Zulkifli Othman

Blk *** #**-***

Tampines Street 33

Singapore 520338

Tel: (65) 6 784 2272

HP: (65) 9 152 5574

E-mail: ac15m2@r.postjobfree.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/zul-othman

PARTICULARS

Nationality : Singapore

Sex : Male

Age : 43

Date of Birth : 20 September 1973

Languages : English, Malay, Bahasa Indonesia & Cantonese (spoken) English, Malay, Bahasa Indonesia (Written)

Qualifications : ‘O’ Levels (Monks Hill Secondary School)

‘A’ Levels (Our Lady of Lourdes School)

SUMMARY

I am a news reporter and editor with more than 10 years of experience in print, web and television journalism.

I have a strong news sense, with in depth knowledge of local and current affairs. In Singapore I have worked for ChannelNews Asia and MediaCorp Radio (as part of MediaCorp NewsHub), Today newspaper and The New Paper.

As a reporter, I have worked on everything from interviewing Hollywood celebrities to documenting events in disaster prone areas in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Malaysia. I also have a strong in interest in Singapore news and current affairs, local Malay/Muslim issues as well as stories on arts and entertainment.

Finally, I am digital savvy and up to date with digital/online trends: I have in-depth, hands-on experience working with social media platforms, specifically Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter

(both personally and in my previous position as an editor at Switch Global, where we handled social media projects for DBS Bank in 2015).

ACHIEVEMENTS

Won numerous awards at MediaCorp Press for lifestyle, Singapore news and feature stories.

At The New Paper, helped restart the Nightlife section while on the Features desk.

Regular contributor to the crime desk bringing in scoops for The New Paper.

During tenure at TODAY, helped revitalise the music and nightclub segments adding an added pop culture sensibility to make stories an interesting read.

Experienced in record release planning to all forms of media and retail channels.

Did volunteer work for Awakening Productions' Youth outreach programs (1999 - 2001). WORKING EXPERIENCE

Producer, NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) Singapore Bureau (May 2016 – June 2017)

Based in Singapore, I work with correspondents from the NHK Asian Bureau to set up and help manage shoots here and in Malaysia. I help to oversee the editorial direction and where necessary, guide correspondents on areas of coverage, and vetting correspondent copy.

Monitor daily news.

Write, report and readapt news stories from TV and radio sources for the digital platform.

Write scripts and ensure that the stories are well packaged with strong visuals.

Provide voice over and piece to camera (PTC) appearances for NHK World stories when necessary.

I help coordinate post production arrangements, secure footage rights and ensure that programmes are uploaded for transmission.

Develop an editorial calendar to help plan assignments for correspondents.

Finally, I also managed the logistical issues for the team (transport, accommodation, location scouting, accreditation, freelance crews, etc). Editor, Switch (February 2015 – May 2016)

Generate story ideas and writing accurate copy for a range of subjects and styles.

Digital / editorial team lead for Singapore Tourism Board (YourSingapore.com website), Yahoo (content on General Elections / Social), DBS (social media), Verizon, Robert Half

(social media), Michael Page and Frasers Hospitality projects.

Own and drive the strategy and process for managing offline and online content assets.

Manage the development and maintenance of content guidelines, calendars, audits and style guides.

Oversee the content creation from planning the editorial calendar, by generating story ideas, conducting stylistic editing, copy editing, and proofreading.

Oversee the design and layout, right through to publication.

Identify, acquire and manage a range of writers to solicit relevant editorials to supplement the storytelling over offline and online platforms.

Creative direction, copywriting and user experience.

Guide junior team members on daily basis on stories angling to ensure high standard of stories.

Sub Editor / Correspondent, The New Paper (February 2011 – November 2014)

Generate story ideas and write accurate, balanced, clean, concise and safe copy for a range of subjects and styles.

As Sub Editor: Write headlines, edit copy, check facts and design pages

Managed the Nightlife section of The New Paper On Sunday, finding interesting profiles with night scene movers and shakers each week.

Breaking news stories (crime / court / night life related).

Regular contributor to Loud – The New Paper's weekly music pull out section.

Source and generate story ideas and leads, identify and research stories for follow-up, and establish useful contacts.

Keep track and analyze latest developments and trends in current / crime / entertainment affairs.

Guide team members on daily basis on stories angling to ensure high standard of stories. Senior Reporter, MediaCorp NewsHub (September 2009 – February 2011)

Generate story ideas, approach those connected with both sides of any story and write accurate, balanced, clean, concise and safe copy for a range of subjects and styles.

Court Reporting (since September 2007) / Crime Reporting (since September 2007).

Gathering, report and edit news for radio and TV.

Source and generate story ideas and leads, identify and research stories for follow-up and establish useful contacts. Also, reporting on lifestyle beat with focus on music, entertainment and nightlife.

Monitor newswires for breaking stories and updates.

Help supervise interns and junior reporters.

Copy tasting / sub-editing.

Photography / Any other duties as and when required. Senior Reporter, TODAY (MediaCorp Press Limited, Singapore) (August 2005 - September 2009)

Generate story ideas, approach those connected with both sides of any story and write accurate, balanced, clean, concise and safe copy for a range of subjects and styles.

Court Reporting (since September 2007) / Crime Reporting (since September 2007).

Gathering, report and edit news for radio.

Maintain readers’ satisfaction through accurate, concise and timely reporting and editing of news within established standards.

Source and generate story ideas and leads, identify and research stories for follow-up, and establish useful contacts.

Keep track and analyze latest developments and trends in current affairs.

Reporting on lifestyle beat with focus on music, entertainment and nightlife.

Scan the web for news that is relevant with the objective of attempting to find content relevant to our readers.

Help supervise interns and junior reporters.

Celebrity Interviews and Reporting.

Copy tasting / sub-editing.

Photography / Any other duties as and when required. Contestant Liaison / Web Journalist – SINGAPORE IDOL (August - December 2004)

Web journalist for Singapore Idol website.

Interviews and Reporting.

Photography / video for website.

Contestant Liaison - arrange interviews for contestants.

Author SMS and MMS alerts to distribute to subscribers.

Media Librarian.

Freelance Writer (August 2002 - July 2005) / Freelance Event Producer (August 2002 - July 2005)

Contributing Writer for Juice Magazine / TODAY / various production houses

Generate ideas for articles.

Freelance copywriting.

Celebrity Interviews and Reporting.

Event Coverage (reporting and photographer).

Writing and reporting.

Organizer and main coordinator for live performances at various clubs.

Soliciting for sponsorships and tie-in promotions.

Writing of point of sale literature and press releases. Senior Writer, Carpe Diem Publications (Hong Kong) (May 2001 - August 2002)

Daily and Weekly Writing Assignments (topics ranging from Entertainment, Lifestyle, Sports, Food and Nightlife).

Generated ideas for articles.

Celebrity Interviews and Reporting.

Sub-Editing.

Collating, writing and updating events / nightlife / dining / clubbing / sports.

Event Coverage (reporting and photographer).

Liaison with record companies / clubs / content providers for promotions.

Web content writing and reporting.

Senior Writer, I-One.Net Ltd (February 2000 - May 2001)

Daily and Weekly Writing Assignments (topics ranging from Entertainment, Lifestyle, Sports, Food and Nightlife).

Generated ideas for articles.

Celebrity Interviews and Reporting.

Helped with marketing and driving e-Sales - created e-Newsletters, promotional on-line materials, ads and miscellaneous ad-hoc e-Campaigns.

Collating, writing and updating events / nightlife / dining / clubbing / sports.

Led development teams for Entertainment, Lifestyle/Youth (at I-One.Net).

Editing of articles / proof-reading of copies (at I-One.Net).

Event Coverage (reporting and photographer).

Liaison with record companies / clubs / content providers for promotions.

Copywriting (at I-One.Net).

Web content writing and reporting.

A & R Executive (November 1997 - January 2000)

Springroll Music (S) Pte Ltd

Responsibilities include strategic positioning, feature definition, relationships with strategic partners, schedules etc.

Business Development - worked on sales and marketing planning/implementation, market research, brand and business development.

A&R responsibilities at Springroll include broad experience in international artist liaison, licensing and label management.

PR responsibilities with proven results in breaking local artists into radio and TV through network of media contacts.

Organizer and main coordinator for live performances at various clubs to promote local talents for Springroll Music. Handled events for visiting international acts such as No Doubt and Garbage respectively.

Soliciting for sponsorships and tie-in promotions.

Writing of point of sale literature and press releases.

Sales and distribution for Springroll Music products. Promotions Executive (International Dept) (May 1996 - November 1997) Rock Records (S) Pte Ltd

Responsibilities include strategic positioning, feature definition, relationships with strategic partners, schedules etc.

PR responsibilities with proven results in breaking local and international into radio and TV through network of media contacts.

Doing copy for radio / TV ads for Rock Records products / events.

Organizer and main coordinator for live performances at various clubs to promote local talents.

Soliciting for sponsorships and tie-in promotions.

Liaison for media/radio/TV, retail outlets and entertainment venues. Assistant Supervisor (November 1995 - May 1996)

Tower Books (S) Pte Ltd

General retail duties and store maintenance, and supervision of sales assistants to ensure efficient and service-oriented day-to-day operations. REFERENCES

Mr. Zaihan Mohamed Yusof

Senior Correspondent, The New Paper

Author, Foul! The Inside Story Of Singapore Match Fixers 2012 Winner of Story of the Year and Journalist of the Year at SPH's English and Malay Newspapers Division's annual awards HP: (65) 9776 8097

Mr. Neil Humphreys

Author

HP: (65) 81898670

Mr. Ross Wallace

Managing Editor, Clarity Communications Asia

E-mail: ac15m2@r.postjobfree.com

NATIONAL SERVICE (NS) STATUS

Served in the Singapore Police Force from Mar 1993 to Sep 1995. Completed with rank of corporal. Duties include:

Attached to Bedok Police Station (Siglap NPP) for general patrol duties for 3 months

Attached to Investigation Branch under Head of Investigation.

NS liability completed.

Contact this candidate