Jeffrey Crites

Employment Snapshot#1

Director, N. America/Community Manager:  Fellowforce.com     (July 2007 - May 2008)

Fellowforce.com is an Open Innovation platform headquartered in Amsterdam.  As Director, N. America and Community Manager, my contributions includee PR, online marketing (including social media marketing), Editorial, and consulting on ways to improve the platform and user/community experience.   

Fellowforce enables businesses and organizations to tap innovative ideas from employees, consumers and clients.  Trends like crowdsourcing, co-creation and open innovation are a major part of Web 2.0, and Fellowforce is on the leading edge of the fast evolving digital age we're in. I've been following these trends for some time, (blogged about it) and Fellowforce was a natural fit.    

A press release I created, announcing the launch of an Innovation Box 'button' that enables consumer generated ideas is linked here:  http://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/08/prweb550058.htm. 

Employment Snapshot#2

April 2004 - June 2007: 

Operations Director/News Anchor, Bill Bennett's Morning in America (Salem Radio Network)

Hired as a troubleshooting consultant five days before the launch of this nationally syndicated radio show, I was asked to come on board full time two days later.

I handled technical and operational aspects of the show, and was an integral part of the on-air team, anchoring news headlines, offering opinion and analysis on a variety of topics - Business, Economy and Technology my speciality - and along with the show's producer, covered for the host on occasion.  Responsibilities included:  helping produce the show, website/web community management (Bennettmornings.com), online marketing, copywriting, sales facilitation and audio production.    

Highlight:  I produced a CD that sold thousands of copies:  Bill Bennett's Morning in America,  Remembering President Ronald Reagan, a richly mixed compilation of interviews, reflections and caller sentiments from the week after Reagan's death.

Employment Snapshot#3

Feb  06 - Aug 06

Podcast Producer:  www.TCSDaily.com (for www.TownHall.com, a Salem Web Network project)

I was hired to design and produce a weekly podcast for TCSDaily.com called What's The Big Idea. 

I created an audio framework for the half hour production, which featured interviews with a technology slant.  After recording host and guest sessions, I edited for content, length and quality; added my voiceover, along with music beds and creative effects.  The final podcast mix would then be upload via FTP to TownHall.com.  This continued until TCSDaily changed ownership and the TownHall partnership ended. 

Employment Snapshot#4

Nov. 2003 - Sep. 2005  and June 1998 - Feb. 2000

Anchor/Editor/Producer, SRN News   (Salem Radio Network)

SRN News delivers news to some 1100 affiliates.  Working full-time in the late 90s, part-time later, my  duties included:  1) News Anchoring -writing and delivering one four-minute and two one-minute newscasts each hour 2)  Desk Editing & Producing - scanning news wires/internet sources and screening freelance stringer pitches for worthy content;  editing sound actualities and writing brief and smart wraps around them for use by anchors;  researching, writing and recording news 'voicers', 'wraps' and Business Briefs.  Business, economic and technology related news was my special focus and passion. 

This was a fast-paced, deadline oriented and information intensive environment ... one I thrived in ... requiring sound judgement, top notch writing skills and a hyper ability to multi-task.   

Employment Snapshot#5

April '01 - November '03

Operations Manager/Program Director - Salem Satellite Media (partnership between XM Satellite Radio and Salem)

When handed the keys to this project in April 2001, Salem was six months behind schedule.  Using one borrowed studio as a control hub (dedicated facilities came later), we created and programmed a 'virtual' radio cluster, ready in time for XM's launch on September 12, 2001.  This was no small feat.  Much of our equipment arrived last minute.  It took 16 hour days, daily trips to XM studios, and countless Americanos (espresso/hot water) to be launch-ready.      

Responsibilities were all encompassing, including:  Operations, automation, program development, website development/management, voice tracking, audio production, channel imaging, marketing, sales and personnel.   

Highlights:  * First Place (writer/producer/talent) Tesla Award (Wireless Age Magazine) Best Image Spot (Radio Everywhere);  * Created a national platform for live specials, including An Evening With Amy Grant in New York City, and The Dove Awards in Nashville;  *  Helped fascilitate the launch of Sports Spectrum, the first national, daily, live Christian/Family-themed sports talk show. 

Employment Snapshot#6

Feb. 2000 - April '01   Creative Services/News Director   WAVA 105.1FM/780AM 

Feb. 1995 - June 1997   Production Director  WAVA 105.1FM

Hired as an overnight board operator, promoted to mid-day host six weeks later.  I was a quick study with audio editing and commercial production, and within 18 months of being hired, was tapped to lead the production department, where I developed a solid partnership with sales and clients.   

In 2000, returned from a season at SRN News to develop a top-notch Creative Services Department at Salem's D.C. talk cluster, adding three First Place trophies as a writer/producer and voice talent:  Two Virginia Association of Broadcaster trophies (Best Commercial/Large Market;  Best Advertising Promo), and one Tesla (Wireless Age Magazine- Best Commercial/Large Market).  As News Director, I also delivered twice-hourly headlines and business updates during afternoon drive time.