Sunday, January 29, 2006
Current Resume
John Friesen
#206 - 525 Wheelhouse Square, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4L8
Phone: 604.687.5875 Cell:604.812.1332
Send e-mail to: jffriesen@shaw.ca
Professional Summary
I am an award-winning corporate and marketing communications professional, with Gold & Silver RSVP Awards and a Gold Lotus award to my credit. I have an excellent record of success in creating strategies and carrying out direct response marketing campaigns for fund raisers, business-to-business lead generation and business-to-consumer sales.
I have worked directly with clients of all types and sizes, and have worked on projects and on contract with direct marketing and general advertising agencies. I have planned and carried out successful fund raising programs for hospitals, educational institutions and others.
Great communications, marketing and advertising program don’t get done in complete isolation; therefore, I have developed team-working skills that serve me well either as a team member, or a leader.
Earlier in my career, I helped found the B.C. Direct Marketing Association and, later, the Vancouver Electronic Publishing Association.
I have strong teaching and presentation skills which I have used in presenting workshops to corporate clients, for giving talks at business functions and in teaching classes for the Writing and Publishing Center, Simon Fraser University, Downtown Campus (where I consistently get top ratings by students for content and presentation).
Before specializing in marketing communications, I enjoyed a successful career in journalism and corporate communications. I wrote and produced newsletters, brochures and promotional materials for high-level corporate clients and was sought after to edit and write for national and regional business and consumer publications, including the Financial Post.
As a scriptwriter, I have co-written a television drama which for broadcast on Canadian television and have helped create successful television and radio commercials, as well as multimedia and trade show presentations. I still work on my own script projects.
I have a BA in English from the University of British Columbia, with post-graduate studies in science at Simon Fraser University. Though by no means a hacker, I have been involved with personal computing since the 1980s. Like many writers, I have wide-ranging interests – from blacksmithing, to European history, to quantum mechanics and, of course, response marketing.
MARKETING & DIRECT RESPONSE
Globalcom Solutions During a 7-month contract, created websites, mini-sites, banner ads, Google ads, and email programs for this business which operates 100% online. Created banner ads with very high click-through rates.
Sierra Systems Contracted for three years to handle overflow writing on collateral for their marketing department and website.
Group Telecom For three years was their writer of choice for direct mail, collateral, presentations and web pages.
Telus Mobility Created direct mail programmes and provided customer communications for renewal programs, newsletters, bill inserts, dealer bulletins, and market development.
BFS Brought in on a 6-month contract to handle direct marketing and collateral overflow at Bryant, Fulton & Shee, and continued working on freelance projects after that. Helped win two RSVP Awards (for HSBC and Rocky Mountaineer Railtours).
Western Shores Worked on retainer as creative director for three years, while continuing to serve other clients. Handled projects from initial consultation and strategic planning, to production of final art. Worked with in-house and outside designers and writers, and co-ordinated with production and account managers. Clients included fund raising, business-to-business and retail accounts, such as Lions Gate Hospital, BC Lung Association, BC Tourism, UNIGLOBE Travel, Beachcomber Spas, Westel, and Future Shop.
Highlights
Lions Gate Hospital — Direct mail programs brought in $400,000 to $500,000 each year.
Campaign for Palliative Care helped bring in $1.5 million.
Uniglobe Travel – Created a campaign that brought in over 600 mail-in responses in just one week, plus numerous phone-in responses to specific agencies.
Future Shop - Catalogues and specific event promotions have produced excellent results. One campaign resulted in a full-house at an "Invitation Only" after-hours sale.
Beachcomber Hot Tubs – Planned and implemented a marketing program that increased revenues from $12 million annually to over $26 million in just 18 months.
FRIESEN MITCHELL/
DIRECT MAIL STORE
I was a Principal in two direct marketing consulting firms, which both offered complete direct response consulting and creative services.
HIGHLIGHTS
BC Tel - Created a mailing program for BC Tel's long distance Calling Cards. Responses reached nearly 23%, the highest ever for this product.
BC Tel Mobility - Their Cellular Message Centre services needed a boost. A lively, but simple billing insert did the job, with over 5,000 new trial accounts(a best ever for this product.
Widman's - Helped launch a highly regarded monthly newsletter, Widman's World Wood, with a mail and fax program that brought in over $200,000 in subscription revenues in just three months.
Other Clients - Prism Systems, Midland Walwyn, BCAA, Canada Post, United Way, Park Insurance, GIS Conference, Sun MicroSystems, Zenith Graphics, the PacRim Computer Show, BTE Supply.
BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS
Over twenty years experience editing, designing, writing and producing newsletters, brochures and promotional materials for a variety of corporate clients. I have also written speeches and produced media relations materials such as press kits and press releases.
Voice Mobility Employed full-time from May 2000 to September 2001 as Marketing Communications Manager. Responsible for a wide range of internal and external communications, including: press releases; corporate manuals; brochures; promotional CD-ROM; website, and other marketing materials. Continued to work on direct marketing projects for them after leaving, including a successful foot-in-the-door teaser campaign, and an email/internet lead generation program that won the 2002 Lotus Award for best eMail Marketing Campaign.
Group Telecom Was contracted for three years as lead writer on all collateral, multimedia and website projects for Canada’s largest independent telecommunications provider.
Microtel Produced two successful marketing newsletters, spotlighting the telecommunications network products of Microtel, the former R&D arm of BC Tel.
AIBC Wrote, designed and produced the Architectural Institute of BC monthly newsletter, helping to revive membership participation in the Institute.
Other Clients Arrow Transportation, Seaboard Life, SAL Marketing, GIS 92-93-94, Royal LePage, Loomis Courier.
JOURNALISM
I began writing as a journalist in the 1980s and freelanced successfully for nearly 10 years before exclusively pursuing direct response and business communications. I specialized in business journalism, both as a writer and editor. I continue to write occasionally on direct response for trade publications.
Writer Was much sought after for my ability to make difficult information (Corporate Law reform, desktop computing, direct marketing) understandable to ordinary people.
My work has appeared in: BC Business, Financial Post, Business in Vancouver and others. I've also written for consumer publications such as Vancouver Magazine, Canadian Geographic, Vancouver Times, Plus Magazine, West Side Week.
Editor As editor on a number of trade publications, I was responsible for pulling together the efforts of staff and freelance writers, sub- and section editors, graphic artists, photographers, typesetters, printers(even the publisher( and imprinting an editorial stance and a style on all of them.
One key client was Western Trucking, a paid circulation trade magazine targeting all aspects of the trucking market. This was likely the most glamorous magazine ever published in the Canadian trucking industry. As editor for two years, I successfully blended consumer and trade magazine formats.
Also edited a variety of other magazines, including: Playback, Vancouver's Business Report, Madison's Canadian Lumber Reporter, BC Sports Magazine and the BCDMA’s Direct Responder newsletter.
Columnist Journal of Logging and Sawmilling (lumber markets), West Side Week (car reviews). The Journal of Logging was distributed internationally. My column ran for 7 years and was consistently at the top of the 'best read' list in reader polls.
Occasionally contributed columns on Direct Marketing for Blitz magazine and for Canadian Direct Marketing News.
OTHER WRITING AND PRODUCTION
Technical Manuals and marketing materials for Microtel, Prism Systems, Dept. of Oceans and Sciences, H.A. Simons, Novax and others. I specialized in making even the most dense material easy to understand.
Scripts Madison High episode (Can-West Global Broadcasting), various radio ads, and trade show multi-media presentations.
Production Besides creative, I have often been responsible for project management and for preparing a wide variety of materials for print. I’m a reasonably adept user of Word, and am familiar with PowerPoint, Excel, PageMaker, CorelDraw and QuarkXpress. I have a fleeting acquaintance with other spreadsheet and database programs and also have some experience in creating simple web pages that include text, graphics, clickable image maps and audio files.
PRESENTATIONS, TEACHING & OTHER SKILLS
SFU (Downtown) Currently teach a direct response copy writing course for the Writing and Publishing Program at Simon Fraser University Downtown, covering all the basics. I’ve also taken SFU’s workshop for trainers.
BCIT (Downtown) Presentation on direct marketing creative.
Canada Post: Regular presentations on direct mail basics at client seminars aimed at boosting direct mail business for Canada Post.
Board of Trade Featured presentations on direct marketing creative for their Manager's Toolbox.
Advertising Show Featured presentation on Database Marketing.
Other skills Familiar with a variety of PC software programs such as MSWord, Excel, Access, PageMaker, QuarkXpress, CorelDraw and others. Have a fair understanding of blogging, RSS, SEO and online advertising and their applicability to response marketing.
TESTIMONIALS
“His professionalism and outstanding writing skills helped me create a hugely successful direct mail program at Beachcomber Hot Tubs (I was the VP of Marketing) which took our business from $12M to $26M in under 18 months.” – Mike Desjardins, ViRTUS
“The work you did on the B2B direct mail promotion for our high-speed xDSL Internet service exceeded our expectation: You’ve given Group Telecom the strongest message out there in what is a highly competitive market – and you turned it around overnight! – Leanne Carkner, Group Telecom
"We have been very pleased with the quality of John Friesen's submissions. John is an excellent writer, resourceful, and a quick study of new and complex concepts. He adds value to every assignment by providing keen insight into the subjects. John has conducted himself with professionalism and consistently has met established deadlines. – Andrea Petryk, Sierra Systems
#206 - 525 Wheelhouse Square, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4L8
Phone: 604.687.5875 Cell:604.812.1332
Send e-mail to: jffriesen@shaw.ca
Professional Summary
I am an award-winning corporate and marketing communications professional, with Gold & Silver RSVP Awards and a Gold Lotus award to my credit. I have an excellent record of success in creating strategies and carrying out direct response marketing campaigns for fund raisers, business-to-business lead generation and business-to-consumer sales.
I have worked directly with clients of all types and sizes, and have worked on projects and on contract with direct marketing and general advertising agencies. I have planned and carried out successful fund raising programs for hospitals, educational institutions and others.
Great communications, marketing and advertising program don’t get done in complete isolation; therefore, I have developed team-working skills that serve me well either as a team member, or a leader.
Earlier in my career, I helped found the B.C. Direct Marketing Association and, later, the Vancouver Electronic Publishing Association.
I have strong teaching and presentation skills which I have used in presenting workshops to corporate clients, for giving talks at business functions and in teaching classes for the Writing and Publishing Center, Simon Fraser University, Downtown Campus (where I consistently get top ratings by students for content and presentation).
Before specializing in marketing communications, I enjoyed a successful career in journalism and corporate communications. I wrote and produced newsletters, brochures and promotional materials for high-level corporate clients and was sought after to edit and write for national and regional business and consumer publications, including the Financial Post.
As a scriptwriter, I have co-written a television drama which for broadcast on Canadian television and have helped create successful television and radio commercials, as well as multimedia and trade show presentations. I still work on my own script projects.
I have a BA in English from the University of British Columbia, with post-graduate studies in science at Simon Fraser University. Though by no means a hacker, I have been involved with personal computing since the 1980s. Like many writers, I have wide-ranging interests – from blacksmithing, to European history, to quantum mechanics and, of course, response marketing.
MARKETING & DIRECT RESPONSE
Globalcom Solutions During a 7-month contract, created websites, mini-sites, banner ads, Google ads, and email programs for this business which operates 100% online. Created banner ads with very high click-through rates.
Sierra Systems Contracted for three years to handle overflow writing on collateral for their marketing department and website.
Group Telecom For three years was their writer of choice for direct mail, collateral, presentations and web pages.
Telus Mobility Created direct mail programmes and provided customer communications for renewal programs, newsletters, bill inserts, dealer bulletins, and market development.
BFS Brought in on a 6-month contract to handle direct marketing and collateral overflow at Bryant, Fulton & Shee, and continued working on freelance projects after that. Helped win two RSVP Awards (for HSBC and Rocky Mountaineer Railtours).
Western Shores Worked on retainer as creative director for three years, while continuing to serve other clients. Handled projects from initial consultation and strategic planning, to production of final art. Worked with in-house and outside designers and writers, and co-ordinated with production and account managers. Clients included fund raising, business-to-business and retail accounts, such as Lions Gate Hospital, BC Lung Association, BC Tourism, UNIGLOBE Travel, Beachcomber Spas, Westel, and Future Shop.
Highlights
Lions Gate Hospital — Direct mail programs brought in $400,000 to $500,000 each year.
Campaign for Palliative Care helped bring in $1.5 million.
Uniglobe Travel – Created a campaign that brought in over 600 mail-in responses in just one week, plus numerous phone-in responses to specific agencies.
Future Shop - Catalogues and specific event promotions have produced excellent results. One campaign resulted in a full-house at an "Invitation Only" after-hours sale.
Beachcomber Hot Tubs – Planned and implemented a marketing program that increased revenues from $12 million annually to over $26 million in just 18 months.
FRIESEN MITCHELL/
DIRECT MAIL STORE
I was a Principal in two direct marketing consulting firms, which both offered complete direct response consulting and creative services.
HIGHLIGHTS
BC Tel - Created a mailing program for BC Tel's long distance Calling Cards. Responses reached nearly 23%, the highest ever for this product.
BC Tel Mobility - Their Cellular Message Centre services needed a boost. A lively, but simple billing insert did the job, with over 5,000 new trial accounts(a best ever for this product.
Widman's - Helped launch a highly regarded monthly newsletter, Widman's World Wood, with a mail and fax program that brought in over $200,000 in subscription revenues in just three months.
Other Clients - Prism Systems, Midland Walwyn, BCAA, Canada Post, United Way, Park Insurance, GIS Conference, Sun MicroSystems, Zenith Graphics, the PacRim Computer Show, BTE Supply.
BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS
Over twenty years experience editing, designing, writing and producing newsletters, brochures and promotional materials for a variety of corporate clients. I have also written speeches and produced media relations materials such as press kits and press releases.
Voice Mobility Employed full-time from May 2000 to September 2001 as Marketing Communications Manager. Responsible for a wide range of internal and external communications, including: press releases; corporate manuals; brochures; promotional CD-ROM; website, and other marketing materials. Continued to work on direct marketing projects for them after leaving, including a successful foot-in-the-door teaser campaign, and an email/internet lead generation program that won the 2002 Lotus Award for best eMail Marketing Campaign.
Group Telecom Was contracted for three years as lead writer on all collateral, multimedia and website projects for Canada’s largest independent telecommunications provider.
Microtel Produced two successful marketing newsletters, spotlighting the telecommunications network products of Microtel, the former R&D arm of BC Tel.
AIBC Wrote, designed and produced the Architectural Institute of BC monthly newsletter, helping to revive membership participation in the Institute.
Other Clients Arrow Transportation, Seaboard Life, SAL Marketing, GIS 92-93-94, Royal LePage, Loomis Courier.
JOURNALISM
I began writing as a journalist in the 1980s and freelanced successfully for nearly 10 years before exclusively pursuing direct response and business communications. I specialized in business journalism, both as a writer and editor. I continue to write occasionally on direct response for trade publications.
Writer Was much sought after for my ability to make difficult information (Corporate Law reform, desktop computing, direct marketing) understandable to ordinary people.
My work has appeared in: BC Business, Financial Post, Business in Vancouver and others. I've also written for consumer publications such as Vancouver Magazine, Canadian Geographic, Vancouver Times, Plus Magazine, West Side Week.
Editor As editor on a number of trade publications, I was responsible for pulling together the efforts of staff and freelance writers, sub- and section editors, graphic artists, photographers, typesetters, printers(even the publisher( and imprinting an editorial stance and a style on all of them.
One key client was Western Trucking, a paid circulation trade magazine targeting all aspects of the trucking market. This was likely the most glamorous magazine ever published in the Canadian trucking industry. As editor for two years, I successfully blended consumer and trade magazine formats.
Also edited a variety of other magazines, including: Playback, Vancouver's Business Report, Madison's Canadian Lumber Reporter, BC Sports Magazine and the BCDMA’s Direct Responder newsletter.
Columnist Journal of Logging and Sawmilling (lumber markets), West Side Week (car reviews). The Journal of Logging was distributed internationally. My column ran for 7 years and was consistently at the top of the 'best read' list in reader polls.
Occasionally contributed columns on Direct Marketing for Blitz magazine and for Canadian Direct Marketing News.
OTHER WRITING AND PRODUCTION
Technical Manuals and marketing materials for Microtel, Prism Systems, Dept. of Oceans and Sciences, H.A. Simons, Novax and others. I specialized in making even the most dense material easy to understand.
Scripts Madison High episode (Can-West Global Broadcasting), various radio ads, and trade show multi-media presentations.
Production Besides creative, I have often been responsible for project management and for preparing a wide variety of materials for print. I’m a reasonably adept user of Word, and am familiar with PowerPoint, Excel, PageMaker, CorelDraw and QuarkXpress. I have a fleeting acquaintance with other spreadsheet and database programs and also have some experience in creating simple web pages that include text, graphics, clickable image maps and audio files.
PRESENTATIONS, TEACHING & OTHER SKILLS
SFU (Downtown) Currently teach a direct response copy writing course for the Writing and Publishing Program at Simon Fraser University Downtown, covering all the basics. I’ve also taken SFU’s workshop for trainers.
BCIT (Downtown) Presentation on direct marketing creative.
Canada Post: Regular presentations on direct mail basics at client seminars aimed at boosting direct mail business for Canada Post.
Board of Trade Featured presentations on direct marketing creative for their Manager's Toolbox.
Advertising Show Featured presentation on Database Marketing.
Other skills Familiar with a variety of PC software programs such as MSWord, Excel, Access, PageMaker, QuarkXpress, CorelDraw and others. Have a fair understanding of blogging, RSS, SEO and online advertising and their applicability to response marketing.
TESTIMONIALS
“His professionalism and outstanding writing skills helped me create a hugely successful direct mail program at Beachcomber Hot Tubs (I was the VP of Marketing) which took our business from $12M to $26M in under 18 months.” – Mike Desjardins, ViRTUS
“The work you did on the B2B direct mail promotion for our high-speed xDSL Internet service exceeded our expectation: You’ve given Group Telecom the strongest message out there in what is a highly competitive market – and you turned it around overnight! – Leanne Carkner, Group Telecom
"We have been very pleased with the quality of John Friesen's submissions. John is an excellent writer, resourceful, and a quick study of new and complex concepts. He adds value to every assignment by providing keen insight into the subjects. John has conducted himself with professionalism and consistently has met established deadlines. – Andrea Petryk, Sierra Systems
