, various boards and other departments as needed.

Reporter (2011 – 2012)

Watchdog Reporter (2010 – 2011)

Developed in-depth enterprise and watchdog packages for A1 Sunday centerpieces.
Reported enterprise and investigative stories. Contributed to coverage of Binghamton University.
Coordinated network collaborations.
Coached reporters on investigative and watchdog techniques, including how to better utilize public records laws.

News Editor & Senior Reporter (2007 – 2010)

Developed story and photo assignments. Edited copy.
Grew the newspaper’s digital presence, including through the launch and development of its first social media platform.
Coached editorial staff and managed news content.
Expanded watchdog coverage and trained reporters in access laws.
Reported local news, feature and investigative stories. Took photographs.
Compiled daily court and crime news. Covered high-profile court trials.
Assisted with page design and layout as needed.

Bachelor’s degree in print journalism (2007)

Finalist (2011)

Second Place (2011)

Second Place (2010)

First Place (2009)

First Place (2009)

Third Place (2009)

Evansville (Ind.) Courier & Press (2007)