Michelle Wargo is a highly accomplished and strategic communications professional with over 20 years of experience in the Orlando, Florida area. Her multifaceted career encompasses on-air broadcasting, television and radio production, marketing, and public relations, consistently demonstrating her ability to develop and execute impactful communications strategies.
Beginning her journey in Erie, Pennsylvania, Michelle’s passion for media took root as a high school DJ at Gannon University’s radio station, WERG. After moving to Orlando, she became a versatile asset at Clear Channel Communications, working across their seven stations in various roles, including on-air personality, promotions, disc jockey, and news reporter. Her dedication and strong reporting instincts led her to Florida’s Radio Networks and later to the award-winning 610 AM WIOD in Miami, where she served as a Reporter, Producer, and Anchor, delivering timely news and conducting insightful interviews.
Returning to Orlando, Michelle seamlessly transitioned her skills to television, becoming the first On-Camera Traffic Reporter for Central Florida News 13 and contributing to the morning news team at WESH Channel 2. Her on-screen presence expanded to hosting diverse television programs and specials. Leveraging her acting background, she also appeared in the feature film “Blunt Movie” and garnered recognition for her performance in the short film “Love is Deaf.”
Michelle’s expertise extends significantly behind the scenes. At Red Apples Media, she spent four years writing and producing award-winning television shows and marketing campaigns, earning a Platinum MarCom Award in 2014 for her work on “Hometown Health TV.” Her content creation skills encompass television programs, commercials, promotional videos, websites, and print collateral for both technical and general audiences.
Marketing Strategy & Media Buying
A strategic thinker with a proven record of brand growth, Michelle currently serves as the Director of Communications for Community Legal Services (CLS) of Mid-Florida. In this role, she established the marketing and communications department, spearheaded a comprehensive re-brand, and expertly managed all media relations. Her strategic approach led to a remarkable 142% increase in media mentions and a significant surge in website traffic, from 32,000 to over 383,000 visitors within a year. Notably, her impactful media relations and marketing initiatives directly contributed to an unprecedented $2 million unsolicited donation in 2023. Each year, Michelle independently researched, wrote, and designed the organization’s comprehensive Annual Report, effectively communicating CLS’s impact to funders, stakeholders, and donors (Annual Report – Community Legal Services). Furthermore, she wrote, produced, and hosted “Let’s Talk Law,” a monthly show addressing important legal topics. (LET’S TALK LAW – Consumer Law (How to Avoid Scams)).
Michelle’s early career as a news reporter and on-camera presenter honed her ability to understand audience needs and deliver impactful messages through compelling storytelling and a deep understanding of audience psychology. Coupled with her background in film and television production, this experience has equipped her with strong project management, deadline adherence, and meticulous attention to detail. Her collaborative nature allows her to work effectively with subject matter experts, stakeholders, organizers, donors, and marketing teams, ensuring accuracy and consistency across all communications.
A graduate of the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies and a Minor in Marketing, Michelle remains deeply connected to the Orlando community. She actively engages with the community through networking events and volunteer work with organizations like MOROF and Orlando Young Professionals. A dedicated Disney fan, she also enjoys exploring the magic of Disney properties.
Michelle Wargo’s extensive and diverse experience, coupled with her strategic thinking and proven ability to drive brand growth and engagement, make her a highly valuable and impactful communications leader.