Profile:
Karl Smith serves as the manager for Falcon Media, the umbrella organization for all student media at BGSU, as well as teaching as an adjunct instructor for journalism courses.
An award-winning newspaper writer, editor, designer, and design consultant, his career includes stops in Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey with titles that include assistant sports editor, assistant city editor, assistant managing editor, managing editor, and news design director.
He made the leap to digital, leading Calkins Media’s Philadelphia operation through a digital transformation including content, revenue, marketing, and product development. During that time the division went from a significant loss to more than $30 million in annual revenue. He then helped AOL/Patch launch in southeastern Pennsylvania, establishing a dozen hyperlocal news sites, and spearheaded content as editorial director for a start-up magazine anchored in long-form journalism.
His career also includes leading content marketing for South Jersey’s largest health care system and serving as Senior Vice President for Member Value for the then-Produce Marketing Association (now International Fresh Produce Association), the largest trade organization in the global fresh produce and floral industry. He led five teams for PMA – public relations, marketing, digital, events & education, and research & development.
In addition to leading professional workshops on newsroom management, writing, and design for more than a decade for organizations ranging from the American Jewish Press Association to the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association to the United States Air Force to the Society of Newspaper Design, he has been an adjunct instructor for more than 20 years, teaching at Monmouth University, Rutgers University, Cairn University, Valley Forge University, and now BGSU. He has taught classes in newspaper design, online journalism, communications, data analytics, marketing data analytics, marketing, public relations, and journalism.
He published two books, one about the United States Naval Academy (“Anchored in Tradition”), and another his notes from going to China to bring home his daughter (“Bringing Catie Home”). He anticipates his third book about life as a military academy parent (tentatively titled “Flying High, Diving Deep”) will be published Fall of 2023.
Education:
B.A. News-Editorial Journalism, Bowling Green State University
M.B.A. Entrepreneurial Management, Eastern University
