Rik Fairlie
470 West 24th Street, 3E
New York, NY 10011
212-255-3287; rik@rikfairlie.com


FREELANCE WRITER AND EDITOR

October 2007 to present
The New York Times: Write daily posts for the Gadgetwise personal technology blog and contribute feature articles for the Circuits section of international newspaper and Web site.

Money Magazine: Write personal technology and consumer electronics features for print and Web.

PriceWaterhouseCoopers: Write and edit enterprise IT thought-leadership papers, internal communications documents, and marketing documents.

CA: Write marketing articles on enterprise IT management for customer newsletter and Web site.

COMPUTER SHOPPER

Editor in chief
January 2007 to September 2007
Planned and implemented editorial direction, content, and design of monthly consumer technology magazine (400,000 circulation) and Web brands, leading a team that created engaging, easy-to-understand packages for print and online. Developed content strategy and packaging for Web site, blogs, forums, and electronic newsletters, more than doubling monthly page views and unique visitors in less than a year. Analyzed site traffic and implemented strategies that increased page views and built site inventory via organic growth, content sharing, and syndication. Maximized budget and content by managing online content partnership with CNET.com.
Hired, trained, and supervised the performance of 10 editors and graphic artists, and served as the liaison among editorial, online, sales, and marketing departments. Managed staff and freelance budget for the print magazine and online properties. Represented Computer Shopper at industry trade shows and in TV, radio, and print interviews.

Editor
April 2001 to December 2006
Planned and implemented editorial direction and content of monthly consumer technology magazine and Web properties. Managed relaunch of ComputerShopper.com Web site, blog, user forums, and electronic newsletters in 2006. Spearheaded and managed graphic redesign and editorial relaunch of Computer Shopper magazine in 2004; presented redesigned publication to advertisers to showcase the new consumer-friendly format and content. Represented Computer Shopper at industry trade shows and in TV, radio, and print interviews.

Executive editor
August 1999 to March 2001
Supervised and edited news, features, and product reviews. Managed staff of editors, with emphasis on sharpening writing and editing skills. Wrote monthly consumer affairs column.

Senior editor, features
February 1998 to July 1999
Edited features, news columns, and mobile-computing coverage. Wrote news and consumer buying-advice columns. Coordinated monthly editorial awards program and annual editorial and reader awards projects.

FREQUENT FLYER

Technology editor
January 1996 to July 2000
Wrote a monthly four-page travel-technology section covering computer and communications hardware, software, and Web sites and services.

FREELANCE TECHNOLOGY WRITER

June 1997 to February 1998
Wrote news, product reviews, features, and case studies for magazines, newspapers, and Web sites, including The New York Times, Travel & Leisure, Frequent Flyer, PC Magazine, Family PC, Mobile Computing & Communications, Travel Weekly, Computer Shopper, and ZDNet

MOBILE COMPUTING & COMMUNICATIONS

September 1994 to June 1997
Managing editor
Managed a monthly magazine covering portable-computer technology and cellular communications. Responsible for development of articles, manuscript assignment, editing, copy flow, production, proofreading, and final approval of pages. Supervised a staff of five and managed freelance writers and columnists.

TRAVEL WEEKLY

October 1992 to September 1994
Senior reporter
Reported on computer hardware, software, and airline reservations systems, and edited monthly technology section. Also covered business travel and international destinations for twice-weekly trade newspaper.

April 1991 to September 1992
Managing editor/business travel
Edited weekly news section on corporate travel. Developed and assigned articles, edited copy, designed pages, and composed headlines. Managed a staff of three.

December 1988 to March 1991
Associate editor
Hired as copy editor. Promoted to Asia editor and later technology editor.

TRAVEL AGENT

January 1986 to November 1988
Associate editor
Wrote and edited articles on news, tour products, and destinations for trade newsmagazine. Edited sections and supplements on Asia and Europe.

THE JAPAN TIMES

July 1985 to July 1986
Copy editor, international desk
Edited and rewrote articles, composed headlines and captions, and edited weekly feature pages for Tokyo-based daily national newspaper.


THE TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT

January 1986 to November 1988
Reporter
Wrote features and news articles for daily city newspaper



AWARDS
Ziff-Davis Chairman’s Circle Award for outstanding editorial contributions, 1999

EDUCATION
Bachelor of Journalism in News and Public Affairs Reporting, 1982, University of Texas at Austin. Minor in Music