MIKE REILLEY
Email: mikereilley1@gmail.com | Phone: 402-416-5668
Twitter: @itsmikereilley | @redlineproject | @journtoolbox
Blueksky: bsky.app/profile/mikereilley.bsky.social
LinkedIn Bio and Recommendations
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
University of Illinois-Chicago
Senior Lecturer, Fall 2016-present
Full-time faculty member teaching multimedia, AI, editing, sports and data journalism courses at UIC in the Communication Department. Students publish stories on urban issues to RedLineProject.news. I’ve taught Data Journalism every fall and spring semester at UIC since 2017, as well as a four-week summer course.
Author, Data + Journalism and The Journalist’s Toolbox: A Guide to Digital Reporting and AI
Authored “The Journalist’s Toolbox: A Guide to Digital Reporting and AI” for Routledge (2024). Co-Authored “Data + Journalism: A Story-Driven Approach to Learning Data Reporting”. Books are marketed globally as part of Taylor & Francis London-based academic publishing arm.
RTDNA/Google News Initiative Training Program
Lead trainer, June 2016-present
Conduct multi-hour, hands-on trainings in newsrooms, journalism schools and at conferences on how to use Google News Initiative tools in daily reporting and production. Tools taught: fact-checking/digital forensics, Data scraping, dataset search, Google Flourish, Fusion Tables, MyMaps, data scraping with Google Sheets and Tabula, Google Earth Pro, Google Dataset Search, Google Trends, Public Data Explorer, Image Search/verification and Earth Engine Timelapse. Conducted trainings for Gannett, McClatchy, Lee Enterprises, Mid-America Press Institute and many others. Conducted 500 trainings in 44 states, training 15,000 journalists and educators.
ONA/Microsoft AI in Journalism Training Program
Lead trainer, January 2024-present
Conduct one-hour online and a few in-person multi-hour trainings in AI tools, ethics and strategy. Teaches LLMs, custom GPTs and other AI tools in a journalistic context. Trained more than 2,000 journalists in the first year. Also led AI trainings for professionals and educators at the ONA convention.
The Journalist’s Toolbox
Founder and editor, January 1996-present
Founded and edit media resources site Journaliststoolbox.ai. Site features thousands of resources and tools, fully searchable and indexed. Free site offers more than 110 training videos and a bi-monthly newsletter. Active social media accounts on Bluesky and X/Twitter. Also conduct in-person trainings. Site was added to the Library of Congress’s 9/11 Terrorism Research section in 2004.
Penny Press Digital, LLC
Founder, March 2018-present
Digital tools and workflow training company I launched. Clients include Gannett, which used me as a traveling digital trainer who teaches staff at 27 Gannett properties, including USA Today. Other clients include BEA, Caribbean Media Summit, NENPA, Virginia Press Association, Mid-America Press Institute, Indiana University, Purdue University, Mobile Me & You Conference and many others.
Art Direction by Mike Reilley | Art by NotebookLM
Digital Trainer, Gannett Corp.
March 2018-2024
Traveling/remote digital producer who trained staff at 27 Gannett properties, including USA Today. Trained them on data and digital for their daily workflow. This work was done through my private consulting company, Penny Press Digital, LLC.
Arizona State University
Director of digital production and professor of practice, Cronkite News at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism. News21 instructor, 2015-2016
Faculty member who taught a daily, full-time lab that produced stories, data visualizations and updated the website for Cronkite News, the news division of Arizona PBS. Worked with my students and co-workers to redesign Cronkite News as a responsive website. Also built News21 investigative site, America’s Weed Rush.
DePaul University
Faculty member, online journalism professor, SPJ faculty adviser 2009-2014
Teaching eight online journalism courses at the graduate and undergraduate level. Founded award-winning mobile community news site RedLineProject.news with undergraduate students. Founded Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) student chapter, which was twice named National and Region 5 Campus Chapter of the Year. Serve on SPJ National Digital Media Committee. Co-authored curriculum for graduate-level sports journalism curriculum. Publications: White paper on the future of journalism education and digital-first media, fall 2013 publication.
GolinHarris
Account Group Supervisor, May 2007-February 2008
Supervised a team of 10 staff members on the Florida Department of Citrus account. Oversee marketing, PR and online projects for the client. Responsible for planning, client communication and industry trend-watching.
Bailey Lauerman Marketing Communications
Director of Sports Marketing, Nov. 2002-May 2007
Founded and launched sports marketing group within marketing communications firm of 85 based in Lincoln, Neb. Responsible for recruiting and managing several key clients, including the Bowl Championship Series (marketing, PR and crisis communications), Big 12 Conference (communications research, branding and public relations), Omaha Sports Commission (2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Swimming) and ConAgra Foods NASCAR Racing (interactive, creative advertising). Non-sports clients included GE Transportation Systems, Valmont Industries, Nebraska Public Power District, University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Upstream Brewing Company.
Ayres Advertising/Marketing
Director of Public Relations, March 2001-Oct. 2002
Developed media strategy, crisis management plans, develop newsletters, trade publication content and media relations campaigns for TierOne Bank, Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital, Nebraska Heart Institute, BIOCOR Animal Health, Hogemeyer Hybrids Seed Company
Writing, Editing and Web Consulting
Fall 2000-March 2001
Worked long- and short-term contracts for media- and marketing-based firms as a writing, editing, Internet and general media counsel. Clients included America Online, WashingtonPost.com and Ayres Advertising/Marketing.
Northwestern University
Lecturer, Medill School of Journalism, Fall 1998 – Fall 2000; Adjunct, 1997-1998
As a full-time faculty member, taught two Newswriting and New Media courses per quarter and advised students in Teaching Media program. Developed online journalism curriculum and graduate-level sports specialization curriculum from scratch. Also taught newswriting, ethics, online journalism and sports reporting in Medill’s five-week summer high school “Cherubs” program (1997-2000).
Chicago Tribune
Sports Editor, Internet edition, Dec. 1995 – June 1997
Hired and managed a staff of five reporters and editors that built, the Tribune’ innovative online sports section from scratch (launched site March 14, 1996). Worked closely with print edition editors to share and build content. Oversaw online edition coverage of Bulls’ 1996 NBA championship and Summer Olympics.
Los Angeles Times
June 1989-Dec. 1995
As the Los Angeles Rams backup beat writer (1993 and 1994 seasons) handled free agency, game advances, coverage of all home and road games, the team’s move to St. Louis. Also covered sports business and trends, assisted with Anaheim Angels coverage, covered the 1991 U.S. Olympic Festival and worked on the Orange County copy desk during the 1992 Summer Olympics.
EDUCATION
Northwestern University (MSJ)
Graduated Kappa Tau Alpha and with distinction with master’s degree in media management from the Medill School of Journalism, September 1995. Conducted market research of online services for The Times newspapers of Northwest Indiana. Also had business strategy classes at Northwestern’s Kellogg Graduate School of Business Management. Received the Harrington Award, the school’s highest academic honor.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln (BJ)
Bachelor’s degree in news-editorial journalism with minors in English, history, political science and geography. Editor of The Daily Nebraskan (1987-88) Graduated May 1989 with five internships and several student media awards, including three placings in the Hearst competition.
SKILLS
Management Skills – Oversee student and professional web development teams and manage organizational change and startup atmosphere. Work directly with clients to develop strategy, tactics and measurement. Manage large web projects (production, planning and budget). Also oversee creative and PR teams on integrated marketing communications projects.
Writing, Editing and Public Relations – Write and edit news and feature stories for print, web and broadcast media. Develop crisis communications plans for clients in several industries. Skilled in writing with statistical data, quantitative and qualitative research data. Seasoned media consultant who has worked with corporate executives, athletic department officials, university presidents and coaches.
Personal Communications/Presentation Skills –Nine-plus years of teaching experience with polished public-speaking skills. Eight years of client presentations. Also co-hosted local ESPN 1480 sports radio talk show in Lincoln, Neb. Guest speaker at several Inland Press Association and SPJ seminars, as well as public relations courses at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Doane College in Nebraska.
AWARDS AND HONORS
Online News Association Online Journalism Award 2012
The Red Line Project won first-place in Online News/Commentary for its coverage of the NATO summit in Chicago.
Editor & Publisher EPPY Awards
The Red Line Project’s Chicago Sidelines won for Best College/University Sports site.
Peter Lisagor Awards for Exemplary Journalism (2012-14)
Founded RedLineProject.news that won four Lisagors, awarded to professional journalists in Chicago for outstanding work: Best start-up, best community news site, best online business story and best online feature.
SPJ David Eshelman National Campus Adviser of the Year Award (2011 and 2013)
DePaul University Campus Adviser of the Year
Nominated by SPJ DePaul students and awarded by DePaul’s Office of Student Affairs.
SPJ National and Region 5 Student Chapter of the Year (2011 and 2013)
Advise student chapter with 73 members that was honored for its programming and membership drives in 2011 and 2013.
SPJ Mark of Excellence Awards (2011-14)
The Red Line Project won the National Mark of Excellence Award in 2013 for Online News Reporting with its coverage of the 2012 elections. Student work has been honored 17 times at the regional level in three years.
Associated Collegiate Press Pacemaker Awards
Red Line Project was a winner four years in a row for Best Online-Only News Site
Horizon Interactive Awards
2012 silver winner for Best College News Site, The Red Line Project; 2013 bronze winner
Web Marketing Association (2005)
National awards for the Omaha Sports Commission and ConAgra Foods NASCAR websites.
PRSA and AMA Regional Awards (2002-2007): PR and marketing teams won more than 40 first-place awards, including 15 best campaign awards, at PRSA Nebraska, Omaha AMA and Lincoln AMA awards shows. Winning clients included the Bowl Championship Series, U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials, NCAA Women’s Volleyball Championships, Banquet 400 NASCAR race, ConAgra Foods (NASCAR) Racing, FedEx Orange Bowl and the Omaha Sports Commission.
Midlands Business Journal “40 under 40” honor (2005)
Lincoln (Neb.) Northeast High School Distinguished Alumni (2001)
Harrington Memorial Award (1995) Highest academic honor from Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism.
MEMBERSHIPS/INVOLVEMENT
Memberships: Investigative Reporters and Editors, Online News Association, RTDNA. Past: Associated Press Media Editors, American Copy Editors Society, Association of Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC), Associated Collegiate Press.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Journalism and Mass Communication Strategic Planning Committee
2020-present
Served on dean’s planning committee focusing on new directions the college should take.
Daily Nebraskan Alumni Board Training Subcommittee Chairperson
2020-present
Plan, oversee and conduct training for student journalists. Oversee a committee of five.
Society of Professional Journalists National Board of Directors
2014-2015 and 2018-2020
Served two terms on national board. Member of the organization’s Strategic Planning Committee and assists with education and tech issues.
Ban.jo consumer advisory board
2017-2019
Advise social media curation company on user experience and university implementation programs.
SPJ DePaul Student Chapter
Winter 2010-2014
Founded and oversaw student chapter that was named DePaul’s top student organization by the Office of Student Affairs in 2010-11. Grew membership to 80 students, making it the largest student chapter in the region.
The Poynter Institute Summer 2009 and 2010 Studied mobile media and multimedia video editing and reporting at journalism research and teaching organization in St. Petersburg, Fla.
API Institute for Journalism Excellence Summer 2000 One of 25 journalism instructors nationwide to participate in weeklong seminar with the American Society of Newspaper Editors and the American Press Institute. Continued with five-week fellowship at http://www.washingtonpost.com.
Special Olympics Nebraska Board member, 2005-2007 Selected as member of state board of directors and chairperson of Public Relations/Marketing committee.
Rimington Trophy Presentation Committee Board member and marketing chairperson, 2007Handled marketing and PR for national college football award for centers.
REFERENCES
One of the best ways to see what people who worked with me and managed me think of my work is to visit my LinkedIn.com page. It’s online at http://www.linkedin.com/in/mikereilley
Other references (contact information available upon request):
Lisa Pecot-Hebert
Assistant dean, USC Annenberg
Neil Chase
CEO, CalMatters
Zizi Papacharissi
Department chair, Communication
UIC
Mike Reilley 