N17 Creative Callings: Business Profile – Graham Parker – Sub Editor
21-02-2020
I am a freelance sub editor/content editor with more than 20 years’ experience working on print and online titles for some of the UK’s leading content marketing agencies and magazine publishers.
After graduating with a BA (Hons) in English & Media Studies (Southampton University), I began my media/marketing career as a product manager for a computer games company. I was responsible for the production of packaging, marketing and advertising materials for PC, Sony PlayStation and Sega games.
Following this, I trained as a sub editor and worked freelance on a variety of magazines, including Top of the Pops and Clothes Show for BBC Worldwide.
While working as a sub editor on Cable Guide magazine (TV listings and features), I was offered a permanent role as the editor of Cable Guide online. I produced and edited a new website, which was nominated for a Best Designed Magazine on the Web Award at the Magazine Design Awards.
When Cable Guide closed, I returned to freelancing. Much of my work since has been with content marketing agencies, helping them to produce magazines, websites and other marketing materials that communicate their clients’ brand messages effectively. At John Brown Media, for example, I work on Pets at Home’s multi-award-winning customer magazine, My VIP, and Virgin’s internal comms magazine, The Roger Collective.
Over the years, I have also worked as a sub editor on weekly consumer magazines such as Take a Break, Woman’s Own and Real People, and on fashion titles such as Elle, Matches magazine and London Fashion Week The Daily newspaper.
My work involves editing copy to ensure that it has the right tone of voice for the client/brand; cutting copy to fit pages; writing headlines, captions and standfirsts; liaising with writers, designers and editors; feature writing, copywriting, CMS web editing, fact-checking and proofreading.
“Since joining the programme, I have been very impressed by the enthusiasm that the team at N17 Creative Callings has shown for helping me to develop my creative business ideas and skills.”
