United Kingdom
I have most recently been a vertical specialist writer for Iconic Media Group, publishing finance, jobs, and retail content primarily to the Yorkshire Post and Yorkshire Evening Post, two of the UK's most prestigious regional papers, as part of their business coverage. I started with the company way back in 2014, writing gig reviews for the YP while at university studying music journalism. Work experience for the fondly-remembered WOW247 then became freelance work, before I finally joined Iconic's central team full time a few years later. I have since written content for national print publications on gaming, tech, television, music, and entertainment, but now specialise in money and business. I was part of the award-nominated team that launched NationalWorld.com (launching a new national news brand during a global pandemic), and I’ve interviewed stars from Oscar-winning directors and world famous comedians to Dave Benson Phillips, Dick and Dom and even Jet from Gladiators. I have a keen interest in the environment and conservation, and try to reflect that in my work wherever I can. When I’m not commenting on financial affairs, I’m out exploring the footpaths of Norfolk, wrapping my head around a puzzle game, enjoying a noisy gig in a basement, or getting engrossed in professional wrestling.
I've been contributing content to Iconic Media on a full-time basis for almost seven years, starting as a Digital Journalist in August 2019, before being promoted to a senior position in early 2021. When the company owned the i newspaper, I played a major part in the growth of its website, contributing high-ranking content from interviews to explainers, and appearing often in print with a weekly podcast recommendations column. I now work as a 'Vertical Specialist Writer', specialising in finance, jobs, and retail content. Until recently I was posting my work across the company's entire portfolio of publications, but in recent weeks, have worked primarily with the Yorkshire Post and the Yorkshire Evening Post, working alongside the YP's strong business team. My focus is on trending content and service journalism, producing explainer-style articles that often break down complex financial news in a way that matters to everyday people. Throughout my time with the company, I have gained exceptional skills in SEO and page optimisation, and have learned what it takes to elevate my content beyond just the words on the screen through visual media, recording my own accompanying videos.
I was offered freelance work for OXM late in 2017, and jumped at the chance. Games journalism was really where my aspirations lay at the time, and so to work again (I had a couple of user reviews published when I was 13/14!) for such a respected magazine in the area was an amazing opportunity. Pitching gaming articles on an as-and-when basis, and responding to current trends (anniversaries, new releases etc). I'm always looking for new opportunities in the video games industry.
University work experience turned to twice-weekly paid shifts turned to almost full-time hours, working remotely from my Norwich home. This role has gave me so many opportunities to write about a wide variety of subjects. From interviews with bands, TV personalities and games industry professionals, to features on telly shows of old and gaming trends. I wrote mostly for The i Paper, then JPIMedia's flagship title, though JPIMedia's large portfolio of titles meant my work has appeared in: Star Tribune, The Yorkshire Post, Yorkshire Evening Post, Blackpool Gazette, The Leader Vindicator, Lancashire Evening Post, Belfast News Letter, Derry Journal, Derbyshire Times, Doncaster Free Press, Peterborough Telegraph, West Sussex County Times, The Falkirk Herald, Wharfe Valley Times, Scotland on Sunday, Fife Free Press, and News Letter.
This role initially started off as a two-week long work experience placement during university, but was something I continued to work at, using the fruits of my labour in a course project. Eventually, the work transitioned into a paid position on a freelance basis. WOW247 was an online entertainment website covering a wide range of topics, and this role allowed me to research and develop features in areas that I may not have otherwise been able to, such as cycling and television - although I tended to focus on music, gaming and films. I was tasked with finding news stories relevant to the site’s audience and adapting them into unique angles, as well as pitching and crafting features on everything from album retrospectives to video gaming opinion pieces.
A job working in a busy cinema involving a wide variety of skills in both retail and customer services including cash handling, stock replenishment and rotation. Often working behind tills, taking orders, preparing foods and dispensing tickets, but also taking tickets and showing customers to seats etc. A high level of product knowledge was required for this role.