DAVID ARIOSTO
Scottsdale
Summary
Dynamic and versatile communications professional with a distinguished career spanning diverse industries and renowned organizations such as CNN International, NPR, Samsung, Google, Eurasia Group, and others. With a proven track record in developing and executing strategic communication initiatives, I bring a wealth of experience in driving engagement and enhancing brand reputation, as well as considerable international experience, having worked in more than 50 countries, including China and India. I also have a master's degree in public policy and am a former visiting professor at Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications, where I gained first-hand experience with the school’s undergraduate and graduate populations.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Content Lead
EDELMAN PUBLIC RELATIONS WORLDWIDE
2023.09 - Current
- Develop pristine written content, including articles, blog posts, whitepapers, creative visual assets, and other thought-leadership work for Samsung, Google, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and others, often working with widely diverse teams across multiple timezones.
- Craft and copy edit compelling narratives and visual concepts that align with client objectives and resonate with target audiences.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, serving as a key advisor on content strategy and messaging
- Present ideas and content plans to clients in a clear and persuasive manner.
Journalist and Producer
CNN INTERNATIONAL, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC, NPR, ETC.
2004.06 - Current
- Ran news bureaus in Havana, Cuba and Kabul, Afghanistan for CNN
- Covered high-profile events such as political elections and natural disasters, providing timely updates to readers.
- Streamlined editorial processes by implementing new organizational tools and communication methods among team members.
- Generated compelling story ideas by staying current on industry trends and leveraging professional networks.
- Refined storytelling skills through attendance at industry conferences and workshops focused on journalism best practices.
- Enhanced visual appeal of articles by collaborating with graphic designers to create eye-catching layouts.
- Coordinated special projects such as investigative reports or human-interest feature stories resulting in increased exposure for the publication.
- Pitched innovative concepts for multimedia content such as videos, podcasts, or interactive graphics that increased audience engagement.
Visiting Professor
ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
2019.11 - 2020.09
- Taught graduate and undergraduate students at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication
- Oversaw a student-led documentary, entitled "Life Is ..." that focused on effective solutions to the growing problem of youth suicide. More than 25 TV stations aired the student-produced documentary, as well as dozens of radio stations. The film first aired on Arizona PBS, and was later broadcast in both English and Spanish. More than one million Arizona residents tuned in.
- Evaluated student performance regularly, providing timely feedback and support for academic improvement.
- Used different learning modes and types of technology to engage students in achieving learning outcomes.
Head of Editorial
INTELLIGENCE SQUARED, US
2020.09 - 2023.02
- Worked with writers, editors, and producers in topic development and research, final proofreading and layout
- Copy edited all content, including press releases, newsletters, and social media content.
- Coordinated with editors, graphic designers, and animators to plan page layouts, social media presence, and event production
- Wrote a weekly newsletter, highlighting key coverage areas
- Developed partnerships and audience development strategies
- Managed events, interfacing with key stakeholders to ensure maintenance of editorial and production excellence
Executive Producer
GZERO MEDIA / EURASIA GROUP
2018.08 - 2020.09
- Managed editorial teams and budgets, copy edited content, while also developing global editorial strategies that leveraged insights from core Eurasia Group experts
- Provided analysis in the foreign policy and security spaces, while working as a senior Eurasia Group consultant
- Wrote for Signal newsletter and Time Magazine, and provided commentary on major cable networks surrounding major foreign policy and security news events
- Supervised production and editorial teams with an eye toward optimization and audience growth
- Implemented quality control measures to ensure editorial standards
Managing Editor
BRUT
2017.09 - 2018.08
- Oversaw publication of digital products, aligning multi-media content strategies to maintain cohesive brand identity
- Copy-edited all public-facing content
- Conducted editorial meetings with staff members to collaborate and review proposed publication suggestions
- Led a team of 20 staff writers and producers in production of content
Supervising Producer
NPR, ALL THINGS CONSIDERED
2017.06 - 2017.10
- Managed NPR's flagship news show, "All Things Considered," setting the editorial direction of the show and supervising 31 staff members and contractors
- Oversaw all aspects of production, from running the daily editorial meeting and creating assignment deadlines to maintaining quality control and copy editing content
- Managed production calendar to meet deadlines and milestones
- Developed schedules for production, editing and duplication for timely delivery
Education
Master of Public Policy -
George Mason University
Arlington, Virginia05.2006
Professional Writing Certificate Degree -
Georgetown University
Washington, DC12.2005
Bachelor of Arts - History
University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Amherst, MA06.2003
Skills
- Copy Editing, Writing, Editing, Mentoring
- Audience and Reader Appeal and Development
- Story and Content Idea Development
- Web Analytics
- Content Marketing
- Community Engagement
Additional Information
AUTHOR
- "This Is Cuba: An American Journalist Under Castro's Shadow," St. Martins Press, 2018
- "Open Space: How The Second Great Space Race Will Shape Our Future," The Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, 2025
VISITING PROFESSOR, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication - January 2020 – March 2021
- Taught courses focused on solutions-journalism, centered on the growing phenomenon of rising incidences of youth suicide in Arizona and across the nation
- Oversaw a student-run documentary in partnership with the Arizona Community Foundation during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, which was simulcast in English and Spanish to an audience of more than 1 million people
LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY
- English, Native Speaker
- Spanish, Professional fluency
- Italian, Basic understanding.
Timeline
Content Lead
EDELMAN PUBLIC RELATIONS WORLDWIDE
2023.09 - Current
Head of Editorial
INTELLIGENCE SQUARED, US
2020.09 - 2023.02
Visiting Professor
ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
2019.11 - 2020.09
Executive Producer
GZERO MEDIA / EURASIA GROUP
2018.08 - 2020.09
Managing Editor
BRUT
2017.09 - 2018.08
Supervising Producer
NPR, ALL THINGS CONSIDERED
2017.06 - 2017.10
Journalist and Producer
CNN INTERNATIONAL, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC, NPR, ETC.
2004.06 - Current
Master of Public Policy -
George Mason University
Professional Writing Certificate Degree -
Georgetown University
Bachelor of Arts - History
University of Massachusetts-Amherst
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