James Fryer
James Fryer is a postgraduate-educated journalist with two years of experience working for consumer magazines and websites. Editorially he specialises in food and drink, gaming, gadgets, music, motoring, as well as having experience in writing general lifestyle and entertainment features. He is a passionate photographer with a unique portfolio of published and non-published work. His experience also includes two years working for leading public relations consultancies, as well as winning the inaugural PRWeek James Maxwell Award.
Employment history
SoGlos.com | March 2007 – Present | Deputy Editor
Deputy editor and co-founder of the newly launched online lifestyle and entertainment magazine for Gloucestershire, responsibilities include everything from organising the marketing of the site to co-ordinating advertising sales and writing daily features, ensuring that SoGlos.com is the definitive guide to Gloucestershire.
Fyrne.com | September 2006 – Present | Freelance Journalist
Freelance writing for consumer publications in the UK and Middle East.
What’s On magazine, Dubai | September 2005 – September 2006 | Journalist
Responsible for planning, writing and developing more than 25 editorial pages of the national magazine every month: including restaurant and bar reviews, video game and gadget reviews, entertainment news articles and in-depth lifestyle features. Regularly conducted interviews and liaised with PR practitioners to source exclusive content. Also built and updated the magazine’s official website and contributed reviews and articles to other magazines under the same publishing company.
ViewLondon, London | June 2005 – August 2005 | Freelance Reviewer
Reviewed pubs, bars and restaurants for London’s leading entertainment website.
Harrison Cowley, London | February 2005 – June 2005 | PR Senior Account Executive
Represented more than 50 gastropubs across the UK, the five-star Royal Garden Hotel, infamous jewellery entrepreneur Gerald Ratner and the Department of Health’s sexual health campaign. Wrote targeted press releases, drafted internal and external presentations and reports, continually developed and executed selling-in opportunities, met with clients and built upon an extensive list of media contacts.
Ketchum, London | September 2004 – December 2004 | PRWeek Award Winner
Award placement representing Starbucks, FedEx and Kodak, as well as directly assisting Ketchum’s new business director. Wrote by-lined articles and press releases about the PRWeek award, researched and drafted monthly client reports and supported client teams in researching media targets and hooks.
RainierPR, London | April 2004 and August 2004 | PR Account Executive
Freelance work for one of the UK’s leading technology business-to-business consultancies. Provided core research and drafted a white paper on blogging which led to a new client win, compiled strategy and coverage reports and actively participated in new business brainstorming sessions contributing creative, attention-grabbing and innovative ideas.
Warwick Emanuel PR, Cardiff | October 2003 – January 2004 | PR Account Executive
Freelance work for one of the leading PR consultancies in Wales, including compiling client reports, contributing creative strategy ideas and selling-in to regional and national media.
British Energy, Gloucester | May 2001 – July 2004 | Communications Co-ordinator
Returned to the company during academic holidays. Oversaw the implementation of a new company-wide intranet, managed the documentation for a million pound project, wrote training documents and produced a regular newsletter.
Education
Cardiff University School of Journalism | September 2003 – June 2004
Postgraduate diploma in Public & Media Relations
- A focus on essential skills including press release writing and strategy report writing.
- Regular professional writing practice including news, feature and opinion pieces.
- Weekly pitch presentations to high-profile organisations and businesses.
- Media law and government training.
- Continual honing of specialist research techniques.
Royal Holloway, University of London | September 1999 – June 2002
BA (Hons) Sociology with Politics (2:1). Programme of study included writing an original 10,000 word dissertation, interviewing key case studies, academics and professionals. Also taught A'Level Sociology on a part-time basis.
Cheltenham Bournside School | September 1997 – June 1999
A’Levels in Business (A), Sociology (A) and Psychology (B). A/S Level IT (A).
Skills
- Proven ability to write consistently clean, concise and engaging copy on a broad range of subjects to deadline.
- Excellent practical public relations abilities including developing strategies, press release writing, researching target media, pitching stories, compiling client reports, meeting with clients, preparing pitches and pitching for new business.
- Strong sub-editing and proofreading skills with professional experience using Adobe InDesign.
- Strong presentation skills to both groups and individuals, including experience delivering university guest lectures.
- Outstanding IT skills including MS Office and Macromedia Dreamweaver.
- Published photographer with experience using Adobe Photoshop.
- Proficient in the use of media tools including MediaDisk, FeaturesExec, Lexis Nexis and Year Ahead.
Interests
A keen independent traveller fortunate enough to have visited Asia and Africa in recent years, as well as having toured extensively in the Middle East. Also took part in a charity expedition to Central America in 2002, with Raleigh International.
Currently taking an evening course in filmmaking and am continually honing digital photography skills. Enjoys web design, having built and developed the portfolio website www.fyrne.com.
Plays competitive squash and recently gained a PADI open water scuba diving licence.