CHRISTINA HUGHES BABB

701 North Bishop Ave., Apt. G, Dallas, Texas 75208 · 972.697.8699

Chughesbabb@gmail.com

I am an award-winning journalist with several years reporting, writing, editing, management and
publishing experience. I am a sound researcher, a stickler for accuracy and deadlines, an
enthusiastic utilizer of social media and a devoted teammate.

EXPERIENCE
Editor-at-large
Advocate Media
September 2021 to present
● Find, investigate and write feature stories across four hyperlocal monthly print magazines
● Write breaking news stories across four daily news websites
● Edit and mentor newer reporters
● Assist in copy editing, design, photography and overall magazine production based on
acquired skills

Lead Reporter
Five Star Institute (DS News, MReport magazines) - Dallas, TX
July 2020 to September 2021
● Cull, write and/or edit 5-10 stories per day, M-F, for two mortgage-finance news sites and
newsletters for 40,000+ subscribers
● Employ a finely tuned understanding of both SEO and the 24/7 news cycle and how it
applies to specific audiences
● Cover banking, finance, legal, technology and federal policy news for two monthly print
publications delivered to industry professionals nationwide
● Curate and publish annual directories and best-of lists
● Report and produce segments for DS5, a weekly video program
● Manage blog content, newsletters and social media for several company membership
groups including the American Mortgage Diversity Council and Legal League 100
● Oversee a team of freelance journalists
● Edit and write headlines, procure art for contributed articles
● Liaise with advertising sales representatives and sponsors
● Recruit subject-matter experts for national conferences
● Promote all editorial coverage and company activity on social media

Contributing Writer
Dallas Observer
December 2018 to July 2020
● Covered culture, arts, entertainment, dining, politics and social issues for daily blog,
employing unique formats and an authoritative voice
● Investigated and wrote longform articles for the weekly print publication
● Reported on breaking news via social media and the publication’s various platforms
Journalist, Editor-in-Chief, Publisher
Dallas Advocate Magazines
January 2008 to July 2018
● Covered news, human interest, entertainment, food and politics for four hyperlocal
print monthly magazines
● Reported 2-4 daily news stories on Advocatemag.com
● Managed daily newsletters for each publication and oversaw all digital products
● Created and launched DallasMagazine.com and its daily email campaign
● Developed untold relationships with sources of news and commentary
● Boosted sales by working alongside advertisers to developed native ad content
● Hired and nurtured freelance talent within tight budget constraints
● Studied and explained website analytics and SEO to team of editors and advertising
representatives
● Hired, supervised and retained solid writers, designers and photojournalists

Editor
WHERE Magazine
September 2001 to September 2003
● Developed editorial calendar for Dallas and Fort Worth editions
● Planned, organized and edited each issue of WHERE
● Secured and budgeted freelance writers and contributors
● Covered city news including dining, arts, entertainment and fashion/shopping
● Launched complementary interior decorating, home, garden, art and architecture
product, Dallas Home Design

EDUCATION
Bachelor’s Degree in journalism, Southern Methodist University

2010
Multimedia Journalism Fellowship, University of California Berkeley

AWARDS
● Third place, Mayborn Literary Nonfiction Contest 2016 from Frank W. and Sue
Mayborn School of Journalism at University of North Texas
● Best of Texas First Place, Original Writing Feature Story 2015 from Texas
Community Newspaper Association
● First place, Original Writing Feature Story 2014 from Independent Free Papers of
America
● Third place, feature writing for a major newspaper (Dallas Morning News) 2012 from
Society for Features Journalism
● First place, Mayborn Literary nonfiction writing award 2011 from Frank W. and Sue
Mayborn School of Journalism at University of North Texas
SUMMARY OF SKILLS
Adobe Premiere, AP, Chicago Manuel Style, InDesign, InCopy, Microsoft Office, ASANA,
WordPress, Slack, Excel, Teams, Outlook, Zoom, Photoshop, Illustrator, Photoshop, iMovie,
GarageBand, CampaignMonitor, Mail Chimp, SEO, longform, marketing, podcasting,
broadcasting, strong source-development skills, reverence for deadlines, commitment to
difference-making journalism and standing out