Experience

Toronto Sun

• Newspaper Publishing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Deputy Editor

  • Jan 2010 - Present

  • Manage day-to-day operations of news, sports, entertainment, lifestyle and comment sections• Develop and implement strategies to heighten brand awareness in ultra-competitive media marketplace• Play key role in determining the viability of content across multiple platforms• Prepare and administer annual editorial budget• Advise the Vice-President, Editorial, Sun papers on staffing logistics and cost efficiencies• Labour management specialist: negotiate, interpret and apply collective agreements• Provide corporate and management perspective at labour board hearings and arbitration• Support legal team by preparing documentation and arguments for potential and ongoing litigation• Testify on behalf of the corporation -- if required -- to defend editorial decisions • Respond to complaints forwarded by the National NewsMedia Council• Provide editorial direction to assignment and section editors, reporters and columnists• Oversee photo department: scheduling, assignment and equipment repair/purchases• Edit stories, columns and editorials for factual correctness and conceivable legal issues• Anchor daily news meetings to establish story lineups, page placements and headlines• Determine publication sizes based on advertising/content ratios to maintain corporate profitability• Approve front-page designs and editorial cartoons in absence of Vice-President, Editorial and Editor-in-Chief• Guide the online teams of Toronto Sun and Canoe • Measure analytics to adjust online coverage and maximize reader engagement• Scrutinize and approve all staff expenses, travel budgets and department purchases• Coordinate college and university internships and provide mentorship to students• Negotiate contracts for supply of syndicated content (puzzles, columnists)• Process and approve invoices from freelancers, wire services and suppliers• Work with focus groups to gauge target readership audiences and impact of content in the community Show less

• City Editor

  • May 2007 - Jan 2010

  • Spearheaded the evolution of a print product into a multi-platform news operation• Quarterbacked and motivated the news team in a fast-paced and pressure-packed environment• Developed the daily news budget for senior editors and provided recommendations for front page• Assigned reporters and photographers to breaking news stories and features• Directed coverage from City Hall and Queen's Park bureaus • Worked in tandem with online team to implement a "web-first" approach to news coverage• Generated ideas for contextual weekend pieces and worked in concert with Sunday Editor to execute plans• Re-wrote and edited stories, columns and features for style, accuracy and legal issues• Scoured Canadian Press, Reuters and Associated Press wires for captivating content • Scheduled 40+ news staff and controlled overtime expenditures within budgeted allowances• Searched through a myriad of daily media releases for unique story ideas of interest to Sun readers• Coordinated college and university internships and provided mentorship to students• Labour management including collective bargaining• Staff hiring, promotion and discipline Show less

• Associate City Editor

  • May 2000 - May 2007

  • Quarterbacked and motivated the news team in a fast-paced and pressure-packed environment• Developed the daily news budget for senior editors and provided recommendations for front page• Assigned reporters and photographers to breaking news stories and features• Directed coverage from City Hall and Queen's Park bureaus • Worked in tandem with online team to implement a "web-first" approach to news coverage• Generated ideas for contextual weekend pieces and worked in concert with Sunday Editor to execute plans• Re-wrote and edited stories, columns and features for style, accuracy and legal issues• Scoured Canadian Press, Reuters and Associated Press wires for captivating content • Searched through a myriad of daily media releases for unique story ideas of interest to Sun readers• Coordinated college and university internships and provided mentorship to students Show less

• Durham Bureau Chief

  • Jan 1995 - May 2000

  • Provided award-winning news coverage, including photography, from across the region• Worked independently to generate unique content and regularly scooped local and Toronto news media• Beats included municipal and regional councils and committees, crime and courts, education, health and hospitals, nuclear-related issues and human interest features• Cultivated key sources to enhance coverage with exclusive information• Produced multiple stories and photographs on a daily basis while facing tight deadlines • Wrote upbeat content for Your Community Durham supplement in the Sunday Sun Show less

• Crime Reporter

  • Jan 1989 - Jan 1995

  • Monitored emergency services radios from across Greater Toronto Area and responded to breaking news• Specialized in coverage of fire and emergency medical services• Produced concise, award-winning copy and photographs• Guest speaker on media and communications: Ontario Fire College, Durham Regional Police, Ontario Volunteer Emergency Response Team and various community organizations



University of Guelph-Humber

• Canada
• Higher Education
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Instructor

  • Sep 2008 - Jan 2010

  Developed intensive hands-on course for Media Studies program (MDST 1050) for journalism, public relations and photography majors. Sections included: Understanding news pegs and how they apply to make stories relevant; how to develop various types of leads and craft basic news stories; interviewing techniques; journalism ethics; fundamentals of feature writing; crafting media releases and soliciting for positive media coverage; script writing for television and radio. Developed intensive hands-on course for Media Studies program (MDST 1050) for journalism, public relations and photography majors. Sections included: Understanding news pegs and how they apply to make stories relevant; how to develop various types of leads and craft basic news stories; interviewing techniques; journalism ethics; fundamentals of feature writing; crafting media releases and soliciting for positive media coverage; script writing for television and radio.



Ajax-Pickering News Advertiser

• Crime Reporter

  • May 1985 - Dec 1988

  Reporter and photographer primarily covering crime and emergency services across Durham Region for Metroland newspapers. Special focus on fire and emergency medical services and the urgent need for expanded resources. Also covered political beats including Ajax, Pickering and Durham Region councils. Published three times weekly. Captured 1988 Ontario Community Newspaper Association's Kodak Canada award for Best Spot News Photo. Received four Metroland spot news photo of the month awards. Also recognized by Pickering Fire Dept. and Crime Stoppers. Show less