Résumé — Maureen Spurr

Content Editor, Writer and Publishing Professional
Exceptional, hands-on content developer with a proven track record of bringing thought-provoking written perspectives that span a broad spectrum of global industries. Strong, online and offline feature-article writing skills along with the editorial ability to use web-based technologies that increase quality, save time, reduce errors and shorten sales timelines. High-volume content editor and writer with effective collaborative skills among sales, operations, marketing and inventory control teams. Proficient in the development of corporate style guides from initial concept to ensure consistent branding. Proven entrepreneurial strengths with start-ups and turnarounds. A quick industry learner who brings diverse experience that includes software, health and wellness, education, beauty products, animal care and social well-being.

Writing | Editing | Content Development | Proofreading | Copyediting | News Writing | Communications | Journalistic Writing | Publishing | Fiction Writing | Developmental Editing | B2B | B2C | Feature Writing | Blogs | Adobe Creative Suite | Workfront | Daptiv | Microsoft Office Suite | Microsoft Word | Microsoft Excel | PowerPoint | SharePoint | Software | Health and Wellness | Education | Beauty Products | Animal Care | Social Well-Being | Customer Service

EXPERIENCE
PIVOT POINT INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Chicago, IL
2001-Present
$25 million global hair and beauty educational content publisher.

Editorial Manager

Manage editorial team through development and production of educational programs for the cosmetology, esthetics, barbering and nail industries
Oversee writing and editing of programs through multiple media such as textbooks, study guides, teacher support materials, DVDs, CD-ROMs and online learning systems
Work extensively with content developers, SMEs and graphic designers from concept to completion
Write, edit and proofread sales/marketing collateral and create content for social media
Manage workflow, develop and forecast timelines and assign resources; manage budget, reprints and corrections systems
Reduced customer complaints by 25% through the development of a centralized, web-based SharePoint corrections site where publication changes were consistently updated and easily accessible to sales/field teams
Created first company style guide documenting standardized language use for consistency across all published materials; document editorial systems and procedures
Established program tracking system to solve reprint inconsistency issue so students would not end up with mismatched books in the classroom

JACKSON SOFTWARE
Glencoe, IL
1999-2001
Educational computer software and applications developer catering to educators, schools and districts.

Educational Software Sales Associate

Sold educational software to educators, schools and districts
Performed all aspects of inside sales, including lead generation, account service and customer relations
Coordinated software trainings, wrote and edited PR releases and attended trade shows

GOSS COMMUNICATIONS/ARABIAN HORSE EXPRESS
Kenilworth, IL
1994-1997 & 1998-1999 (Two Terms)
Publisher of equine newspaper.

Managing Editor

Led the relaunch of a magazine, including creating a new look and feel, generating new circulation and distribution channels, performing all editorial functions, ad sales and subscriptions
Oversaw and coordinated all phases of national monthly four-color tabloid newspaper with a circulation of approximately 5,000–10,000 per month
Wrote and edited all editorial content and developed editorial calendar
Interviewed industry leaders for feature stories
Conducted ad sales and developed promotions
Managed subscribers, advertisers, freelancers and vendors
Attended and reported on national horse show competitions

ASSOCIATED PUBLICATIONS
Chicago, IL
1997-1998
Publisher of national women’s hair and beauty newsstand magazines.

Assistant Editor

Assisted in editorial and production capacities for three national newsstand magazines: Complete Woman, Sophisticate’s Hairstyle Guide and Sophisticate’s Black Hair (total circulation 250,000)
Wrote a high volume of stories in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment, conducted interviews and organized photo shoots with celebrities
Proofed manuscripts, layouts, bluelines, color proofs and four-color film; obtained photography and releases

CALIFORNIA HORSETRADER
San Diego, CA
1990-1992
Publisher of equine newspaper.

Assistant Editor

Coordinated all editorial content for semi-monthly, 120-page equine newspaper with a circulation of 52,000 per month
Researched, interviewed, wrote and edited all news and feature articles under tight deadlines; secured photography and art

FREELANCE MAGAZINE, ADVERTISING AND WEBSITE WRITING
Screen Magazine Arabian Horse Times Horseplay Insider Travel Fields Automotive

EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts, University of California at San Diego, San Diego, CA
Major: English & Writing

STYLE GUIDES
The Associated Press Stylebook
Chicago Manual of Style

ORGANIZATIONS & INTERESTS

PR & Publicity Board Member on Chicago Screenwriters Network
2000-2007
Toastmasters International
Dale Carnegie coaching
Team collaboration, systems and procedure improvement
Junior Board Member Volunteer for Friends of Chicago Animal Care and Control
2007
Andersonville-Edgewater Neighbors Meetup Group
2012–Present
Built from ground up to 700-plus members; exercised initiative, leadership, interpersonal and networking skills