Nontraditional (to us) nontraditional (to them) jobs

Posted on February 7, 2008

It used to be that new media/multimedia jobs were those “nontraditional” jobs. (One could argue they still are in many newsrooms, but I like to think that more journalists are thinking about multimedia.)

Now that it’s becoming more mainstream, I’ve noticed companies outside traditional newspapers are looking for multimedia content producers.

This is good news for those who might feel “stuck” in their jobs. I’ve talked to many folks who say newspapers are all they know, and there’s nothing else they could do. Even if they wanted to move on to something else, they don’t think there’s anyplace they can go.

So now we have another incentive for building multimedia skills (outside of producing good journalism, of course) — you’ll be highly marketable.

Here are just a sample of postings I found (and notice that some are posted on journalismjobs.com, which to me means they are targeting journalists skills and value what they could bring to the job):

>> Multimedia Designer, University Communications at The University of California, Irvine

Under the direction of the Director of Web Communications, University Communications, the Multimedia Designer maintains and supports of the University Web presence through the design, creation, evolution, production and maintenance of multimedia programming used on the UCI Web site (www.uci.edu), Zot!Wire, today@uci Web site (today.uci.edu), chancellor Web site (www.chancellor.uci.edu) and other sites as needed. The designer develops and builds multimedia applications that showcase UC Irvine’s priorities and strengths for internal and external audiences. Working with graphic/Web designers across campus, facilitates the production of materials for highly complex interactive online presentations. Designs print materials (magazine, brochures, and advertisements) as required. As a member of the University Communications team, the multimedia designer will lead and implement projects though programming flash applications, supporting existing multimedia applications and performing a variety of Web site accessibility testing and quality assurance.

>> Multimedia/Online producer, Freedom Forum

The Multimedia and Online Producer is a full-time faculty member of the Freedom Forum Diversity Institute, Inc., a nonprofit school based at the John Seigenthaler Center in Nashville, Tenn.

The producer will be a technology specialist responsible for creating, editing and deploying a variety of online content, with an emphasis on video, audio and interactive multimedia for the Diversity Institute.

Examples of content include video journalism, podcasts, videocasts, Soundslides, interactive tools, widgets and other innovations perhaps not yet conceived.

>> Multimedia producer, McMurry

McMurry is seeking a Multimedia Producer, experienced in hands-on video production, podcasts, audio slide shows and related media for online presentation. The right candidate has at least three years of experience in multimedia production; is skilled at collecting, scripting and editing online content; and knows how to put together a talented production team in multiple cities on short notice. He or she is capable of producing short video pieces in a diverse range of subjects and is comfortable working in a challenging and fast-paced team environment with demanding clients.

The winning candidate is an idea person, knows how to make magazine story ideas relevant electronically, and understands both the world of journalistic editorial and marketing. This contract position—with the chance of becoming full-time employment—is an opportunity to take part in an exciting, high-profile project launch.

>> Multimedia Designer, University of Pennsylvania Health System

The Multimedia Designer in Marketing Services/Business Development supports the graphic design and multimedia needs for all UPHS web sites managed by Marketing. This includes the bulk of the UPHS public web site located at pennhealth.com, as well as additional public and internal sites. The Multimedia Designer also provides graphic design support for online advertising and cross-marketing relationships with other non-UPHS web sites.

The Multimedia Designer works closely with the print designers in the Creative Services division in order to integrate web design with offline design. This designer also works closely with the Senior Multimedia Designer to create a consistent and high-quality look-and-feel, navigational structure, and user interface across all UPHS web sites. The designer interacts regularly with other Web Division staff to understand graphics needs and to ensure that web sites are developed according to the design, and other Marketing staff to understand client needs and preferences.

The Multimedia Designer maintains an awareness and understanding of emerging technologies, standards, and trends in web design and applies those techniques as needed to help maintain a high-quality web presence for UPHS.

>> Multimedia specialist, Harvard Business School Publishing

Harvard Business Digital, the online division of Harvard Business School Publishing (HBSP) is seeking a Multimedia Web Producer for its website, www.harvardbusiness.org HarvardBusiness.org is the primary Web destination for HBSP, housing the online version of Harvard Business Review, thousands of for-sale products such as books and case studies, and a new and growing selection of free content such as blogs, video, audio, and interactive tools.

Reporting to the Lead Producer, the Multimedia Web Producer will be responsible for creating, editing and deploying a variety of online content, with an emphasis on video, audio and interactive multimedia for Harvard Business School Publishing. Examples of content include video interviews, podcasts, interactive tools and widgets. Key responsibilities include: light editing/post-producing video and audio; authoring/editing XHTML, CSS and XML; formatting content and deploying it via content management systems, blogging applications, listservs, mobile platforms and flat HTML pages. This is a hands-on position where the individual will be working directly in a variety of applications and deployment environments. He/she also will assist in project conceptualization, planning and coordination. This is a highly collaborative, team-based environment where work in managed via a project management process.

>> Multimedia Production Analyst, Lockheed Martin

Description: Researches, prepares and produces audiovisual (film, videos, interactive multimedia, DVD or CD) for training for training, sales, promotion, documentation, and other communicative purposes for both internal and external audiences. Consults with user to assess appropriate medium, creates product concepts, plans production, produces video to include scriptwriting, location scouting, shot selection, video shooting, tape logging, music and sound effect selection, digital effect creation, final editing and tape duplication. Researches and prepares the material, writes scripts, selects visual aids, music, sound effects, etc.

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Multimedia journalism defined - part 2

Posted on October 20, 2007

You can learn the most about how jobs are evolving through job postings. I found two openings at MSNBC.com (via Ryan Sholin’s del.icio.us tags).

I share these here because:

1.) I think this is an interesting differentiation between an “interactive” and a “multimedia” position, and

2.) well, if you’re looking for a multimedia/interactive job, here are some options (full listing with video positions can be found here):

Interactive Editor
MSNBC.com is seeking an experienced interactive developer to join our team. The interactive team is a small group with an enormous audience and huge ambitions. We’re out to fundamentally change the way news is presented online.

Think of it as storytelling: We use interactivity and multimedia to bring depth to news. We make data move. We make current events, important concepts, trends more relevant, richer and reactive. We innovate in a fast-paced environment. And we do it on a site with a billion page views each month.

What we need: an expert-level Actionscript coder/rockstar with significant dev experience (CS or equivalent background preferred). If you’re there, we’ll assume you have at least a few other languages in your tool belt, you can sling JavaScript and have mastered CSS/HTML, natch. You probably have a database-driven application in your portfolio as well.

We like: Information architecture and interface design experience, data mining and visualization skills, project management know-how. A media background isn’t strictly necessary, but it helps to have sensibilities about consuming media and how news should be presented.

Position available in the Seattle area. Please send a link to a recent portfolio site along with your resume.

Multimedia Editor
MSNBC.com is seeking an experienced Multimedia Producer / Picture Editor in the NYC area. We are looking for an individual who can collaborate with internal teams, parent companies and content providers. The Multimedia Team supports all section of the site by editing compelling photojournalism and multimedia on a daily basis and on bigger projects. Proven news judgment, high ethical standards and interpersonal skills are necessary. A successful candidate will have broad knowledge and curiosity about news of all kinds and show a keen eye for spotting interesting and newsworthy visual content. An innovative spirit, passion for digital media, and the ability to solve problems in a fast paced, sometimes hectic environment are highly desirable.

A BA degree in Photojournalism, Multimedia Journalism or other disciplines that emphasize visual storytelling and multimedia production and/or editing is required. Strong candidates with equivalent experience or education will be considered. A minimum of two years experience producing or editing visual content for newspapers or online news is essential. Further knowledge of broadcast production, audio/video editing and/or Macromedia Flash is a plus.

Must be organized and able to manage daily and long-term projects simultaneously. Must be a self-starter but be able to work in a collaborative team environment. The ideal candidate will be flexible with their time as this position will include some night and weekend shifts.

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Video skills are in demand

Posted on June 5, 2007

I think it’s interesting to see what job postings are out there to keep an eye on the direction the industry is moving, and a friend pointed me to this one at the Florida Sun-Sentinel:

Online Visuals Producer - The South Florida Sun-Sentinel is seeking a journalist to join our multimedia newsroom in this newly created position. Recognized nationally for our print visuals and online graphics, we’re looking for someone who can help bring that success to video and multimedia at Sun-Sentinel.com. The ideal candidate will be experienced in video newsgathering and storytelling, and be able to develop skills in photographers and reporters. He/she will be responsible for the execution and programming of video, photography and multimedia on our site, our relationship with our TV partners, and the oversight of our five-member multimedia staff. We’re looking for someone with at least five years of experience in visual production, including deadline experience. Experience in television news is highly valued. Previous management experience is preferred. Demonstrated experience with AVID, Final Cut Pro or equivalent system is required. Photoshop and Flash experience are a plus. Candidates should submit a letter of interest, resume and a demo reel of no more than five work samples of different content and styles of presentation. Samples should be emailed as zip files, easily found on web pages or mailed on CD/DVD. Please send to: Kathy Pellegrino, Recruitment Editor, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, 200 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 or to kpellegrino@sun-sentinel.com. The South Florida Sun-Sentinel and Sun-Sentinel.com cover South Florida, a highly competitive media environment and a region with some of the country’s most exciting news events. Sun-Sentinel is part of Tribune Co., which has newspaper, online and television news operations in markets around the country including Chicago, Los Angeles and New York.

Again, it’s amazing how quickly these multimedia jobs are changing. It seems like video production at newspaper Web sites just started, although I guess it HAS been about 2 years or so already that it’s become more commonplace.

I don’t know anyone over at the Sun-Sentinel so I can’t really recommend this job, but it certainly does seem like a great opportunity for someone to move from a video producer to a management level position — while continuing to concentrate on the storytelling aspects of the project. And interesting, I think, that Flash (coding, etc.) and Photoshop experience are listed as “a plus.” Used to be a requirement for multimedia work. :)

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Washingtonpost.Newsweek Interactive internships

Posted on May 1, 2007

If the subject line isn’t enough to grab your attention, the rest of Rob Curley’s posting surely will.

Here’s a great excerpt:

“We want solid journalists who can write their backsides off. We’re also looking for programmers with an understanding of Django. And if you’re a kick-ass designer with killer Flash or motion-graphics skills, we want you.

“But what we really want are self-motivated bad-asses who have at least one of the skills I listed above.”

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