John DeVore
NY
Summary
Experienced Content Creator & Strategist:
* Over 15 years creating digital and print content for publishers and brands.
* Led editorial teams and video/audio production; developed content strategies that drove millions of unique users and views.
* Two-time James Beard Award winner; featured on The Moth Radio Hour, CNN, CBS, FOX News.
* Work praised in The New Yorker and The Wall Street Journal.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
John DeVore
John DeVore's Media Company
01.2022 - Current
- Experienced storyteller with 15+ years of experience in creating digital and traditional content for publishers and brands, driving millions of unique users and generating tens of millions of views
- Services: Content/audience development strategy for brands and publishers
- Interim editorial/creative team management
- Tight, funny, informative copy for blog posts, newsletters, podcast scripts, and social media
- Internal/external comms
- Recent clients: Hearst, NewsCorps, Activision Blizzard, Blackbird Labs, Penske Media Group, and Bustle Digital Group
Author, 'Theatre Kids'
Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group
08.2022 - 06.2024
- Wrote and edited 'Theatre Kids: A True Tale of Off-Off Broadway', a humorous memoir about art, mental health, and friendship set in the experimental theater scene of early aughts Williamsburg, Brooklyn, pitched as 'Glee' meets 'Just Kids.'
- "A wry and boisterous account… Electric prose elevates this homage to an enduring art form." Publisher's Weekly on 'Theatre Kids'
Editor-in-Chief, Humungus
Medium
05.2019 - 11.2022
- Created and launched a new publication about masculinity and pop culture on contract with Medium
- Wrote, edited, and produced weekly content about the intersection of gender, movies, and television
- 700+ essays
- Managed a large freelance pool of essayists, critics, and journalists
- Promoted the brand on social media, podcasts, and cable news channels like MSNBC and Paramount+
Interim Editorial Director
Hearst Newspapers
01.2020 - 03.2021
- Re-launched two news websites in Texas on behalf of Hearst and regional partners
- The re-launch required the sites to pivot from breaking news to lifestyle
- Created a new creative mission that amplified local stories, voices, and conversations
- Re-launched social media sites and created new distribution strategies
- Hired a diverse staff that reflected the communities they were writing about
- Managed staff remotely during pandemic during uniquely intense news cycles
- The first site, Chron, is based in Houston
- The second site, MySA, is based in San Antonio
Editor-in-Chief, Woolly
Casper
11.2016 - 11.2018
- Re-launched Casper's sleep blog, Van Winkle's
- Created and launched the custom magazine Woolly, a "curious exploration of comfort, wellness, and modern life - published and emotionally supported by Casper" with the help of literary publisher McSweeney's
- Launched Woollymag.com; edited hundreds of humorous and informative articles about wellness, featuring dozens of writers from Vanity Fair, The New York Times, and Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
- Wrote and produced two acclaimed branded audio experiences for Casper: their popular "insomnia" hotline "Can't Sleep," and the 20-minute podcast parody "Casper The Podcast Sponsored by Casper," featuring the voice of Marc Maron
Editor-in-Chief
Someecards, Inc.
06.2016 - 10.2016
- Created a new editorial strategy
- Executed strategy: retrained staff, changed publication cadence, changed focus to quality viral content
- Executed social media strategies with the editorial team
- Hired new freelance and full-time editorial talent to diversify staff
- Consulted in the production of branded content
Editor-in-Chief, Internet Action Force
New York Post
09.2014 - 04.2016
- Managed a tight-knit team of eight in the daily production of original content optimized for multiple social media platforms
- Launched Internet Action Force, a "rapid response" studio specializing in producing irreverent social videos, produced by New York Post Digital
- Produced over 800 videos that racked up more than 10 million views
- Created shareable, comedic content featuring diverse talent who have been featured on Comedy Central, truTV, Fusion, Funny or Die, The Tonight Show, Saturday Night Live, and more
- Executed inventive social strategies designed to engage digital native audiences who consume media across multiple platforms
- Developed dozens of short-form series about pop culture, politics, and current events
Managing Editor
Team Coco Digital
01.2012 - 08.2014
- Wrote and produced viral content - both video and non-video - for Conan O'Brien's Emmy-winning multiplatform media company
- Pitch ideas for on-air remotes and sponsored campaigns and write copy for sponsored campaigns
- Created strategies and tactics that increased on-site traffic and video views
- Curated and aggregated fan-generated content and content generated on-air
- Leveraged social media during live nightly broadcast to maximize engagement
- Managed editorial calendar, editorial team, and strategic partnerships
Managing Editor, Digital Content & Social Media, truTV
Turner (Turner Broadcasting System, Inc)
01.2011 - 01.2012
- Collaborated in the creation of social strategies that supported truTV's reality-based on-air programming
- Wrote and built original slideshows that appealed to truTV's demographic
- Edited truTV's popular humor website "Dumb As A Blog."
- Managed editorial calendar, editorial team, and strategic partnerships
Deputy Editor, Premiere Magazine
Hachette Filipacchi Media
07.2010 - 01.2011
- Created, wrote, and edited digital content that drove conversations about movies
- Wrote reviews of new movies
- Interviewed celebrities like Jonah Hill, Ned Beatty, Tom Skerrit and more
- Interacted with movie enthusiasts via multiple digital platforms
Digital Editor/Writer/Consultant
Turner (Turner Broadcasting System, Inc)
01.2009 - 01.2011
- Consulting editor for CNN's Asia travel site "CNNGo"
- Consulting editor for CNN's food blog "Eatocracy."
- Wrote strategy briefs for TBS outlining potential new content opportunities
- Wrote weekly column for TBS's women's interest website "The Frisky."
Host/Writer
Sirius XM Radio Inc.
08.2006 - 08.2009
- "DeVore & Diana": Co-host, Writer
- "The DMZ with John DeVore": Creator, Host, Writer
Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts - BFA -
Virginia Commonwealth University
01.1996
Skills
- Leadership
- Collaboration
- Storytelling
- Analysis
- Communication & Relationship Building
Personal Information
Title: Editorial Leader | Content Strategist | Award-Winning Creator
Timeline
Author, 'Theatre Kids'
Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group
08.2022 - 06.2024
John DeVore
John DeVore's Media Company
01.2022 - Current
Interim Editorial Director
Hearst Newspapers
01.2020 - 03.2021
Editor-in-Chief, Humungus
Medium
05.2019 - 11.2022
Editor-in-Chief, Woolly
Casper
11.2016 - 11.2018
Editor-in-Chief
Someecards, Inc.
06.2016 - 10.2016
Editor-in-Chief, Internet Action Force
New York Post
09.2014 - 04.2016
Managing Editor
Team Coco Digital
01.2012 - 08.2014
Managing Editor, Digital Content & Social Media, truTV
Turner (Turner Broadcasting System, Inc)
01.2011 - 01.2012
Deputy Editor, Premiere Magazine
Hachette Filipacchi Media
07.2010 - 01.2011
Digital Editor/Writer/Consultant
Turner (Turner Broadcasting System, Inc)
01.2009 - 01.2011
Host/Writer
Sirius XM Radio Inc.
08.2006 - 08.2009
Bachelor of Fine Arts - BFA -
Virginia Commonwealth University