RESUME
2007 to Present : Freelance Writing & Photography
Author of “Mixing New Orleans, Cocktails & Legends” (July 2007) and “The Hotel Monteleone, the Heart of New Orleans Since 1886” (January 2011)
Editorial Director at Vices 2016 - 2019: Responsible for producing a 50 page, small-format magazine for a luxury subscription box brand every month, as well as all company newsletters, blogs, digital advertising copy, and the social media strategy for the company.
Freelance Editorial Contributor to: National Geographic, Southern Living, BBC Travel, Imbibe, Trip Advisor, Fodor’s Travel, Hemispheres and Rhapsody for United Airlines, Architectural Digest, Dwell, Condé Nast Traveler, National Geographic Traveler, Afar, Budget Travel, Celebrated Living and American Way and Nexos for American Airlines, Bloomberg Travel, Garden & Gun, Yahoo Travel, Travel & Leisure, Robb Report, Coastal Living, Arrive, Where New Orleans, Where New York, Food Republic, Food & Wine, Surface, Men’s Journal, DRAFT, Private Clubs, Time Out NY, Outside, NUVO, Black Card, Hook & Barrel, Sierra, Adore New Orleans, and Paste
Miami Herald monthly bar columnist/photographer for travel section 2008 - 2015
Creator of Buddha Drinks Fanta - a humor travel blog about personal triumphs and frequent mishaps
Represented as an artist in photography, by Where Y’Art Gallery of New Orleans
Current Photography Exhibitions at: The Old 77 Hotel & Chandlery (New Orleans), Cafe Carmo (New Orleans), and Where Y’Art Gallery (New Orleans)
Project photographer for: Herradura Tequila, Mount Gay Rum, Lucas Bols, Cointreau, Ruffino Prosecco, The Wayland cocktail bar, Afar magazine, Hemispheres and Rhapsody, National Geographic Traveler, Robb Report, Robb Vices, Travel & Leisure, Garden & Gun, Miami Herald, Imbibe Magazine, Yahoo Travel, Rachel Harrison Communications, Hanna Lee Communications and Andaz Hotels
2010 to 2013 Project Writer, Expresiones del Corazon Tequila
Produced copy for the launch of a luxury tequila brand including the entire web site, staff bios, written histories of the brand, marketing slogans, press releases and copy for the labels on bottles. This project included multiple trips to Mexico, as well as independent study of agave and spirits distillation
2007-2009 Edibles & Elixirs Editor, Portico magazine
Researched, pitched and wrote monthly food and beverage features. Attended bi-monthly staff meetings and attended local and regional food and beverage events for publication
2004-2007 Associate Editor, Nightclub & Bar magazine
Progressed from staff writer to editor, assuming responsibility for editing and copy flow, multiple feature stories and the cover story each issue. Produced over 36 issues of the publication and authored 27 of the cover stories.
Maintained contacts with extensive international network of bar and restaurant operators, photographers, marketing and public relations firms. Planned and represented the magazine at annual tradeshows in Las Vegas and Atlantic City
Education: 1998-2002 College of Charleston – Charleston, South Carolina
B.A. Corporate Communications & Eastern Religious Studies
REFERENCES:
Ellen Carpenter
Editor-in-Chief, Hemispheres magazine
ellen.carpenter@ink-global.com
JOHN GAKURU
Founder/CEO Naivasha Coffee