Resume

JOHN D. THOMAS

Phone: (773) 562.7331 | E-mail: jdt2912@yahoo.com

CAREER SUMMARY

Energetic, creative, results-focused editor/manager/writer/producer/teacher. Proven high–level professional expertise in areas including content creation, development, production, management and marketing; original creative ideas; SEO; CMS; digital metrics and analytics. Have written frequently for the New York Times, Village Voice, Chicago Tribune, Playboy magazine and other prominent publications.

EXPERIENCE

FREELANCE EDITOR AND WRITER (November 2013 to present)

• Currently managing, producing and editing "A Practical Guide to Digital Journalism Ethics” for Loyola University’s Center for Digital Ethics and Policy

• Currently finishing a non-fiction book proposal for my agent, Barbara Collins Rosenberg of The Rosenberg Group, on the most significant rules changes in the history of sports

• Regular Op/Ed contributor at The Chicago Tribune

• Regular contributing essayist at Loyola’s Center for Digital Ethics and Policy web site

CRAIN COMMUNICATIONS, Chicago (2 years, 3 months)

Chief of Editorial Operations, Crain's Modern Healthcare -- July 2012 to November 2013

• In charge of all content and content strategy for the leading healthcare business publication

• Managed the first front-to-back redesign of the print magazine in more than 10 years

• Instituted metrics/statistical analysis system to optimize editorial content across the site

• Restructured newsroom, hiring new editor, managing editor and art director, creating an agile, forward-looking team to produce both breaking digital news and long-form magazine journalism

• Consistently set monthly site traffic records

Assistant Managing Editor, Online, Crain's Business Insurance -- Aug. 2011 to July 2012

• In charge of the day-to-day online operations of the insurance industry’s leading news site

• Performed site-wide SEO analysis and implemented significant procedural changes

• Implemented SEO headline program applied to print materials migrated online

• Produced more than 50 e-mail newsletters a month

• Implemented site-wide content curation system based on performance metrics

COLUMBIA COLLEGE CHICAGO (2 years, 9 months)

Adjunct Professor, English Department -- September 2009 to May 2012

• Taught Reviewing the Arts for Professional Writers, designed to help students understand what it takes to be a professional arts writer

VIEWPOINTS.COM, Chicago (11 months)

Vice President of Content/Managing Editor -- October 2009 to August 2010

• Established original editorial content plan for one of the fastest growing user-reviews sites. Within six months, original content was generating more than 100,000 page views a month.

• Served as director of SEO optimization, increasing organic visits nearly 35% in six months

• Worked with developers to create and implement a new publishing platform for the site

• Created annual Top Products program, the first program based solely on user-generated reviews

• Managed creation and production of all ad-sponsored editorial content. The addition of original editorial content to the ad sales team's efforts was a major factor in expanding ad sales revenues, increasing average contract size by 20%.

PLAYBOY ENTERPRISES, Chicago (11+ years)

Editor of Playboy.com -- 2000 to July 2009

• In charge of all content and content strategy for one of the world’s most popular sites (6-8 million monthly uniques, 60-100 million monthly page views)

• Managed a staff of some 25 editors, designers, producers, photographers and videographers

• Oversaw a $2.6-million budget and came in under budget consistently year after year

• Developed Playboy's online content strategy, which focused on building a new online editorial brand separate from the magazine. The site's original features garnered consistent national coverage in Rolling Stone, Sports Illustrated, The Tonight Show, MTV, VH1, HBO, etc.

• Created and developed Playboy.com's original video programming. During 2008, more than 1,600 original videos were created for the company's digital businesses• In 2009, managed the transfer of a 1.6 million-page site onto a new content management system

• Consistently kept Playboy.com ahead of the online advertising curve. Created the Playboy.com Mega Unit, the first real TV-style advertising on the web. The Silicon Alley Reporter dubbed it "the most innovative ad campaign ever in the online ad space."

Vice President of Digital Content -- 2002 to July 2009

• Managed the daily operations, monetization and content creation of Playboy.com's subscription clubs and online advertising. Created and executed business plans resulting in a 256% increase in subscription revenue since 2000, a 309% increase in advertising revenue since 2005 and a 117% increase in aggregate online revenue since 2000.

• Established and developed the original content for Playboy's mobile telecom business• Developed the trademarked Bodcast, one of the first subscription-based podcasts

• Spearheaded the use of Playboy.com's original content in Playboy magazine, radio, TV and DVDs

Contributing Editor, Playboy magazine -- 2003 to July 2009

• Served as the primary link between Playboy's online and publishing divisions

• Wrote frequently for Playboy magazine and developed feature stories and other projects

Managing Editor, Playboy Special Editions -- 1999 to 2000

• Managed the day-to-day operations of Playboy's monthly photography magazines

Senior Editor, Playboy.com -- 1998 to 1999

• Assigned and edited all arts and entertainment content for the site

EMORY UNIVERSITY, Atlanta (5+ years)

Emory Magazine Associate Editor -- 1995 to 1998

• Worked as senior staff writer at one of America's most respected university magazines

• Earned master’s degree in Film Studies while writing for the magazine

Emory Magazine Assistant Editor -- 1992 to 1995

• Served as the staff's junior writer

AMERICAN HEALTH CONSULTANTS, Atlanta (Approximately 1 year)

Copy Editor -- 1991 to 1992

• Copy edited numerous professional healthcare newsletters

CREATIVE LOAFING NEWSPAPER, Atlanta (5+ years)

Arts & Entertainment Editor/Staff Writer/Calendar Editor -- 1986 to 1991

• Held editorial positions of increasing responsibility at Atlanta's alternative weekly paper

EDUCATION

EMORY UNIVERSITY, Atlanta, 1991-1997

Master of Arts degree in Film Studies, May 1997

EMORY UNIVERSITY, Atlanta, 1982-1986

Bachelor of Arts degree in English and French, May 1986

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Frequent contributor at the New York Times, Playboy magazine, Village Voice, Chicago Tribune

• Contributing essayist, The Columbia University Press Companion to American History on Film

• Some of the people I have interviewed: Jimmy Carter, Hunter S. Thompson, Hugh Hefner, Spike Lee, David Lynch, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rev. Al Sharpton, Ralph Nader, George Plimpton, Donald Trump, Paris Hilton, Oliver Stone

• Guest lecturer, Medill School of Journalism, Northwestern University

• On-camera expert commentator for The Big Swim, a documentary about swimming around Manhattan broadcast on the Discovery Channel and Travel Channel

• Two-time finisher of the 28.5-mile Manhattan Island Marathon Swim, named one of the "Top Ten Toughest Races" on Earth by National Geographic Adventure• 1993 U.S. Masters Swimming All-American and national age-group champion at 10K

• Member, Emory University Sports Hall of Fame, Class of 2000

• Contributing essayist, True South: Travels through a Land of White Columns, Black-Eyed Peas and Redneck Bars, Longstreet Press