Mark Applin

Experience

• 

  Essex County Newspapers

  Jan 2002 - Jan 2005

  Journalist

   Reporter on main evening daily newspaper in area reaching more than 70,000 people every day Working on news desk & features as reporter. Experienced in producing accurate copy to deadline. Subbing and proof reading experience Working on sports desk as sports writer. Producing copy on various events across the country and around the world. Produced copy of interviews and sports events including World Cup 2002, Wimbledon. NCTJ qualifications Shorthand 100wpm

• 

  GuardianUnlimited (website for The Guardian/Observer newspaper)

  Sept 2005 - Aug 2006

  Freelance Journalist/Content uploader

   Editing both sport and football websites. Subbing copy and writing headlines and trails to strict time and word count deadlines. Liaising with duty editor to ensure style and content maintained. Uploading copy from The Guardian/Observer newspapers onto www.guardian.co.uk Working on coverage of 2006 World Cup, including podcasts Working on production desk ensuring entire site is maintained to the highest standards Liaising with other departments to include copy from other sections of newspaper Show less

• 

  Youth Sport Trust

  Oct 2006 - Dec 2006

  Web editor

  • Being responsible for content and style of www.youthsporttrust.org. Editing, writing and subbing both original and submitted copy. Designing and maintaining pages to strict deadlines and content guidelines• Working as part of communications team dealing with press and PR enquiries• Working closely with website design team to implement and plan future improvements• Liaising with other departments to ensure entire company has access to web space• Dealing with website-specific enquiries, answering them promptly to the highest standards Show less

• 

  Metro.co.uk

  Jan 2007 - Apr 2007

  Assistant internet editor

  • Writing for and editing news, fame, money and weird channels within www.metro.co.uk• Editing, writing and subbing both original/submitted copy. Responsible for individual channels and its specific content• Researching stories and writing to strict deadlines. Uploading stories from newspaper onto website

• 

  Wholenewballgame.org

  Apr 2007 - Jan 2008

  Editor-in-chief

  Set up, designed (with help) and populated sports-based website with emphasis on providing quirky angles to popular stories. And all done in my spare time. Had to come to an end when paid employment became too time-consuming. Boo.Will look at refreshing and giving it a second go in the future.I mean, why wouldn't I?

• 

  Specialist Schools & Academies Trust

  May 2007 - Feb 2008

  Web officer

  • Maintaining and editing Trust Schools website. Writing content, features, interviews and other copy• Constructing new content, site plans and schedules. Editing and uploading content – both copy and images• Assisting with recent tender to secure contract with government department

• 

  Turner (Turner Broadcasting System, Inc)

  Feb 2008 - Oct 2008

  Associate Producer

  • Working with Nuts TV web editor, marketing & PR, ad sales and programme production team to produce content in line with on-air stunts, events and stand-alone/viral concepts – with a view to extending the brand beyond the site to other portals, affiliates and platforms• Maintain, organise and coordinate traffic of web/broadband assets• Subbing copy produced by third parties for inclusion. Updating video/editorial areas of the site via content management tools. Basic video editing and encoding where required• Moderating user generated content and uploading to the site. Writing briefs for design process and working with designers and external agencies where required Show less

• 

  British Eurosport

  Nov 2009 - Apr 2011

  Freelance Journalist

  • Writing accurate, factual reports on sporting events from around the world.• Responsible for writing online commentary on sports events ‘live - as they happen’ for benefit of online audience.• Using in-house CMS systems to produce copy to deadline. Ensuring guidelines are maintained and standards are met.

• 

  University of Westminster

  Jun 2011 - Mar 2012

  Web Content Editor

  • To produce web site content that is fit for purpose ensuring all online content conforms to agreed standards of plain English, house style and general principles of web/online writing good practice.• To migrate (and converge as appropriate) existing content, editing content and identifying duplication; resolving ownership and location issues as appropriate in the process to achieve desired standards.• Contribute to developments in structure and content planning of site; assisting and advising in prioritising content and links within the navigation. Identify gaps or opportunities for new content and identify owners to develop content. Maintain and champion a customer-centric approach to site and online communications generally to provide best customer experience. Show less

• 

  Debenhams

  Aug 2012 - Jul 2014

  Digital Content Editor

  Overall responsibility for copywriting at Debenhams.com and associated sites/apps covering home and landing page copy along with editorial features.- Developing engaging and customer focused content and feature concepts- Developing consistent tone of voice across all communication channels within the Digital Content Team- Proof-reading all digital communications, ensuring brand consistency- Writing regular posts for the Debenhams blog- Liaising with internal departments to source product samples for feature contentBuilding strong relationships with bloggers and other industry influencers as well as with internal Debenhams departments including buying and merchandising, marketing and PR using communication skills of the highest standard- Using SEO friendly copy- Working to tight deadlines- Using multiple blogging platforms including WordPress & various social networks- Maintaining up-to-date knowledge of content formats and trends on fashion sites/apps and blogs Show less

• 

  EE

  Aug 2014 - Sept 2014

  Retail Communications Executive

  Responsibility for defining and delivering key communication and engagement initiatives to the Retail frontline to drive clear understanding of new product details, proposition and promotion launches while also delivering motivating communications to further improve staff engagement at the frontline.- Support Retail Comms Manager to develop & deliver the required communication platforms. - Work closely with the Internal Communication Manager to help translate the engagement challenges into frontline tools. - Build strong relationships with the Field Leadership team and responsible for developing and delivering their key messages to the store team in a clear and engaging way.- Work with key stakeholders across Retail, Props & Launch Management to define required operational processes and procedures for new products, propositions and promotions.- Proactively support, challenge and hold to account key stakeholders and supporting functions to deliver communications on time that are ‘Right first time’ and appropriate to maximise understanding and engagement of the audience.- Write and deliver concise, proactive and accurate engagement and store operational communications.- Work collaboratively with the Store Support team to ensure all communications the Retail Comms team send out are driving the correct behaviour in store.- Proactively respond to feedback to improve communications. - Input to the social media strategy and drive the outputs from this on an ongoing basis to ensure proactive communications can be undertaken via this media. Define and implement social and online forums and be accountable for their success. Show less

• 

  Monster

  Sept 2014 - Mar 2015

  Web Editor | UK & Ireland

  Creative and innovative web editor developing and launching rich and unique site experiences to engage specific audience segments.Leveraging all types of media including the written word, video, photo, audio, etc. Working with cross-functional teams to create a cohesive content strategy, editorial voice, and a super-compelling site UI for target audience. Monitoring user behaviours via analytics tools, and responding to the information by optimising site UI and content in cooperation with internal/external teams including partners both in Europe and around the world. • Content creation including ideation, authoring, assigning, refining and publishing content from posts to tweets to infographics to Video segments to written articles.• Develops and maintains audience editorial calendar.• Keeps up-to-date with best practices in SEO, writing for the web, social media trends, web usability, web design, and business/industry trends.• Works to ensure full coverage of topics and de-confliction of content.• Ensures consistent focus, direction and optimization of content with cross-functional teams; coordinates content creation and publishing with internal and external resources.• Contributes to/updates the company’s social sites and existing apps to promote blog and website awareness.• Helps develop and document procedures to manage web content.• Curates content as it is contributed to the website by external sources. Show less

• 

  Microsoft

  Jul 2015 - May 2017

  GES Regional Planner (EMEA timezone)

  • Daily, weekly and monthly editorial ideation and planning of calendar and topical events • Maintain and update a daily centralised editorial SharePoint, which drives overall operations • Organize and process market requests for slideshows • Write detailed briefs and light boxing of photos (if needed) into SharePoint to aid producers • Own the delivery of slideshows to markets, from idea to delivery • Spot high performing content and surface up to markets • Communicate to markets when plans and content is ready • Attend and contribute to regular sync meeting to update the long term editorial plan • Be the gate keeper for editorial quality for all content GES ships • Gather KPI reports, share insights, seek feedback and develop best practice • Owning the GES operation during the timezone and prepare handover to other regional planners Show less

• 

  HCA Healthcare UK

  Jun 2017 - Apr 2021

  Digital Content Executive

  - Responsible for the production, delivery of all ‘on-site content’ and the ongoing improvement to performance across key user journeys.- Manage a portfolio of changes and new content to the digital estate to support marketing and improve user journeys.- Own the proposition online making sure the creative message is engaging/focused on customer needs.- Ensure all creative and content adheres to agreed brand guidelines plus other legal/regulatory/mandatory standards.- Proactively manage all ‘live’ content and expiry dates.- Support the marketing effort in terms of developing strong user journeys for campaign and digital marketing activity and also own the content for content marketing.- Account manage the trafficking of all content.- Account manage all creative and content for the digital estate through the creative delivery process.- Manage the trafficking process with responsibility for the briefing, creative design, resource allocation, sign off and briefing into the content input team.- Provide regular status reports to provide effective communication to stakeholders.- Improve onsite performance.- Measure and assess ROI to ensure appropriate results are generated- Carry out ongoing testing; learning activity including a/b testing when available. Show less

• 

  MoneyTransfers.com

  May 2021 - Oct 2021

  Senior Content Manager

  Responsible for managing all content created for the business, from online guides, to static landing pages and content campaigns for PR and outreach purposes. Tasked with delivering content which is data-led and creative, engages users and increases revenue across each of our target markets.● Manage the content plan across internal team and external freelance writers ● Develop the content plan with new ideas and expansion to stay ahead of the competition ● Identify gaps in our current content approach and recommend new topics ● Create and update article briefs and style guides for all types of content ● Proofread and edit content - ensuring everything is fit for purpose before publication ● Work with the SEO team using keyword research to help shape the content plan and briefs ● Perform in-depth content analysis to determine the most valuable types of content for increasing revenue● Keeping up-to-date with industry developments and ensure our content is second to none ● Review and update existing content in line with changes to regulations or updates to service ● Manage a team of content writers both internally and externally ● Working with the Senior Digital Marketing Manager to shape the content strategy onsite in order to achieve growth in multiple languages. Show less

• 

  Brittany Ferries

  Dec 2021 - now

  Content Editor in Chief

  Tasked with creating a content centre of excellence to design and deliver all customer-facing content.• Drive and own the content strategy for the group ensuring all operational, commercial andbrand needs are met• Ensure the content strategy is appropriate for all channels including website, on-board kiosk,social media channels, print, future apps etc., and evolves with channel use• Leverage customer and market insight data to drive continuous improvement to all content inline with agreed commercial KPIs• Commission / lead research into content use by competitors and partners to suggest contentopportunities and to find creative solutions to business content needs• Assure all content against the required brand and commercial standards, providingrecommendations and advice on improvements• Set-up effective and efficient governance to maintain the content strategy and standards withusers across the business who have content responsibilities• Set up KPIs to ensure that the content strategy is in line with the company's financial objectives• Design the content production process from ideation, creation, fulfilment, maintenance,optimisation and reporting for all content needs – including operational and marketing• Create delivery plan to meet the content needs of the business in line with the contentstrategy, projects and commercial requests• Manage preferred strategic partner delivery to support all content needs to agreedcontractual requirements and KPIs• Manage stakeholders against the production of content to agreed deadlines and KPIs• Management of the translation / adaptation of content into all required languages • Curation / editing customer user generated content for re-use to meet business content needs• Curation / editing of 3rd party content as required to meet business content needs.• Design / manage the briefing process for content requests into the Content team,including SLAs for different types of content in line with business need Show less