About me

I'm Nixson Benitez, a social media producer from Des Moines, Iowa, with over three years of experience transforming news into compelling stories across multiple platforms. Growing up on the east and south sides of Des Moines—a vibrant, diverse community frequently visited by presidential candidates—I developed a passion for storytelling that connects with people in impactful ways. My Latino heritage and the unique perspective from my community are at the heart of the connections I build through my work.

My journey as a social media producer is unique: I’m the first person to hold this role at The Des Moines Register, and with that, I’ve had the privilege of pioneering social media strategies from the ground up. From launching and managing engagement on TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts to covering high-profile events like the Iowa State Fair, my work is all about creating meaningful content that resonates with broad audiences and expands our digital reach. I’ve seen the tangible impact of this work, doubling our reach and generating millions of views, which continues to inspire me.

With a background in Digital Media Journalism from the University of Northern Iowa, I combine UX insights, journalism expertise, and an advertising edge to drive results. As Executive Editor of The Northern Iowan, I built our social media team from scratch, increased our audience by over 300%, and earned recognition for my efforts to engage readers effectively.

Every day, I strive to craft social content that reaches both new and established audiences, using strategic storytelling, strong visuals, and thoughtful design to make news accessible, relevant, and memorable. I'm passionate about leveraging social media to build bridges between people and their communities, and I’m grateful to be part of an industry that has the power to influence, inform, and inspire.