Justin Hunte
Journalist
Los Angeles,CA
Summary
Dynamic Journalist bringing 13 years of experience. Hardworking, focused, and story-driven with an entrepreneurial spirit and passion for developing and reporting engaging content. Versed in writing and editing for multiple digital media platforms, social media and online platforms. A media junkie obsessed with viral trends and breaking news with proven success leveraging social media platforms to increase engagement.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Content Strategist & Community Moderator
Music360
08.2020 - Current
- Created community moderation guidelines for Barry Hankerson's music streaming platform, Music360.
- Researched streaming trends in Africa, India, North America and South America.
- Collaborate with music team to curate playlists driving user engagement across the app.
- Developed short-form and long-form video content strategy including Music360 podcast, daily news, and viral shorts.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure cohesive messaging across all marketing channels and platforms.
Vice President Of Production & Acquisition
BTSN
09.2021 - Current
- Develop content strategy and manage day-to-day editorial operations of BTSN.
- Mentored junior team members, enhancing their skills and contributing to talent development within the organization.
- Produce BTSN's news vertical and adjacent in-house productions.
- License and acquire strategic content that aligns the BTSN mission.
- BTSN currently has 500,000+ users and is available on Roku and Fire TV.
- Developed cross-functional teams for improved collaboration and communication, leading to higher productivity across departments.
Television Producer
Law & Crime
09.2020 - 02.2021
- Producer on A&E's internationally syndicated series, Court Cam.
- Researched and scripted over 40 segments which appeared in Court Cam seasons 2 and 3.
- Collaborated with fact-checkers to ensure accuracy of copy.
- Produced high-quality television content by collaborating with writers, directors, and production staff.
- Streamlined production workflow by maintaining organized schedules and timelines throughout projects.
Editorial Contributor
REVOLT MEDIA & TV
05.2020 - Current
- Contribute editorials and reviews profiling artists, albums, and actions with an emphasis on life through the lens of Hip Hop.
- Enhanced reader understanding of complex topics by distilling information into concise and engaging articles.
- Collaborated with editors to refine content for maximum impact and audience appeal.
- Contributed unique perspectives on current events, leading to increased engagement from readers.
- Conducted thorough research to ensure accuracy and credibility in all published content.
- Developed strong relationships with sources, resulting in exclusive interviews and insider information for articles.
- Managed tight deadlines effectively, consistently submitting high-quality work on time.
Director Of Content & Strategic Marketing
EMPIRE Distribution
12.2017 - 01.2020
- Create and provide content and strategic marketing opportunities for EMPIRE artists
- Created digital video property, How I Built My EMPIRE, an aspirational series designed to artists and fans fighting to make their dreams come true
- Liaise with artists and partners in the Los Angeles area.
- Instrumental in signing country music artist Willie Jones to EMPIRE. Served as project manager for the release of his EP, Road Waves.
- Instrumental in securing initial hires of EMPIRE's country music division.
- Spearheaded successful product launches that resulted in increased brand visibility and customer acquisition.
Head of Video Production
Ambrosia For Heads
06.2017 - 06.2023
- Host, Produce, & Write weekly video program, TBD.
- Conduct interviews and create video content for AmbrosiaForHeads.com.
- Managed a team of videographers to ensure timely project completion and consistent quality across all deliverables.
- Reduced production costs by negotiating favorable deals with equipment suppliers and service providers.
- Implemented best practices in file management and data storage, ensuring the security of sensitive client materials.
- Championed creative brainstorming sessions to generate fresh ideas for projects, consistently exceeding expectations.
Editor-in-Chief
HipHopDX
01.2013 - 05.2017
- Managed the day-to-day editorial content of the world's most-trafficked hip-hop news and culture site, HipHopDX (2.5+ million unique monthly readers).
- Created and oversaw HipHopDX Digital Video Strategy.
- Grew HipHopDX Youtube page from 5,000+ subscribers to 250,000+ subscribers in 1 year.
- Created, hosted, and produced the publications flagship digital video property, The Breakdown.
- Oversaw Facebook strategy, growing subscriber count from 400,000+ to 1,200,000+.
- Enhanced publication quality by implementing rigorous editing and proofreading processes.
- Increased readership through strategic content planning and audience engagement techniques.
- Collaborated with marketing team to develop promotional campaigns, resulting in increased brand visibility.
- Streamlined editorial workflow for improved efficiency and consistency across all published materials.
- Developed strong relationships with industry experts, conducting interviews and securing exclusive content for the publication.
- Mentored junior editors and writers, fostering their professional growth and development.
- Managed budget allocation for editorial projects, ensuring optimal use of resources and cost-effective strategies.
- Established partnerships with relevant organizations, expanding the publication's network and influence within the industry.
- Negotiated contracts with freelance contributors, securing competitive rates for exceptional work.
- Optimized online presence by implementing SEO best practices in articles and website design elements.
- Maintained a consistent editorial voice throughout all published materials, reinforcing the publication's unique identity.
- Prioritized timely delivery of articles by adhering to strict deadlines while maintaining high-quality output.
- Conducted regular performance reviews of editorial team members to identify opportunities for improvement.
- Maintained open lines of communication between departments to ensure seamless collaboration on cross-functional initiatives.
- Regularly attended industry conferences as a representative of the publication, bolstering its standing within the community.
- Represented HipHopDX in Lexus, Brisk Bodega, Simple Mobile, digital campaigns.
- Ensured compliance with legal requirements regarding copyright and intellectual property laws in all published materials.
- Liaised with Managing Editor to supervise daily operations and set production and performance goals.
Contributor
Tanning Of America
10.2011 - 09.2012
- Daily contributor to Steve Stoute's Tanning Of America with a focus on cultural movements in music, entertainment, politics, sports, fashion, technology.
- Wrote and published 5 articles per day tackling topics in-line with organization's content strategy.
Editor-in-Chief
Brooklyn Bodega
01.2010 - 02.2012
- Developed strategic objectives for Site; recruited and manage 10 member writing team, organize weekly content meetings, developed metrics and reporting and monitor progress against goals.
- Increased Site Visits by 185%, Pageviews by 195%, Unique Pageviews by 199%, Avg Time On Site by 12% 1H10 vs 2H09.
- Decreased Bounce Rate by 3% 1H10 vs 2H09.
- Implemented SEO principals, producing web friendly content.
- Diversified Site content to include exclusive interviews, editorials, album and event reviews, original news copy.
- Coordinate, arrange, research, and conduct interviews with established and up and coming artists.
- Increased readership through strategic content planning and audience engagement techniques.
- Enhanced publication quality by implementing rigorous editing and proofreading processes.
- Producer and host of Brooklyn Bodega Radio; Brooklyn Bodega's weekly, 3 hour radio program on PNCradio.fm.
Business Manager
Bank Of America Merrill Lynch
09.2004 - 06.2009
- Vice President, Business Manager, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, New York, New York - 2007-2009.
- Developed strategic objectives of Group; organized business planning sessions, developed metrics and reporting, and monitored progress against goals; provided periodic updates, forecasts to management.
- Reviewed and assessed financial and market share data to ensure alignment with objectives of Group.
- Developed hiring plans, both lateral and campus; prepared and delivered reviews for Analysts and Associates; developed career plans for junior staff, responsible for all HR aspects of administrative staff.
- Oversaw Group expense recovery efforts, doubling expenses recovery rate from 13% to 26% in 3 month period.
- Legal and Compliance liaison for Group; reviewed associate securities trades; conducted presentations to Group outlining changes to Compliance policy; Associate Investment Management officer.
- Managed 22 direct reports in New York, Chicago, Boston, Charlotte, Dallas, and Los Angeles.
Education
Finance - Finance Accounting Economics
Wofford College
Spartanburg01.2003
Finance - Economics
University of Amsterdam
Amsterdam, The Netherlands01.2001
Skills
- Industry Knowledge
- Strategic Planning
- Project Management
- Product Development
- Team Leadership
- Budgeting and Forecasting
- Relationship Building
- TV, Radio, Digital Video, Event Hosting
- Public Speaking
Accomplishments
- Amassed over 68.9 million views and 220,000 subscribers on my personal Youtube channel, TheCompanyMan.
- Hosted and moderated multiple events for The Recording Academy, including the Black Jewish Entertainment Alliance's HipHop50 panel celebrating the unity between the black and Jewish communities throughout the history of Hip Hop.
- Selected as one of the best YouTube channels for music by PCMag in 2023.
- Debated at Oxford Union in 2017 on whether Kanye West was more relevant than William Shakespeare.
Timeline
Vice President Of Production & Acquisition
BTSN
09.2021 - Current
Television Producer
Law & Crime
09.2020 - 02.2021
Content Strategist & Community Moderator
Music360
08.2020 - Current
Editorial Contributor
REVOLT MEDIA & TV
05.2020 - Current
Director Of Content & Strategic Marketing
EMPIRE Distribution
12.2017 - 01.2020
Head of Video Production
Ambrosia For Heads
06.2017 - 06.2023
Editor-in-Chief
HipHopDX
01.2013 - 05.2017
Contributor
Tanning Of America
10.2011 - 09.2012
Editor-in-Chief
Brooklyn Bodega
01.2010 - 02.2012
Business Manager
Bank Of America Merrill Lynch
09.2004 - 06.2009
Finance - Finance Accounting Economics
Wofford College
Finance - Economics
University of Amsterdam
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