Susan Gahagan Wilcox – GWMedia

PROFILE

Editor, copywriter and collateral project manager with a focus on catalog, resort and travel publications. Experience in writing, directing and implementing collateral from conception to launch. Personable and outgoing, deadline driven, quickly adapts to new environments, technology and responsibilities.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Freelance Copywriter                                                                                                                                                       March 2007 to present

Freelance Senior Editor Smith Brothers/Dover Saddlery                                                          May 2007 – February 2009

• Edited and facilitated all facets of catalog production for Smith Brothers, one of the

   nation's premier equestrian catalogs, which includes four annual catalog versions and 

   three sale catalog versions

• Designed, formatted and maintained stylistic conventions using  CSS

• Managed copy staff for adherence to consistent style and voice usage in regard to company branding

• Copy liaison between product buyers, graphic designers, creative platform team and pricing team

• Wrote original headlines and copy for version beauty spreads

 Freelance  Junior  Copywriter  Dover  Saddlery/Smith  Brothers                                          June 2002 - May 2007      

• Wrote original copy for annual catalogs, direct mail, retail advertisements, catalog inserts, 

    closeout flyers, posters, dot whacks, inkjets

• Wrote in stylistic voice for differing disciplines ranging from English to Western riding

• Maintained conventions of catalog production under the guidance of senior copywriters

• Developed headline writing skills while adhering to company branding

• Edited pages for five-person copy team

• Maintained dialogue with production manager in regard to workflow and deadlines

• Communicated with web content staff to ensure accuracy

• Implemented catalog pricing by combining Auto Price, Excel and Simple Text

• Worked efficiently and accurately under tight deadlines

Writing Teacher Josiah Bartlett Middle School – Bartlett, NH                                  September 2001-June 2002

• Member of interdisciplinary team

• Advisory leader to thirteen middle school students

• Started student published newspaper

English Teacher  Fryeburg Academy  – Fryeburg, Maine                                                  September 1993-2001

• Taught Freshmen, Sophomore, Junior and Senior English classes

• Developed curriculum and taught Creative Writing elective

• Taught study skills for Freshmen students

• Teacher Advisee for fourteen students

• Created and published Images, a student chapbook for writing

• Created writing guides for the State of Maine Learning Results Program

Fryeburg Academy Dormitory Parent                                                                                     September 1993 – June 1997

• Supervised 31 female dorm students in conjunction with teaching responsibilities

• Responsible for administering dormitory staff meetings

• Maintained parental contact

• Facilitated nightly study halls

• Organized and chaperoned weekend activities and trips

EDUCATION

M.ED SECONDARY EDUCATION, University of New Hampshire, 16 credits

ORGANIZATIONS

Mount Washington Arts Association – Current member and volunteer Public Relations Coordinator

Eastern Slope Ski Club Volunteer Sale Coordinator – 2003-2007

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE

PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES

Scott Soule   Creative Director – Dover Saddlery, North Conway, NH 03860–603-356-0460

Janice Crawford   Executive Director–Mount Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce, North Conway, NH 03860–603-356-5701

Claudia Needham   Executive Director – Mount Washington Valley Arts Association, North Conway, NH 603-356-2787

HOBBIES/INTERESTS

Reading, writing, photography, traveling, hiking, mountain and road biking, nordic, downhill and telemark skiing