Will Payne

An accomplished media professional with extensive experience in media relations and strategic communications, working for

Real Response Media, TTG Media and KentOnline. Skilled in managing campaigns and building strong relationships with

journalists and stakeholders to achieve all core aims and objectives. Well versed in handling communications and delivering

impactful messaging to diverse audiences, with demonstrable experience of utilising traditional, digital and social media

channels with a focus on consistent, positive media coverage.

Deputy Editor (Cruise Trade News and World of Cruising) Oct 2023 – Present

Real Response Media

▪ Overseeing and providing editorial direction for 2 magazines concurrently and working closely with staff to plan, create,

review and revise content for publication.

▪ Leading on the development of content ideas, assigning writing duties to staff and overseeing all aspects of publication.

▪ Holding responsibility for all content of the magazines including on the website and social media platforms – achieved a

50% uptick in readership viewers within my the 6 months in role and a 72% increase in social media followers.

▪ Successfully relaunching the CTN Instagram page with new content design and structure for enhanced appeal.

▪ Analysing content performance and adjusting strategies to improve engagement and conversion rates.

▪ Working collaboratively with other internal departments to ensure Cruise Trade News and World of Cruising are at the

forefront of the industry, helping set agendas for summits and representing companies at events globally.

▪ Chairing editorial meetings with staff to decide on stories / issues to promote in coming editions of the magazines.

▪ Launching an opinion article series to exhibit personal expertise as a Travel Expert.

Senior Reporter – TTG Media Jul 2022 – Oct 2023

▪ Held position as TTG Media’s sole cruise correspondent and managed the monthly magazine’s 4 cruise pages.

▪ Produced long-read, in-depth features which included multiple interviews with a range of industry executives.

▪ Commissioned Freelance Writers and independently created and edited a weekly cruise bulletin, and additionally puttogether 2 daily newsletters.

▪ Ran the news desk on occasion and produced twice-daily news bulletins to drive maximum audience engagement.

▪ Broke stories that informed, educated and entertained readers and increased readership levels in line with targets.

▪ Maintained accuracy of editorial content and ensured legal standards were complied with at all times.

▪ Worked with colleagues on re-configuration of the TTG news brand by investigating other media outlets and identifying

ways to enhance output.

Digital Reporter – TTG Media Jun 2021 – Jul 2022

▪ Followed up on news leads, developed story ideas and interviewed people by telephone, in-person and via e-mail to

undertake research for web and magazine articles.

▪ Managed the TTG Media Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn pages from a news output perspective, which included posting

new stories to each site with a focus on the application of SEO techniques to drive maximum reach.

▪ Travelled the world to report on destinations, airlines, cruise lines, operators, politics and the travel industry in general.

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING & QUALIFICATIONS

▪ Level 2 Mental Health First Aid in the Workplace ▪ NQJ Senior Reporter Diploma ▪ BA (Hons.) Journalism – University of Portsmouth ▪ A-Levels: Government and Politics, English Literature, Psychology – Gravesend Grammar School

▪ GCSEs incl. English and Mathematics – Gravesend Grammar School 2024

2023

2019

2016

2014