Jim Bittel

Jim earned his bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Bridgeport, where he learned to report/produce and direct local cable newscasts. He began his career at WTXX-TV in Connecticut, where he was an award-winning Director/Producer/Editor rising to Production Manager and Creative Services Director in the Hartford/New Haven, Connecticut 27th market. His hands-on experience in all phases of studio and field production began here. His work included producing/directing on-air promos and original studio programs on topics like finance, public affairs and sports. His career includes work as a Senior Editor and Creative Director at Video Production Associates in Shelton, CT, A Producer/Editor/Director at ESPN Digital Media in Bristol, CT where he directed and produced over 100 short-form video pieces for the ESPN web properties, including ESPN.com and ESPN The Magazine. He directed live coverage of the winter and summer X-Games from Aspen, Colorado and Los Angeles, California over several years, delivering some of ESPN’s first high-quality digital streaming to a global audience. For the last 13 years at the Columbia J-School Jim has worked with video students in a variety of classes and led the broadcast department, equipping students with the latest video and audio technology, upgrading the studios and performing strategic planning for the future needs of the J-School.