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Tess Forte

Tess Forte

New York, NY USA

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessforte/

22 Years Experience

Professional Experience

Passionate senior-level ideator, writer, and problem-solver recognized for creativity, enthusiasm, and attention to detail. In 20+ years as a big-idea/copy lead, 16 as an independent consultant, I’ve worked with all the greats across every category, seamlessly collaborating with art directors, designers, marketers, and sales teams to flawlessly deliver on-point, engaging solutions that consistently exceed expectations. SPECIALTIES: Consumer-facing lifestyle, fashion, beauty, entertainment, and health content. Known for lightning-fast turnarounds and well-thought-out copy that simplifies even the most complicated objectives. PORTFOLIO: CLICK ON PROJECT NAMES NOT IMAGES BELOW TO VIEW SAMPLES

Expertise

  • Director 16 Years
  • Writer 22 Years
  • Other, Specify 22 Years

Specialty

  • Health 6 Years
  • Entertainment 22 Years
  • Lifestyle 22 Years

Industries

  • Marketing (in-house) - Small to mid-sized corp. cl 4 Years
  • Magazine - Large Consumer/National magazines 22 Years
  • Marketing (in-house) - Fortune 1000 corp. clients 22 Years

Media Client List (# Assignments Last 2 Yrs)

  • Oprah.com/OWN(10+)
  • Cooking Light(10+)
  • MyRecipes.com(10+)
  • Southern Living(10+)
  • Real Simple(10+)
  • All You(10+)
  • POPSUGAR(10+)
  • Sunset/Coastal Living(3-5)
  • Book of the Month Club(6-10)
  • WWD(1-2)
  • Health(6-10)
  • Hearst Integrated Media(10+)
  • jet.com(10+)
  • The Foundry at Time Inc.(1-2)
  • GLAAD(3-5)
  • Food Network Magazine(3-5)
  • Weight Watchers(1-2)
  • America Media(1-2)
  • Ellen Digital Network(10+)
  • Eating Well(1-2)
  • Coastal Living(1-2)
  • Midwest Living(1-2)

Corporate Client List (# Assignments Last 2 Yrs)

  • Madison Square Garden/Radio City Music Hall(3-5)
  • Cozi(10+)
  • Markstein Strategic Marketing and Public Relations Agency(10+)
  • 98point6(10+)
  • Chart + Foster Co. Brand Consultancy(10+)

Other work history

Copy Director/98point6, 2/2019-present; Fill-in Copy Director/Real Simple, 7/2014-1/2015 and 2/2013-7/2013; Marketing Manager/PARADE Magazine, 2/2005-10/2005; Senior Promotional Writer/TV Guide, 10/2002-2/2005; Promotional Copywriter/Modern Bride, 9/2002-3/2003 (downsized); Assistant Editor/Teen People Book Club, 1/2000-8/2001; Editorial Assistant/Book-of-the-Month Club, 6/1998-12/1999

Computer skills

Proficient on Mac and PC

References

Available upon request; 30+ references and recommendations viewable on my LinkedIn profile.

Awards

2005 min Integrated Marketing Award for Best Print/Online Bundle; Best Print/TV Bundle for Milano Cookies - Frasier Finale Promotion

Associations

Media Bistro Avant Guild

Online Branded Content/Minisites/Native Advertising

Chocolate Milk, 6 Deliciously Unexpected Ways

(TruMoo/Real Simple 2/8/2016)

Native slideshow showcasing fun recipes using chocolate milk. The recipes were written by participating bloggers in Real Simple\'s A-List Network-- this piece tied it all together and provided a drive to the individual blogs.

5 Clever Ways to Teach Your Kids Good Habits

(Sonicare/POPSUGAR 9/2/2014)

How to outsmart your kid into having good manners, proper hygiene, money management skills, and more.

Live in Slim This Fall: 6 Days, 6 Ways

(Not Your Daughter's Jeans/oprah.com 9/4/2015)

How to wear Not Your Daughter's Jeans Fall selections every day of the week.

A Fresh Spin on Game Day

(Marzetti/CookingLight.com 12/1/2015)

Part of Cooking Light and Marzetti's Farm to Fork produce guide, this article offers creative Game Day tips, including how to make veggies the party MVP.

How to Stay Sparkling During the Holiday Season

(Hypnotiq/POPSUGAR 12/1/2013)

Online blog post-style advertorial touting Hypnotiq's "sparkling" message by offering users fashion and beauty tips to stay sparkling during the holiday season.

Refresh Your Home and Your Routine for Spring

(IKEA/oprah.com 4/5/2015)

Slideshow of ideas for giving your home and your routine a refresh for the spring season.

Wake Up Your Bedroom with IKEA

(IKEA/oprah.com 4/6/2015)

How to create a bedroom environment that balances morning get-up-and-go inspiration with a relaxing evening atmosphere.

How to Get a Head-turning Smile in 2 Days

(Crest 3D/POPSUGAR 1/15/2013)

Post for BellaSugar promoting the incredible 2-day "weekend" turnaround of Crest 3D White family of products.

Pack in the Fun with These Kiddie Lunch Ideas

(GoGo Squeez/POPSUGAR 1/13/2014)

Blog-style advertorial with easy, fun lunch-packing tips for Mom.

6 Back-to-School Fashion Rules Every Mom Should Follow

(Boden/POPSUGAR 9/1/2014)

Native advertising post offering back-to-school clothes shopping advice for Moms, based on mini Boden's website.

How to Make Holiday Travelers Feel Right at Home

(IKEA/oprah.com 12/19/2014)

Online slideshow with advice for making your home guest-ready for the holidays using products from IKEA.

POPSUGAR and Glidden Paint: Couture Meets Casa Series

(Glidden Paint/POPSUGAR 9/30/2013)

Created "Couture Meets Casa" name as well as (5) posts about how to incorporate the latest runway trends into your home decor.

Streamline Laundry Day Checklist

(P&G/RealSimple.com 5/1/2013)

Online advertorial playing off of RealSimple.com users' love of checklists-- this one promotes P&G laundry products among other troubleshooting laundry solutions.

Fall Fashion Pinterest Challenge

(Renuzit/POPSUGAR 8/20/2012)

Blog-style advertorial post for BellaSugar promoting a Pinterest contest, sponsored by Renuzit.

Holiday Wrap-Up: Great Gifts for Guys

(Gillette/POPSUGAR 11/25/2012)

Holiday gift guide for Gillette that appeared on Bella Sugar. For features such as these, I usually act as "editor" as well as writer, and choose the gift suggestions myself based on current trends.

Put Your Best Workout Face Forward

(Abreva/POPSUGAR 11/25/2012)

Part of a series of advertorials for FitSugar and BellaSugar, sponsored by Abreva, with editorial-style tips on dressing for your body type or concealing problem areas at the gym.

Slip into Something More Couture with Juicy

(Juicy Couture/POPSUGAR 8/24/2012)

Blog-style advertorial post for BellaSugar promoting Juicy Couture's new line of jeans.

Summer Survival Guide: College Edition

(Tampax/POPSUGAR 6/1/2013)

Advertorial post for Tampax, geared towards college students, with spotlight activity ideas for summer.

What to Wear for a Red-Hot Date Night

(Red Bull/POPSUGAR 5/1/2013)

Advertorial post for Red Bull integrating their new "Red" flavor with date-night style. Part 2 of a 3-part series.

Homemade Italian (with Help) Recipe Gallery

(NY Bakery/MyRecipes.com 11/15/2015)

Recipe gallery highlighting classic Italian dishes perfect for your next family dinner.

Sizzlin' Styles for Every Summer Occasion

(Macy's/POPSUGAR 4/30/2013)

1 of 2 advertorial posts promoting the latest summer trends from Macy's Impulse line to match every occasion.

Seeing Red? It Could Be Rosacea

(Mirvaso/POPSUGAR 7/22/2014)

Native content combining facts about Rosacea with helpful beauty tips and solutions, like prescription Mirvaso.

Print Advertorials - Consumer

1 Display Board, 3 Rainy Day Projects

(Elmers/Real Simple 3/27/2017)

Advertorial in Real Simple's April 2017 issue promoting Elmers crafting supplies you can get at Target.

Take a Stand/Sole Solution

(Amope/Marie Claire 4/1/2017)

Created a two-page spread (ad and advertorial) with the Integrated Media team aligning Amope gel insoles messaging with spring shoe and nail trends.

A Match Made in Spring

(Chinet/Real Simple 4/1/2017)

Advertorial for Chinet disposable tableware; like all great spring pairings, Chinet goes perfectly together at your most memorable get-togethers.

Tomorrow Meets Timeless

(LG Appliances/Elle Decor 9/24/2016)

One of three customized pieces offering Nate Berkus' expert tips for a forever kitchen. Versions in slightly different voices went in HGTV and Veranda magazines.

Your Best Defense Against a Sweaty Summer

(Tide/Health 7/1/2016)

Advertorial promoting the Tide Odor Defense line of products as a key component to all your outdoor family activities.

Viva Mother's Day

(Bertolli/Entertainment Weekly 5/12/2015)

Conducted a telephone interview with celebrity chef and reality show contestant/judge Antonia Lofaso (Top Chef); this served as the basis for a Q&A promoting Bertolli sauces around Mother's Day.

Smart Ways to Take Back Your Day

(Clinique/Real Simple 2/19/2016)

Advertorial aligning Clinique's newest multi-tasking product with Real Simple's multi-tasking reader.

Indoor Ideas for the Outdoor Hostess

(Shaw Floors/Southern Living 6/1/2016)

In-book advertorial with tips for keeping a seamless indoor-outdoor party flow, integrating Shaw Floors.

What's Your Flu IQ

(Tamiflu/Southern Living 2/1/2016)

I suggested the interactive quiz concept for this non-branded advertorial promoting flu prevention tips.

Notes From the Clever Canine: Helpful Info for Pet-Friendly Vacations

(NexGard/Southern Living 5/1/2014)

Advertorial for NexGard promoting dog-friendly vacations across the South from the point-of-view of the "Clever Canine."

Tire-Buying Guide: Part 3

(Goodyear/Real Simple 7/1/2013)

Part three in an in-book advertorial series for Goodyear Tires. This month's focus: Care & Maintenance.

The Bright Side of Winter Skin Care

(Suave Professionals/All You 2/1/2014)

Advertorial promoting Suave Professionals products with testimonials from All You readers.

Work Your Style MMOJO

(Minute Maid/In Style 4/22/2011)

Full page advertorial integrating Minute Maid's new "MMOJO" campaign with summer's hottest fashion and beauty trends.

DIY 123

(Devine Color for Target/Real Simple 5/1/2014)

Instant, colorful upgrades for your home using Devine Color for Target.

5 Ways to Get Radiant Summer Skin

(Neutrogena/Real Simple 7/1/2013)

In-book advertorial aligning Neutrogena's sun care and protection products with Real Simple messaging.

Cooking 1-2-3

(Land-O-Lakes/Food Network Magazine 8/15/2012)

Part of Food Network Magazine's ongoing 1-2-3 advertorial booklet series, this time promoting Land O Lakes Butter.

A New Twist on Family Time

(XBox Kinect/Real Simple 3/1/2011)

Print advertorial for Real Simple magazine showcasing new XBox Kinect as the solution for family entertainment every night of the week.

Summer USA Guide

(USA Network/Entertainment Weekly 5/30/2011)

The ultimate summer fun guide to 10 top U.S. cities, with categories including Family Friendly, Outdoor Fun, and Food & Drink. I was responsible for category concepts, all research, and writing.

What Makes Stars So Alluring?

(Minute Maid/Entertainment Weekly 6/1/2011)

1/3-page advertorial tweaking the messaging from Minute Maid's May In Style advertorial to fit the Entertainment Weekly brand.

The Art of Summer Entertaining

(Buitoni/Food Network Magazine 5/15/2012)

Peel-away unit (advertorial copy beneath editorial) followed by spread advertorial promoting Buitoni as the solution for your summer entertaining menu. Note page one is a placeholder for the edit that was tk.

Cocktails 1-2-3

(Dekuyper Cordials/Food Network Magazine 6/1/2012)

Part of Food Network Magazine's ongoing 1-2-3 advertorial booklet series, this time promoting Dekuyper Cordials for your summer cocktails.

Print Ads--Consumer

Special Event Collateral

Websites

Direct Mail and Mailers from Employers/Health Plans

Guest Blogger/3rd Person Blogger

E-Mail Blasts to Advertisers

Consumer Newsletters

Style Guide

Medical Office/Spa Collateral

Worksheet/Tool

Consumer-facing One-pagers

Fashion

Sell Sheets

Digital Ads and Social Series

Marketing Campaigns

PR

Non Profit

Special Sections - Travel

Sweepstakes/Contest

Print Advertorials - Trade

Souvenir Program

Letters

E-Mail Blasts to Consumers

Packaging

Branding/Product Development

Marketing Collateral

In-Store Collateral

Quiz

Promotional Pages

Content Integration Boxes

Catalog

Print Ads- Trade