Mary Gelling Merritt
Excellent Writing
Graphic Design
Public Relations
Video Producer
I also own and operate along with my husband...
StarfireTravel.com
a free travel advice and booking service
Who is MGM?
"Of all the professors I had during college, Mary may have shaped my perception of the news business more than any other. She was the first instructor that I had that really taught me the fundamentals of news reporting and writing and greatly helps me to this day as my unofficial "career advisor." I served as editor of the college newspaper while she was the advisor and took many of her classes. In the 2 years as editor, we were able to greatly expand news content and win the newspaper its first award in 10 years. She was a great publishing partner. Mary was easy to work with, yet always demanded the best from her students. I rely on her to this day to help me through some tough times starting out in local TV news. Her vast experience in journalism - newspaper reporter, radio reporter, TV news executive etc - give her the knowledge that so many rely on, in the classroom and out."
-Josh Cradduck, YNN Assignment Editor
Professional information
Mary G. Merritt's career in writing, graphic design, and Journalism has spanned more than 25 years. She started her career as a radio news reporter, talk show producer and host, immediately after receiving her Master's Degree in Television, Radio and Film from Syracuse University. Merritt easily made the transition into television news as first a news producer at WSYR-TV, and then as the Assistant New Director at WSTM-TV. After television, Merritt began freelance writing for a number of new outlets including The Syracuse Post-Standard and the national newspaper, Construction Equipment Guide. She founded MGM Word Studio, Inc. in 1998, providing public relations, graphic design and writing services to a number of Central New York businesses and organizations.
Work experience
Travel Consultant - Starfire Travel (a division of MGM Word Studio, Inc.)
2012 - present
My husband, retired Syracuse Fire Department Lieutenant Donald Merritt, and I have purchased a franchise of a nationally-renown and award-winning travel company called Cruise Planners. We call our company: STARFIRE TRAVEL (www.starfiretravel.com). We love to travel, so what better way to combine our interest into a business venture. The best part about becoming travel consultants is that our services are FREE! We get to take the best care of you and your family's precious vacation plans by getting you the VERY BEST DEAL with the MOST EXTRAS--saving you money, time and frustration! You see, the cruise companies, the resorts, the travel package companies pay us, so you don't have to! We have devoted numerous hours taking courses and becoming certified in all aspects of travel, whether on the ocean, a river, on land, at Disney or at an all-inclusive paradise resort. Let us share our expertise with you. Many times we keep watching prices long after you've booked with us, so we can alert you to instant savings! The large travel companies or face-less Internet travel sites won't do that for you!
President and chief designer, MGM Word Studio, Inc.
1998 - present
Founded public relations/writing/graphic design/video production firm. Clients have ranged from social service agencies, a management/customer relations consultant, educational institutions and a Central New York music event.
Adjunct Professor, Cayuga Community College
1997 - present
Duties include teaching lectures and labs in Media Introduction and Journalism. I also developed curriculum for new courses in Print Journalism and Broadcast Journalism. I have served as faculty advisor to the student-run newspaper for more than 15 years.
Assistant News Director, WSTM-TV, Syracuse
1993 - 1996
Responsible for the operation of a television newsroom. Duties included: supervising staff, presiding over editorial decisions, editing news copy, setting policy, interfacing with other departments as well as the public, and charting a course of direction on a daily basis. Very effective problem/conflict resolution facilitator. In 1995, received Best Television Documentary Award from the New York State Broadcaster’s Association.
Television New Producer, WIXT-TV, Syracuse
1985 - 1993
Responsible for the entire content and presentation of various television news programs. Duties included: exercising editorial judgment, writing and managing a staff. Related duties included: writing and producing special projects and news stories, reporting, videotape editing, and videography. In 1990, received two first place Syracuse Press Club Awards for outstanding television news series.
Contact MGM:
Skills
EXCELLENT WRITING
GRAPHIC DESIGN
PUBLICITY
PUBLIC RELATIONS
VIDEO PRODUCTION
TRAVEL PLANNING
2010 - present
2010 - present
Education
Syracuse University M.S. Radio, Television and Film
graduated August 1984
Syracuse University B.S. Film
graduated May 1983
Community Service
President, Central New York Chapter of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
Responsible for the Foundation’s fundraising and community outreach programs. Represented the Foundation to the public at fundraising events as well as educating the public on breast cancer issues through numerous radio and television interviews. Served as their publicity chairperson for three years. Published the Foundation’s newsletter monthly. Designed a newsletter the Foundation used as template for other Komen Chapters across the country.
Volunteer Firefighter, Liverpool Volunteer Fire Department
Became the department’s first female firefighter. Responsible for writing and designing the department’s monthly newsletter. In 1989 established a state-wide holiday to honor volunteer firefighters called Blue Light Night.