Professional Experience
I am an award-winning freelance travel writer. As the Travel Editor of Leader's Edge Magazine for 15 years, I covered travel, restaurants, luxury goods, wine, spirits, cars, motorcycles and niche insurance products. Based in New Orleans, I write about the exotic concoction of food, music and fun to be had in my hometown. I am also a highly experienced marketing professional. I act as the marketing director for many of my clients, establishing long-term partnerships that allow me to devise and execute an ongoing marketing and brand strategy that consistently achieves results. My expertise crosses all media platforms—digital, print, public relations, social, podcast, video—which allows me to assess a company's overall marketing and branding needs and develop a strategy that best spends time and money.
Expertise
- Director 15 Years
- Copywriter 20 Years
- Writer 15 Years
Specialty
- Travel 15 Years
- Business (general) 20 Years
- Food 15 Years
Industries
- Association publication 15 Years
- Marketing (firm) - Small to mid-sized corp. cl 20 Years
- Pr/marketing - all 20 Years
Media Client List (# Assignments Last 2 Yrs)
- Leaders Edge Magazine(10+)
- Forbes Travel Guide(3-5)
- AirTran Airways Go Magazine(1-2)
- Loews Magazine(1-2)
- The Port Record Magazine(1-2)
- KULTUR Magazine(1-2)
- PS Magazine(1-2)
- Reach Magazine(1-2)
- Transaction Trends(1-2)
Corporate Client List (# Assignments Last 2 Yrs)
- Stephen Ambrose Historical Tours(10+)
- Steeg Law Firm, LLC(10+)
- Mouledoux, Bland, Legrand & Brackett (law firm)(10+)
- Steeg Law Firm, LLC(10+)
- Point Funding (financial)(10+)
- Agenda for Children (nonprofit)(10+)
- M.G. Maher & Company., Inc. (shipping)(10+)
- MBLX, Inc. (shipping)(10+)
- New Orleans Commercial Real Estate(10+)
- Wye River Upper School(10+)
- Zande Newman (advertising)(10+)
- Various bands and musicians(10+)
Other work history
Travel Editor, Leader's Edge Magazine, Washington, DC; Founder, CW Marketing, New Orleans, LA; Account Executive/Business Development Strategist, Fixation Marketing, Washington, DC; Director of Sales, Marketing and PR, Time & Place Homes, Washington, DC
Foreign Language Skills
Some French
Computer skills
Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Squarespace, Final Cut Pro, Jumpchart
Equipment
MAC laptop, Nikon D850 digital SLR with lenses
References
Rick Pullen, Former Editor in Chief, Leader's Edge Magazine; Yakir Katz, President, Stephen Ambrose Historical Tours; Robert Steeg, Managing Partner, Steeg Law Firm; Alan Brackett, Managing Partner, Mouledoux, Bland, Legrand & Brackett; Jen Roberts, CEO, Agenda for Children
Awards
Society of National Association Publications (SNAP) Excel Silver Award for Feature Article AMA New Orleans MAX Award for Event Marketing
Associations
American Marketing Association New Orleans; MediaBistro.com Avant Guild Member; American Wine Society, Member
Articles Feature
Buyer, Holder or Cellar
(Leader's Edge Magazine 10/1/2008)
Insuring vintage investments may be hard to swallow for some, but its absolutely essential if you don't want to become the next "Big Wine Caper." This article won a Society of National Association Publications Excel Silver Award for feature article.
NOLA 2.0: Is New Olreans Poised to Become Silicon Valley South?
(AirTran Airways Go Magazine 11/1/2009)
The gospel about Louisiana's latest digital interactive media tax credits--a whopping 35%--and the post-Katrina entrepreneurial renaissance New Orleans is experiencing, as young, educated professionals flock to the city, seduced by the eclectic culture, vibrant music scene and affordable lifestyle.
A Show of Passion
(Leader's Edge Magazine 3/1/2008)
An entertaining read about insuring collector cars using the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance collector car show to tell the story.
Articles New Orleans
Brennans: An Icon Reborn
(Leader\'s Edge Magazine 4/1/2015)
Feature on the restoration of the iconic Brennan\'s Restaurant in New Orleans, which includes new hotels and things to do in the city.
Noveau Orleans
(Leader\\\'s Edge Magazine 7/1/2013)
The hospitality industry embraces New Orleans\' entrepreneurial spirit. What\'s new in restaurants, hotels and craft cocktail bars in the Big Easy.
Forbes New Orleans
(Forbes Regional Guide South 1/1/2011)
Contributor to the New Orleans section of Forbes Regional Guide South. Wrote Introduction, Where to Stay, Where to Eat, What are the Top Things To Do, Shopping. The attached PDF provides a sample of my copy.
The \"New\" New Orleans
(PS Magazine 9/1/2011)
The \"New\" New Orleans: This Southern Belle is Back in Business.
Living Local New Orleans
(Loews Magazine 7/1/2011)
This article that appeared in Loews Magazine offers visitors a slice of life in New Orleans.
The Krewes and Traditions of Mardi Gras
(Reach Magazine 1/1/2010)
A New New Orleanian goes behind the scenes to explore the world of krewes and floats.
NOLA 2.0: Is New Olreans Poised to Become Silicon Valley South?
(AirTran Airways GO Magazine 11/1/2009)
The gospel about Louisiana\'s latest digital interactive media tax credits--a whopping 35%--and the post-Katrina entrepreneurial renaissance New Orleans is experiencing, as young, educated professionals flock to the city, seduced by the eclectic culture, vibrant music scene and affordable lifestyle.
Articles Travel
Washington, DC: Top Chefs
(Leader\'s Edge Magazine 1/1/2016)
Magic moments define two of the most talented chefs in Washington, DC, Robert Wiedmaier of Marcel’s and Nicholas Stefanelli of Masseria. While their visions may differ, they share a devotion to flavor and a flair for presentation.
Panama City, Panama: Of the Moment and Timeless
(Leader\'s Edge Magazine 9/1/2015)
Chances are traveling to Panama City is in your future. When you go, stay in the historic, culturally rich neighborhood of Casco Viejo, which epitomizes the city’s stylish past-meets-present vibe.
Denver: All Aboard at the New Union Station
(Leader\'s Edge Magazine 6/1/2015)
The orange neon “Union Station Travel by Train” sign at Denver’s train station is glowing brighter than ever over its arched windows. This granite behemoth celebrated its 100th anniversary by unveiling the results of a $54 million facelift last July. The Crawford Hotel and the 13 uniquely Colorado restaurants, shops and bars, have made it a magnet for locals and travelers alike.
New York: Hotel Bar Bucket List
(Leader\'s Edge Magazine 5/1/2015)
There are hotel bars in Manhattan that are so inviting that even locals drink in them.
Holbox Island, Mexico: Off the Grid
(Leader\'s Edge Magazine 12/1/2014)
“Live in the sunshine. Swim in the sea. Drink the wild air.” This Ralph Waldo Emerson quote is splashed across a retro beach poster at Casa Las Tortugas, a boutique hotel on Holbox Island—a no-cars, no-banks, no-all-inclusive-resorts stretch of sand and mangroves off the Yucatan Peninsula. It is an eloquent description of life on the island.
Nashville: Music City
(Leader\'s Edge Magazine 3/1/2016)
You can’t swing a Nashville Cat in Music City without hitting a live music club. For your ultimate listening pleasure, catch a show at the newly renovated Ryman Auditorium. Also: where to stay, eat and hear music in Nashville. Briefcase: Lotuff leather bags, Bloomsbury\'s \"The Writer and the City\" series, and the new packing app PackPoint.