My CV/Resume
Scroll down for information on my past jobs, voluntary roles, IT knowledge and education.
Experienced and reliable person with
wide experience of journalism, content production and design.
T: 0412 230 828
W: www.benedictbrook.moonfruit.com
Born: London 11/10/1977
Visa status: Pre qualified for business sponsorship visa
- through employer or agency.
Work history (communications and design)
April 2007 – July 2007, Sydney Star Observer, Sydney, Australia.
Temporary full-time journalist working across this busy weekly paper on news, features and arts stories. The work involves producing engaging well-researched copy with a tight deadline and sourcing or taking accompanying photographs. Stories I’ve covered include naked rugby players at the Midnight Shift, homophobia in the church and adoption rights.
October 2006 to date: New Mardi Gras, Sydney, Australia.
Co-Chair Marketing and Communications
Voluntary position with the world renowned Sydney Mardi Gras gay and lesbian festival. The role has a specific focus on creative communications including writing and coordinating content for website, copy for adverts, and project managing marketing campaigns and viral marketing.
September 2006 - April 2007: Rockdale City Council, Sydney, Australia.
Communications Officer
Full-time temporary role coordinating and producing a range of publications including monthly community newsletter, monthly staff newsletter, annual reports, Mayoral speeches and press releases. I was part of a small team that worked on the overhaul of the staff newsletter with a new writing style, refreshed look and feel and a design to bring the publication into line with the Council’s corporate identity. Results have proved to be very positive with an increased level of readership.
April 2002 – February 2006: University of Sussex, Brighton, UK.
Communications Officer
Full-time role coordinating and implementing internal communications strategy for large UK University. A successful project I oversaw was to use the screensavers on idle campus computers as a method to communicate university news. I also helped to improve dialogue between University management and key student leaders by establishing regular meetings, providing communications training and acting on raised concerns. Role also included maintaining content for several websites and writing and designing fortnightly. Supported press team on media queries. Additionally part of small team which led on the University’s development and launch of new visual identity.
2004 to date Gay Times magazine, London
Freelance journalist
Specialising in topical features and one-to-one interviews for this internationally distributed magazine. Features have included a look at the limits of freedom of expression and what’s wrong with civil partnerships. Interviews have taken place with the creator of the controversial production Jerry Springer The Opera, late drag performer Phil Starr and Christopher Cramp, the UK’s first ever ‘gay widow’.
2002 - 2006 Sussex Beacon HIV charity, Brighton
Newsletter editor
Sourcing stories, writing copy, commissioning photographs, directing design and proofing quarterly newsletter aimed at those volunteering and fundraising for this successful Sussex based charity.
2000- 2005 GScene magazine, Brighton
Freelance journalist
Key features writer for this popular Brighton-based magazine aimed at the city’s diverse population. Included interviews with the leader of the City Council and an undercover and exhaustive investigation into Brighton’s gayest supermarket (Somerfield [nee Safeway] on St. James’ Street).
2004 – 2006 Save the Routemaster campaign, London
Spokesperson
Coordinating the media relationship for this popular campaign to save the red Routemaster bus – a London landmark. Often acted as front person for campaign on radio, TV and online for worldwide organisations including BBC, London Evening Standard, Australia’s ABC, Canada’s CBC, Channel One Moscow, Japan’s NHK and USA Today. Also coordinated website.
2003 – 2006 Brighton Ourstory oral history and archive charity
Director, spokesperson and publicity officer
Role was to coordinate publicity for charity’s events (exhibitions, live performances and events) by engaging local and specialist press and acting as spokesperson. Also edited thrice-yearly newsletter that included sourcing stories and photographs, commissioning copy, sub editing and designing.
2000 –2003 NOW UK magazine/Bent magazine, Leeds
Brighton reporter
Monthly column reporting on upcoming events and club nights of note. Role expanded to include short interviews with notable people on the Brighton entertainment scene.
2001 – 2002 Guild of Master Craftsmen Publications, Lewes
Graphic designer
Designed editorial and adverts using Photoshop, Quark and Illustrator for wide stable of popular hobby magazines and associated books.
2000 –2001 University of Sussex Students’ Union, Brighton
Communications Officer
Elected in cross-campus ballot to be one of six student sabbatical officer. Responsible for coordinating elections, students meetings and media liaison. Also oversaw production of publicity, expansion of website and acted as managing editor to two regular student publications and radio station.
In addition I have also learnt to pull a mean pint at a variety of pubs including the Goose in Central London and Dome Theatre in Brighton; I know exactly how long it should take to for an espresso to reach your cup thanks to Starbucks; I can spot machine-manufactured crystal courtesy of a Saturday job at Royal Doulton; I know that Darjeeling should never be served with milk thanks to another Saturday job and I have electrocuted myself several times in a small light bulb and vacuum bag shop in Bloomsbury.
IT skills
Fully conversant on both Mac and PC operating systemsMicrosoft WordMicrosoft ExcelQuarkXpressAdobe PhotoshopExperience of Adobe Illustrator, Freehand and Dreamweaver.Education
1997 – 2000 University of Sussex, Brighton
First class honours, English with Media Studies
1995 – 1995 LaSwap Sixth Form Centre, Parliament Hill London
A Levels - A, B, C in Media Studies, English Literature and Language and Design and Technology.
References available on request.
"I have electrocuted myself several times in a small light
bulb and vacuum bag shop in Bloomsbury."
