E-Commerce Editorial Content

KIRK E. BELL

Wauwatosa, Wisconsin • Cell: 404-***-****

*********@*****.***

AWARD-WINNING EDITOR AND JOURNALIST

New-Car Testing and Reviews • Automotive Industry Coverage • Editorial Direction

Exceptional publishing professional with 25-plus years of experience in magazine, book, video, and online publishing. Proven record of efficiently creating balanced, accurate editorial content that is entertaining and informative. Experience directing and motivating staff to craft superior content within strict time and budget constraints. In-depth knowledge of auto industry and mechanical concepts. Meticulous attention to detail. Tireless work ethic driven by passion for publishing informative content.

Managing Editorial and Art Staffs

Editorial Budgeting / Contract Negotiation

Art and Photo Direction

Editing Feature and Technical Content

Directing Editorial Policy

Book Development

New-Car Reviews, Features, and News

Team Player / Leader

Writing Feature, Opinion, and News Copy

On-camera Video Talent

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

INTERNET BRANDS, INC., El Segundo, CA 2015 to 2025

A new media company that operates online media, community, and e-commerce sites in vertical markets.

Senior Editor, Motor Authority Automotive journalist specializing in luxury and performance cars. Reviews, news, auto show coverage, and features. Test new cars weekly and travel regularly to automotive test drive events and auto shows.

Direct daily content of Motor Authority, a news and reviews site focused on luxury and performance cars.

Key member of a small staff that produces as much content as much larger teams.

Accomplished performance driver trusted by automakers to drive high-end performance cars on racetracks around the world.

Experienced editor who works within a team to edit news and feature stories from staff and freelancers.

On-camera video talent focused on fun and informative content.

Also contribute stories and reviews to TheCarConnection and GreenCarReports.

FREELANCE AUTOMOTIVE JOURNALIST 2007 to 2015

Automotive writer/editor specializing in reviews, product news, feature stories, and auto show coverage.

Through industry contacts, persistence, and an ability to deliver clean copy on time, I was able to establish myself as a full-time freelance auto writer in less than six months.

Contracted for six years as a Contributing Writer for MSN Autos.

Print credits included The Chicago Tribune, The Chicago Sun-Times, The New York Daily News, Collectible Automobile magazine, Journal-Register Newspapers, Pioneer-Press Newspapers, and automotive books by Publications International Ltd.

Other online credits included Autobytel.com, Automedia.com, Autotrader.com, AutoWeb.com, JDPower.com, Edmunds.com, Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com, and NewCarTestDrive.com.

KIRK E. BELL Page Two

PUBLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LTD., Lincolnwood, IL 2001 to 2007

Full-service automotive publisher that produces a leading classic car magazine, an automotive consumer research website, and the nation’s second-largest selection of automotive history books.

Associate Publisher, Consumer Guide (promoted from Managing Editor, promoted from Editor)

Directed staff of editors and art directors to produce lively and engaging magazine, book, and website content. Reviewed new cars and wrote and edited automotive books. Developed book ideas, recruited authors and photographers, negotiated contracts, and oversaw production schedules.

Managed completion of automotive books. Edited and wrote text, acquired photos, directed freelance authors, and delivered top-quality products on time.

Won International Automotive Media Awards for editorial quality: Hot Rod & Custom Chronicle (Gold) and NASCAR Chronicle (Silver).

Worked with partner company to redesign website within HowStuffWorks.com framework.

KALMBACH PUBLISHING CO., Waukesha, WI 1989 to 2001

Prominent publisher of enthusiast and hobby magazines. Annual sales of $45 million.

Editor, Scale Auto Enthusiast (promoted from Associate Editor, promoted from Editorial Assistant)

Accountable for all aspects of editorial production of an international magazine for automotive hobbyists. Directed strategic planning, developed editorial calendar, managed editorial staff, and edited content. Also wrote features and editorials, and contributed to photo and art direction.

Directed the conversion of Scale Auto Enthusiast into Kalmbach workflow upon purchase of publication. Assumed editor responsibility, hired new staff, and produced magazine on schedule.

Discovered a $40,000 billing error.

EDUCATION and TRAINING

BA, Advertising, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI

Graduated cum laude; John Fitch Scholarship for Academics; Dean’s List.

Seminars in writing and editing, and management and leadership:

Peter Jacobi: Headlines, Titles, Leads, and Endings; M.B. Wacker Associates: Coaching, Counseling, and Mentoring; Measurable Performance Systems, Inc.: Management Training, Delegation, Time Management, and Dealing with Challenging People & Situations

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

North American Car of the Year Juror, 2014 to Present, Secretary-Treasurer, 2018 to 2020

Named by a jury of my peers as one of only 50 North American jurors based on successful freelance career. Vote for the annual car, truck, and SUV of the year. Elected as one of only three board members.

Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA), 2001 to Present

President, 2013-2014: Face of the organization, in charge of Spring and Fall Rallies, determined association policy, spoke at events, and raised sponsorship dollars.

Senior Vice President 2011-2012: Scheduled monthly meetings and helped coordinate rallies.

MAMA Spring Rally Manufacturer Representative 2004-2010: Collaborated with automaker PR departments to acquire roughly 100 cars for the annual Spring Rally.

MAMA Family Vehicle of the Year Award coordinator 2011-2013: Created and implemented award procedures.

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