Julie Watts is an award winning consumer-investigative reporter for KPIX and CBS News. She is also a News Anchor and Meteorologist (AMS).
Off air, she is a popular blogger, digital journalist and the founder of NewsMom.com. Julie prides herself on creatively using social media and her online following to enhance her reporting. She also has a background in PR, fundraising and communications.
On Air
Consumer-Investigative Reporter — KPIX CBS-5
San Francisco, California 2010 – Current
Julie’s reports expose scams, privacy concerns, unscrupulous business practices and loopholes in consumer legislation. She also reports on pocketbook issues, resolves viewer problems and examines technology threats and trends.
In addition to her daily consumer stories, Julie produces and edits several in-depth investigations each year. Those reports have prompted recalls, federal investigations and new legislation. They have also earned Julie several prestigious national awards including a Gracie Award, a Society of Professional Journalists SDX Award, a National Headliner Award, two National Press Club Awards and more than a dozen regional Emmy®, Associated Press and Edward R. Murrow Awards.
Additional ConsumerWatch Responsibilities
● Manage day-to-day operations of the consumer unit, including media management, story selection, ongoing projects and production schedules.
● Train team members on new technologies, including editing software, server systems, and computer assisted reporting resources.
● Produce and edit multiple television segments daily, meeting tight deadlines while managing several on-going projects and in-depth investigations.
● Regularly interact with media relations specialists, consumers and corporate/government contacts to pitch stories, secure interviews and diplomatically facilitate resolutions to viewer problems.
Consumer Correspondent — CBS News/CBS Newspath
New York, NY 2010 – Current
Julie is a Consumer Correspondent for CBS Newspath, the network’s affiliate service.
Her locally-produced reports are distributed nationally to hundreds of affiliate television stations. They are also periodically featured on CBS network news broadcasts.
News Anchor/Host — KPIX CBS-5
San Francisco, California 2009-10, 2015-Current
Julie was named Best News Anchor by the Associated Press in 2010 for her role as anchor and host of the CBS-5 Weekend Early Edition. In addition to covering the day’s top stories, Julie discusses hot topics and interviews news makers and politicians.
She also regularly anchors weekday breaking news cut-ins.
Off Camera
Digital Journalist/ Blogger — CBSSF.com
San Francisco, California 2014 – Current
Julie is an avid blogger and vlogger and prides herself on finding creative ways to enhance her news reporting using social media.
With a master’s degree in online journalism, Julie also enjoys turning compelling broadcast stories into interactive online experiences.
Julie is also the founder of NewsMom.com. The independent website/blog serves as an outlet for journalists to share their relevant research and reports with an audience of parents that they wouldn’t otherwise reach.
Emmy® Awards Chair — National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
San Francisco, California 2012 – 2017
As the regional Emmy® Awards Chair for the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, Julie managed internal and external communications for the Emmy® Awards competition & ceremony and produced the black-tie Emmy® Awards gala and show for several years.
She also developed the Emmy® sponsorship program, increasing the non-profit’s sponsorship income by 1600% year to year.
On Air Positions 2003-2010
Meteorologist (AMS) — KPIX CBS-5
San Francisco, California 2009-2010
General Assignment Reporter — KPIX CBS-5
San Francisco, California 2009-2010
Video Journalist (MMJ) — KPIX CBS-5
San Francisco, California 2009-2010
TLC Designing Spaces – Host
Los Angeles, California 2009
KVIE PBS – Reporter, Producer, Photographer, Editor
Sacramento, California 2008
KCRA-NBC3 / KQCA-WB58 – Meteorologist, Reporter, Host
Sacramento, California 2005-2008
KGPE CBS47 – Weather Anchor, Traffic Anchor, Reporter
Fresno, California 2005-2008
Clear Channel Radio – News/Traffic Anchor, Morning Drive Host
Fresno, California 2003-2005
Technical Skills
Digital Journalism
● Web Design: Extensive experience with Photoshop, WordPress, Genesis Customization and NetSol Image Cafe.
● Front End Development: Familiarity with HTML, PHP, CSS, Light JavaScript and World Now Player.
● Miscellaneous Expertise: Blogging, SEO, project management and targeted content distribution via social media.
Video Journalism
● Editing: Extensive experience editing on Edius and Final Cut. Some experience with AVID and Adobe Premier.
● Photography: Proficient on JVC and Sony cameras. Extensive experience shooting broadcast-quality material with a GoPro and iPhone camera.
● Graphic Design: Extensive experience with Photoshop. Some experience with After Effects.
Additional Investigative Skills & Experience
● FOIA/PRA: Extensive experience navigating various state and federal public record laws to obtain previously undisclosed documents & records.
● Undercover Recordings: Extensive experience legally obtaining undercover audio & video recordings in accordance with state and federal law.
● Computer Assisted Reporting: Familiarity with web scraping, advanced web searches, databases, spreadsheets, Fusion Tables, PACER, LexisNexus and Autotrack.
Miscellaneous
● Weather Systems: WSI, Weather Central and Barons.
● News Production: Fork, iNews, AP Newscenter and Stratus.
● Office: Excel, Access, Adobe, Word, Notepad, Snippit, Outlook, Windows & Mac Software/Hardware.
Education
University of Southern California
BA Broadcast Journalism 2002
MA Online Journalism 2003
Graduate Student of the Year
Mississippi State University
Broadcast Meteorology
Work Experience 2000 – 2003
BBC Liquid News – Entertainment Reporter
Los Angeles, CA / London, UK
Reuters-TV – Entertainment Reporter, Producer
Los Angeles, California
Torrance City Cable – Reporter
Torrance, California
USC Annenberg TV News – Producer, Reporter, Anchor, Weathercaster
Los Angeles, California
ABC NEWS – Good Morning America Intern, PA
New York, New York
USC Trojan Vision “Platforum” – Political Talk Show Host, Producer
Los Angeles, California
KRON – NBC 4 – South Bay Bureau Manager, Assignment Editor
San Francisco, California
KRON – NBC 4 – Intern “Next Step Technology News”
San Francisco, California
Memberships
American Meteorological Society (AMS)
Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA)
Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE)
National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) – Board of Governors
National Weather Association (NWA)
Radio/Television News Directors Association (RTNDA)
Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ)