Alison S. Kurtzman

SR. COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER, KAPLAN New York, NY

Jan. 2023 - July 2026

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• Serve as a strategic advisor to senior leadership and HR partners, translating business priorities into clear, actionable internal communications campaigns.

• Conceptualize, plan, write, and produce quarterly company-wide live events and leadership town halls, partnering with production and technology teams to deliver high-quality digital experiences.

• Ghostwrite thought leadership content for named senior leaders, including a biweekly external newsletter reaching thousands of subscribers; manage editorial planning and own the full content calendar from sourcing to publication.

• Lead internal storytelling initiatives that reinforce company culture, values, and employee experience.

• Partner closely with HR on sensitive and high-impact employee communications, including organizational updates and change initiatives.

• Own editorial planning and content strategy for the company’s corporate LinkedIn, running regular planning meetings, coordinating contributors, and publishing content across channels.

• Produce and lead communications teams at major conferences, company-wide events, annual KEF gala, and award programs.

• Coordinate publicity and internal storytelling for Kaplan Educational Foundation initiatives, strengthening employee connection to CSR efforts.

• Research, apply for, and promote awards, amplifying recognition internally and externally.

• Recruit, mentor, and manage two annual communications interns, overseeing their day-to-day work and professional development across writing, content, and event projects.

 

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER, KAPLAN New York, NY

Aug. 2019 - Jan. 2023

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• Update social media channels with relevant links and news for the company and business units

• Ghostwrite and edit articles/op-eds for major publications

• Conceptualize, plan, write, and produce quarterly update live events/meetings for top management

• Work with C-Suite level employees on media training and other media events

• Ensure all 12,000+ Kaplan employees around the world receive integral internal company messaging

• Develop, plan, design, produce, and execute hour-long, live quarterly updates for the company's management level employees

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SENIOR COORDINATING PRODUCER/FIELD PRODUCER, i24NEWS - New York, NY

May 2018 - Aug. 2019

 

• Edit and oversee scripts, guide anchors on news of the day

• Field produce packages and major events, including SOTU and UNGA

• Manage all newsroom administrative issues

• Coordinate all correspondence between Tel Aviv, New York, DC, and Paris

• Notify news room of important/breaking news stories

• Review packages for quality assurance/control

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SENIOR PRODUCER/PLANNING PRODUCER, i24NEWS - New York, NY

Jan. 2017 - May 2018

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• Field produce packages, edit scripts, correspond with reporters, guide anchors on news of the day

• Fill-in line producer for evening shows

• Primary producer of new monthly long-form, in-depth reporting show

• Look at upcoming news stories and advise of major events and good guests to book

• Helped to launch network in February 2017         

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CONTENT PRODUCER, JCS INTERNATIONAL - New York, NY

Sept. 2018 - Present

 

• Help to produce content for JCS International’s website

• Created their Facebook page and helped it grow

• Create and format articles and media galleries for the website using Wordpress software

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FREELANCE PRODUCER, SORRENTINO MEDIA - New York, NY

May 2017 - Present

 

• Responsible for research into potential experts and guests for short narrative online videos 

• Write scripts for experts to ensure answers are concise

• Make storyboards to help guide editors to put together best online piece

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SEGMENT PRODUCER, “VARNEY & COMPANY,” FOX BUSINESS NETWORK - New York, NY

​Nov. 2015 - Jan. 2017

 

• Identify relevant business/political stories for the #1 rated show on Fox Business Network

• Responsible for writing the  entire11 a.m. hour of the show (show airs from 9A-12P Mon-Fri)

• Field produce segments as needed/requested

• Sit in the front row of control room during show to copy edit scripts and ensure that correct formatting, graphics, and videos are being used and getting on the air

 

BOOKING PRODUCER, “VARNEY & COMPANY,” FOX BUSINESS NETWORK - New York, NY

​June 2015 - Oct. 2015

 

• Identify relevant business/political stories, find and secure appropriate guests for the #1 rated show on Fox Business Network

• Produce program segments as requested

• Watch show from control room to ensure guests are ready and write breaking news/update banners

 

BOOKING PRODUCER, “THE WILLIS REPORT,” FOX BUSINESS NETWORK - New York, NY

​Sept. 2013 - present

 

• Identify relevant business/consumer stories, find and secure appropriate guests

• Produce program segments as requested

• Watch show from control room to ensure guests are ready and write breaking news/update banners

 

PRODUCER, WXXA FOX 23/WTEN 10 ABC/NEWSCENTER - Albany, NY

May 2012 - Aug. 2013

 

• Identify stories, stack show, write copy, post stories to the web, booth show, and run aspects of station’s social media

• Communicate with reporters, ensure they are successfully completing stories

 

FREELANCE WRITER, PACE PUBLIC RELATIONS -
New York, NY

Oct. 2013 - present

 

• Brainstorm and pitch ideas for story ideas for all PPR clients

• Write press releases for various clients for various mediums (TV, radio, newspaper, magazine, etc.)

 

MEDIA CONSULTANT, BROADWAY ARTISTS ALLIANCE - New York, NY

June 2012 - present

 

• Write , produce, shoot, and edit tutorial and promotional videos for BAA’s website

• Manage company’s Twitter and Facebook accounts

• Help instruct and work with students aiming for careers in musical theater

 

SPECIAL PROJECTS MANAGER, PROCTORS THEATER - Schenectady, NY

Nov. 2012 - Aug. 2013

 

• Shoot, produce, and edit promotional videos for upcoming shows

• Help with guerrilla marketing and advertising campaigns

• Use social media to connect with public and advertise shows

 

PRODUCING INTERN, CNY-CENTRAL/WTVH-CBS 5 -Syracuse, NY

Jan. 2012 - May 2012

 

• Write copy for the Friday 5:00, 5:30, and 6:00 show

• Produce the Friday 11:00 show. Make rundown, write copy, and booth show.

 

PRODUCER/REPORTER/WEB EDITOR, NCC NEWS - Syracuse, NY

Aug. 2009 - May 2012

 

• All Broadcast majors serve throughout their four years as different positions for the Newhouse run news shows.

• Produce shows, report on major issues (both video and web reports), edit video, post on social media

 

INTERN, K2 PICTURES, TRUE ENTERTAINMENT -

New York, NY

June 2011 - Aug. 2011

 

• Help to research and collect background footage and pictures for documentaries and reality shows

• Assist on shoots with various tasks including set up, striking, and various runs

• Transcribe rough cuts and casting tapes

 

INTERN, WRGB-CBS 6 -

Albany, NY

May 2010 - Aug. 2010

 

• Attended morning producers meetings. Pitched and brainstormed story ideas

• Performed background research for stories and readers

• Wrote 30 to 45 second readers from the AP wires for air and stories for the Internet

 

CONTENT PRODUCER/REPORTER, CITRUSTV -

Syracuse, NY

Sept. 2008 - May 2011

 

• Pitch story ideas and provide information to reporters during field assignments

• Identify potential interview subjects, arrange and conduct on-camera interviews, and edit story

• Develop rundown and write readers for the newscast

 

INTERN, WXXA FOX 23 NEWS -

Albany, NY

October 2007 - January 2008

 

• Worked at news desk with producers

• Answered calls, pitched story ideas, scheduled interviews

• Shadowed reporters in the field, following them from assignment to editingObserved broadcasts from the control room.

• Learned to operate teleprompter and ran it during shows