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Summary

I make difficult topics easy to understand. For nearly 20 years I have distilled politics, education, crime, community news, etc. into messages I shared with small groups in person, and large audiences through television news. My skills helped me achieve the highest position in a television newsroom; Evening Anchor. The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences awarded me with Emmys for Spot News Coverage and Outstanding Newscast. Each of the stations for which I anchored weekday newscasts experienced market growth. During the first rating period of 2009, my station's 11pm newscast improved from worst to first in market share and ratings. Coupled with my ability to present in person and on camera I have been recognized for my writing. I wrote and delivered seminars on writing and presentation for the Idaho Press Club. As a result of my desire to continue to learn and teach writing skills, I authored weekly newsletter writing tips that helped reporters and producers hone their writing abilities. I am a tenacious learner. I furthered my education by completing an MBA through the Ken Blanchard College of Business at Grand Canyon University in which my 4.0 GPA earned me the Student Excellence Award for the Highest Grade Point Average.

Work experience

Work experience
Mar 1998 - Present

Communications Consultant

Kent Bates Communications Consulting

•Assistant Producer for Remington Firearms multi-video national contest: Tall Tale-A-Thon

•Coached national author in video presentation skills: Vickie Halsey “The Hamster Revolution”

•Developed public relations strategy for national author Marvin Perkins’ local appearance that

increased attendance at community events

•Authored newspaper stories for 5 local newspapers resulting in an increase in public knowledgeof church youth group activities

•Developed public relations campaign for the local council of Boy Scouts of America to help promote 100th anniversary of scouting

•Instructed Guilford County Animal Shelter staff and board in traditional and social media strategies that increased public’s knowledge of services

•Developed and delivered seminar on writing and presenting at Idaho Press Club annual conference leading to requests for taped instruction in writing and presentation

•Produced television campaign of local runners training for and completing Dublin Marathon

resulting in a 300% increase in participation over two years
Jan 2003 - May 2009

Newsroom Leader / Anchor WFMY

Gannett

•Managed change strategy to promote and improve awareness of 11pm news program; resulting in

market share increase from 3rd to 1st for the first time in more than six years

•Authored stories of community events and activities and delivered stories during three nightly newscasts earning inclusion in local newspaper’s “Best of Television” segment in 2008

•Excelled in stressful, deadline-driven environment leading team of reporters/producers/photographers

during hurricanes and natural disasters resulting in live coverage

•Authored weekly articles on writing skills; published in newsletter for staff of 40 writers/producers that

employees credit for improved writing skills

•Analyzed and evaluated job applications. Made recommendations for hiring that saved manager’s

time in narrowing candidate pool

1998 - 2003

Newsroom Leader / Anchor: KARK

Morris Multimedia Inc., KARK

•Company spokesperson through nightly newscasts and dozens of personal and professional

appearances resulting in higher public profile of news product and station brand

•Led team during coverage of 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York resulting in the first interviews with Arkansas victims broadcast from New York resulting in increased image for station

•Presented news coverage of 1999 plane crash in Little Rock that resulted in Regional Emmy Award for Best Spot News by the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences

•Authored and produced news stories on home burglary recognized by the Radio Television News Director Association with Edward R. Murrow Award

1994 - 1998

News Anchor/Reporter

WGHP
Apr 1992 - Jul 1994

News Anchor/Reporter

KIDK
Jan 1990 - Apr 1992

News Anchor/Reporter

KBYU
1989 - 1992

Student

BYU

Education

Education
2008 - 2009

MBA

Grand Canyon University

Ken Blanchard College of Business

  • Specialized studies in leadership of groups and corporation
  • Studies in brand development and change
  • Student Excellence Award for Highest Grade Point Average, 4.0
1989 - 1992

BA

1983 - 1984

Music/Communications

Voice Over Demo

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For nearly 20 years Kent Bates was the face of a local community.   He specialized in live, on-the-scene, reporting and on-set anchoring.   He won two Emmy Awards for spot news coverage and anchoring the best newscast.   Part 2

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For nearly 20 years Kent Bates was the face of a local community.   He specialized in live, on-the-scene, reporting and on-set anchoring.   He won two Emmy Awards for spot news coverage and anchoring the best newscast.