Editor/Writer

Blake French

Staff Positions

The Barcode Magazine, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Editorial Director: January 2010-April 2013

- Promoted after six months as staff writer; managed editorial content

for monthly entertainment/lifestyle magazine with circulation from

West Palm Beach to Miami, and the online portal TheBarcode.com.

- Orchestrated growth and development from startup phase, helping

transform a small Fort Lauderdale nightlife guide to a leading South

Florida lifestyle magazine.

- Responsible for creative staffing and freelancers.

- Wrote cover page stories, in-depth articles, and blogs.

- Assisted with social media development.

- Traveled to New York and Los Angeles to interview celebrities for

cover stories.

- Supervised monthly budgets and reported to publisher.

AMC Networks, New York, New York

Staff Writer: January 2000-May 2012

- Wrote articles about films and the film industry for internationally

syndicated online publication owned by Emmy-award winning company.

- Traveled to Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York to interviewed

celebrities for front page stories; covered red carpets and industry

events.

- Articles profiled on CNN in 2001.

- Quotes featured in motion picture marketing materials and advertising

campaigns.

Advertising/Marketing, United States

Freelance Field Advertising Representative: 2003 - Present

. Executed campaign strategies for a variety of national advertising

agencies via guerrilla marketing, street teams, trade shows,

conventions, sponsorship events, retail/sales promotions, lead

generation, product sampling, brand ambassadorship, and road shows.

. Managed long and short term field marketing campaigns for fortune 500

companies including Verizon, Google, JP Morgan Chase, Volkswagen,

Toyota, Samsung, Dreyers, Blackberry, Honda, Camel, Bacardi USA, and

Sandisk.

. Identified market opportunities for consumer engagement on a face to

face level, evaluated effectiveness of marketing efforts, and

communicated with clients to suggest adjustments.

Hungry City Guides, Los Angeles, California

Managing Editor: January 2009-January 2010

- Managed editorial content online and in print while on contract at

national publishing house handling regional restaurant and nightlife

guides.

- Developed and maintained social media visibility.

- Reviewed and profiled restaurants and bars.

- Hired freelancers and edited their work.

- Supervised more than 20 contributing writers.

- Organized editorial and freelance budget.

- Wrote feature stories and interviewed high-profile culinary

professionals and entrepreneurs.

Concepts International Public Relations, Las Vegas, Nevada

Copywriter/Content Writer: March 2008-March 2009

- Penned marketing and media content for public relations firm

representing a variety of entrepreneurs and businesses.

- Consistently met deadlines and delivered results.

- Reported directly to company president.

Laguna Beach Independent, Laguna Beach, California

Staff Writer: January 2007-January 2008

- Authored front page articles, covered a variety of writing

assignments, and assisted with editorial functions at weekly newspaper

covering South Orange County and suburban Los Angeles.

Edged Art Publications, Port Saint Lucie, Florida

Editor: January 2004-June 2006

- Promoted after six months as staff writer at 9ine Magazine, an

entertainment and lifestyle publication with virtual offices in Los

Angeles, Miami, and Charlotte, North Carolina.

- Assisted with growth and development from startup phase.

- Wrote several stories a month.

- Organized and developed editorial content.

- Supervised writers and edited content; responsible for creative

staffing.

- Interviewed celebrities for cover stories.

Lansing City Pulse, Lansing, Michigan

Staff Writer: January 2002-January 2004

- Weekly newspaper for metro area with population of 500,000.

- Beat included arts, entertainment, sports, local and state news, and

social issues.

Freelance & Other Positions

- 944 Magazine, Newport Beach, California - Contributor

- He-Man Magazine, London, England - Contributor

- Backstage West, Los Angeles, California - Contributor

- L.A. Alternative Press, Los Angeles, California - Contributor

- In The Scene Magazine, Redondo Beach, California - Contributor

- Lansing Community Newspapers, Lansing, Michigan - Contributor

- Risqu Las Vegas Magazine, Las Vegas, Nevada - Lifestyle Editor

- Edge Media Network, USA - Staff Writer

- OC Drinks! & Vegas Drinks! Magazine, Newport Beach, California -

Associate Editor

Education

- Chapman University, Orange, CA: English Major

- Lansing Community College, Lansing, MI: Humanities Major

Awards and Special Achievements

- Awarded 3rd place in Michigan's 2002-2003 Playwriting Competition,

Semifinalist in National Competition in New York

- Essay appeared in Teaching with Love, Laughter, and Lemonade, 2004's

addition to Paul Bodner's Dad's Lemonade popular book series for

teens.

- Accredited by the Motion Picture Association of America as an

entertainment journalist.

- Official Member: Screen Actors Guild-Union for professional screen

actors.

- Official Member: Online Film Critics Society-Organization for online

film journalists.

Computer Skills

- WordPerfect

- Microsoft Office

- In Design

- PageMaker

- Photo Shop

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