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nDash Writer Profile for Donna Blass

Headline

Freelance Writer/Editor

About Me

I am a writer/editor with 25+ years experience in publishing and public relations. Since my background initially covered both the promotion and editorial sides of the magazine business, I easily gravitated toward content marketing--starting with its earlier iteration, advertorial. For most of my career, I've written branded content covering popular topics such as health and wellness, home decor, beauty, bridal, travel, psychology, real estate and more.

I've held both staff and freelance positions for  various Conde Nast, Hearst, and Meredith publications; my corporate clients include Nordstrom, Charming Shoppes, Proctor & Gamble, Estee Lauder, Playtex, S.C. Johnson and Home Depot. In addition, I have ghostwritten trade articles, speeches and a self-help book featured in a "Nova" documentary on PBS. 

So I have a somewhat "chameleon" type background, readily adaptable to many different venues. I hope we have a chance to work together!


Industries I Write About

Lifestyle

Health & Wellness

My Writing Samples

Content Marketing Magazine samples

Branded content from Country Living, New York magazine, Conde Nast Bridal Group, Houston Chronicle, Time magazine and more

http://donnablass.com/content-marketing/

Custom Publishing Pieces

Examples of co-branded custom magazines I edited as Custom Publishing EIC for Gruner+Jahr USA, parent company (then) for Family Circle, Parents and YM

http://donnablass.com/custom-publishing/

Feature Articles and Essays

Published clips from The New York Times, MORE Magazine, Brides, and PLUM Magazine, a custom publication branded with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

http://donnablass.com/featuresessays/

Going Viral: What did we unwittingly do right?

An analysis of how a simple 17-second clip became a #1 trending video, featured on three major networks and websites worldwide

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/going-viral-what-did-we-unwittingly-do-right-donna-blass/

Experience

Writer/Editor

Marketing/custom content/advertorial writer and editor of custom publications. Work with clients and creative teams to determine goals and direction of each project; where applicable, draw up editorial outline; assign stories; write/edit features. Key clients: Hearst, Conde Nast, Meredith, Rodale, New York magazine, Latina, Custom Publishing Group, Ltd., Groundbreak Publishing.

Company: Freelance

I worked there from 10/2001 until now

Promotion Copy Manager

Wrote and edited promotional copy for both print and online publications in the bridal/lifestyle categories. Worked with designers and marketing department to devise advertising strategies for clients.

Company: Modern Bride/Elegant Bride/Your Prom

I worked there from 7/2008 until 10/2009

Executive Editor, Custom Publishing

Edited numerous custom publications/special ad sections for clients of Gruner+Jahr, then publisher of Parents, Child, Family Circle and Fitness magazines. Worked with Director of Custom Publishing to secure additional business by conceiving, pitching and producing samples of new custom editorial concepts.

Company: Gruner+Jahr, USA

I worked there from 5/1999 until 11/2001

Special Project Editor

Throughout duration of eight-month project, oversaw McCall's On Call and Family Circle Connection, two programs designed to offer readers information in an interactive format. Worked with editors to determine story topics; researched and wrote scripts; assigned and edited articles.

Company: Family Circle/McCall's

I worked there from 5/1998 until 2/1999

Content I Write

Recommendations

Executive Director, Integrated Marketing

Donna and I have worked together on several projects over the last 12 years and I would highly recommend her. Donna has done numerous advertorial projects for us where she is responsible for researching and writing on topics from food to home to health, and more. Donna is quick to understand the essence of the project, asks key questions, and then runs with it, consistently delivering work that is well-written, on target, and meets deadlines. Donna is a terrific partner!

Jen Walton, Hearst Corporation

Highly Recommended

Donna is an extremely talented and versatile writer, with a warm, distinctive tone I much admire but can never quite duplicate in my own writing. I’ve called on her countless times for freelance projects and she always writes with an astute understanding of the client’s objectives as well the reader's needs. I love working with her!

Anne O'Brien, Meredith Corporation