Bio | About
With over a decade of experience, William Lankford has cultivated a remarkable career in writing, editing, and digital media. He has contributed to prominent publications such as SOMA Magazine, Juxtapoz Magazine, Reserved Magazine, Gross Magazine, and most recently, CBS News/KPIX San Francisco/Paramount Pictures. Starting at SOMA Magazine, William steadily advanced to become a versatile professional in journalism, digital content production, and marketing.
His journey began at San Francisco State University, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism while launching his career in the industry.
In 2013, William led a dynamic team of writers, photographers, designers, and editors at SOMA Magazine, working with contributors from San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, the U.K., Japan, and other global hubs. His responsibilities included writing, editing, and overseeing the publication’s day-to-day advertising operations. He also produced compelling content spotlighting musicians, bands, artists, and influential figures in the fashion, art, and music industry, collaborating with renowned international photographers such as Nigel Barker, Hedi Slimane, Lilja Birgisdóttir, and so on.
By 2015, William contributed to Juxtapoz Magazine, refining his journalism skills and deepening his experience in the field. Later, he became the music editor for Gross Magazine, a San Francisco-based startup magazine focused on culture, art, and fashion. Impressively, he accomplished all of this before graduating in 2018.
In 2022, William expanded his skill set by earning a Digital Marketing Certificate from the University of California, Santa Cruz. This training strengthened his expertise in SEO optimization, email marketing campaigns, and content strategy, which have been central to his recent endeavors.
Most recently, William worked as a Web and YouTube Producer/Digital Streaming Producer for CBS News/KPIX. In this role, he demonstrated his ability to create impactful digital content, elevating CBS San Francisco’s YouTube channel from 215,000 to nearly 430,000 followers in under six months. He achieved this growth through strategic video production, engaging copy, and relevant, impactful storytelling. He also managed the network’s digital platforms, including its website, mobile apps, and social media channels, while overseeing streaming services on weekends and during various daytime shifts.
William’s diverse skill set encompasses writing, editing, copywriting, SEO optimization, and digital marketing. His extensive portfolio includes work across news, culture, art, fashion, music, advertising campaigns, and online platforms. His attention to detail and ability to craft compelling content reflects his deep commitment to the editorial, art, and digital media industries.
Recommendation
"I was so pleased to know of William’s interest in further pursuing his interest in media and marketing. I met him in the summer of 2015 when he applied for an internship with Juxtapoz, and frankly, I was initially encouraged by such poise and sophistication in such a young man. Positioning ourselves as arbiters of art and culture calls for someone with an intuitive eye for what is attractive and compelling".
― Gwynn Vitello, Publisher: Thrasher Skateboard Magazine, Juxtapoz Magazine
