Public Relations, Writing, Editing, AP style, Thought Leadership
Resume:
Douglas Cunningham
Writer, editor, publicist
Dunellen, NJ 08812
****************@*****.***
SKILLS
Proven writer, editor and
publicist.
Skilled at editing, writing and
public relations across
multiple platforms, including
social & email marketing.
Can write, edit and distill
messages quickly and
accurately on deadline for a
desired audience. Skilled
photographer. Lifetime
interest in leadership & public
policy. Sound judgment.
Adept at managing projects
with multiple moving parts,
stakeholders, timelines and
collateral.
Generated above-industry
average open rates for email
marketing, including 25+
percent for a Congressional
campaign and 45+ percent for
an upscale restaurant. Adept
at using Constant Contact;
willing to learn other
platforms.
Fluent in Adobe CC,
Microsoft Office.
Recent Awards: 1st place,
Spot News Coverage, NY
Better Newspaper Contest,
2022; 1st place, Art Photo,
2022.
EXPERIENCE
Putnam County News & Recorder and Courier,
Cold Spring, NY — Editor, Publisher
2011 - April 2024
Oversaw all news and advertising content for two weekly newspapers in competitive markets, guided staff, liaised with printer. Counseled advertisers regarding messaging, copywriting and images; wrote weekly 1,200-word columns and occasional news stories. Skilled interviewer. Edited and polished reporter stories, including 3 first-place winners in NY Better Newspaper Contest, one of them by an intern.
Focus Media, Goshen, NY — Director of Public Relations 2010 - 2011
Public relations director at Focus Media, a full-service advertising and PR agency in the Hudson Valley. Handled all aspects of public relations for a half dozen corporate and non-profit clients, including thought leadership pieces, news releases and securing earned media, sometimes through unconventional approaches. Liaised with printer and other vendors.
Nan Hayworth for Congress —Communications Director 2010
Led the communications effort for winning Congressional candidate Nan Hayworth, NY-19 (elected Nov. 2, 2010). Successful political placement and press liaison with the Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, NY Times, Fox News, CNN, the AP and others. Executed a dynamic, two-pronged strategy of local and national buildup in an extremely fast-paced, rapidly changing environment.
Clarion Safety Systems —Communications Manager
2007 - 2010
Market research & communications manager at Clarion, a maker of code-compliant safety labels. Executed a 128-page catalog that had been stalled for years. Expanded email marketing via Vertical Response. Obtained thought-leadership placement for CEO.
Times Herald-Record — Business Editor, website manager 1987 - 2007
Business editor, assistant city editor, columnist, reporter, website manager at daily newspaper in Middletown, NY. Spearheaded internship program, including recruiting and interviewing, and then directly supervised one intern each summer. Helped start the newspaper’s first website in 1997, and then led the website operation for three years; served on the newspaper’s advertising management team during this time and a company-wide internet task force. EDUCATION
University of Kansas, Lawrence — BS Journalism
1980 - 1985
Editor of the campus daily, 15K circulation. Interned at daily newspapers in Coffeyville, KS; Rochester, NY; Grand Forks, ND; and Sioux Falls, SD.
INDUSTRY & CIVIC
New York Press Association
Board of Directors
Former board member for state press association trade group, one of the largest in the nation. Took part in quarterly board meetings and provided input on addressing industry challenges. REFERENCES
Joshua Sommers
President & CEO, Focus Media, Inc.
I worked closely with Josh at his agency, a full-service shop that handles print and broadcast advertising, public relations, thought leadership and web design. Josh can be reached at C: 845-***-**** or ****@*************.***.
Andrew Meehan
Congressional campaign staffer, special projects coordinator I worked closely with Mr. Meehan during the Congressional campaign in 2010. ***.******@*****.***.
Contact this candidate