When I was 17 years old I got my hands on Adobe Photoshop 6.0 and was hooked. I kept telling
Lindsay and Matt in Hollywood
myself that if I could get paid to play with Photoshop all day, I’d be one happy guy. A lot has changed since then but I can honestly say that I’ve been extremely lucky to have fulfilled this wish and much more. I am a multimedia guru who has worked on a wide range of projects that cover the new media landscape. My passion is in video, photography, audio and other mediums and how they are distributed on social networks around the world.
I am currently working for International Informations Program’s Office of Innovative Engagemnt for the US Department of State. The team I work for is responsible for the R&D of new media and how it can be used for Public Diplomacy. My experiences have ranged from Presidential visits to trips overseas to train our Foreign Service Officers about social media and new technologies. I work with our posts all over the world to develop social media strategies using regionally appropriate technologies. Everything from text messaging in Africa to community management in Europe.
In 2006, I graduated George Mason University from New Century College with a bachelor of Arts in Integrative Studies (advertising) and minors in Multimedia and Film/Media Studies. I loved my experience there so much that in 2008 I went back for a Masters degree which I earned in 2009 from the College of Education and Human Development with a masters in Instructional Technology.
Lola at a birthday party
I’m currently living in the DC suburbs of Clarendon, Virginia with my beautiful wife and spoiled puppy. I’m an avid cyclist and only drive a car when absolutely necessary. I also really love ice cream.
If you’d like to get in touch with me, email me at matthewwhatley[at]gmail[dot]com or take a look at my Contact Page.