The Star-Ledger (Newark, NJ) | 1997—2008
General Assignment Features Reporter | 2003—2008 | Sports Copy Editor | 2001—2003 | Health and Fitness Writer | 1999—2001
Wrote feature stories covering radio industry including the XM-Sirius merger, introduction of PPM in New York market and the six different radio markets that cover New Jersey at the 23rd largest newspaper in the US. Did extensive coverage of Internet radio royalty rates, Howard Stern’s move to satellite and the Dom Imus-Rutgers controversy.
Routinely tackled content outside of regular beats, including articles on knitting, outdoor recreation, tea, and principally, wine; in the latter realm, covered the gamut including alternative wine packaging, sustainable growing practices and a guide to New Jersey wineries.
Measurably enhanced the paper’s lifestyle coverage, and raised profile of the paper’s radio coverage. Also supplied information to paper’s marketing department for cross-platform promotions with radio and other media. Gained excellent understanding of radio demographics as parsed by PPM.
Wrote headlines and cutlines for the paper’s sports section.
Edited stories on hockey and compiled and edited round-ups for Major League Baseball and international sports such as tennis and cycling.
Filled in for the designer in developing and editing sports section graphics.
Successfully worked a strenuous nighttime print cycle, juggling multiple deadlines and stories simultaneously. Developed graphic content for print coverage of international sports like cycling. Developed contacts in sports media and industry at various organizations.
Served as the principal writer for now-defunct weekly health section, covering a range of topics from trends in fitness fund-raising to healthy sleep and nutrition habits.
Introduced a regular book review column and The Body Electric, a health and fitness-related web and video review column. Put paper on national radar for cutting edge coverage of health and fitness. Built excellent source network in the health and fitness industry.
Music Critic | Star Ledger 1997—1999| San Jose Mercury News 1995-1997| Houston Post 1989-1995
At all workplaces, covered various genres of pop music; go-to critic for tight-deadline overnight reviews. Brought genres like Latin alternative music and local performers to the attention of daily newspaper audiences.
Introduced international music coverage to editorial vision that had been primarily regionally focused. Brought a wider range of coverage and professional standards to the paper’s music section, including a focus on jazz, country, and non-rock pop genres. Enhanced online communication with customers. Built a network of sources within the entertainment industry and attended events like SXSW regularly to network and to cover local bands on the national stage.
Freelance Writing
Wrote features on music for magazines, newspapers, books and online publications.
Contributed to publications such as Rolling Stone Press, Texas Monthly, Request, New Country, Stereo Review Sound and Vision, BET Weekend, rollingstone.com, and allmusic.com. Contributing writer for the Suite101 and Helium websites.
Wrote the chapter on the sacred music of Black America for American Roots Music, a Rolling Stone Press book title in conjunction with the eponymous PBS documentary series.
Skills
PC and Mac OS environments; MS Office; Photoshop; InDesign; HTML; Flash; Salesforce; proficient in Associated Press style and Chicago Manual of Style; functional Spanish and French.