Experience

Fire Ant Communications-Orlando, FL- Founder                                            11/18-Present

  • Freelance Journalist

  • Produce, shoot & edit news stories in both English & Spanish

  • Develop and build relationships with community leaders and elected officials to gather story ideas

  • Use social media platforms as tool to inform and engage with audience

  • Write press releases, media advisories in both English & Spanish

 

Spectrum News 13-Orlando, FL- Hispanic Beat News Reporter                   10/17-11/18

  • Produced, shot & edited news stories in both English & Spanish for 24-hour newscast

  • Developed and built relationships with community leaders and elected officials to gather story ideas

  • Special coverage included: Puerto Rican influx in Central Florida after Hurricane Maria, Venezuela’s crisis effect on Central Florida, elections in Latin America

  • Wrote and edited stories to be published on station’s news website

  • Used social media platforms as tool to inform audience of news stories as they happened

 

InfoMás-Orlando, FL- News & Entertainment Anchor/Reporter                  06/13-10/17

  • Produced, shot & edited news stories in both Spanish & English for 24-hour newscast

  • Distinguished coverage includes: Pulse Massacre, Hurricane Matthew, Irma & Maria, 2016 Elections

  • Produced, shot & edited weekly entertainment stories
including Universal Orlando’s Volcano Bay grand opening, Disney’s Pandora grand opening, Orlando Eye, Hispanic theater and more.

  • Produced and hosted bi-weekly magazine-style show "Revista"

  • Filled-in anchor for 24-hour Spanish newscast

 

Walt Disney World-Orlando, FL- Public Relations                                               06/12-6/13

  • Produced editorial content for social media channels, generating interaction with global audience


  • Managed English and Spanish multimedia sections of public relations website


  • Hosted international and local media to increase product awareness

  • Produced photo sessions with international celebrities; content distributed to global media


  • Produced entertainment segments for worldwide media (US, Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Argentina, etc.)

  • Partnered with events team to orchestrate press events from start to finish

  • Developed scripts and talking points for spokespeople

  • Tracked all social media and develop best strategies for continued growth

 

Univision WVEN- Orlando, FL-Noticias Univisión Florida Central                 01/09-12/10

  • Social media reporter and reporter for WNUE Mega Fest interviewing international celebrities


  • Launched first Facebook page for Noticias Univision Florida Central establishing station’s presence on social media platforms

  • Covered 2010 World Cup from Spain for Univision Orlando’ s Facebook page creating original video content

Education

University of Central Florida- Orlando, FL

Double Majors: Broadcasting Journalism and Spanish Language



Study Abroad: Madrid, Spain

2017 Society of Professional Journalism Breaking News

2015 Employee of the Quarter Bright House Networks


2014 Borikén Award TV Reporter of the Year


2012 La Prensa’s 2012 Outstanding Female Youth Leader

2011 RTDNA Carole Simpson Scholar


2011 HACU NASCAR/Wendell Scott Award


2011 HSF Wachovia Wells Fargo Foundation Scholarship

2011 NAHJ Ford Blue Oval Scholarship


2010 NAHJ Ruben Salazar Scholarship Recipient


2010 NAHJ “Tell us your story” Contest Winner

Awards & Recognitions​
 

Skills

  • Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)

  • Linear Editing

  • Non Linear Editing (Adobe Premiere Pro, FinalCut Pro, Dalet, Audacity, GrassValley & iMovie)

  • Newsroom Softwares (iNews, Dalet & GrassValley)

  • Blogging (WordPress, Blogger & Tumblr)

  • Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat, Persicope & LinkedIn)

English

Spanish

​Languages

Paula Machado

paula@fireantcommunications.com
  • Wix Facebook page
  • Wix Twitter page
  • c-youtube
  • c-blogger
Community Engagement

 

Hispanic Heritage Scholarship Fund of Metro Orlando- Board Member                  01/19-Present

  • Marketing Chair Committee

 

National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ)-Region Director                      08/16-Present

  • Re-launched and managed Central Florida professional chapter
increasing membership by 50%

  • Provide leadership and support to chapters in 7 states on the east region

  • Organize fundraisers and professional development workshops

  • Awarded $5K scholarship to deserving journalism student

  • Locked in sponsors for local chapter events and fundraisers

  • Promote positive image of the news industry and news professionals

  • Represent the largest non-profit organization for Latino journalists in national events

  • Multimedia Journalist for NAHJ Parity Project


  • Helped establish an NAHJ chapter at UCF & recruiting students

 

Feed and Fortify Community Organization- Secretary                                                   01/15-6/16

  • Kept notes of monthly meetings


  • Created strategic plans and organized events in the community helping families in transition


  • Engaged community in Social Media recruiting resources and volunteers for events

  • Extended brand through partnerships and community relationships.

  • Represented organization in community events building relationships with key community leaders