I'm Isabella McNeil, but you can call me 'Isa,' just like the friendly iguana from Dora the Explorer and the spirited sister in Disney's Encanto. My pronouns are she/her/ella. I'm a San Diego native, a proud UC San Diego alum, a twin, a "Disney-adult", Backstreet Boy fan and I whole heartedly embrace my Latina and Mexican-American heritage with pride. I believe in the importance of following your passion and being 100% authentically you, and that's why I've always been a firm believer in loving what you do and doing what you love. Much of my professional journey has been dedicated to chasing the work that brings me closest to what brings me joy. As a result I've spent over a decade working in communications and public relations for high-profile organizations, both in the private and public sectors.
As an accomplished California native, I bring a deep passion for multimedia production, content creation, and authentic journalistic storytelling. Graduating with a BA in Mass Communications, specializing in mass media, from the University of California, San Diego, I have honed my skills and expertise.
For over a decade, I have garnered immense respect and credibility while working as a communications expert as an official spokesperson, reporter, and producer in both the private and public sectors, for esteemed Entertainment and Hard News outlets, including renowned names like E! News, The Associated Press, and organizations the second largest school district in southern California, theSan Diego Unified School District.
Throughout my career, I have demonstrated a solid ability to manage communications effectively by developing and recommending media strategies, objectives, and plans that have strengthened the company's image. I have been instrumental in promoting various organizations' public image by cultivating and managing relationships with mainstream and local media outlets. I have coordinated interviews, facilitated press releases, written speeches and key talking points, and tracked media coverage. Through proactive engagement and relationships with television and radio stations, I have secured coverage and interviews, resulting in a 25% increase in positive media mentions. These efforts have resulted in measurable results in increased brand visibility.
Furthermore, my skills extend beyond writing and media relations. I have a demonstrated ability to produce and edit videos, including scripting and scheduling shoots. This visual communication expertise enhances my ability to create compelling multimedia content that effectively engages audiences and conveys critical messages.
The strong relationships I've gained have allowed me to work on prominent events such as The Academy Awards, film junkets, major movie premieres, and prestigious international gatherings like The Venice Film Festival in Italy. During my tenure as Associate Producer for E! News and The Daily 10, I excelled in producing and conducting interviews for movie and TV show set visits and junkets, showcasing my ability to deliver top-quality content.
My professional journey has also included a role as a publicist at a Los Angeles-based PR firm, where I represented various actors at press events, junkets, on-set engagements, and movie premieres, further broadening my industry expertise. One of my greatest strengths lies in my extensive experience interviewing a diverse array of public figures and celebrities, from esteemed veterans like Harrison Ford and Sigourney Weaver to beloved pop culture figures like Selena Gomez and Britney Spears.
Throughout my career, I have demonstrated a keen ability to enhance a company's image by developing and recommending media strategies, collaborating with high-level executives, and aligning communication efforts with organizational goals. I am an award-winning, bilingual (Spanish) communications and public relations specialist with a proven track record of success with high-profile organizations. I am confident I can make a significant impact with proficiency in strategic communications, media relations, marketing, public engagement, multimedia and multi-platform content creation, and video production with any organization.