Dana Ballestero

In January 2014, I worked as a contract journalist/reporter, staff writer and copy editor for TV industry trade magazine Extra Extra Show Daily, which was produced and distributed on-site at the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach during the 2014 National Assoc. of TV Programming Execs annual convention in January.

For 4 weeks, I fulfilled the daily needs (personal, wardrobe, hair, makeup, transportation) of a cast of 6 women (ages 22-34) from Alaska, during production in Miami/South Beach, Florida, of a new TLC reality show, which premiered October 2013. Assisted producers with cast call times, releases and monitoring of cast behavior.

Generated international publicity for largest festival of new Brazilian cinema in the U.S., held each August in Miami. Secured coverage in IndieWire, The Miami Herald, El Nuevo Herald, etc., for Oscar-nominated director Fernando Meirelles and actor Wagner Moura, among others.

Top in-house publicist for largest Spanish and Portuguese film festival in US (100-plus films). Secured coverage in English and Spanish media and US entertainment trades for international A-list directors and talent: Andy Garcia, 50 Cent, Morgan Spurlock, etc.). Wrote 20-plus press releases. Ran Red Carpets and Press Days.

Secured publicity for international A-list directors, talent and festival director in English and Spanish media. Wrote 20-plus press releases and special event alerts. Ran Red Carpets. Scheduled interviews and Press Days.

Managed and processed all weekly salary invoices and travel and expense reports and receipts for a cast of 50-plus contract entertainers on 8 ships, avg. $80,000/week and approx. $4M/year, in corporate HQ entertainment dept. of Miami-based Celebrity Cruises.

Held launch new magazine for former Greenspun Media Group of Las Vegas and Ocean Drive Media of Miami Beach (now Niche Media). Founding copy editor and staff writer.

Copy editor and staff writer for monthly regional celebrity, lifestyle and entertainment magazine covering South Beach & Miami.