JOHN H. BRENEMAN

York, Maine | Portsmouth, NH
john.breneman.inc@gmail.com

I am a writer, editor, designer and web strategist whose deep experience in journalism and marketing equip me with the versatility to produce sharp visuals and compelling copy on virtually any topic. I am also an impassioned believer in the power of words to help move hearts and minds.

EXPERIENCE

Copywriter and Senior Content Strategist, Vital Design – Portsmouth, N.H. (2015-present)  Utilized writing skills and strategies (blogs, ebooks, web copy, email campaigns, etc.) to help a diverse range of clients increase website traffic and generate business leads. Earned HubSpot Inbound Certification; gained experience in SEO, email strategy and all aspects of digital marketing at fast-growing, high-energy creative agency. Additional responsibilities include editing the copy of the other writers on our team.

Writer/editor/page designer, Seacoast Media Group – Portsmouth, N.H. (2012-2014)  Created high volume of compelling front and inside newspaper pages on deadline using Adobe InDesign and Photoshop, while editing stories, writing headlines and packaging stories for the website. Responsibilities also included writing a Sunday column.

Head of Copy Desk, The Boston Herald – Boston, Mass. (2005-2012)
Supervised the copy desk for Sunday edition of feisty Boston daily, performing copy-editing, headline-writing and pagination roles while providing comprehensive support to Sunday editor and penning op-ed items for the paper.

Sunday Editor, The Portsmouth Herald – Portsmouth, N.H. (1998-2004)
Executed hundreds of page ones and section fronts on deadline. Coordinated editorial activities of redesigned Sunday paper that achieved dramatic circulation gains and earned multiple General Excellence and writing citations. Duties included writing, copy editing, layout/pagination, editorial planning, etc.

Editor, The Cambridge Chronicle – Cambridge, Mass. (1992-97) Transformed solid community weekly into award-winning must-read as editor, writer, community liaison and mentor to young writers. Earned multiple awards for General Excellence and writing, including NEPA 1st place for editorial writing.

Reporter-Editor, The Portsmouth Herald – Portsmouth, N.H. (1988-92)
Covered crime, politics, education and local people with relentless accuracy and sharp eye for detail. Guided Sunday edition to state and regional General Excellence awards.

EDUCATION
Colby College (Bachelor’s in Philosophy) – Waterville, Maine
American Press Institute (Editors seminar)
University of New Hampshire (Journalism coursework)
University of California-Irvine (Dean’s Honor List)

AWARDS
Multiple General Excellence citations from NENA, NEPA and Mass/N.H. Press Associations; numerous writing awards include NEPA Humor Columnist and Editorial Writer of the Year.

I pursued my passion for writing (locally and in Boston) by interviewing and telling the stories of business and nonprofit executives; academic leaders; politicians; entertainment and sports figures; thought leaders, influence shapers and everyday people from all walks of life.

I discovered and explored my love of graphic design, sharpening my eye for how to integrate high-impact visuals with top-notch copy.

Always with the clock ticking toward the next edition.

Headlines on deadline.