Resume
John Swinconeck
Professional Summary
Award-winning writer/editor and photojournalist with 10 years professional experience for print and online media. Expert at SLR digital photography and Photoshop Established and maintained daily newspaper’s online presence. Skilled in writing Associated Press style news copy, as well as headlines, captions, editorial and satire.
Experience
Nielsen IAG, New York City, New York January 2010 – Present
Senior Editor
Collaborate with writers and research analysts to use Nielsen IAG methodology and writing style to edit and develop surveys that measure the effectiveness of television and internet advertising; work with editorial directors to constantly improve writing style; scheduled work flow for writers in a deadline-driven environment.
Journal Tribune, Biddeford, Maine 2003 – 2009
Photography Editor (February 2006 – 2009), Photographer (June 2004 – 2009)
Used digital SLR cameras and Photoshop CS2 to produce original news, sports and features photographs, including photographs picked up by the Maine Associated Press; Oversaw and directed staff photographers, responsible for ensuring a daily selection of local photographs for editors; Prepared color and black and white digital photographs for publication; Created original photo illustrations; Archived and reprinted photographs for readers.
Web Editor (April 2007 – 2009)
Completely redesigned the newspaper’s long-defunct web site with Adobe CS2 and Dreamweaver; Created new content including multimedia QuickTime features; Regularly updated and posted news stories, editorials and photographs.
Copy Editor (January 2008 – 2009)
Proofread stories submitted by staff to ensure grammatical correctness and conformation to AP style; Ensured stories read succinctly and clearly; Paginated news, feature, editorial and business sections of the newspaper.
Features Writer (September 2004 – June 2005)
Beat Reporter (October 2003 – September 2004)
Enterprise reporting and feature writing on a variety of human interest topics throughout York County, Maine; Covered the campaign to legalize slot machines/harness racing in coverage area; Covered municipal, public safety, political, and state issues in relation to the City of Saco and the Town of Old Orchard Beach; Wrote human interest and feature stories, including stories picked up by the Maine Associated Press; Wrote a weekly humor column satirizing local and national politics, and the struggles of daily life.
York County Coast Star, Kennebunk, Maine 2001 – 2003
Staff Writer
Covered the Town of Wells; developments in the campaign to legalize casino gambling; human interest and feature stories; contributed a regular, award-winning first-person column, and created a weekly music review column.
Maine Public Radio, Portland, Maine 2000 – 2002
Intern (2000-2001), Freelance Journalist (2001-2002)
Developed, produced and reported features for the evening news program “Maine Things Considered.”
Times Record, Brunswick, Maine 2000 – 2001
Freelance Journalist
Wrote feature articles covering arts and entertainment in the Bath-Brunswick area.
Education
University of Southern Maine, Portland/Gorham, Maine 1995 – 1999
Bachelor of Art in Media Studies, Professional Writing Concentration; English Minor
Served as Communications Intern at the office of Congressman Tom Allen. Worked as Staff Writer and Web Site Designer for Words & Images, the university’s annual compendium of literature and visual arts.
Skills
Writing, Editing
AP style writing • Captions • Headlines • Copy and style editing • Editorial • Spot News • Feature • Humor/Satire
Software
Photoshop 5–CS2 • Aperture • GoLive • WordPress • Dreamweaver • InDesign • Quark • News Edit Pro • Microsoft Word • Apple iLife • Burli Newsroom System • Mac OS 9, 10.x • Windows XP, Vista
Photography
Spot news • Feature • Landscape • Sports • Portraits • Nikon/Canon digital SLR, compact cameras
Photo Editing
Toning • Color correction • Monochrome • Black and white • Sharpening • Cloning • Cropping • Photo illustrations
Awards
2008 Better Newspaper Contest; Second place for Feature Photo, Journal Tribune.
2006 Better Newspaper Contest; Second place for Scenic Photo, Journal Tribune.
2003 Better Newspaper Contest; Third place for Local Column, York County Coast Star.
New England Associated Press News Executives Association
2006 Photo Contest; Third place for Portrait or Profile, Journal Tribune.
2003 Better Newspaper Contest; Third place for Humor Columnist, York County Coast Star;
2002 Better Newspaper Contest; Second place for Humor Columnist, York County Coast Star.
Maine Associated Press Broadcasters Association
2001 Contest; Third place for Feature (with Keith Shortall, MPBN), Maine Public Radio.
References available upon request.