Carly Schaffner
About Carly Schaffner
Carly Schaffner is a Staff Reporter at Automotive News, specializing in Southern California-based auto brands and electric vehicle startups. She has a diverse background in communications and journalism, having held various roles at notable organizations including Forbes, TrueCar, and Toyota.
Current Role at Automotive News
Carly Schaffner has been serving as a Staff Reporter at Automotive News since 2022. In this role, she covers Southern California-based auto brands and emerging electric vehicle startups. Her reporting focuses on the automotive industry's developments and trends, contributing to the publication's comprehensive coverage of the sector.
Previous Experience at Forbes
Prior to her current position, Carly worked at Forbes as an Editor from 2019 to 2022 in the Greater Los Angeles Area. She oversaw all elements of the newsroom at Forbes Wheels, managing staff and freelancers, line and copy editing, web production, and photo editing. Her leadership contributed to the publication's automotive content during her tenure.
Background in Corporate Communications
Carly Schaffner has a strong background in corporate communications, having served as Senior Corporate Communications Manager at TrueCar, Inc. from 2014 to 2016. She played a significant role during the company's growth phase following its secondary IPO offering. Additionally, she held positions at Toyota as Business Communications Manager and at Thomson Reuters as Public Relations Coordinator.
Education in Public Relations and Journalism
Carly Schaffner holds a Master of Science degree in Public Relations and Corporate Communications from New York University, which she earned from 2007 to 2009. She also completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism & Media Arts at the University of Arizona from 1998 to 2002. Her educational background supports her expertise in communications and journalism.
Early Career in Project Management and Communications
Carly began her career in project management and communications, working as an Associate Project Manager at The Art Institute of New York City from 2005 to 2007. She then transitioned to the Financial Times as a Communications Coordinator and later worked at Saatchi & Saatchi LA as a Public Relations Consultant. These roles laid the foundation for her future in journalism and corporate communications.