About me
think Steinbeck had it right when he said, "Ideas are like rabbits. You get a couple and learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you have a dozen."? And without trying to sound too uppity by rolling with a quote on my LinkedIn summary, this is the sort of mentality I aim to bring to any team that I'm part of.
My career began working in the feature film industry in New Zealand - namely on The Hobbit, The Avengers and Man of Steel. From here I moved into creative and editorial copywriting where I developed a solid background interviewing, researching and copywriting. I enjoy the challenge of adapting my narrative to suit the client's or my employer's need and relish a particularly ticklish brief. Currently, I'm working as a freelancer for Australian men's lifestyle magazine D'Marge.
After leaving the green hills and white cliffs of dear Mother England twelve years ago, and heading to the - arguably - greener hills of New Zealand, it's with a sense of great anticipation that I find myself back in the big smoke of London to take the next step in my career.
I also make a phenomenal cup of earl grey.
Projects
- A MAGNIFICENT BASTARD’S GUIDE TO THE WORLD’S COOLEST BEERSA layman's guide to the five most basic beer styles that you'll come across in your local liquor repository or alehouse. Just a bit of harmless information that might help give the impression that you're slightly more intelligent and wordly than you actually are, especially when the football's a bit slow.
Work history
Alcohol Contributor
I write articles which revolve entirely around alcohol for a target demographic comprised of males between 18 and 30.
In tone they're informative but casual, and aimed at the discerning Australian bloke who wishes to expand his knowledge of booze, bars and all things alcohol related. This means that I have to stay abreast of all things relevant to my articles and make sure that my research is on point.
My aim is to inform the audience, whilst making sure that they're compelled to come back for my next piece. With this in mind I like to utilise humor to build a rapport with the reader, and - this being an Australian men's online publication - this is particularly fun as there are few things more synonymous with "manliness" than booze.
Blogger
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* Acted as a critic and reviewer for newly opened restaurants, bars, art spaces and the like.
* Extensively interviewed owners and managers on their aspirations for their ventures, and photographed the venues and products.
* Sampled and made notes on menus and experiences from a range of venues. I was lucky enough to review fine dining restaurants, delicatessens, nightclubs, cinemas and boutique art galleries.
* Condensed notes into informative articles that were published on the Positively Wellington Tourism website.
This was a fantastic opportunity to really stretch my legs as a writer. It was this role that sharpened my interviewing techniques, and I perfected that rapport that is so essential when walking the line between professionalism and amiability; one that is easily crossed in a culture as relaxed as the one enjoyed in New Zealand.
I was also required to write for a variety of demographics, depending on what it was that I was reviewing. I take real pleasure in altering my writing style for varying target audiences; it keeps me on my toes and keeps the creative process fresh. In the same week I might have to write a promotional piece on an upcoming electronic gig in one of Wellington's fantastic clubs, followed by a review of a high-end Japanese sushi bar's new menu, and then write up an interview with the owner of a recently opened boutique brewery. Each article required specific tailoring depending on the consumers being targeted, and it was this sense of individuality that I loved - and excelled at - bringing to the position.
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Skills
- Film
- Film Production
- Runner
- Office
- Word
- Blogger
- Online Writing
- Online Publishing
- Article Writing
- Copywiting
- Post Production Assistant
Education
Bachelor of Communications
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Gained a Bachelor of Communications, majoring in Expressive Arts, with a minor in Marketing Communication.