Philip Smith
A writer, editor and journalist who has worked in a variety of organisations from a global PLC, an international charity and national newspapers to small businesses and agencies.
Takes complex messages and topics and make them accessible and readable over a variety of channels from print to online.
Combines a strong creative flair and talent for writing with the attention to processes and production so producing top quality content on time and to budget.
Philip Smith
Writer and editor
An accomplished and experienced writer, journalist and editor who combines a creative flair with project management skills to deliver high-impact print and online content.
Demonstrable success within a variety of organisations and cultures from newspapers, agencies and small businesses to a major global PLC and an international charity. Able to assimilate complex issues and communicate them in a clear, coherent and accessible way to a variety of audiences.
Excellent interpersonal skills used to great effect when formulating relationships with clients, colleagues and contributors. Successful track record in extracting sensitive information via an empathetic but sophisticated interview technique.
Proactive, methodical and thorough with strong commercial acumen, able to manage simultaneously a variety of projects to deadline and to budget.EXPERIENCE
Blueberry Quill Ltd
Owner
Sep 2003 – Present
Managing and driving a diverse range of assignments for a wide range of clients including The Daily Telegraph, Oracle, Sunday Times Fast Track, Charity Times and Prime Location.
Specific roles include:
• Editor and manager of Oracle-sponsored LinkedIn groups: Successfully managing content aimed at top-level managers, VPs and CEOs so enabling Oracle to build relationships with potential global clients
• Regular writer for Telegraph Media Group: Worked on projects sponsored by Amazon, American Express, Business in the Community, HSBC, National Business Awards, UBS and UPS• Communications and content provider to Hammer plc, a European-wide IT distributor. Responsible for initiating and writing industry thought-leadership articles, brochures, web content and press relations.
• Researcher and interviewer for the Sunday Times Fast Track series: Leading interviews with selected senior managers to obtain business information, and to facilitate access to potential clients for programme sponsors Hiscox, BDO, BGF and BarclaysWordZone - part of the world's largest independent operator of LinkedIn groups
Editorial Manager
Nov 2002 – Feb 2010
Fully accountable for, and with editorial control of, commercially sponsored programmes in the business sections of The Daily Telegraph and The Sunday Times, consisting in-paper and online content supported by live events and seminars.
Telegraph Media Group
Editor, Telegraph Business Club
2006 – 2010
• Responsible for defining the strategic direction of all editorial content, developing an appropriate tone and style in line with the exacting standards of the newspaper
• Part of the blue chip partner account management team meeting and delivering the expectations of the programme sponsors and successfully addressing potential conflicts, while ensuring editorial integrity and independence is maintained
• Managed, researched, wrote, commissioned and edited print content for the Telegraph Business Club. Also contributing to websites and social media
• Made a significant personal contribution to doubling membership numbers and increase revenues as a result of improved quality and editorial integrity for The Telegraph Business Club
• Represented the Telegraph Business Club at industry events and on national awards judging panels
• “Crisp, intelligent and engaging writing.” - Richard Tyler, Enterprise Editor, The Daily Telegraph.News UK
Sunday Times Enterprise Network programme editor
2002 – 2006
• Responsible for defining the strategic direction of all editorial content, developing an appropriate tone and style in line with the exacting standards of the newspaper
• Part of the blue chip partner account management team meeting and delivering the expectations of the programme sponsors and successfully addressing potential conflicts, while ensuring editorial integrity and independence is maintained
• Managed, researched, wrote, commissioned and edited print content for the Sunday Times Enterprise Network. Also contributing to websites and social media
• Successfully launched the Sunday Times Enterprise Network in the Republic of Ireland
• “Managed the delicate balance between high editorial integrity and commercial interests of the sponsors with good grace and diplomacy.” - Frank Fitzgibbon, Editor, Sunday Times, Ireland.Comark Communications Ltd
Business Manager
1998 – 2002
Tasked with managing the marketing communications for major clients, including budgets and P&L.
WWF
Editor
1992 – 1998
Responsbile for editing and producing a range of internal and external publications.
Racal Group Services
Senior Publications Editor
1989 – 1992
Editing, commissioning, writing and producing a range of internal and external publications.
Benn Publications
Systems Production Editor
1988 – 1989
Oversaw the introduction of PC-based editorial and production systems, ensuring editorial continuity and quality.
Southern Daily Echo
Sub editor
1987 – 1988
News and features sub-editor, including top table work and page layout.
Basingstoke Gazette
Reporter, Sub editor, Business Editor
1983 – 1987
Highlight your duties and achievements in a few sentences here. You can also describe the company a bit, for those who might be unfamiliar.
Aldershot News
Reporter
1980 – 1983
Highlight your duties and achievements in a few sentences here. You can also describe the company a bit, for those who might be unfamiliar.
SKILLS
Blogging
Business
Content moderation
Editing
Editorial
Editorial management
Journalism
Marketing communications
Multi-channel communications
Social media
EDUCATION
University of Reading
MBA Business management 1995 - 1997
Describe your studies, involvements, and accomplishments at this school.
Harlow College
NCTJ Journalism 1981 - 1981
Describe your studies, involvements, and accomplishments at this school.
University of Southampton
BSc (Hons) Politics 1976 - 1979
REFERENCES
Amanda Gray
Copy-editor/Proofreader
I thoroughly enjoyed working for Phil for three years as his Editorial Research Assistant at WWF. I found him an inspiring, articulate, respectful and patient editor and writer, as well as a fun team player who always kept a cool head and his sense of humour especially at deadline time.
Simon Fletcher (Arrowmaker Communications)
Owner and Managing Director, Arrowmaker Communications Ltd. - PR, Marcomms, Corporate & Internal Comms, Multilingual
Many years of working with Phil has taught me that he always comes up with the goods - no matter how challenging the editorial schedule. He's got a great eye for an angle, and writes with clarity and punch.
Liz Rowe
Freelance Consultant
Phil is able assimilate sometimes complex issues to produce excellent work to tight deadlines. He's calm, logical and responsive; a great combination when you need great work delivered quickly.
Richard Tyler
Director of Research and Editorial at Fast Track
Writes well; professional. All you need to know.
Dave Sumner Smith
Vertical Network specialist & CEO at Next Dimension Media - world's largest independent operator of LinkedIn groups
I have employed Phil for several years and come to rely on him more and more. He is an excellent writer with extensive knowledge of a huge variety of topics relating to British business. He is totally dependable and a great organiser.
Frank Fitzgibbon
Ireland Editor at The Sunday Times
Philip is an accomplished writer and has vast experience in producing quality editorial for publication in national media. He is very aware of the commercial sensitivities involved in producing sponsored content for mainstream media and straddles that tightrope with great agility. He is very easy to work with and always produces to deadline.
Frank Dillon
Business Journalist & Managing Editor at Decision magazine
I worked with Philip as a frrelance writer for The Sunday Times via Wordzone from 2004-2008. Philip is a highly organised manager and commissioning editor who displays great professionalism and attention to detail in his work. He was also very courteous and pleasant to work with at all times and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him.
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