Professional Experience
I'm a broadly-skilled food writer, recipe developer, journalist, humorist and webisode producer, specializing in lifestyle content & holidays. The author of four well-reviewed books (cookbooks, humor), I've written for publications ranging from The New York Times (food, cocktails, Op-Ed) to glossies like Dessert Professional.
My work as a filmmaker, my experience in film/video production, and my corporate background (brand marketing, campaign ideation & development, and strategic planning) makes me a thoughtful, effective and informed freelance writer and webisode producer. I am budget-minded, flexible and collaborative and can efficiently direct staff, vendors and talent. Im also adept at writing promotional copy, press releases, presentations, ads and point-of-sale displays.
I blog as well as publish my own Peterson's e-newsletter, which contains robust, original, useful and "entertainingly irreverent"* content. (*from Associated Press review for Peterson's Holiday Helper)
Expertise
Book Author
5 Years
Writer
15 Years
Other, Specify
6 Years
Specialty
Food
15 Years
Humor
15 Years
Lifestyle
15 Years
Industries
Book Publishing Consumer
15 Years
Short Film
5 Years
Newspaper - National
2 Years
Total Media Industry Experience
15 Years
Media Client List (# assignments last 2 yrs)
The New York Times (6-10), Scholastic Book Company (3-5), Storey/Workman Publishing (1-2), Clarkson Potter (1-2)
Corporate Client List (# assignments last 2 yrs)
Goldman Sachs (1-2), Pitney Bowes (1-2)
Other Work History
SELECTED IN-HOUSE WORK HISTORY
WILEY PUBLISHING, INC., Hoboken, NJ
Assoc. Marketing Director, Cooking, Gardening & Travel - Directed marketing for $50+ million list, including bestselling authors & brands (Betty Crocker, Frommers Guides). Consistently exceeded revenue targets. Developed & allocated budgets. Directed staff.
DOUBLEDAY/RANDOM HOUSE, INC., New York, NY
Assoc. Director of Marketing - Developed & implemented strategic marketing plans for fiction & non-fiction titles, including NYT bestsellers (James Lee Burke, Robert Crais, etc.). Wrote, directed & produced seasonal sales videos & audiotapes. Directed staff.
PITNEY BOWES Stamford, CT
Mgr, Program Planning & Analysis
Managed strategic planning, primary research & marketing, including trade shows, sales conferences & advertising.
Assoc. Producer, Sales Leadership Conferences
Produced motivational business meetings, including 10-act musical, sales awards & promotional materials; wrote executive addresses.
Technical Skills
Photoshop, Kompozer, some FinalCut
Unions
Author's Guild
Computer Skills
Word, Excel, PowerPoint
Equipment
I'm skilled with the digital camera (my photography has been published in the New York Times)
References
on request
Awards
The Maid of Honor - Narrative short film - writer, director, producer, editor
Official Selection, Sedona International Film Festival
The Jane Austen Syndrome - Feature screenplay
Honorable Mention, More Magazine screenplay competition
Third Place winner, Big Apple Film Festival
(early draft) Honorable Mention, Cinequest
(early draft) Second Rounder, Austin Film Festival Screenwriters Competition
Promotional Products Association International
Gold Pyramid Award, Sales Incentive Programs - Sunset Limited Tackle Box Promotion
Pitney Bowes model 7100 Direct Mail
Certificate of Special Merit - Association of Graphic Arts
Crocodile Slide Card Promotion
Certificate of Special Merit - Association of Graphic Arts
Gummy Bears Direct Mail
Benjamin Franklin Award -- business-to-business category
Philadelphia Direct Marketing Association
Associations
Author's Guild, IFP (Independent Feature Project)