Diedre Johnson
Writer & Copy Editor
diedrej28@gmail.com
www.diedre.net
323/533/3318
Summary of Qualifications
- Extensive experience writing content for print and online
- Strong AP Style proofreading and line-editing skills
- Photo resizing and cropping in WordPress and Photoshop
- Document editing using Microsoft Word and Adobe Acrobat
- I can write news stories and features employing multiple perspectives and create SEO-optimized headlines and articles to achieve highest search engine ranking
- Able to work with a team or independently depending on the job requirements and responsibilities
- Have a life-long career interviewing a broad spectrum of individuals from all walks of life
- Strong knowledge of all things TV, celebrity, fashion and film
Tech.
- Microsoft Word and Outlook
- WordPress CMS
- Adobe Acrobat pdf (proofing/editing)
- Adobe Photoshop (cropping, resizing, & some color correction)
- Google Drive/Docs
- Slack
Social Media
- Twitter (over 1000 followers)
- Facebook, Linkedin, Instagram, Google +, MuckRack, Pinterest, YouTube
DESCRIPTION OF WORK EXPERIENCE
NRPR In-house editor (contract) – Current – Edit press releases, pitches, bios, pre-pitch templates, contributing articles for grammar, punctuation, clarity, structure, targeting and AP style. Teaching junior account executives how to pitch to journalists.
(NATPE17) Content Writer (Sept. 2016-Jan. 2017, four-month contract) National Association of Television Programming Executives – Writing TV entertainment business and feature content for the Miami 2017 convention.
vogue.it. 2015-Current – Contributor. Write news, features, interviews. Signed on as contributor by Vogue Italy to “shine a light on the Los Angeles celebrity/fashion/beauty scene.”
blastingnews.com 2014-2016 – Online News Site. News, features, reviews on TV shows and celebrities. Liaise with network representatives to get information and photos. Publish text and photos using their proprietary CMS interface.
TV Soap – U.S. Contributor 2002-2016 Bi-weekly masthead contributor to largest circulation Australian primetime/daytime/movie magazine for ten years. Actor interviews, features, beauty.
dishmag.com 2012-2016 – Research and write online articles mostly focused on trends in network, cable television and pop culture.
New York Daily News (Confidential section) Freelance Event and Red-Carpet Reporter 2013-2015 – Covered events, premieres, phone interviews, special event and award season coverage for Confidential, the entertainment news and gossip section of online and print editions. Occasionally asked and completed regular celebrity news stories. Per assignment.
Soap World 2002-2015 Los Angeles Correspondent for Australian monthly soap opera magazine. Completed coverage of LA daytime soaps including interviews, features, news briefs and bi-weekly gossip column.
Life&Style Magazine 2003-2006 – Event reporter covering premieres and events for four years, under then-West Coast Bureau Chief John O’Mahony.
Magazine House LTD 2001-2003
Wrote articles for the company’s various Asian magazine titles including, Japanese Vogue, Japanese Harper’s Bazaar, Ginza, Vi Vi Glamorous and Tarzan.
Star Magazine Staff Writer 1995-2000, 2006-2014 – Wrote cover stories, news and features and later red carpet and event reporter covering premieres, junkets, television conferences (twice-yearly Television Critics Association (TCAs) and celebrity interviews.
Reporting and Writing
pastemagazine.com vogue.it.com, blastingnews.com, New York Daily News Confidential section (Los Angeles/reporting only (current), dishmag.com (current), beautystat.com, AOLMoviefone.com, dailyMail.com, astarwasborn.com, OK!, BettyConfidential.com, Theatermania.com, Ebony.com, Japanese Vogue, Japanese Bazaar, Ginza, Vi Vi Glamorous, Tarzan, Nurses World, In Focus magazine (National Assoc. of Theatre Owners), estar.com, LA Weekly, Variety (events, theater reviews for Daily Variety), Movieline, Hollywoodlife.com, In Touch (home shoots) Soap Opera Digest, Backstage West (now Backstage), (original) Drama-Logue, Free Spirit, Nurses World, Los Angeles Business Journal, Minority Employment Journal. Articles have also appeared in the Los Angeles Reader. Entertainment Today, regional and specialty publications.
Freelance Editorial
American Waterfowler (2013)
Proofing and editing layout files for hunting trade publication using Adobe Acrobat.
SDI Communications (Culver City, CA, 2012)
Video transcription project, using company’s proprietary transcription software, changing speech from spoken UK English to written US English.
Press Releases, Bios
The plight of an LA trade college, a celebrity-focused cookie catering company, and a renowned jazz musician all gained local media attention by my press releases.
Incredible Features Photo Agency
Research, occasional articles on unusual subjects. Wrote copy and edited portions of the company’s coffee table book “Incredible Stunts”
Author – “Mariah” (eBook on singer Mariah Carey (2001)
Proofreading/Advertising Freelance
Contracted with Media Home Entertainment to write and edit video box copy for commercial films. Developed on-going freelance relationships with Adweek, Larchmont Chronicle, Foote, Cone and Belding, IOX Assessment Associates (textbooks) and Krupp-Taylor USA ad agencies for editing and proofreading.
OTHER JOB EXPERIENCE
Hot Spots Magazine, Los Angeles, CA
Contributing Features Editor – Edited feature stories, wrote calendar listings, interviews for quarterly entertainment magazine (defunct).
Joan Luther and Assoc., Beverly Hills, CA
Account Executive – Provided public relations, publicity and promotional services to popular restaurants including Chin Chin and Louise’s Trattoria, Encino Chamber of Commerce Taste of LA.
The Lee Solters Co., Beverly Hills, CA
Publicity Asst. – Edited, proofread, wrote publicity releases, made pitch calls to press, worked public events and assisted in the booking of tours and appearances of celebrity clients.
Los Angeles Daily Commerce, Los Angeles, CA
Reporter/Staff writer – Wrote breaking news, features and profiles that pertained to business and real estate industries. Filed reports and represented newspaper as a reporter at local and national real estate conventions.
Education
California State University, Long Beach, B.A., Journalism