multimedia journalist | CREATIVE NEWS LEADER | communications expert
Amy Cherry
Amy Cherry
Amy Cherry
meet amy
talented storyteller | effective newsroom leader | laser-focused investigator
Amy is an award-winning, investigative journalist and Assistant News Director at WDEL 101.7 FM, 1150 AM, and WDEL.com.
Her reporting, which exposed allegations of harassment lodged against a female elected leader in New Castle County Council, won broadcasting’s highest journalistic honor— a national Edward R. Murrow Award for investigative journalism. Amy’s reporting also uncovered a sweetheart deal that attempted to turn two politically-connected farmers into millionaires at the taxpayers’ expense. Her reporting killed the deal.
Amy’s journalism journey began in Boston, Massachusetts, at legendary heritage news station WBZ NewsRadio 1030, which at the time was owned by CBS Radio. She was hired as a writer while still completing her college degree in Broadcast Journalism. Upon graduation, Amy became the youngest editor in station history. There, Amy managed a team of reporters while overseeing content and breaking news for deadline-driven AM and PM drive.
With a fervent desire to be on-air, Amy, a Philadelphia native, returned closer to home for an opportunity to get behind the microphone She was hired as a general assignment and legislative reporter at WDEL. In a few short years, she was promoted to Assistant News Director and has now been at the station for nearly a decade. At WDEL, Amy manages a team of anchors, reporters, and producers, overseeing content on-air and online, all while filing endless Freedom of Information requests and producing compelling, enterprising high-impact content that inspires thoughtful conversation and effects change in the community.
As a highly motivated and seasoned communicator with a proven track record in newsroom leadership and management, content curation, and talent development, Amy remains one of Delaware’s most respected journalists.
Experience
wdel 101.7 fm | 1150 am | wdel.com
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR | wilmington, delaware
January 2010 - Present
Hire and manage full-time and part-time news staff
Direct news coverage 24/7, both on-air and online, lead daily editorial meeting
Create and sustain strong relationships with sources to break exclusive, high-impact content
Enterprise compelling stories/series and investigate using Freedom of Information requests and court records
Shoot video/photos + edit into creative packages for radio + WDEL.com using Adobe Premiere
Strategize targeted content consistent with key demographics, younger demo
Keen and sharp interviewing skills, quick on feet, file live reports as breaking news demands
Anchor in-studio newscasts while operating board, produce special coverage
Direct breaking news coverage
Cultivate talent and mentor reporters to enhance storytelling, organize/expand on ideas for colleagues
Maintain quality control over on-air and online content
Produce weekly travel segment featuring nationally-recognized guests, formerly produced weekly education segment
Produce and curate content for annual Radiothon in conjunction with Nemours A.I. duPont Hospital for Children
Co-developed new magazine-style/issues program to replace talk show
Oversee audience engagement efforts and implement forward-thinking strategies for digital, social, and radio
WBZ NEWSRADIO 1030 | CBS RADIO
Editor/Writer | Boston, Massachusetts
2006 - Dec. 2009.
Created and selected content/sound for air in half-hour and 15-minute newscasts for Boston’s #1 news station in a top 10 market
·Managed newsroom and assigned reporters
·Developed compelling, enterprise stories for air
Wrote for WBZ’s award-winning AM/PM drive and WBZ.com
Manned editor's desk during special political coverage, including NH Primary & Super Tuesday
virtual news center
Remote position
January 2015 - Present
Anchor and produce newscasts in varying markets: Reno, NV; Daytona Beach, FL; Portland, ME; Altoona, PA, and the Wyoming Radio Network
Research content, write stories
Post content to station’s respective websites
Fill-in regularly for colleagues in any market required
CLIPS:
Woman’s car illegally, privately towed from public property in downtown wilmington
https://www.wdel.com/news/womans-car-illegally-privately-towed-from-public-property-in-downtown-wilmington/article_eebd7dde-3e2c-11ea-8f40-a7b86c12080c.html
Wilmington parking problems exposed
https://www.wdel.com/wilmington-parking-problems/collection_c7212f9e-7b4b-11ea-b40c-4f8370f4afdf.html
Fighting Fire with Fire series: Protecting the Brave from PFAS Contamination
https://www.wdel.com/fighting-fire-with-fire-protecting-the-brave-from-pfas-contamination/collection_b5692860-f059-11e9-b15a-9b41e7861827.html
'Do you need to call your mommy?': WDEL obtains New Castle County confidential workplace harassment report, showing toxic culture
WDEL wins landmark FOI appeal, Delaware AG compels New Castle County Council president to turn over private emails
Harassment claim by Hartley-Nagle's ex-aide costs New Castle County Council $142K; president stripped of supervisory powers
‘understaffed, under-trained, experts say death at bear-area day care was ‘entirely preventable’
https://www.wdel.com/news/understaffed-under-trained-under-enforcing-experts-say-infants-death-at-bear-day-care-was-entirely/article_6581e50e-df00-11e9-9d43-a38cf50858a6.html
VIDEO: E-mails show insider access, questionable appraisal in controversial New Castle County farmland deal
VIDEO | Acquitted inmate says DOJ, DOC should 'feel guilty' after Vaughn riot investigation
New Castle County's secret | Public may never know results of harassment investigation into top cop
Fired, pregnant New Castle County Police officer claims she was on 2nd-in-command's 'hit list'
EXCLUSIVE | New Castle County pulls Property Lockbox app over security concerns
Reading, Writing, and Recovery: The Lifelong Journey of Students Combating Addiction
VIDEO | It's about time: Veterans get one-of-a-kind, life-changing watch repair training in Odessa
skills
Adobe Premiere | Creative Cloud
Adobe Audition | Audacity
NewsBoss | ENPS | iNews
Social Media Management: Hootsuite | TweetDeck
Microsoft Office 365 | Prezi
Amy Cherry accepts WDEL’s “Overall Excellence” Edward R. Murrow Award .
interests
News junkie
Affordable travel
French bulldogs
Foodie
Amy and her beloved Frenchie, Stanley at the Wilmington Flower Market.
Amy outside a station event on Market Street in downtown Wilmington
Amy interviews U.S. Senator Tom Carper about a major I-95 transportation project.
Amy takes a turn on the Monster Mile at Dover Speedway.
Amy wins the 2018 Edward R. Murrow Award for investigative journalism.
Education
emerson college
B.S. BROADCAST JOURNALISM
CONCENTRATION: POLITICAL COMMUNICATION
Graduated May 2007
Awards
NAT’L EDWARD R. MURROW AWARD FOR INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING
rADIO & INTERNET NEWS’ 30 UNDER 30
aSSOCIATED pRESS “bEST IN sHOW” AWARD IN MID-ATLANTIC REGION
ASSOCIATED PRESS “BEST REPORTER” 2012-2018
ASSOCIATED PRESS ENTERPRISE, INVESTIGATIVE, FEATURE REPORTING AWARDS
SPJ TERRY HARPER SCHOLAR
Contact
Email: ACHERRY@GMAIL.COM
twitter: @acherry13
Facebook: facebook.com/acherryreporter
insta: amycherry13
Amy Cherry wins “Best of Show” in the Mid-Atlantic region for her reporting at Associated Press awards in 2013.