Kimberlee Speakman
Reporter
Email:
From:
Honolulu, Hawaii
Hobbies:
reading travel and fantasy books, watching the latest movie releases and streaming TV, playing video games (Genshin Impact, Among Us) and creating vlogs
A Bit About Me
I'm not the kind of person that can fit into a specific keyhole, but rather a person who wants to excel in all forms of reporting, whether that is TV/broadcast or digital writing and social media. What matters most to me is that I'm able to create an impactful story no matter the storytelling platform I choose.
Throughout my news career, I have teetered between my two passions of covering hard-hitting political and crime news and breaking entertainment and features stories. I always want to finding fresh, creative angles for the latest breaking news and be the first to report on it.
Work Experience
June 2021 - April 2022
April 2018 - May 2021
May 2016 - May 2017
May 2014 - April 2016
Forbes News & Entertainment Reporter
• Find the latest breaking and trending national and global news on topics like health, sports and politics, with an emphasis on entertainment stories, then pitch creative news angles and publish a clean article online that utilizes search engine optimization.
• Create at least three to four digital articles daily using Forbes’ “topline” format describing what readers need to know right off the bat and adding in key background details and tangents readers need to know to understand the story.
• Reach out to press contacts at entertainment agencies, streaming services and other sectors to get a jump on breaking news and exclusives and create weekly stories breaking down streaming and film viewership statistics.
KHON2 Broadcast Reporter
• Reported breaking news live, created exclusive broadcast stories for the 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. newscasts and helped the 9 p.m. show become the most-watched news program across Hawaii during its time slot.
• Found and pitched fresh stories that impacted the community, including hotel and hospital protests, elderly purse-snatching incidents and other major crime and hurricane preparation.
• Shot b-roll and framed interviews to create high quality video for television and digital platforms and edited stories together through programs like Premiere Pro, After Effects and Avid.
• Utilized social media platforms to cross-promote stories and update audiences on breaking news.
Ka Leo O Hawaii Managing Editor
• Led a team of seven editors and over 100 editorial staff to create a print and online publication, making key editorial decisions on which stories to publish and what images to represent them.
• Copy edited articles for spelling errors, AP style mistakes and ensured headlines met SEO approval.
• Managed multiple special issue campaigns and collaborated with the marketing department on strategies for branded content in the special issues to maximize exposure of advertisements.
Ka Leo O Hawaii Features Writer
• Wrote dozens of stories a week by deadline in a fast-paced digital newsroom, with a focus on movie, television, award and music reviews, profiles of local fashion designers and retail rundowns for a millennial and Gen Z audience.
• Pitched stories based on trending social media news, entertainment and fashion industry trends.
• Created engaging content for web and social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and TikTok to reach wider audience through cross-promotion.
Let's Get
Social
