Colin Gentry | Journalist

COLIN GENTRY

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His style is chaos illumined by flashes of lightning.

Oscar Wilde

About
As a freelance journalist, I have been published in the national press and interviewed some of the biggest stars. Alongside this, I have experience working with global brands in PR and trend-forecasting. I have written about a range of topics from health and relationships to film, sex and travel. Previous articles have included the practicalities of home births (Daily Express) and the growing number of women proposing pre-nups before marriage (Guardian.co.uk, Editor's Pick), as well as interviews with Rufus Wainwright (Attitude) and a look at gastro tourism in Grenada (Evening Standard). As the resident Fitness Expert at Attitude, I have a monthly double-page spread aimed at inspiring readers to be fit, healthly and active. I am responsible for artist interviews at 4Music.com and have interviewed some of the most high-profile acts of the moment, including Justin Bieber, Usher, Taylor Swift, Goldfrapp and Bruno Mars. I also have over a year's experience as a freelance trends analyst for The Future Laboratory, studying consumer behaviours both in the UK and around the world, analysing detailed quantative research and revealing upcoming trends for clients such as Virgin Media, Kodak, STA Travel and T-Mobile. I began my career in the media industry in PR working for GolinHarris, one of the largest international agencies, helpong to coordinate campaigns for Expedia, Orange and Nintendo. In my spare time, I enjoy music, the gym (I'm a qualified gym instructor) and I am currently writing a novel. After time spent working in New York and studying youth culture in California, I am now settled in London and available for commissions and a friendly pint. Feel free to get in touch. Colin

When you write, you lay out a line of words. The line of words is a miner’s pick, a woodcarver’s gouge, a surgeon’s probe. You wield it, and it digs a path you follow. Soon you find yourself deep in new territory.

Anne Dillard

Portfolio

Some examples of my work...

GUARDIAN.CO.UK
ATTITUDE
DAILY EXPRESS
4MUSIC.COM
FUTURE LABORATORY
SHORTLIST
ATTITUDE
BBC NEWS MAGAZINE
ATTITUDE
GAY TIMES
EVENING STANDARD
lady-gaga-bad-romance-official-video-6.jpg
GUARDIAN.CO.UK
ATTITUDE
THE FUTURE LABORATORY
4Music.com

Blog
View my blog...
CV

CV Colin Gentry 01.08.11.pdf

Download my CV here....

ProfileA journalist for national and consumer press with valuable experience working with global brands in both PR and trend-forecasting, I am able to work in pressured environments project-managing teams and supporting clients. Highly personable, I am a self-starter, ambitious and keen to progress within an exciting and challenging company.Career HistoryFreelance Journalist Sept 2008 - ongoing Published in national, regional and consumer titles such as The Guardian, Daily Express, Evening Standard and ShortList, I have written a diverse range of features ranging from health and finance to travel and film.Working for myself has involved excellent administrative and organisational skills, maintaining finances, building enduring relationships with editors and often managing several commissions at once. It has also required dedication and self-motivation, ensuring written work is delivered on time and that it is always of an exceptional standard.Rolling commissions include:• Attitude Fitness Expert, April 2011 - ongoing Responsible for the double-page ‘Workout’ spread, each issue involves a workout based around a particular theme.I was given the opportunity to rework the layout and free reign to decide on the direction the section should take. The result has been the challenge to keep the spread engaging but practical, and with the ultimate aim to inspire readers to get into exercise.I was involved in directing and featuring in the photo-shoot to support the page, and I was responsible for sourcing appropriate props. This required expert knowledge of how to perform a variety of exercises, bringing into play my experience as a qualified gym instructor.• 4Music.com Freelance Music Writer, Aug 2009 - ongoing Solely responsible for conducting artist interviews and writing features since the website’s relaunch, I have provided timely online content that has been instrumental to 4Music.com’s spike in traffic and its plans for further content expansion.Due to the fast turnover required, accuracy and perfect grammar, punctuation and syntax has been paramount. Alongside this, creative flair has been key to maintaining and increasing the website’s unique users as well as representing the 4Music brand.Through being proactive and seeking out opportunities, I have developed excellent industry contacts that has led to me securing online exclusives and helping 4Music.com become a key resource for music interviews and news.Interviewing artists on and off camera and liaising with agents has required professionalism, presentability and the ability to build a quick rapport.Through the creation of a Hit or Miss facility, website users can provide feedback on content, allowing me to evaluate its success and amend where necessary.The Future Laboratory Freelance Trends Analyst, March 2009 - Aug 2010 Project-managing the creation of detailed reports for high-profile consumer brands, I was responsible for research and editorial execution as well as the presentation of initial findings and report structure to the client and the managing of the arts team and assistant trend analysts.I worked on editorial projects commissioned by T-Mobile, Virgin Media, STA Travel, Kodak, Ikea and Orange. Detailed reports were written forecasting future trends affecting the brand and their consumer base, and were distributed in-house and to media.Reports were written with an awareness of the client’s brief and key messaging, The Future Laboratory’s house style and the need to be compelling to a wide audience. With this in mind, the tone and style was authoritative without alienating those unfamiliar with the technical aspects being explored.The presentation of the research findings and project structure were made to the client in person. This necessitated professionalism and a strong grasp of the project in order to engage and advise the client, and respond to any questions confidently.To facilitate the projects, I also led brainstorms at The Future Laboratory with other trend analysts and assistants. In addition, I created an appropriate brief for the art team and liaised with them on each project to ensure illustrations were cohesive with the editorial content.The projects adhered to a strict timeline in order for client review at key stages and the finished report to be distributed to coincide with brand PR campaigns. This required excellent time management, multi-tasking and the coordinating of others to bring each project to completion on time, on budget and to the extremely high standard expected.GolinHarris Public Relations Account Executive, London, Jan 2007 - Sept 2008 Working with brands such as Expedia.co.uk, Orange and Wrigley’s, I helped to develop and implement campaigns to generate media coverage in print, broadcast and online.I was responsible for the planning and execution of PR campaigns, bringing creative thinking and brand strategy together in order to produce high impact and targeted media coverage. I also then evaluated these campaigns by their ROI and whether the KPI’s were accomplished.I secured a transfer to the New York office to work on Nintendo by delivering a creative presentation to the managing directors, competing against fifty other staff from AE to AD.Single-handedly coordinating press attendance and managing the itinerary for Seoul Fashion Week 2009 with one week’s notice, I secured coverage in titles such as Vogue and a six-page spread in i-D magazine.Other work involved liaising with advertorial teams and proofing and editing work with client feedback, ensuring all copy met brand guidelines.EducationKing’s College London - 2:1 in BA American Studies, 2002 - 2006 inc. University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) - GPA. 3.8/4.0, 2004 - 2005 A multidisciplinary degree with modules covering literature, history, arts, media and culture. The degree involved a year studying abroad with modules including Youth Psychology.Yeovil College Somerset, 2000 - 2002 A-Levels: English Literature (A), History (A), Psychology (A) and Law (B)Bucklers Mead School Somerset, 1995 - 2000 GCSEs: 4 A*s, 5 As, and 3 BsSkillsProficient on both Windows and Mac office tools as well as Photoshop, audio and video software. I have basic HTML, Quark and InDesign experience.REPs Level 2 Gym Instructor QualificationInterestsPassionate about health and fitness, I attend the gym six days a week. I am also a member of the London Orcas water-polo team, playing 1-2 times a week, participate in yoga regularly, and have just taken up boxing lessons.ReferencesAvailable on request

Writing is an adventure. To begin with, it is a toy and an amusement. Then it becomes a mistress, then it becomes a master, then it becomes a tyrant. The last phase is that just as you are about to be reconciled to your servitude, you kill the monster and fling him to the public.

Winston Churchill

Contact

Words slide into the slots ordained by syntax, and glitter as with atmospheric dust with those impurities which we call meaning.

Anthony Burgess

18 Tradescant Road, Vauxhall, London, SW8 1XE

07870 355 579

email_colin-gentry.com

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