media RESUME

ADAM PAYNE

WORK EXPERIENCE

YNST (You’re Not Seeing Things) Magazine, Editor-in-Chief / Founder (Nov. 2022 – Present)

Oversee creative direction, business operations and communication strategy for a grassroots print and digital media company amplifying the unsung creative voices of Appalachia's arts and culture.
Manage a team of 6 staff, 3 part-time freelancers and 25+ contributors per publication.
Research, organize and curate original content for each quarterly publication and the company’s overall communications.
Cultivate collaborative relationships with 100+ artists, 50+ vendors, advertisers, and regional arts organizations.

West Virginia Public Theatre, Marketing Director (Oct. 2023 – Present)

Spearhead marketing strategy and online presence for a cornerstone professional theatre company of West Virginia.
Launch digital advertising campaigns, generating an average reach of over 30K per ad with micro-budget.
Manage and design engaging content across social media channels and in weekly newsletters.
Hire and oversee freelance photographers, videographers and cast social media coordinators.

Black By God the West Virginian, Social Media Consultant (Jan. 2023 – Aug. 2023)

Created social media content and multi-faceted digital marketing campaigns for a community-led news organization that provides a more nuanced portrayal of the Black experience in the Appalachian region.
Boosted social media presence with scheduled content across 4 channels generating over 175K organic impressions.

WVU LaunchLab

Visual Marketing Assistant (Aug. 2021 – Dec. 2022)

Pioneered a new arts-based pitch competition that has awarded $12,500+ in funding to WV artists.
Created robust marketing campaigns for 10 annual events, designed content and managed accounts across 5 social media channels, optimizing Instagram with a 40% follower rate increase.
Oversaw 2 undergraduate designers and developed unique personal branding and social media strategies for dozens of clients.
Orchestrated the creation, editing, writing, design, and release of an original publication called Launch Magazine.

Multimedia Specialist (Jan. 2017 – July 2021)

Developed a fluency in filming and editing video, interviewing, social media copywriting, social media graphic design and collaborative event planning.
Curated and created entertaining video content, promotional social media campaigns, written digital stories and engaging PowerPoint presentations.

Additional Experience:

WVU Youth Theatre Academy, Director (2019 –2022)
Mirage Magazine, Creative Director (2018 – 2022)
WV Governor’s School for the Arts, Resident Assistant (Summer 2022)
WVU Theatre Student Organization, President (2020 – 2021; Member 2017 - 2021)
WVU Film Club, President / Vice President (2018 – 2021; Member 2017 – 2021)

West Virginia University

Honors: Summa Cum Laude, Outstanding School of Theatre & Dance Graduate, Outstanding Journalism Senior, President’s List, Dean’s List, Honors Scholar

AWARDS

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