Mike Blake -- Writer-Editor-Marketing Pro Mike Blake, Writing & Content
Long, successful career as a sportswriter, author, news and feature writer, researcher, business editor, publisher, marketing innovator, Chief Operations Officer and on-air correspondent.
Willing to relocate: Yes, and I also have many years behind me of completed assignments and projects as a remote writer/editor
Authorized to work in the US for any employer
BOOKS WRITTEN AND PUBLISHED:
• “THE INCOMPLETE BOOK OF BASEBALL SUPERSTITIONS, RITUALS AND ODDITIES”
• “THE MINOR LEAGUES: A CELEBRATION OF THE LITTLE SHOW”
• ”BASEBALL CHRONICLES”
• “BASEBALL’S BAD HOPS & LUCKY BOUNCES”
• “KING OF THE PENNY STOCKS”
• “SURVIVOR: HE LIVED IN THE SHADOW OF DEATH”
WRITING SYNOPSIS
Has written more than 1000 (yes, one thousand) published articles for 86 publications and 800 more on websites; three films for the U.S. Air Force; on-line column for VR SPORTS; CD/Video Game blurbs and info for Interplay’s “Baseball 1999” and “Football 1999;” two one-hour features for Speed Channel (“Cars at Carlisle”), syndicated newspaper and web column (currently) for 12 years, and has made more than 400 TV/Radio appearances internationally. Major "Big City" newspaper and national magazine experience as a writer/editor ... old-school abilities and work ethic, with new ideas to meet, greet and speak to any audience.
WEBSITES: Numerous websites, often picked up and republished, original content.
Most notable: https://carlisleevents.com/media/news-articles – 800 ALL ABOUT CARS columns since 2005.Also: http://sunlender.com;http://threemarketiers.net; http://www.fmsigroup.com;
Work Experience
CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER / DIRECTOR OF PUBLICATIONS
THREE MARKETIERS, A DIVISION OF FMSI - Hagerstown, MD and Lake Linden, MI – 10 years -- April 2007 to March 2017
• Produced five trade magazines, dozens of print campaigns for $1.4M annual revenue
• Publisher of AD Today (Affiliated Distributors) and Northeastern Exposure (NE Supply) B2B magazines
• Advertising, promotions, print and peripheral material produced for clients
• Logo and promotional items sold and produced, $2.2M total annual revenue
• Liaison with parent company existing contacts and new business growth contacts
• Running ops, made 15% leaner while increasing profits by 26% in first year - 10% annual growth
• Moved business to remote Ops, saving $150k/yr, increasing production by 10%
• Managed SunLender/RAMCO sales and marketing campaign and email blasts for solar (PV) industry
SENIOR AUTOMOTIVE JOURNALIST/TV SPOKESPERSON/MARKETING DIRECTOR
CARLISLE EVENTS - Carlisle, PA
December 2004 to Present
• I continue to write a weekly automotive review column for their website
• Brought three new events to market, 10 events annually; marketing director for entire operation
• Test drove new cars, wrote syndicated column, appeared on live weekly TV segments
• Spokesperson for Carlisle Events on TV, Radio and in print media; did event and aerial photography
• Wrote Speed Channel script for two 60-minute features - Cars at Carlisle - airing in 2007
• Wrote more than 100 articles per year for Carlisle Events show magazines (11 titles)
• Wrote TV commercials, ad/brochure copy, 60-second radio spots, Traffax spots and radio copy points
• Place ads with national magazines, TV, radio and newspapers, responsible for $700,000 ad budget –
coming in under budget, increasing exposure and fine-tuning and expanding our target audience
• Special marketing projects research, planning, strategizing and implementation, develop ad campaigns
• Reduced marketing costs by 10%, restructured and fine-tuned buys to increase attendance by 12%
EDITOR
PRIMEDIA INC - Anaheim, CA
April 1997 to March 2004
• Began as Assistant Editor of VETTE Magazine and KIT CAR ILLUSTRATED
• Promoted to Editor of KIT CAR ILLUSTRATED after six months
• Named to take over as Editor of KIT CAR Magazine after merger of two publications
• Responsible for staff of four and budget of $300,000/year
• Upgraded quality control, look of book, cut costs by 20%, increased circulation by 12%, ads by 18%
• Managed on-time and ahead-of-deadline production as West Coast's No. 1 Editorial production team
PRODUCTION MANAGER
POOLE PUBLICATIONS - Carson, CA
April 1995 to April 1997
• Began as Managing Editor of TRAILER BOATS Magazine
• Promoted to M.E./Production Mgr. of entire line: TRAILER BOATS; BASS & WALLEYE BOATS;
and CAMPING LIFE magazines, and assorted annuals and one-shots
• Coordinated copy, art, production, lay-outs, ad art, dummies for all magazines, one-shots, annuals
• Scheduled press time and pre-press production, Negotiated writers', photogs' fees, paper, press costs,
• Managed staff writers, free-lancers, artists, copy editors, wrote features, copy edited material
• Oversaw ops. and production. budgets for all publications; upgraded quality control, look, cut costs
• Represented firm at trade shows; w/manufacturers; advertisers; industry speaking engagements
ON-AIR TV AND RADIO CORRESPONDENT
15 TV STATIONS and MORE THAN 60 RADIO STATIONS - ACROSS THE NATION
February 1987 to Present
• Sports and world observations on the air
• Original material and commentary
PUBLISHING AND BUSINESS CONSULTANT
BLAKE COMMUNICATIONS - Newport Beach, CA
February 1986 to April 1995 -- Tokyo, Japan and Brea, California
• Wrote and researched US Baseball scene • Wrote, edited, copy edited, headlines
• Researched hitherto unknown subject matter and areas of information for various projects and
confidential arenas. Created lively copy and completed in-depth reports and documents.
• Analyzed company, troubleshooter for production, advertising, quality control
MANAGING EDITOR
THE NASDAQ REPORTER - Newport Beach, CA
April 1990 to December 1992
• Positioned newspaper in the marketplace and among business community and investors for its IPO
• Improved look of paper to upgrade market share, ad revenue, circulation and industry prestige
• Coordinated graphics, copy, negotiated contracts; supervised editorial and art staffs
EDITOR/WRITER/PHOTOGRAPHER/DESIGNER
LA Herald Examiner - Los Angeles, CA
February 1980 to June1989
• Wrote, edited features for two "desks"
• Special Sections Editor, Real Estate Editor and Sports Editor for Zoned Sections, and Special Sections
• Investigative and undercover reporting
EDITORIAL MANAGER
TIMES-MIRROR VIDEOTEX - Costa Mesa, CA
April 1984 to April 1985
• Managed, scheduled, edited, wrote features, soft news for electronic newspaper division
• Coordinated graphics and copy, supervised staff of nine
• Negotiated contracts and rights to published material
Education
Bachelor of Science in Business/Marketing
California State University, Northridge - Northridge, CA
Guest Journalism Instructor
UCLA School of Journalism - Los Angeles, CA
1980 to 1982
Skills
Writing, editing, research, project management, campaign concepts, public speaking, Microsoft Office Suite
Links
https://carlisleevents.com/media/news-articles
http://sunlender.com/sunlender/blog/
http://threemarketiers.net/blog/
Awards
BEST OUTDOOR RECREATION ARTICLE -- OC PRESS CLUB 1980
BEST OUTDOOR RECREATION ARTICLE -- as voted by the executive staff of the Orange County,
California Press Club
Publications
4 books and 90 newspapers and magazines internationally
As mentioned in my career synopsis above, but fitting well in this section as well: more than 1000 (yes, one thousand) published articles in more than 90 magazines and newspapers internationally.
PUBLICATIONS LIST
What follows is a list of publications in which Mike Blake has been published.
Newspapers Business Publications
Los Angeles Herald Examiner The Investment Reporter
Los Angeles Times Orange County Business
Times-Mirror Videotext OC Business Journal
Long Beach Press-Telegram OC Business Line
L.A. Metro Herald, South Bay Herald
San Gabriel Valley Examiner Money West
San Fernando Valley Herald Japan Business Report
South Coast Daily Pilot Financial Newsletter
Harrisburg Patriot-News Homes & Other Real Estate
Carlisle Sentinel & 24 syndicated newspapers A-1 Travel Newsletter
General Interest Magazines Sports Publications
Detroit Monthly Baseball World
Guest Informant (8 cities) California Angels Guide
Long Beach Review Dodger Blue (LA Dodgers)
Night Life Yankee Magazine (NY Yankees)
Orange Coast California Surf Soccer Guide
Orange County Illustrated Classic Sports
Oui City Sports
Panorama Sports Now
Skies West Inside Sports
Cowboy Magazine Sport
Spotlight Baseball Digest
Science Magazines Baseball Weekly
Probe Kids Sports
The Unknown LA HS All-Star Game Guide
Science Tomorrow Orange County Sports
Super Tie Breaker
Ethnic Publications Sports Inc.,
Chocolate Cities Publishing Turnstile
Jewish Star Orange County Golf/Tennis
Latin World United States Sports
Mesrobian Reporter Sankei Sports (Japan)
Nisei Week Sankei Baseball (Japan)
Osaka Shinbun (Japan) Business Osaka Shinbun (Japan) Sports
Focus on Japanese Business The Sunday Mainichi (Japan)
Bridge Over the Pacific Great North (Canada)
Japan Business Week Powder
U.S. News Report (Sports Segments sent to Japan)
Automotive Publications Camping Life
Vette Trailer Boats Magazine
Super Chevy Bass and Walleye Boats Magazine
Popular Hot Rodding.
Kit Car Illustrated
KIT CAR Magazine
Kit-Car Magazine (UK)
Carlisle Events Show Guides magazines (11 titles)
Additional Information
Successful public speaker; Chief Operations Officer for Marketing firm; publisher of B2B magazines.
Columns have appeared on numerous websites, often picked up and republished, original content.
Writing & Content
Editorial Writing
Content Writing
Web Content
Writing
Article Writing