Mark McDonald
I am the Founder and CEO of Birkdale Media, an independent coaching business which helps professionals, students and entrepreneurs with media, communications and presentation training.
I launched the company after thirty years in international broadcasting with BBC World News, across both TV and Radio, and with two leading public broadcasters in the United States. As an international TV producer and editor, I worked across western and eastern Europe, in Canada and South America, and throughout the United States. I have covered four US Presidential elections, international politics, the United Nations in New York and the European Union in Brussels; economics, natural disasters, violent conflicts, the environment, and education. Since 2001, I have been an Adjunct Professor at American University's School of Communication, where I teach Reporting, Writing for Mass Communication, Media Management, Digital Skills, and Advanced Video Production. In 2016, I began teaching at Georgetown University's Master of Arts Program in Communication, Culture and Technology.
My background includes extensive studio and location audio and video production and direction, live anchoring and reporting, writing for print, audio and video, interviewing, editing, training and mentoring. As a leader,I have conceived, built and led start-ups, guided units and organizations through change cycles, and motivated creative teams to success for their stakeholders. Most recently I have helped news organizations and clients with digital convergence planning and staff training. Wide-ranging senior management experience includes innovative digital media content and products, strategic and financial planning and oversight, internal and external communications, crisis management, public relations, branding and marketing, consumer research analysis, talent acquisition and human resource management. I specialize in forging and nurturing creative partnerships, designing strategies for editorial and operational efficiency and innovation, viral distribution and financial sustainability, major and individual client cultivation.