NAME

CONTACT
Jem Collins
Online, Social & Video
hello@jemcollins.co.uk

07967 806866

Journalist www.jemcollins.co.uk

News and Social Media Editor, RightsInfo

CURRENT
EMPLOYMENT

February 2017 - Present

Run news and social media for award-winning human rights news website,
commissioning and editing content from a pool of more than 40 writers
Developing and implementing an original digital reporting strategy with a
human focus, leading to an instant 20,000 increase in views per month
Writing plain English, in-depth and engaging content on human rights issues
across the UK, from women and girls rights to mental health
Taking the lead on a variety of special projects, including mini video docu-
mentaries, election manifesto specials and photo pieces

Freelance Journalist & Editor, Various Nationals A brilliant,

June 2016- Present hard-working, imaginative,
Regular freelancer for a number of national outlets including the i Paper,
Metro.co.uk, Politics.co.uk, London Live and PinkNews
technically accomplished
Running the desk of national papers while on weekend and late shifts, writ- journalist, who was able
ing, commissioning and editing breaking news and feature content to think up countless ideas
Managing and growing social, including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Pitching individual original stories and videos to a number of outlets on sub-
and secure high level
jects including womens rights, LGBT issues, careers advice and travel political interviews
Ian Dunt, Editor
Head of Social & Reporting, The Media Society Politics.co.uk
May 2016- Present
Part-time role managing and developing social media and reporting at The
Media Society, with a particular focus on engaging a younger audience
Attending events and reporting live with sound, images and video through
social channels, as well as writing post event feature write ups, tripling content
and social traffic on site within the first few weeks
Responsible for all marketing communications from graphic design to
content creation for email and online, increasing the open rate to more than
20 percent (industry average 16 percent)

Mental Health & Voting, The 2017 General Election

RECENT
PROJECTS

Produced at RightsInfo, June 2017 (Examples Available Here and Here)

Week long photo series in the run up to the election, focusing on issues
surrounding mental health and advocacy, reaching almost 70,000 people
through both social media and on-site
Oversaw liaison with partner organisation The Advocacy Project, co-ordinat-
ed and carried out contact with participants, interviewing, photo shoots and
editing and posting the content on site

Steven and Mark Neary, a Human Rights Story

Jem has developed
a keen eye for a story, as
well as being able to handle
sensitive issues
Nick Petrie, Deputy Head of
News, The Times
Produced at RightsInfo, June 2017 (Available Here)
First in a series of videos to tell the human stories of key human rights cases
in the UK looking at a son who had been taken away from his father
Researched and produced a two minute mini-documentary and long-read
feature, reaching more than 65,000 people across social and on-site
The UK Human Rights General Election Guide 2017
Produced at RightsInfo, June 2017 (Available Here)
Co-ordinated an impartial, animated guide to all major UK political parties in
the UK general election, with a focus on human rights
Commissioned and worked with development team to produce bespoke
web platform and animations, as well as researching and writing content and
commissioning and editing work from other writers
Project reached almost 8,000 people on site in the run up to the vote
 Director and Founder, Journo Resources

ADDITIONAL
EXPERIENCE
October 2015 - Present
Launched a new online resource to help young people, especially those from
a disadvantaged or diverse background into the media industry
Created original tools such as graduate scheme lists, awards lists and rates of
pay, which are now the top result on Google and widely shared on social
Create and deliver a fortnightly mentoring clinic delivered to a growing email
list of more than 2,000 young people
Maintain and create partnerships with sponsor organisations

Video Journalist and Producer, Politics.co.uk

November 2015 - June 2016
Launched and developed bespoke online video for national politics website, As well as being a
focussing on human stories, strong opinions and shareability thoroughly conscientious
Creating original compelling video and written stories to engage the sites
audience, as well as running social media accounts to promote content and skilled journalist, Jem
Self-shooting and working on multi-camera shoots, interviewing, pieces to has arranged first class
camera, editing with both Final Cut Pro and Premier Pro media events
Matt Burgess,
Online and Video Journalist, The KM Group FOI Directory
October 2014 - October 2015
One of the first employees hired to develop and grow online video channel
for established regional news group, including individual pieces and a bulletin
Shot, edited and scripted original and breaking videos for online IPTV
channel KMTV, including interviews, pieces to camera and gallery assistance
Writing sharp, accurate copy for KentOnline.co.uk, as well as managing and
growing social media channels such as Twitter, Facebook and Vine

Online Editor, Grip Media

August 2013 - October 2014
Online editor managing and developing original and detailed content for
flagship brand, SavetheStudent.org, as well as managing and growing social
media accounts
Writing, commissioning and editing content with a financial focus for a
student audience, including managing a group of freelance writers

Online Content Writer, VoucherCodes.co.uk

October 2011 - March 2016
Remote writer for the UKs largest voucher code and deals website, working
independently to produce concise, compelling copy, with SEO in mind
Completed a number of inhouse training courses on audience engagement
and writing for the web, as well as winning performance related bonuses
Fact checking, research and in-depth knowledge of the online retail sector

BA (Hons) Journalism and the News Industry

EDUCATION &
TRAINING

First Class Honours, University of Kent, 2014

Three year degree combining both academic study and practical skills in
multimedia journalism. Modules included history, literature, politics, law, radio,
TV, print and online journalism
Completed various work experience placements, including the Independent,
Medway Messenger, Sky News and others, as well as running student paper.
Winner of Sky Scholarship to fund first year of the degree

NCTJ Diploma with 100wpm Shorthand

Gold Standard, University of Kent, 2013
Including additional modules on court reporting and sub-editing.

Emily Kirwan, Head of Communications, BBC

REFERENCES &
SOCIAL MEDIA

/JemCollins
emilyjkirwan@gmail.com /jemcollinsjourno
New Broadcasting House, W1AA !AA
Ian Dunt, Editor, Politics.co.uk @Jem_Collins

ian.dunt@politics.co.uk @jemcollins91
Press Gallery, House of Commons, SW1A 0AA
/+JemCollins91