1. Professional Summary
Core Qualifications
Accomplishments
Career History
DEBRA ELLEN SCHACKNER
10108 Vanderbilt Circle, Rockville, MD 20850 | (H) 301-869-0008 | (C) 301-706-4699 |
dschackner@hotmail.com
Accomplished international media professional and superior visual storyteller with progressively responsible
public affairs and Television production experience at fast-paced, deadline-driven, multi-cultural, global
news-breaking federal government agencies covering key world leaders, global advertising agencies and local
Television stations.
Global Crisis Management
Public and Media Relations
Project/Event Management
Contract Negotiation
Scriptwriting
TV and Radio Commercials
Creative Team Leadership
Secret Clearance (USG)
Digital Video Production
Pitch Experts and Stories
Social Media Analytics
Press Releases and VNRs
Dynamic Public Speaker
Superior Client Service
Received Award for "Covering Catastrophe: Broadcast Journalists Report September 11," Meritorious Honor
Award for additional September 11 coverage; Meritorious Achievement Award for Election coverage; Group
Award for broadcasting during "Crisis in Kosovo."
Recognized for press facilitation during first Nuclear Summit in Washington, DC.
Commended for documentary on "History of Diplomacy" and fundraising video for "Museum of Diplomacy."
Arranged interviews for press and interviewed key players during media tour on "Avian Influenza."
Accompanied 40 foreign ambassadors on media tour of Florida, and handled interviews.
Conducted video interviews for International Women's Day, Holocaust Remembrance Day and Iraq
elections.
Participated in task force on South East Asia Tsunami Relief Efforts, interviewing US Government, NGO
and private sector partnerships.
Produced live-interactive global broadcasts from a political National Convention.
02/2011 to 07/2015Program Analyst
US Department of State Foreign Press Centers – Washington, DC
Provided foreign media access to authoritative American information sources.
Responded to media inquiries concerning complex foreign policies and controversial issues.
Launched, managed and updated results database to track, translate, analyze and report on print and
electronic stories generated from events featuring key government officials and private sector
newsmakers.

2. Education
Monitored web daily and solicited journalists for stories.
Created 48-hour reports highlighting event attendance and coverage demonstrating program success.
Recommended improving effectiveness of communication strategies to management.
Facilitated interviews, briefings and special events as assigned.
Pitched foreign journalist media tour opportunities to leading US companies.
Excelled in achieving agency mission objectives.
10/1999 to 02/2011TV Producer, Bureau of Public Affairs
US Department of State – Washington, DC
Orchestrated coverage and distribution of camera sprays, treaty-signings, walkouts, briefings and highly
visible special events with Secretary of State, POTUS and various world leaders.
Conceptualized, directed, produced, and pitched live one-hour satellite interactive multi-lingual, call-in talk
shows. Booked guests and crafted copy for intros, questions and video roll-ins.
Liaised with US posts, desk and country officers and press.
Established and maintained close relationships with foreign and domestic journalists, American embassies,
key government officials, academic institutions, think tanks, associations, and other private sector
institutions.
Generated and disseminated Video News Releases with accompanying story summaries to global outlets,
PR Newswire and State.gov.
Responded to media inquiries, arranging and conducting interviews with key officials.
Wrote, produced and directed award-winning documentaries.
Constructed talking points and prepared officials for on-camera appearances.
Coordinated and supervised vendor studios.
Directed single camera and multi-camera shoots.
04/1991 to 09/1999TV Production Specialist
United States Information Agency (USIA) – Washington, DC
Television Production Specialist for TV Marti program to Cuba until their move to Miami in 1997. Subsequently
selected programming, oversaw feeds and scheduled breaking news as Broadcast Operations Control Room
Producer for WorldNetTV.
04/1983 to 11/1988Assistant/Associate TV and Radio Commercial Producer
Saatchi and Saatchi Advertising Inc – New York, NY
Producer for commercials and sales videos for high-profile clients such as Procter and Gamble, Upjohn
Company and PaineWebber during the stock market crash of 1987. Regularly interfaced with client and agency
stakeholders.
Bachelor of Science: Mass Communication, Advertising, Public Relations, Broadcasting, Newswriting
Boston University College of Communication - Boston, MA