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Vanina Harel
Manager, Social Media Campaigns at National Geographic
Professional Background
Vanina Harel is a renowned National Geographic explorer and filmmaker, distinguished by her passion for conservation and education-driven storytelling. With an impressive career focused on harnessing the power of media to inform and engage audiences, Vanina firmly believes that compelling narratives can significantly impact public understanding of environmental issues and inspire real change. Her diverse skill set includes producing and directing high-quality multimedia content and developing innovative social media campaigns that resonate with wide-ranging audiences.
At National Geographic Partners, Vanina excels in pitching, packaging, and creating sponsored campaigns that leverage video, photography, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and written stories. Her role involves collaborating with a myriad of teams, including editorial, sales, production, and publishing specialists, ensuring that content is creatively ideated, meticulously reviewed, efficiently scheduled, and successfully published across all of National Geographic’s digital platforms. These platforms include social media giants such as Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and TikTok, where she routinely manages 30-40 concurrent client campaigns.
Vanina is dedicated to staying ahead of industry trends, continuously researching and testing new products to strategically monetize her campaigns. This commitment to innovation and sustainability in her work reflects her belief that media can be a catalyst for behavioral change in conserving the environment.
Education and Achievements
Vanina Harel's educational background lays a solid foundation for her dynamic career in filmmaking and conservation storytelling. She holds a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Film and Electronic Media, specializing in Film/Video and Photographic Arts from American University. This advanced degree equips her with both creative and technical expertise that informs her approach to filmmaking and storytelling through visual media.
Prior to her MFA, Vanina pursued her Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Biology/Biological Sciences from the prestigious University of Bristol. This background in the biological sciences is essential to her narrative's authenticity, as it grounds her work in scientific understanding, reinforcing conservation themes in each story she tells.
Recognizing the importance of a global perspective, Vanina also studied International Management at ESCP Europe in London, furthering her understanding of how to navigate the complex landscape of global conservation efforts and media strategy.
Notable Contributions and Roles
Throughout her career, Vanina has held several influential positions that have allowed her to shape narratives within prominent organizations:
- Manager, Social Media Campaigns at National Geographic: Here, Vanina leads the team's efforts in developing impactful social media strategies that connect with audiences and promote environmental conservation initiatives.
- Producer/Director/Writer at Vey Nou Lagon Ltd: In this role, she leveraged her skills in producing and directing projects that align with her passion for storytelling and conservation narratives.
- Field Producer, Project Manager at National Geographic: Vanina played a pivotal role in the production of various projects, ensuring that all content delivered aligns with the esteemed values and standards of National Geographic.
- Teacher at American University: Sharing her wealth of knowledge and experience, Vanina has contributed as an instructor, shaping the next generation of creative minds in the fields of film and media, particularly in relation to environmental themes.
- Development Coordinator at National Geographic and the Smithsonian Channel: In these positions, Vanina was instrumental in coordinating projects that advance education and conservation efforts through innovative media.
- Social Media and Crowdfunding Coordinator at American University: Her understanding of social media's power was further amplified here, as she engaged students and faculty in raising awareness and support for various projects.
- Writer at La Sentinelle: This early writing role helped hone her skills in storytelling, allowing her to explore different narrative techniques that would later contribute to her successful campaigns.
Achievements
- National Geographic Explorer and Filmmaker, recognized for impactful storytelling in conservation and education.
- Successfully managed and executed 30-40 concurrent client campaigns at National Geographic Partners.
- Developed innovative multimedia content strategies encompassing AR, VR, and traditional media forms for various global audiences.
- Gained expertise in both environmental science and media through diverse educational background.
- Engaged students and the public through thoughtful teaching and social media strategies, promoting awareness of conservation issues.
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