Jacque Smith

Executive Producer for Digital Video, CNN
August 2021 to present

• Lead a team of 50+ people across the globe who produce, shoot and edit news, features, politics and business videos for multiple digital platforms
• Work closely with product teams to launch a new content management system
• Evolve our vertical video content strategy to grow and engage a younger audience off-platform
• Launch premium digital shows to drive revenue and attract new audiences
• Track production and ensure the team is hitting revenue targets for digital video sponsorships
• Create avenues for our large CNN 10 student news show audience to find other CNN Digital products and franchises

Supervising Producer for Digital Video News, CNN
February 2018 to July 2021

• Shifted video team’s strategy from relying on autoplay to a focus on intentional views
• Led digital video coverage for the 2018 and 2020 elections, and throughout Donald Trump’s presidency
• Guided the re-launch of CNN Business video to match the vertical’s new brand and content areas
• Diversified digital video content to increase audience viewership outside of breaking news stories
• Encouraged producers to elevate diverse voices, leading to awards from NABJ, NAMIC and more

Sr. Producer for Digital Video News, CNN
February 2016 to February 2018

• Grew team from 6 to 11 digital video producers and one digital correspondent in New York and Atlanta
• Managed production of domestic news videos for all platforms, including mobile, social, Apple News and over-the-top devices
• Coordinated with writers, producers and correspondents around the world to cover breaking news and feature stories
• Produced several award-winning long form digital documentaries and interactives

Cross-Platform Producer, CNN Digital Video
November 2014 to February 2016

• Work with a team of digital video producers to create story packages
• Program the daily production calendar and assign stories
• Coordinate with correspondents around the globe to create digital videos in breaking news situations
• Ensure digital videos are being programmed on all platforms, including mobile and social
• Brainstorm feature ideas and manage sponsorship content

Interim Sr. Producer, CNN Digital Health
May 2014 to November 2014

• Craft a digital strategy for CNN Health by identifying key beats, expert voices and distinct angles
• Track metrics across desktop, mobile and social to boost traffic and audience engagement
• Assign stories to writers and freelance contributors, and edit for publication

Writer/producer, CNN Digital Health
March 2012 to May 2014

• Write breaking news and in-depth feature stories, vetting scientific studies
• Collaborate with the medical unit to produce cross-platform content on the web, mobile and TV
• Manage social strategy for @CNNHealth

Senior associate producer, CNN Digital Features
January 2009 to March 2012

• Oversee interactive and image production for feature sections and enterprise projects
• Film and edit original video packages
• Write in-depth feature stories and blog posts for health, technology and entertainment sections
• Manage workload of associate producer and two interns

Associate producer, CNN Digital Features
June 2008 to January 2009

• Wrote feature stories for living, travel, technology, health and entertainment sections
• Produced audio slideshows, timelines, interactive maps and photo galleries

Editor-in-Chief, Ball Bearings Magazine (www.ballbearingsonline.com)
May 2007 to May 2008

Internship, Providence Communications, Fort Wayne, Ind.
May to August 2007

Internship, Muncie Star Press, Muncie, Ind.
January to April 2006

Co-Editor in Chief, The Odyssey — Ball State’s Literary Magazine
August 2006 to May 2007

Vice President for Online, Indiana Collegiate Press Association
May 2007 to May 2008

Producer, Newswatch — Ball State’s nightly live 30-minute newscast
January 2007 to May 2008

Honors/Awards

2019 News & Documentary Emmy Award for Best Feature Story in Spanish “No Olvidado” — Alexandra King, Craig Waxman, Alfie Alcantara, Sean R. Clark and Jacque Smith

2020 Headliner Award: Digital presentation of a single news topic – First Place
“Assault on Democracy: Paths to Insurrection”

2021 Radio TV Correspondents’ Association David Bloom Award “Assault on Democracy: Paths to Insurrection“

2021 NABJ Salute to Excellence, Digital Media – Online Project: Feature Your Big Questions About Race, Answered

EPPY Award Best Investigative/Enterprise Feature on a Website “Destroyed: How the trashing of rape kits failed victims and jeopardized public safety“

NAMIC Vision Award, Digital Media – Short Form “25 Influential American Muslims“

EPPY Award Best Enterprise/Investigative Video “Beneath the Skin” — Rosa Flores, Anne Lagamayo, Madeleine Stix and Jacque Smith

NABJ Salute to Excellence for Digital Media, Online Project/News 2018 “Beneath the Skin” — Rosa Flores, Anne Lagamayo, Madeleine Stix and Jacque Smith

EPPY Award Best News or Event Feature 2017 “The Trigger and the Choice” — Thomas Lake and the CNN Digital Video team

White House News Photographers’ Association: First Place “It’s not just the water in Flint” — Jeremy Moorhead and Jacque Smith

1st Place – NLGJA Excellence in Journalism, HIV/AIDS Coverage 2012

Distinguished Young Alumni Award, Ball State University 2017

Kenneth J. Atwell Excellence in Reporting Scholarship 2007
1st Place – Best Online Feature Reporting, SPJ 2005, 2006, 2007
1st Place – Best Non-Breaking News Reporting ICPA 2006, 2007
Outstanding Leadership Award – Ball State University 2008

Fellowships
ONA Women’s Leadership Accelerator Program, 2019
National Press Foundation “Precision Medicine” 2015
Center on Media, Crime and Justice “Health Behind Bars” 2013
National Press Foundation “Cancer Issues” Fellowship 2012
National Press Foundation “Global Vaccines” Fellowship 2012
National Press Foundation “Obesity Issues” Fellowship 2011

Education
Turner Management Essentials, 2013

Ball State University
Bachelor of Arts, May 2008 Summa Cum Laude
Major: Journalism, magazine option
Telecommunications, news option
Honors student and Whitinger Scholar