Serra Media intern moves on to MSN

Amy exploring Seattle.

Delivering some bittersweet news today: Amy Rainey, Serra Media’s first, and longest-serving intern, will be leaving us after taking a full-time position at MSN.com. Amy has been indispensable in helping us grow our hyperlocal communities and her aptitude and cheerful attitude will be missed.

In June 2009, Amy moved to Seattle from Charlotte, where she worked as a reporter and web producer for The Charlotte Observer. Since arriving in Seattle, Amy has immersed herself in digital media and online journalism. She’s interned with Serra Media, where she’s gained valuable experience building and managing hyperlocal online communities. And she’s focused on social media strategy and multimedia storytelling in the Master of Communication in Digital Media program at the University of Washington. Now Amy plans to apply this experience and knowledge to her new job at MSN. In Amy’s new role, she’ll help produce the MSN.com home page.

“In the four short years since I graduated from J-school, so much has changed,” Rainey said. “And I’d say it’s changed for the better. Journalists can no longer maintain a ‘we know best’ attitude and talk (down) to our readers. Instead, we are now members of a collective group that is gathering, sharing and participating in the conversation surrounding news.

“As I pursue a future in digital media and online journalism, there is no other place I’d rather be. I’ve learned a lot just by being in Seattle. This city is such a creative hub full of entrepreneurial experiments and innovative startups like Serra Media.”

It has been a privilege to work with Amy and we wish her the best. MSN made a smart hire.

- Mark Briggs