About me

I am an experienced communications and marketing professional. Originally a Journalist, during my career I have developed skills in editorial, digital content production, PR and SEO, including spending six years heading up departments at two search marketing agencies. I used insights gained in this field to work as a self-employed writer and consultant. In my most recent permanent role I was responsible for the management of an intranet news site, as well as internal communications, within a large customer service centre. I specialise in producing high quality, creative content – to tight deadlines and achieving tangible results. Key Skills:  Writing, researching and editing articles and other communications for online and offline channels  Publishing digital content, using bespoke content management systems and HTML  Editing images and producing graphics, using Fireworks and Photoshop  Devising and managing ongoing projects and reporting on success

QuestionsProjectsExperienceTeam

Work history

Managing Editor
Mar 2015 - Jun 2017Leeds, United KingdomFull Time
 Maintaining excellent editorial standards on the intranet site used at the Volkswagen Group UK Customer Service Centre (CSC) – updated daily, in real time  Having overall responsibility for communications within the CSC  Researching, writing, editing and publishing a wide range of content; from product news (covering five brands within the Group; Volkswagen, Audi, SEAT, ŠKODA and Commercial Vehicles), through to operational process guidelines and news reports about events and achievements  Optimising all on-site content to ensure the optimum user experience was achieved  Trouble-shooting technical issues and managing the relationship with the developers/support teams  Managing ‘Oracle’, an online forum where advisors could raise difficult questions which we would source the answers to, working closely with Volkswagen Group’s subject matter experts  Managing a team of editors and the Communications Exec  Reporting to the leadership team about site performance and usage, producing MI using internal systems and Google Analytics data  Playing a key part in devising successful incentives and projects for engagement strategies, as part of the ‘Driving to World Class’ initiative
Writer and Digital Marketing Consultant
Feb 2012 - Mar 2015Wakefield, United KingdomFreelance
I worked with all the following clients on a repeat basis and on several projects. Seven Seas  Developing a 12-month lifestyle blog plan and producing two-thirds of the content - the other third was provided by their wellness experts whose content I edited  Producing wording for product packaging  Creating all content for their new Pregnancy vitamins website. NB, this was subject to a strict sign-off process through the Proprietary Association of Great Britain, the UK trade association which represents the manufacturers of branded over-the-counter medicines, self-care medical devices and food supplements Arrow ECS: official IBM re-seller  Responsible for creating fresh website copy describing the benefits of their services to customers; from technical specifications through to sales and marketing support  Weekly e-newsletter campaigns Campfire PR:  All website copy for two of their clients, BW Legal and Dynamo Accounts, successfully balancing branding and SEO requirements Envirofone: mobile phone recycling company  Feature articles  Press releases  Guest-blogging to support SEO campaigns House Trip: holiday accommodation listings  In–depth feature content for locations including London, Paris and Lisbon  Optimised content for 1,000+ properties

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Skills

• Writing
• Comms
• Bespoke Imagery
• Digital Publishing
• Editorial
• Branded Content
• Commission Content
• Blog Content
• Content SEO
• Digital Maketing

Education

BA (Hons) Journalism and English Literature
Sep 1993 - Jun 1996Preston, United Kingdom
Journalism coursework covered practical and theoretical modules, including:  Interview techniques  Effective investigation into subject matter  Formatting stories for publication (both print & broadcast)  Media Law; slander, libel, defamation, contempt of court  Extra module in Counselling  English Literature, Government & Politics, Sociology

Awards

Innovation in Online PR
Award presented to my team for an online PR campaign involving a trek to the North Pole.