MEDIA SPECIALIST
Engaging AUDIENCES WORLDWIDE.
As a documentary filmmaker with nearly a decade of professional experience, Steven understands that storytelling in this day-in-age exists far beyond the limits of a film or video. Outside of film, Steven is an experienced writer, designer and media specialist with years of experience in disseminating the messaging of brands and non-profit organizations so that they can reach their highest potential of visibility.
A WORDSMITH WITH A VISUAL EYE.
With a Rutgers University bachelors degree and deans list accreditation in Journalism & Media Studies, backed with another bachelors degree in English with a concentration in Creative Writing, Steven knows that all stories begin on the page. Steven is a published writer with experience in penning everything from press releases to video scripts. His press releases and media blitz’s have resulted in over 1,000 original publications for Okeanos Foundation for the Sea, landing stories that highlight the non-profit organization on platforms like Daily Express and GRIST.
Steve’s original articles have been featured on Pacific Storytellers Cooperative and SevenSeas Media.
His photography has been featured on NAT GEO TV, GRIST, MEDIUM, THE DAILY EXPRESS, THE SUN UK, BRO BIBLE AND HAWAII NEWS NOW.
Steven’s images from the Marshall Islands’ nuclear clean up site, the Runit Dome, has been featured in publications about the legacy of nuclear testing around the world.
Dr. Marcus Drymon performing a lavage on a hammerhead shark in the Gulf of Mexico for the Nat Geo Sharkfest program “Blitzkrieg Sharks.” Steven’s image was featured on the Nat Geo Wild website.
PRODUCING IMPACT.
Steven has used his multi-media talents to develop high profile brand experiences for non-profit organization Okeanos Foundation for the Sea. In 2017, Steven led a team of designers and artists to create an Ocean Peoples Exhibit at the United Nations General Headquarters in NYC, which premiered at the UN Oceans Week in partnership with the Office of the President of Palau. Steven curated, budgeted and sourced the vendors for the summer-long exhibit that highlight the inherent relationship that traditional Pacific culture has with the ocean. Steve contributed to the video editing, text, and graphic design of the exhibit that played an influential role in securing the governmental support of Okeanos Foundation’s fossil fuel-free sailing canoes in Pacific countries like Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia. As a result, Okeanos Foundation was able to support vulnerable Pacific countries with sustainable sea transportation in alignment with their United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s).
A year earlier, Steven was the lead coordinator for Okeanos’ exhibit at the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Summit in Hawaii, mixing together design and film to create an immersive experience with guests, including a 360 VR demonstration that placed visitors on a traditional voyaging canoe. His videos for Okeanos Foundation have also been featured at multiple UN environmental conferences (Conference of the Parties) that have influenced critical decision-making on an international scale.
As an Impact Producer, Steven has worked with Newark and Camden’s underserved communities and non-profit charter schools to produce a documentary on urban food deserts and the malnutrition of low income, BIPOC neighborhoods called “Generation at Risk.” The film was the cornerstone for several community led discussions on preventative healthcare held by the NJ Department of Health and Rutgers University; the project created a dialogue for policy change that was implemented with the construction of the Rutgers’ Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health.
As the producer of NSF-funded documentary project, Antarctic Edge: 70º South, Steven helped facilitate the interdisciplinary STEM learning of film students who worked with Rutgers U. scientists to make a film that explored climate research in the West Antarctic Peninsula, managing the post-production across 15 student editors. Not only did Steve produce a documentary successful enough for theatrical release and an acquisition deal with Netflix and Hulu, but the team also created a pedagogy to track the informal science learning of art students who participated in the post-production of the film. In doing so, the documentary helped shape the minds of students who may have never been interested in learning about, or communicating, environmental research, receiving funding from the National Science Foundation’s Advanced Informal Science Learning (AISL) grant. Steven also spearheaded the film’s “Take Action” campaign that connected viewers to grass root environmental initiatives in their area.
HARNESSING THE POWER OF SOCIAL MEDIA.
Laying the groundwork for any strategic communications plan begins by developing a robust social media presence using short videos, infographics and relevant articles so that the audience can stay updated with the client’s messaging and connect with likeminded followers to build a sense of community to actively engage with the brand’s content. When Steven became a Media Specialist for Okeanos Foundation for the Sea, the non-profit organization had zero social media presence, critically impacting their visibility. After a year, Okeanos gained over 20,000 Facebook followers, putting the foundation in the spotlight to connect with everyday followers to policymakers on the highest level - working with seven presidents and gaining key representation at the United Nations. For over four years, Steven led a team of editors and assistant editors at the Okeanos Foundation Media branch to leverage breaking news and trending social media hashtags to have their mission spotlighted on CNN, BBC and Daily Express.
With nearly 60% of Americans obtaining their news through social media, Steven has a clear understanding of how all forms of media (videos, photos, blog posts, relevant articles) can be streamlined through social network channels to best reach its target audience. Utilizing cost-effective campaign ads on Facebook and Instagram, along with tracking their analytics, Steven has been able to develop posts for his clients that have reached over 1 million users.