Journalist, Editor

To whom it may concern,

For the last nine years, I have been able to hone my online editorial skills at a variety of movie related websites starting in 2000 with DVDShrine.com. Since then, I have written for DVDTown.com and IGNDVD.com, contributing DVD and Blu-ray reviews as well as features and editorial pieces to both sites. In the last year, I have put the sum of those acquired skills to use with TheMovieRambler.com, a movie, DVD and Blu-ray Disc review blog I run. Chief among the skills I have developed over the last nine years which are pertinent to this position include planning, researching, writing and editing internet posts for websites and blogs.

I am also versed in analyzing usage statistics and changing the mission statement of TMR to accommodate those statistics. The focus of TMR has changed from a repository of links to reviews I wrote for other sites to a combination of those links plus short form reviews. By using the Stat Counter application, I was able to modify the content I was generating for TMR, allowing for more page views and unique users since moving to Google’s Blogger platform in 2009. Since then, the site is averaging 4,104 page loads per month with 3,240 unique visitors per month. These users find TMR through various social media networks, such as Twitter, Facebook, blogs and the FeedBurner application.

New reviews at TMR are posted every weekday morning. These reviews are then sent to TMR’s Twitter feed to a network of over 100 followers. The following morning, a summary of these tweets is posted on my personal blog on LiveJournal, an endeavor which goes back to 2003. I currently use Flickr to house all images for TMR and my personal blog; there, 164 images have been marked as a “favorite” at least once. I also use my personal Facebook page to communicate new reviews and other updates with friends. DVD reviews are reposted on the Home Theater Forum to generate further clicks and page views; links to all reviews are also contributed to the Internet Movie Database under “external reviews.” Site maps have been sent to the Google and Bing search engines along with an extensive series of post tags through both the LiveJournal and TMR sites.

Additionally, I am fluent in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint. Each of the computer applications I am familiar with have been self-taught through the trial and error method. The ability to learn new computer skills when needed allowed me to not only understand basic HTML code but to also take on a new challenge in the Microsoft Visual Basic language.

I look forward to speaking with you regarding this opportunity in the near future.

Sincerely,

Jason P. Vargo

JASON P. VARGO

5554 Pleasant Drive ● Waterford, MI 48329 ● 248-***-**** ● *****.*****@*****.***

OBJECTIVE

To obtain a position to utilize 10 years of writing experience.

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

• Able to acquire new computer skills easily. Computer experience includes: Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, IrfanView image manipulation software, Internet applications, Content Management Systems (3), internet analytic software.

• Extensive blogging experience over four platforms (LiveJournal, WordPress, Vox, Blogger).

• Ten years experience in writing about filmed media (television and movies).

• A highly effective writer able to distill complex film ideas down to core concepts for non-film readers.

RELEVANT SKILLS & ACHIEVEMENTS

• Successfully grew readership of movie blog to 6,000+ visitors per month.

• Introduced new DVD distributors to DVDTown.com (TLA Releasing) through personal outreach.

• Reviewer/website in good standing with: A & E Home Video, TLA Releasing, MPI Home Video, IFC Films, E1 Entertainment, Bender Helper Impact (CBS DVD) and Allied Integrated Marketing.

• Originated “This Week on DVD and Blu-ray” and “Digital Joe” editorials at DVDTown.com.

• Social networking presence on Twitter, Facebook, LiveJournal and YouTube.

WORK HISTORY

Web Writer/Editor Experience:

TheMovieRambler.com April 2007-present

• Produced new, movie and DVD related news postings on a daily basis.

• Produced new movie, DVD and Blu-ray reviews daily.

• Created design for site and modified content after analyzing usage statistics.

• Successful outreach to A & E Home Video, Special Ops Media and others to procure content.

• Migrated content from Vox Content Management System to the Blogger Content Management System.

IGNDVD.com November 2008-February 2009

• Freelance DVD reviewer responsible for providing text and DVD screen captures.

DVDTown.com March 2006-May 2009

• Successful outreach to Allied Integrated Marketing as a member of the approved Reviewing Press.

• Successful outreach to TLA Releasing, resulting in an ongoing DVD relationship.

• Launched two weekly columns focusing on DVD and movies, “Digital Joe” and “This Week on DVD and Blu-ray.”

DVDShrine.com July 2000-May 2003

• Senior Editor responsible for multiple DVD reviews and three columns per week.

• Among the first websites and writers on the internet focusing on the DVD industry.

Supervisory/Leadership Experience:

Best Buy September 2001-November 2002

• Supervised Operations department (Cashiers and Customer Service) in a high-revenue store to sell product plans and up-sell credit cards.

• Responsible for on-the-job training of associates across all departments.

Michigan State University September 1997-May 2001

• Rewrote Night Receptionist manual and other program materials to conform to new rules and responsibilities.

• Created work schedules, staff and supervisor meeting agendas and human resources paperwork, among other paperwork.

• Recruited, trained, evaluated, promoted and disciplined (when appropriate) student staff.

401(k) Administrator Experience:

North American Pension Services November 2005-November 2009

• Successfully moved 40+ clients from hard disk-based census material to Excel-based files.

• Repeated compliments on phone etiquette and client service skills.

• Mastery of multi-line phone system.

Retirement Funding August 2003-February 2005

• Creation of 401(k) contribution procedures and tracking in Excel format.

• Advanced training in professional environment multi-tasking.

EDUCATION

B.A., Journalism, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 2001

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