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Skills

My writing career has been diverse and wide-ranging, but because I believe in being economical with words, I’ll pare it down best I can.

Marketing / Advertising

As the Associate Creative Director in the creative services department of a large manufacturer with many subsidiary companies, my keyboard has touched many a thing. There’s a partial list below. Also, please look at my samples to get a taste – I hope they please your palate.

  • Websites
  • Print ads
  • Eblasts
  • Company brochures
  • Product sheets
  • Video and radio scripts (all sorts)
  • Press releases
  • Annual reports
  • Mission/vision statements
  • Instruction manuals
  • Product labels
  • Surveys
  • Naming (products, processes, buildings)

Journalism / Editing

I started as a journalist, if you consider sportswriting to be journalism. I wrote sports for the Los Angeles Daily News while in college, and then took a job at Sport Magazine, which like so many other publications that used pulp instead of pixels, became defunct.

But what does my journalism background mean to you? I can write long-form copy and am grammar-proficient. I love stylebooks. I prefer the CMOS (I love the Oxford comma) to AP these days, and right now I’m reading The Economist Stylebook recreationally. I’m a fastidious proofreader, too, and regularly detect minute font size differences and other typography-related inconsistencies.

My Work

Select an image for a larger view and some words of description.

Assorted Print Projects

Virgin Mattress Ads

VertiCoil Edge

Invitation

American Advertising Federation

Cosmetic Surgery Ads

Destert Palm Surgical

Internal Communications

Leggett & Platt

Product Sheets

L&P International Bedding

Golf Tournament Invitation

Seena Magowitz Foundation

B2B Print Ads

L&P Carpet Cushion

Property Ads

Martz Parsons Clients

Annual Report

Leggett & Platt

Financial Services Brochure

Alaska Trust Company

Jamal Anderson Article

Sport Magazine


Web Stuff

Corporate Website

Leggett & Platt

Aerospace Website

Leggett & Platt

Edge Heads Campaign

Leggett & Platt

Eco Initiative Website

Leggett & Platt

About Me

16½ things that I hope add a personal aspect to my samples.

  1. I’ve been with my current employer, Leggett & Platt, for seven years now. The company is a “diverse manufacturer and member of the S&P 500.” I’ve won ADDYs for my copywriting here. I moved to the Midwest on a lark, and I’ve been enriched by the experience.
  2. My position is Associate Creative Director/Senior Copywriter. I’ve picked up a lot about design over the years, but, because I enjoy some autonomy and know that my sourdough bread will always be buttered by writing, focus on my copywriting. (But I’ll be your ACD, if you like.)
  3. I was born and spent my early childhood in the Philippines, a place I still love. Here’s a piece I wrote about it a while back.
  4. I love tube socks. Always black.
  5. My writing career has been diverse. As a sportswriter, I interviewed athletes, including Kobe Bryant and Derek Jeter, among many. I also wrote videogame scripts for famous voices, including Vin Scully and Keith Jackson.
  6. I’ve traveled internationally a good amount (including a college year in London), and have been to all 50 states. Alaska, you aska? I actually lived there a few months – I’ve done -49 degrees.
  7. When it comes to editing and proofing, I consider myself the last bastion of quality control. It’s a matter of personal pride to not let any type of mistake, however small and unnoticeable to most, get past.
  8. I graduated with a degree in English from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, but not before I poked around a few other institutions of higher learning.
  1. I’ve participated in a local 48-hour film contest the past few years. After writing some of the material, I’m forced to serve as the main actor, which challenges my 20-something videographer partner. I’m terrible, but he makes it work. Here’s the best one and here’s one that’s a little cringe-worthy.
  2. I attached this as a goofy addendum to the usual job application things (resume, cover letter, etc.) years ago.
  3. I hung out with Grandmaster Flash one day.
  4. I wrote fake news before it was trendy. Here’s a sample of things I’ve written to entertain coworkers.
  5. I love sports, which is part of the reason I became a sportswriter. I’ve been to all 30 current Major League Baseball stadiums, as well as a ton of other sports venues.
  6. I love music, too.
  7. I took the opportunity here in the heartland to run an irreverent campaign for mayor of the tiny burg I live in. I received 22 votes, but the other two candidates – both named Bob, one of whom wears overalls – received more. My wife, who didn’t vote for me, called my candidacy “a travesty of democracy.” God, she’s smart.
  8. I love rice.
  1. ½.  I hate using “I,” but I did it a lot above. Sorry.

People Enjoy Working With Me


  • “Paul and I worked together as writer and art director partners. He is an exceptionally smart and versatile writer. His ability to write across many topics makes him a great problem solver and partner. He’s easy to brainstorm with and always comes to the table with thoughtful ideas. He is very well read which is something I look for and value in a writer. As an added bonus he has a strange and delightful sense of humor, his wit runs deep, it shows up in everyday interactions and occasionally in his writings. He is extremely loyal and hard working and I would love the chance to work with him again.”

    ANDREA ELDER
    Associate Creative Director, Arc Worldwide

  • “I can say, unequivocally, that Paul is one of the smartest, most talented writers I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. Although it’s been a number of years since we worked together, he still stands out in my mind as one of the best colleagues I’ve ever had. The fundamental difference between Paul and everyone else is his unwavering commitment to always produce the best work possible. He possesses a tremendous wealth of knowledge, from both personal and professional experiences. And these experiences are the cornerstone of what makes him such a prolific and talented writer. I genuinely hope I have the opportunity to work with Paul again sometime in the future. But if I can’t, you certainly should!”

    KEVIN O’CONNOR
    Head of Business Development, Tribal Worldwide

  • “Paul is one of the sharpest guys I know. He’s also one of the best writers I’ve ever worked with. Deft, quick-witted, insightful, well-read and traveled, Paul has all the tools necessary to craft some of the best copy you’ll ever read. Never lacking for ideas or originality, his work is always engaging, with a style and wit all his own. Paul would rather write it than say it. Plus, he’s damned charming. These are his gifts. I’m not sure I’ve worked with a more intelligent, talented individual as far as these things go. If you’re lucky enough to work with the man, you’ll see what I’m talking about almost immediately.”

    FRANK CORRIDORI
    Associate Professor, University of Missouri School of Journalism

  • “Paul is an exceptional Associate Creative Director who consistently displays an eagerness to fully understand the needs of his clients. By gathering the hidden details and asking strategic questions, he unearths the “gold” needed to develop compelling and creative campaigns. Paul is a pleasure to work with and highly dependable – always providing quality content on both small and large projects.”

    JOHN L. WALSH
    Creative Manager, DK Design