G L E N N B U R N S I L V E R
Education: Bachelor of Arts, Communications, Journalism emphasis; California State University, Chico 1984.
Employment history:
JOURNALISM:
Features Editor, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Fairbanks, AK December 2008-July 2011
Daily editorial duties included development of timely, useful and memorable content commensurate with News-Miner style and brand, assigning stories to features staff, editorial staff and an eclectic array of freelance writers, composing feature articles — including occasional coverage for daily editions, editing copy in AP style, and proofing finished pages spread over several newspaper sections including Latitude 65 (weekend arts and entertainment pullout), Food and Sundays (Alaska-specific section).
Coverage included all musical forms (rock, jazz, blues, world, acoustic, etc.), performing arts (stage, dance, opera, etc.), art, museums, nature, lectures, food, and some sports-related events, plus an extensive arts/entertainment weekly calendar.
Articles ranged from 1,500-plus word features to paragraph-long snippets, with most somewhere in between. Interviews were done on the phone, in person, via e-mail and once by letter and the postal service, and have even included the use of translators. Interviewees (among the hundreds) include members of Wilco, Pearl Jam, Velvet Revolver, Pixies, Portugal. The Man, Bob Weir, Chuchito Valdez, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Wayne Kramer of MC5, Christopher O’Riely, magicians, painters, performance artists, storytellers, Bigfoot truck drivers, My Little Pony and Sesame Street characters and even Peter Pan.
Working in a fast-paced environment against tight daily deadlines but with detailed editorial oversight, this position also involved securing appropriate rights and permissions for content usage, mentoring and development of young writers and interns, managing features writers, freelancers and columnists, creation of job aids and guidelines for writers, management of and posting (images and text using HTML where applicable) on daily entertainment blog, “Tweeting” article and blog teasers, collaborating with graphic artists and designers on layout and artwork usage, organizing detailed planning sessions with managing editors and other department heads concerning in-house collaborations on content, style and branding, and tightly adhering to weekly and monthly budgets.
Position included use of numerous computer (Mac and PC) and software platforms, including but not limited to MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Messenger, Adobe, InDesign, Outlook, Skype, internet/intranet management tools, and most search engines. Additionally, position utilized numerous social media sites for content gathering as well as News-Miner and sectional promotion and branding.
Owner and facilitator BurnSilver.com January 2011-present
Created and developed a respected brand though the management of timely and exclusive content for personal website chronicling Phoenix-area arts and entertainment scene, including artist interviews, music and concert reviews, industry news and relevant items of interest. Personal information pages and messaging platforms are also included. Content is meticulously gathered — with appropriate permission rights secured — edited and proofed. Postings include text, images, videos and HTML links as well as SEO tags, multiple category usage, keyword usage and messaging. Posts are teased and linked through Twitter and Facebook. Also organize and manage content libraries and resources for text and images for subsequent use.
Entertainment Editor, Loveland Daily Reporter Herald, Loveland, CO September 2007-May 2008
Reengineered and redesigned weekly entertainment section of 110-year-old daily community newspaper. Developed and organized all content for GO, while continually taking measures to enhance and improve section status and brand, both editorially and visually. Writing duties included music, theater, dance and art features, along with artist previews, album reviews, weekly top picks and an expansive entertainment calendar. Averaged 8-14 articles of varying length per week, plus occasional features for daily editions. Editorial duties included securing appropriate content permissions, maintaining weekly and monthly budgets, assigning story ideas among staff writers and diverse palate of freelancers, retrieving content from wire services, coordinating layout and artwork with graphic artists, editing all text for publication and proofing finished pages.
Entertainment Editor, Fort Collins Weekly, Fort Collins, CO January 2003-January 2006
Developed, designed and organized all editorial content for entertainment section of start-up weekly news publication. Continued to innovate for the section and strengthen brand, developing additional content, section ideas and features as publication steadily grew. Writing duties averaged 5-10 articles per week, including music features, artist previews, album and concert reviews, entertainment calendar and movie listings and restaurant guide. Also assigned and coordinated story ideas with specialty freelance authors and multiple interns, edited all text for publication — news and entertainment — and proofed finished pages. Maintained weekly and monthly budgets.
Contributing Editor July 1985-Present
Generate story ideas, research, develop, edit and produce unique original articles for various publications including: Relix*, Brew Your Own*, Jambands.com*, Phoenix New Times*, USA Today, The Delta Wind, World News Network, Alaska Daily News, Alaska Press, Contra Costa Times, Rocky Mountain Sports, Westword, News Tribune, Newsday, American Songwriter, Metro Sports NY, NextNC, Greeley Tribune, Fort Collins Now, Musico Pro, Dallas Observer, Metro Sports DC, St. Louis Riverfront Times, Poudre Magazine, Skiing, Soundboard, Worldzootoday.com, At Home, Spectrum, InMusicWeTrust.com, Twin Cities Sports, New England Sports, Alaska Railroad News, Windy City Sports and The Scene. *Currently contributing to these publications on a regular basis.
Contributing Editor, ILRI, Nairobi, Kenya January-September 2000
Developed detail-oriented content for the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) news journal and website including profiles of research scientists and local conservationists, as well as events reflecting ILRI’s involvement in scientific collaborative efforts throughout East Africa. Wrote for ILRI while partner carried out dissertation research in Kenya.
Contributing Editor, Boulder Planet, Boulder, CO April 1997-February 1999
On a weekly basis contributed articles pertaining to music (artist interviews and concert previews), adventure sports (white-water rafting, winter and summer skiing, outdoor product reviews), travel (Mexico, Guatemala, Turkey and regional destinations), literature (book reviews) and nostalgia (Boulder’s resurgence of old cruiser bicycles). Averaged two to five articles per issue.
Music Editor, Plush Magazine, Boulder, CO October 1996-August 1997
Organized, edited, reviewed and produced exclusive editorial content for music-related sections of sport-specific magazine and website, including artist interviews, album and live concert reviews. Managed a monthly budget and recruited freelance photographers and writers.
JOURNALISM AWARDS:
First Place, Best Long Feature Story, “Polar Bear Tourism Booms on Alaska’s North Slope,” Society of Professional Journalists, Pacific Northwest, Excellence in Journalism Competition, Daily Newspapers, Circulation 25,000 or less, 2009.
First Place, Latitude 65 “Best Section,” Society of Professional Journalists, Pacific Northwest, Excellence in Journalism Competition, Daily Newspapers, Circulation 25,000 or less, 2009.
Fellowship: National Endowment for the Arts/Columbia School of Journalism Institute for Classical Music and Opera, Oct. 2010
Third Place, Best Long Feature Story, “Glass Menagerie: Czech Glass Artist Sculpts His Dreams,” Alaska Press Club 2010 Journalism Competition, Large Newspapers and Publications, 2010.
PUBLICITY:
Independent Publicist June 2006-present
Independently contracted with publicists (Madison House Publicity), bands, festivals (Newhoma Music and Mountain Festival) and gallery owners (PosterScene, Rock Candy, Walnut Street) to develop and generate timely and original detail-oriented content and public relations copy for use in the promotion, branding and marketing of artists and events. This includes development of biographies, press packages and exclusive web content, along with AP style editing of existing copy and promotional materials.
Publicist, Hodi’s Half Note, Fort Collins, CO February-September 2007
Worked to establish the Hodi’s Half Note brand among Northern Colorado residents, touring bands and regional media. Developed exclusive web content detailing venue, touring artists, club history and brand. Through weekly calendar e-mail updates and timely press releases on individual artists and events, generated news stories, calendar listings and general club recognition in local media outlets — radio, newspapers and magazines. Secured content permission rights for online content and external media usage. Working with artist representatives, facilitated media requests such as artist interviews, photos or show/review tickets. Also developed and implemented promotional branding and marketing concepts such as ticket giveaways, in-store and live radio performances, artist meet-and-greets, and other media functions.
Publicist and Staff Writer, What Are Records?, Boulder, CO April-September 2001
Developed and implemented promotional marketing and branding concepts, wrote press releases and associated copy, (e.g. band biographies, on-line content and tour snipes) for a diverse array of artists. Additional duties included detailed editorial oversight (proofreading and editing) of all marketing and sales copy slated for subsequent distribution, ensuring quality and accuracy relative to WAR’s branding and marketing efforts.
Publicist, Ariel Publicity, Boulder, CO October 1998-August 1999
Through media outlet connenctions — radio, newspapers and magazines — generated artist recognition, branding, marketability and publicity by securing and implementing interviews, album reviews, pre-tour promotions and radio airplay.
College Marketing Rep., Big Pop Records, Philadelphia, PA March 1994-January 1995
Helped generate airplay and develop on-air promotions and giveaways for “breaking” label artists via college radio for a 10-state region of the Rocky Mountains and Midwest while also developing brand and name recognition for label. Worked as point man for “Mexico 70” fall 1994 U.S. tour and organized band travel logistics, in-store promotions, interviews, live broadcasts and fan meet and greets.
OTHER RELEVANT EXPERIENCE:
Owner and Co-Founder, CD Cellar, Boulder, CO November 1991-October 1993
With strong interpersonal skills and quality customer care a top priority, operated a full-service music store. Handled all aspects of promotion, advertising, branding, marketing, sales, employee training and supervision as well as organizing artist in-store promotions and displays while keeping abreast of the latest musical trends and talents.