10 counter

Top 10 reasons

to work with

John Breneman

1. Creative since birth

That’s me and my mom back in the day.
I inherited my creative genes from her,
and from my dad!

Ernie Breneman image

I first worked as TV news anchorman and newspaper columnist in high school. Read more about how Ernie Breneman (a big-city ad man like those guys on “Mad Men”) guided me into a career in newspapers … “Father’s advice to son was ‘write stuff’.”

Here’s my resume and a quick recap of my career in journalism.

2. Heart of a journalist

For an insatiably curious, highly visual wordsmith like me, a career in newspapers was ideal.

I pursued my passion for writing (locally and in Boston) by interviewing and telling the stories of business and nonprofit executives; academic leaders; politicians; entertainment and sports figures; thought leaders, influence shapers and everyday people from all walks of life.

I discovered and explored my love of graphic design, sharpening my eye for how to integrate high-impact visuals with top-notch copy.

Always with the clock ticking toward the next edition.

Headlines on deadline.

Image 9/11

September 11, 2001

This is the essay I did for the front page of the Portsmouth Herald on September 12, 2001.

Image: Cambridge history

150 Years of History

One of my favorite journalistic projects was crafting the award-winning 150th anniversary edition of the Cambridge Chronicle.

Image: Cambridge history

Writing about people

Telling the stories of people’s fascinating lives is a privilege. This one is about legendary photographer Ozzie Sweet.

Image: press hat

Newsroom experience

Here’s a link to an exclusive report on my career as a journalist (Boston Herald, Portsmouth Herald, etc.). Actually, it’s my resume.

3. Soul of an artist

As a writer, I aspire to being a verbal virtuoso. I like to paint a story, and sculpt it too. Occasionally bang on it, blacksmith style.

As a journalist and humorist, content creator and strategist, I love using Photoshop as a canvas. See a few fun samples in slider format below.

4. Always learning

For example, my research indicated that designing web pages using the Divi theme with WordPress would be a great way to enhance my creativity.

So I got it set up on my personal website and am creating this page to teach myself some new tricks.

image divi elegant themes

5. Passionate about Portsmouth

I am blessed to live in one of the most fantastic little cities in America. And during three stints at the Portsmouth Herald, I have been privileged to write op-ed columns about my home city by the Piscataqua.

6. A 24/7 Idea Factory

Wordplay, brainstorming, tight writing, headlining … A stream-of-consciousness flow for every occasion …

And the ability and focus to bring worthy ideas to life … Proficiency in key Adobe Creative Suite programs, experience in web design, WordPress and other CMS, video production, ebook creation and social media strategy …

An innovative communicator — vigilant about accuracy and quality, passionate about the power of words to motivate and delight.

7. Custom made for creative agency work

I’m a writer first. Everything else begins there.

My work in newspapers gives me the versatility to produce sharp, compelling copy on virtually any topic. I’ve earned Hubspot certification and am eager to infuse inbound marketing methodologies with fresh creativity.

I find great joy in crafting thoughtful, artful communication.

Current goal:
Carve out a role with a local digital agency.

hubspot-jb-cert

Journalist / visual artist / versatile writer / editor / web designer / video enthusiast / social media explorer / content creator and strategist / excellent listener

Fast learner / analytical thinker / multi-talented team player / insatiably curious / focused on maximizing all opportunities

9. Proven performance

At right, Howard Altschiller, executive editor of the Portsmouth Herald/Seacoast Media Group, comments on the unique combination of talent, positive energy and professionalism that I bring to the job every single day.

Click here to see my ONLINE RESUME

John was the lead designer for Seacoast Sunday and made our front pages pop on the newsstand each week. John is also a master wordsmith and was by far our best headline writer. He is also a master of Photoshop and InDesign (and) his analytical reasoning skills are off the charts. In addition to his technical skills, John brings a high level of creative energy, humor and great interpersonal skills to the job. Tragically, his position was eliminated when the copy desk and page design function was moved by our company to a centralized operation in Austin, Texas. In short, I would re-hire him in a second if I had the opportunity and I recommend him to you wholeheartedly.

Howard Altschiller

Executive Editor, Seacoast Media Group

10. Infinite imagination

I say the sky is not the limit … nor the land, nor the sea, nor all three. For the creative power of the human imagination is infinite.