David Cooper
Twin Falls,ID
Summary
Dynamic editorial leader with a proven track record at several print and online publications, driving audience growth and engagement through innovative content strategies. Expert in publication standards and ethics, with strong team collaboration skills. Successfully launched a national magazine, achieving a circulation of 59,000, while enhancing digital and print product offerings.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Associate Publisher, Managing Editor
Progressive Publishing
Jerome, Idaho
05.2010 - Current
- Editorial supervisor of four media brands, Progressive Cattle, Progressive Forage, Ag Proud-Idaho, Progressive Cattle-Canada, with websites, newsletters and podcasts. Combined circulation of all brands, 113,000 print readers
- Guided collaboration with managing editors and junior editors in each brand, with a respective team of freelance writers, columnists, industry contributors, university extension professors, writing for the brands
- Directed media planning and strategy for circulation, sales and production departments of publication brands, including the launch of all digital and print products, website departments, newsletters, and podcasts
- Developed style and ethical guidelines related to freelance authorship, editorial-sales conflicts of interest, use of artificial intelligence (AI)
- Launched national magazine from root stages to its current circulation of 57,500 in agricultural cattle industry; Developed all editorial stories in each monthly print edition, and weekly newsletters, from a team of editors, freelance writers, photographers, contributors from industry and university extension
Deputy Editor/City Editor (2007-2010), Opinion and Outdoors Editor (2001-2007)
The Times-News
Twin Falls, Idaho
08.2001 - 04.2010
- Principal leader on all daily reporting content and organizational plans at a seven-day, morning newspaper with circulation of 25,000 readers over eight counties
- Guided reporting staff delivering daily news for crime, environment, sports, state legislature, politics, education, natural resources, agriculture, and weekend enterprise reporting
- Lead collaborator with other editors, photographers, reporters and online video specialists for each day’s production.
- Wrote daily editorials, solicited public opinion articles, confirmed all letters to the editor; I founded a local editorial board with staff and community members serving as ethics ombudsmen for the publication
- Directed all opinion and commentary coverage, political endorsements and ethics and rules related to public opinion and letters to the editor
Business editor / sports editor
The Tuscaloosa News
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
09.1997 - 08.2001
- Authored comprehensive business and economy articles for daily Business section, focusing on southern car assembly industry.
- Delivered daily sports coverage for high schools, colleges, and major universities in Alabama, including investigative reporting on University of Alabama athletics.
- Directed departmental transition from paste-up layout to electronic design, providing training for editorial staff on new software.
Staff writer, page designer
Deseret News
Salt Lake City, Utah
06.1996 - 09.1997
- Designed layouts for finance, news, health, sports, and religion sections of daily newspaper.
- Executed staff-writing projects for comprehensive coverage of regional and state sports.
- Utilized layout programs to enhance visual appeal and readability of newspaper content.
Education
B.A. - Mass Communication, German
University of Utah
Salt Lake CitySkills
- Publication standards and ethics
- News and feature writing
- Audience growth strategies
- Data analysis and gathering
- Deadline management
- Podcast production
- Web development skills
- Content strategy and development
- Team collaboration
- Audience engagement strategies
- Effective communication skills
- Content marketing strategies
- Web analytics
Community Service
- Twin Falls School District, Budget Advisory Committee member
- Twin Falls County Baseball, youth league coach, Cal Ripken and Babe Ruth leagues, 2010-2017
Media Credentials And Training
- American Press Institute, Business Editors training
- Poynter Institute editorial training
- Investigative Reporters and Editors
- Ag Media Summit
Timeline
Associate Publisher, Managing Editor
Progressive Publishing
05.2010 - Current
Deputy Editor/City Editor (2007-2010), Opinion and Outdoors Editor (2001-2007)
The Times-News
08.2001 - 04.2010
Business editor / sports editor
The Tuscaloosa News
09.1997 - 08.2001
Staff writer, page designer
Deseret News
06.1996 - 09.1997
B.A. - Mass Communication, German
University of Utah