Josa Young

Curriculum Vitae

 

Personal Profile:

  • Proficient in multi platform publishing, launches and startups
  • English Literature BA/MA from Cambridge University
  • Finalist, Vogue Talent Contest
  • Creative and practical writer, researcher and editor
  • Trend spotter
  • Early internet adopter with enthusiasm for Web 2.0 applications
  • Blogger since 2003
  • Decisive, well-organised problem solver
  • Team player, skilled at developing relationships with marketing, PR and commercial departments
  • Effective manager, mentor and recruiter
  • Highly visual

 

Experience and Achievements:

  • Senior editorial positions on the UK’s leading glossy magazines, broadsheet newspapers and websites
  • Set up and ran the UK’s first transactional organic website in 1996, including writing and developing searchable recipe database
  • Moves easily between offline and online editorial positions, joining the launch team for www.ivillage.co.uk in 2000
  • Brought high offline editorial standards to AOL’s Lifestyle channels, increasing traffic and revenue and integrating interactive tools
  • Extensive practical experience of developing and running UGC and community products, including risk assessment and monitoring
  • Set up content aggregation with third parties, including integrating white label tools and products and recruiting experts
  • Worked on numerous site launches and redesigns, finding credible internet solutions to editorial issues, including www.nhs.uk in 2007
  • Practical experience of content management systems and publishing tools
  • Expertise in commissioning and editing video for online use, including setting up branded YouTube channels
  • Media-trained spokesperson

 

Career:

Current: Editorial Director, The Publishing Society, Parsons Green House, Parsons Green Lane, London SW6.

Creating new luxury multiplatform project International Life magazine and internationallife.tv, for launch in September.

2007 - 2008: Executive Editor, CondéNet UK, Condé Nast Publications Ltd.
Oversaw editorial development on CondéNet UK’s internet properties, including Vogue.com, Glamour.com, EasyLivingMagazine.co.uk, BridesMagazine.co.uk, Cntraveller.com and GQ.com. Created www.glamourdiets.com; planned and executed beauty area of relaunched Vogue.com and numerous interactive developments throughout the sites, leading to growth in traffic and unique users.

2007: Internet Editorial Consultant, Dr Foster Intelligence, 12 Smithfield Street, London EC1A 9LA. Created the Live Well content for the new NHS Choices website from scratch. This included Weight Loss and Fitness, Workplace Health and Smoking pages, as well as overseeing multimedia health content, consulting on design and recruiting to the new team.

2006: Acting Features Editor, Vogue Magazine, The Condé Nast Publications Ltd, Vogue House, Hanover Square, London W1.

 

2005: SHE, National Magazine Company, 72 Broadwick Street, London W1: Assistant Editor (Features) for launch of new magazine.

 

2003 to 2005: AOL UK, Saros House, 80 Hammersmith Road, London W14: Senior Manager, Head of Member Communications. Recruited to the newly created position to educate AOL members about the benefits of the expanded range of products and features including UGC and safety tools, including parental controls, to streamline their online experience and improve retention.

 

2002 - 2003: AOL UK: Senior Manager, Head of Home & Family Affinity Group. Brought professional offline editorial skills to improve content of Lifestyle channels, and integrate community, leading to hugely increased traffic. Managed team of editors.

 

2000 – 2002: Ivillage.co.uk: Member of original UK launch team, localising content from Ivillage.com, and creating new content for the local market. Developed comprehensive Pregnancy & Baby channel, commissioning, writing and editing content, including interactive tools and quizzes. Developed supportive parenting community, including launching the UK’s first web forum for older mothers.

 

1999: The Times, News International, 1 Pennington Street, London E9: Commissioning Editor: Weekend supplement.

 

Further roles:

1995 – 2001: Freelance lifestyle editing and writing: The Daily Telegraph, the Sunday Telegraph, Harpers & Queen, Country Living, Food & Travel, The Times etc. Subjects covered include family life, parenting, pregnancy and birth, food, drink, travel, fashion, beauty, education and social issues, homes, art and design, film, theatre and television.

1994 – 1995: Country Living, National Magazine Company: Features Editor.

1993: Elle Decoration, Emap Elan, Leicester Place, London W1: Deputy Editor.

1991 – 1992: Tatler, The Condé Nast Publications: Features and Supplements Editor.

1990 - 1991: The Times, News International: Founding reporter (with two political journalists) on the relaunched Times Diary, responsible for all arts and social content.

1989 – 1990: Marie Claire, IPC, Kings Reach Tower: In-house features writer.

1987 – 1989: The Magazine, Oval Road, London NW1: Deputy Editor.

1985 – 1987: Freelance writing and editing for Tatler; The Evening Standard (diary reporter); The Magazine; Harpers & Queen; The Daily Telegraph. Sub-editor on the Look section of the Sunday Times.

1980 – 1985: Vogue, The Condé Nast Publications: books assistant, fashion assistant; assistant to the Features Editor; Copy Editor.

 

Education:

1976: A Levels in English, History, Geography (A Grades); S Level in English (Distinction).

Newnham College, Cambridge: BA Hons English Literature, MA