"Hire me" page on personal website of Ottawa Writer, Editor Don Wilcox

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Exceptional and diverse writing/content creation and editing skills honed over three decades as a journalist, editor and online editor. Some links are included (below), but for more examples, visit my Author Page at Ottawasun.com
Deep knowledge of both digital and print communications strategies
Hands-on with social media for content, marketing, brand promotion and trends
Course creation and presentation skills honed in diverse settings; from college classes to seminars and for journalists and editors, to clinics for football officials
Project, campaign and change management experience, from promotions and marketing to website migration and reorganizing staff work flows
Extensive peer and client relationship-building experience in fast-paced environments
Strong self-motivation, “editor’s eye” for detail, ability to multi-task and meet deadlines

Want more details? Continue reading, or download my CV.

Ottawasun.com – Ottawa, Ontario 06/2005 to 01/2016

Senior Online Editor

Managed all editorial aspects of Ottawasun.com (homepages, content creation, etc)
Championed early adoption of social media, taught newsroom skills and best practices
As part of a small team of senior editors, helped guide Sun journalists to seven 2015 Ontario News Award nominations, despite severe staff cutbacks
Implemented and taught real-time, live blog reporting skills via ScribbleLive and Storify
Enhanced reader engagement via forums, surveys, polls, chats, e-blasts etc.
Teamed with promotions, advertising staff on cross-platform, multimedia campaigns
Experience with: Multiple CMS, WordPress, Documentum, InDesign/InCopy, Jazbox, Chartbeat, Google Analytics, Disqus, MS Office, Photoshop, Brightcove, Final Cut Pro …

Algonquin College – Ottawa, Ontario 09/2008 to 05/2015

Professor, Part-time

Created, taught and continually updated three courses in post-grad programs: Writing for the Web, New Media & Social Media, Writing for Mobile Devices
Instructed courses via a unique pilot project which accommodated synchronous and asynchronous students, able to attend in-class or via remote log-in
Regularly utilized instructional programs such as Blackboard and Canvas

Ottawa Sun – Ottawa, Ontario 10/2001 to 06/2005

Page One and Slot Editor

Supervised and directed editors and news staff in story selection and creation
Designed and laid out Page One; determined story lineup for the newspaper, managed page design and layout, copy editing, photo selection and editing, graphics creation

FYIOttawa.com – Ottawa, Ontario 05/2000 to 09/2001

Director of Web Operations

Managed creation of entertainment, shopping, services and leisure content for a dynamic “city site” of directories and information (part of Sun Media/CANOE network)

Previous Experience:

Ottawa Sun, Asst. Sports Editor

Barrie Examiner – Barrie, Ontario

Two-time Ottawa Sun “Editor of the Year”
Ontario News Award Finalist: Breaking News (Bus/train Crash 2013, Wilno Murders 2015)
Ontario News Award for Layout Excellence for the Ottawa Sun in 2004 (team award)
Western Ontario News Award recipient for Spot News with the Barrie Examiner
Thomson International Award of Excellence for feature writing with Barrie Examiner

Ontario Secondary Schools Graduation Diploma. Honours Student. (Was hired as a full-time journalist immediately after graduation, so I did not attend university)

Level IV CFOA Football Official. Former Eastern Ontario Training Officer. Level III Course Conductor, Evaluator. Have worked numerous national, Quebec, Ontario championships.
Former minor baseball and hockey coach, each for approximately 10 years
Active Member Outdoor Writers of Canada
Founding member Kayak Anglers Association of the Outaouais