ROSS JOHNSON                   (RESUME)

email: rossjohnson29@yahoo.com

Summary

As a supervising editor, produces outstanding editorial packages and interfaces well with all management and support staff. As a writer/reporter, has exceptional reporting skills and the ability to write with flair. Works extremely well in an environment where creativity, speed, teamwork, and maximum effort are core skills desired. 

Professional Experience

Contract Writer and Editor      2003 to present

An editorial consultant and contract writer for print publications and Web sites. For the New York Times, have written 20 stories in the past 16 months. Currently contribute on a regular basis to magazines such as Esquire, the Hollywood Reporter, and recently wrote a ten-part, 25,000-word series for Screen International, a weekly magazine published out of London. Also have consulted on web site design, content needs, and e-commerce marketing for a number of organizations, including the Writers Guild of America.

Los Angeles Daily Journal          1999 to 2002

Writer of "The Public Eye" and "Hollywood," award-winning columns that focused on litigation and dealmaking in the business of entertainment and media. 

The Hollywood Reporter             1994 to 1999

Commenced work as a contract writer, and then proceeded to senior editor, and then onto executive editor of special reports. Reported to editorial director of special issues.  As a supervising editor, oversaw over 20 special issues every year. Worked with the issue editors on their outlines, writer assignments, art layouts, and copy flow. Personally edited approximately 10 issues yearly. Was also responsible for developing new special issues for such corporations as DirecTV and MGM, Inc. For the Hollywood Reporter Weekly, wrote a number of enterprise and investigative pieces.

Esquire Magazine                1999 to Present

As a regular contributor to the national men's magazine, interviewed notable Hollywood men ranging from James Caan to Marion (Suge) Knight to Haley Joel Osment for the "What I've Learned" section. (The Caan and Knight interviews were recently published in the book "Esquire: The Meaning of Life.") For the June 2002 issue, interviewed the actress Kirsten Dunst for the cover piece.

Premiere Magazine              1997 to Present

As a contributor for the national entertainment magazine, wrote articles examining Steven Seagal, Elie Samaha and the dealmaking machinations involving the rights holders to the "Terminator" franchise.

Los Angeles Magazine         1996 to 2000

As a contributing editor, originated the "L.A. Raw" column in 1996, which covered a range of celebrity, business, and political news in Los Angeles.  Also wrote feature articles on 1) the best trial litigators in Los Angeles (1998); 2) the toughest "attack dog" lawyers in Los Angeles (2000); 3) a profile on U.S. Attorney Alejandro Mayorkas (2000); 4) the ongoing controversy surrounding the development of Malibu's Point Dume neighborhood. (2000)

Outside Contract Journalist            1993 to Present

As a feature articles writer, contributed a number of articles to the Los Angeles Times, USA Today, New York magazine, Talk, Forbes CCP, Daily Variety, LA Weekly and the Los Angeles Reader. For the Hollywood Reporter, wrote over 100 articles prior employment as an editor.

Buzz Magazine                       1994 to 1996

While a contributing editor to the magazine,  wrote feature profiles on Robert Redford, Gavin Polone, Steve Tisch, and Robert Evans.

EDUCATION

Bradley University, Peoria, IL, B.A., communications

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS and AWARDS     

Los Angeles Press Club

(Press Club Award nominee - Best Feature Article, "Tequila Sunset," Los Angeles magazine, 2001)

SKILLS

Leadership

Special Projects and Strike Teams

Enterprise Initiatives

HTML coding