Steve Birge

*** ***** **. **

Bothell, WA *****

206-***-****

acuu1o@r.postjobfree.com

Content Developer

Technical writer Product lifecycle documentation strategy Marketing communications writer Video and television script and production User experience design UI text expertise and execution

Data-driven help and training content

Content Management

Microsoft

Redmond, WA

CONTENT DEVELOPER, Office Content Publishing, 2008-2016

Develop and manage content portfolios published on support.office.com, main end-user help portal for Microsoft Office product line.

Drove first-run content strategy for Office apps on Android, producing friendly, appealing videos guiding users to popular functions and enabling fluent first-time use and adoption of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for Android. Seen by users of more than 10 million installs for each app; each app rated 4.4 (of 5) on Google Play.

Created and developed innovative visual approach to customer education in Visio 2013, using sample diagrams that demonstrated advanced functionality in a simple, easy-to-absorb format for novice users. Also incorporated into Visio 2016.

On leadership team that drove a complete redirection of tone, style and user-friendliness for all Office documentation; Office 2013 and later versions have vastly more approachable, relatable, empathetic UI text and documentation across all Office products.

oCreated corresponding guidelines for Office video content.

Head writer for The Office Show, a unique video series on Microsoft’s customer community Channel 9, designed to make advanced Office procedures more approachable and consumable –sample episodes at https://channel9.msdn.com/Series/Office

oTelly Award winner, 2011 and 2012

Developed entire in-product user experience text for initial global release of Sway product. Contributed to 4.6 rating (out of 5) on Microsoft Store.

Managed and enhanced Visio content set and grew partner relationships as the product transitioned to a completely different engineering team.

Television/Video scripting

BizKids LLP

Seattle, WA

STAFF WRITER, 2006-2011

Scriptwriter for half-hour educational television series, broadcast weekly on more than 300 PBS stations nationwide. Won two Emmy Awards (2008, 2011), nominated for 13 others.

Pitch and develop ideas based on show bible and established episodes' subject plan; develop and revise sketch scripts to accommodate talent and production capacities

Collaborated with head writer and executive producers to rewrite entire first season for production

Contract projects

SCRIPTWRITER, 2005-2014

Developed scripts for business videos for various groups in Microsoft. Clients include McKenna-Gottlieb, Hard Hats Required, Mighty Media Studios, Piranha Entertainment, Merwin Productions, Streamline Media

Contract Content Writing

WRITER, MRM Worldwide, 2004-2007

Wrote marketing content for Office Small Business group at Microsoft, primarily content for Microsoft.com – product guides, FAQs, product overviews, competitive comparisons, usage scenarios

WRITER, Buzzbee Company, 2005-2007

Wrote marketing content for several groups at Microsoft – includes technology playbooks, customer evidence briefs, datasheets, white papers

WRITER/EDITOR, Microsoft intranet home page (MSW), 2007-2008

Four articles per week for intranet home page and weekly e-mail internal newsletter. Includes executive/employee interviews, coordinating review process.

WRITER, Waggener Edstrom Public Relations, 2001-2007

Wrote marketing/PR content for Microsoft, including articles, features, Q&A interviews, press releases, trade show material, executive biographies, “mat release” copy, case studies/solution briefs.

EDITOR/PRODUCER, Microsoft US Pursuit Services, 2006-2007

Developed and produced official documents for enterprise project proposals, in partnership with field and product partners.

Developed instructional guides on the process for field reps

WRITER/EDITOR, MICROSOFT Trustworthy Computing group, 2003-2006

Created, maintained, updated content for intranet and Internet sites for high-profile internal initiative; copywriter for executive communications and other marketing materials.

Directed and developed content for two complete redesigns of both internal and external-facing sites

Managed end-to-end production of 9-minute overview video about TwC for external Web posting

Education

M.A. (Communications), Southern Oregon University

Finalist, Guanajuato Award for outstanding graduate student

Dean’s List, GPA 3.9

B.A. (English), University of Victoria, B.C.

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