ABOUT

Randy Plavajka is a writer, photographer, and multimedia designer based in Brooklyn, New York. He creates immersive print and digital experiences, bridging in-depth, data-driven storytelling with engaging design. His prior experience includes working as a reporter and an editor of multiple trade magazine verticals. He is currently deputy editor of a print and digital publication focused on commercial real estate financial markets.

Past personal projects have included chronicling his family’s history with Figure 8 racing, producing podcasts about the state of the gig economy, and freelancing as a photographer and videographer for an arts-geared clientele. In his downtime, he is an avid playlist curator, collector of niche magazines, and frequent concertgoer.

Randy received his master’s degree in magazine, newspaper, and online journalism from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, with an emphasis on new media entrepreneurship. Previously, he graduated with honors from California Baptist University, majoring in journalism and new media and minoring in marketing.

A W A R D S

NAREE Awards | 2024 | Honorable Mention for Best Real Estate Newsletter Digital or Print; Honorable Mention for Best Commercial Real Estate Trade or B-to-B Magazine Story | 2023 | Bronze Winner for Best Commercial Real Estate Trade Magazine

ACP Pacemaker | 2017 | Best Feature/General Audience Magazine Finalist

CMA Pinnacle Awards | 2019 | Best Magazine Cover, Best Magazine Feature Page/Spread, Best Magazine Contents Page/Spread | 2017 | Best Magazine Cover, Honorable Mention: Four-Year Feature Magazine of the Year, Honorable Mention: Best Magazine Contents Page/Spread

BEA Awards | 2020 | Second Place for Multimedia Storytelling (Syracuse Side Hustles), Second Place for Best Website (Rooted) | 2016 | Honorable Mention for Audio Production 

BCA Awards | 2018 | Grand Prize for Best Overall Student Entry; First Place for Whole-Issue Design of a Magazine; First Place for Best Overall Publication; Third Place for Best Magazine Cover

E X P E R I E N C E

Deputy Editor, PERE Credit | New York, New York | January 2024 - Present

Managed weekly newsletter and web-based coverage of the commercial real estate debt industry • Wrote, edited, and planned distribution of daily stories with a focus on private credit managers • Compiled weekly lending data on stateside deals to build a proprietary database for use in publication’s print edition

Senior Reporter, Real Estate Capital USA | New York, New York | February 2022 - January 2024

Compiled and published daily analysis and feature coverage of the commercial real estate debt industry • Assisted with editing and development of fellow reporters alongside publication’s editor • Built a network of global banking and insurance company contacts to bolster source database and feature reporting

Reporter, Fund Intelligence | New York, New York | July 2019 ‑ February 2022

Researched and wrote more than 500 articles covering the asset management industry • Used Infogram and Excel to visualize data sets to accompany coverage on website • Filed and edited daily with WordPress, tailoring coverage for engagement optimization with email newsletter and CMS analytics

Co-Founder, Rooted Magazine | Syracuse, New York | November 2018 ‑ December 2019

Developed digital-first, modern homesteading magazine focusing on rural and urban sustainability • Managed team of 15 contributors to produce responsive multimedia packages • Pitched and secured funding for initial editorial term in June • Assisted with photographic and video production, including editing

Production Specialist, Noon Goons | Los Angeles, California; New York, New York | June 2018; May 2019

Served under lead photographer to ensure a cohesive lookbook shoot for SS19 primarily utilizing film photography • Captured behind-the-scenes photos and managed all lighting and set layout • Assisted with pre-FW19 store display and photography at Dover Street Market New York