Amanda Finn
Media Professional
amandafinnwrites@gmail.com
Profile
Dynamic media professional with a proven track record at Community Outreach Group, excelling in content
creation, copy editing, copywriting, journalistic writing, and digital marketing. Adept at project management and
fostering media relations, I craft compelling narratives that engage audiences and elevate brand strategies.
Passionate about delivering high-quality editorial standards while driving impactful communication initiatives.
EXPERIENCE
Owner
Finn Writes LLC | 2018 – Present
- Assembles information to facilitate project completion for sites up to 10 million UVM.
- Manages multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining quality standards.
- Wrote SEO copy for national companies such as CVS, LeafHome/LeafGuard, and more through an agency client.
Staff Writer/Editor
WDWNT | Aug. 2025 – Aug. 2026
(5 Million UVM)
- Pitched story concepts to the editorial team.
- Wrote and edited copy for both news and evergreen content.
- Scoured the web for additional story ideas or collaborated with the team for concepts.
Illinois Editor and Venue Relations
Footlights | 2018 – 2020
- Helped launch the Footlights Five video series.
- Curated the Footlights social media efforts for Chicagoland.
- Worked with Illinois performing arts companies to ensure on-time playbill publication.
- Doubled site traffic with consistent editorial content.
- Edited freelancers as needed.
Arts and Lifestyle Reporter
Wisconsin State Journal | 2016 – 2018
- Covered local events with preview coverage.
- Interviewed celebrities who were coming to town.
- Pitched story ideas to the features editor weekly.
EDUCATION
DePaul University – M.A. in writing, rhetoric, and discourse 2021-2022
DePaul University – Certificate in women and gender studies 2021-2022
Ripon College – B.A. in theatre, English, & film/media studies 2010-2014 | Magna Cum Laude
AWARDS
International Food, Wine and Travel Writers Association: 2021
Wisconsin Newspaper Awards: 2017, 2017, 2016
FELLOWSHIPS
Harrison I. Steans Graduate Fellow – 2021-2022
- Worked with the American Theatre Critics Association to develop equity, diversity, and inclusion resources. With these valuable resources, critics are better able to write equitably.
National Critics Institute – 2015
- Spent two weeks learning from renowned critics, receiving feedback on our writing, and networking with other fellows.