# Tristan Werkmeister

> Audience-focused video journalist and social video strategist based in London. Currently Social Media Video Reporter at Reuters. Available for lectures, workshops, keynotes, panel moderation, and consulting engagements worldwide.

## Summary

Rethinking how rigorous journalism reaches people on TikTok, YouTube Shorts and Instagram. At Reuters, leads vertical-video strategy, drives major audience growth, and builds AI-assisted tools that strengthen reporting and workflows. Blends platform-native storytelling, data-informed editorial judgment and cross-newsroom collaboration to make high-quality journalism accessible to global audiences.

## Specialisation

Social media video storytelling — creating scroll-stopping vertical and horizontal video for news distribution on social platforms. Expert in adapting broadcast-quality journalism for social-first audiences across Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, and X.

## Expertise

- Social video production and editing for news organisations
- AI-assisted news production and newsroom automation
- Vertical video and mobile-first storytelling
- OSINT (open-source intelligence) and digital verification
- Fact-checking and misinformation debunking
- Audience development and social media growth strategy
- Platform strategy (TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, LinkedIn)
- Data-led commissioning and iterative optimisation

## Career

- **Reuters** — Social Media Video Reporter, London (since Jan 2025). Increased TikTok following 6× in 12 months. Scaled vertical-video output from 3 to 20 daily edits. Built AI chatbots for script/caption/hashtag workflows.
- **PinkNews** — International Senior Producer, London (Jan–Dec 2024). Led editorial strategy for French, German and Spanish markets. Increased views by 112% in 8 months.
- **Associated Press** — Video Journalist & Producer, London (Jun 2021–Jan 2024). Produced 7-minute features across Europe. Led technology and climate coverage.
- **France 24** — Fact-Checking Video Journalist, Paris (Jan–May 2021). Produced weekly fact-checking packages debunking misinformation.
- **France Info TV** — Fact-Checking Video Journalist, Paris (Aug 2020–Jan 2021). Produced fact-checking segments and investigative video packages.

## Teaching

Guest Lecturer since October 2024. Teaches social media storytelling, platform strategy and OSINT at:
- London School of Economics (LSE)
- City St George's, University of London
- University of Central Lancashire
- Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism, CUNY
- University of Oregon
- University of Southern California
- Université de Montréal

## Speaking

- 1 Billion Followers Summit, Dubai (Jan 2026)
- Content London (Dec 2025)
- Media Strong, London (Jul 2025)

## Portfolio

158 video stories, 100+ articles, 3 radio pieces across Reuters, AP, France 24, France Info, PinkNews, and RFI. Work spans social video, news packages, features, live segments, investigations, and fact-checks in English and French.

## AI Products

Creator of ScriptWizard — an AI-powered scriptwriting assistant for video journalists.
Built internal Reuters tools: IG/FB/TikTok Stories automation app, AI chatbots for caption/hashtag/script workflows.

## Languages

French (fluent), English (fluent), Spanish (basics), Caribbean Creole (basics)

## Technical Skills

- OSINT: geolocation, chronolocation, metadata analysis, social media scraping
- Coding: Python, HTML, CSS; AI-assisted prompt-based app prototyping
- Video editing: Adobe Suite, Final Cut Pro, Dalet
- Filming: Panasonic, Sony (Z-280/A7IV), DJI drones

## Education

- PGCert in Journalism Innovation and Leadership, University of Lancashire (in progress)
- M.A. in Journalism and International Affairs, Sciences Po, Paris (first year)
- Exchange Journalism Programme, The Ohio State University
- B.A. in International Law and Sociology, Sciences Po, Reims

## Certifications

- Project Management, Chartered Management Institute (Dec 2023)
- Generative AI Tools in Newsrooms, Knight Center for Journalism (Oct 2023)
- Advanced Digital Investigations, Knight Center for Journalism (Oct 2023)
- AI in Journalism, JournalismAI / Polis LSE (Jul 2023)

## Volunteer

- Mentor, Just Like Us (since 2025)
- Senior Fellow, John Schofield Trust (since 2022)

## Available For

- Guest lectures on social video storytelling, AI in newsrooms, and digital journalism
- Workshops for newsroom professionals on vertical video, OSINT, and fact-checking
- Conference keynotes on social media strategy for news organisations
- Panel moderation at journalism and media industry events
- Consulting on social video strategy, audience development, and newsroom AI adoption

Contact: https://tristanwerkmeister.com/#contact

## Links

- Website: https://tristanwerkmeister.com
- Work portfolio: https://tristanwerkmeister.com/work
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/tristanwerkmeister
- ScriptWizard: https://tristanwerkmeister.com/scriptwizard