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BRANDI SMITH

JOURNALIST

Summary

I’m a passionate, creative and engaging journalist whose authentic personality and passion shines through in every assignment. 

EXPERIENCE

July 2025present

Head of communications for Rice Global

Rice University • Houston, Texas

Led communications function for Rice Global
Documented initiatives across Houston, Paris, Venice and India
Produced multimedia storytelling as a one-woman editorial studio
Managed daily content across LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook
Distributed international press outreach

Dec. 2023present

Multimedia journalist / media specialist for Rice News

Rice University • Houston, Texas

Became Rice News' first multimedia journalist 
Covered a beat that included Rice Global, the School of Humanities, Shepherd School of Music, Moody Center for the Arts

Feb. 2015present

Freelance writer

REDnews • Houston, Texas

Developed sources and connections for enterprise story ideas
Broke down complex concepts and jargon into easy-to-understand articles
Wrote
between two and five articles for each issue

July 2021Dec. 2023

Digital anchor / multimedia journalist

KHOU 11 • Houston, Texas

Established new role for station/ownership group
Brainstormed and executed new franchise: Living in the Lone Star
Anchored, produced and edited KHOU 11+ streaming programming
Cultivated 290,000+ TikTok following with documented click-through
Expanded KHOU.com's digital reach

Feb. 2017June 2021

Social media anchor / multimedia journalist

KHOU 11 • Houston, Texas

Ranked No. 1 in newsroom for social interaction by ShareRocket
Created and hosted the #MorningRecut, a daily news product for Instagram
Named social media anchor for #HTownRush ensemble
Produced daily digital news updates on social platforms & Alexa
Built franchises, including Brandi Breaks It Down
Appeared on CBS This Morning, CBS Evening News and CBSN multiple times

March 2016Feb. 2017

12News Tonight anchor / investigative multimedia journalist

KBMT • Beaumont, Texas

Promoted from weekend to weeknight anchor within six months
Tripled ratings of 12News Tonight
Swept in-depth reporting category for SETX Press Club awards

Education

Jan. 2003April 2004

Journalism with a focus on electronic media

University of Oregon
Sept. 2000Dec. 2002

Journalism / mathematics

Umpqua Community College

Skills

10
Storytelling

As comfortable covering breaking news as I am a feature, I am a flexible and valuable reporter in the field.

10
Social media

I use multiple platforms to interact with viewers, engage in social listening and generate story ideas.

9
Investigating

As a fearless and aggressive investigator, I seek to hold accountable those in power and solve problems for our viewers.

10
Producing

I bring to the table fresh and creative ideas that will help my station tell stories differently. 

STORY LINKS