Writing, Editing, Communications Strategy
Ottawa, Canada Area
- Current
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- Senior Associate at Rutherford McKay Associates
- Communications Chair, Alumni Association Executive Council at Carleton University
- Music Journalist at DownBeat, Signal To Noise
- Owner at James Hale Writing & Editing
- Past
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- Vice-President at Jazz Journalists Association
- Senior Communications Advisor at CMA Holdings Inc.
- Strategic Planner at Ken Communications + Public Affairs
- Partner at Aragona Communications Inc.
- Communications Consultant at Stentor
- Corporate Communications Consultant at Bell Canada
- Assistant Editor at Canvet Publications
- Senior Editor at Ottawa Magazine
- Staff Writer at Canvet Publications
- Education
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- Carleton University
- Recommended
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5 people have recommended James - Connections
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214
connections
- Industry
- Writing and Editing
- Websites
James Hale’s Summary
Professional, versatile and creative, as a writer I have a broad background that spans corporate writing, magazine and newspaper journalism, broadcasting, and agency management.
I've written major reports for corporate and government clients, edited internal and external newsletters for clients in the telecommunications and financial management sectors, and worked closely with CEOs and senior government officials to ensure their messages reach their audiences.
As a freelancer, since 1977 I've written more than 1,750 articles for international, domestic and regional publications. I've worked as a managing editor on magazines and co-owned a full-service communications agency. I produced and hosted a radio program for eight years at CKCU-FM, and have produced both radio and corporate video documentaries.
My latest book is a Frommer's guide to Ottawa, which was published in 2009 by John Wiley & Sons. In 2005, I contributed two chapters to The Billboard Illustrated Encyclopedia of Jazz & Blues. Prior to that, I wrote or co-wrote three other books.
As a specialist in contemporary improvised music and jazz history, I have participated and chaired panel discussions and delivered presentations at Columbia University, the International Association of Jazz Education conference, and festivals in Vancouver, Portland, San Jose, Ottawa and Victoriaville. In 2009, I was voted Journalist of the Year in the National Jazz Awards.
James Hale’s Specialties:
Speechwriting, report writing, communications analysis and counsel, internal and external newsletters, direct mail, websites, video scripts.
James Hale’s Experience
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Senior Associate
Rutherford McKay Associates
(Public Relations and Communications industry)
October 2009 — Present (3 months)
I am applying 30 years of communications experience to providing superior communications strategies and tactics to a wide range of public- and private-sector clients.
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Communications Chair, Alumni Association Executive Council
Carleton University
(Educational Institution; Higher Education industry)
September 2008 — Present (1 year 4 months)
As a member of the national executive of the university's alumni council I provide counsel on how best to continuously engage the institution's 75,000 alumni around the world.
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Music Journalist
DownBeat, Signal To Noise
(Writing and Editing industry)
January 1997 — Present (13 years )
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Owner
James Hale Writing & Editing
(Writing and Editing industry)
1986 — Present (23 years )
Working both internally and as an external resource, I have provided communications counsel, media relations, and a broad range of writing and editing services for clients in both the public and private sector. Areas of specialization have included telecommunications, health, financial services, urban infrastructure and Canada's electoral system. I have written speeches for more than two dozen CEOs, federal cabinet ministers and senior bureaucrats, and developed content for numerous annual reports, websites and other communications vehicles.
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Vice-President
Jazz Journalists Association
(Music industry)
January 2005 — December 2008 (4 years )
A non-profit corporation based in New York City, the Jazz Journalists Association represents the interests of more than 400 writers, broadcasters and photographers around the world.
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Senior Communications Advisor
CMA Holdings Inc.
(Privately Held; 1001-5000 employees; Financial Services industry)
August 2004 — June 2006 (1 year 11 months)
In addition to managing a team of graphic artists and production staff, I edited internal newsletters and served on an internal corporate branding team.
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Strategic Planner
Ken Communications + Public Affairs
(Partnership; 1-10 employees; Public Relations and Communications industry)
June 2000 — May 2001 (1 year )
I provided communications counsel and public relations services to a portfolio of clients that included an NGO, a federal government agency and a large law firm.
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Partner
Aragona Communications Inc.
(Partnership; 11-50 employees; Marketing and Advertising industry)
June 1997 — June 2000 (3 years 1 month)
Overseeing the agency's writing and editing services, I developed communications for a broad range of companies, with a concentration in high-technology.
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Communications Consultant
Stentor
(Privately Held; 1001-5000 employees; Telecommunications industry)
1994 — 1997 (3 years )
I served as speechwriter for CEOs Wes Scott, Carol Stephenson and Jocelyne Cote-O'Hara.
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Corporate Communications Consultant
Bell Canada
(Public Company; 10,001 or more employees; BCE; Telecommunications industry)
1989 — 1994 (5 years )
I served as a speechwriter for CEO Jean Monty and several senior vice-presidents, and wrote daily analysis of CRTC hearings on telecommunications competition issues.
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Assistant Editor
Canvet Publications
(Privately Held; 1-10 employees; Publishing industry)
April 1985 — August 1986 (1 year 5 months)
I edited and wrote feature articles for Legion Magazine, and supervised a small writing team.
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Senior Editor
Ottawa Magazine
(Privately Held; 11-50 employees; Publishing industry)
May 1982 — April 1985 (3 years )
I assigned and edited feature articles, developed new writers, supervised staff, and wrote a monthly column.
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Staff Writer
Canvet Publications
(Privately Held; 11-50 employees; Publishing industry)
September 1979 — May 1982 (2 years 9 months)
As one of two staff writers for Legion Magazine, I wrote feature articles and news stories.
James Hale’s Education
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Carleton University
BA , American Literature , 1973 — 1977
Chair, Communications, Carleton University Alumni Association Executive Council, 2008-present
Chair, Editorial Advisory Committee, Carleton University Magazine, 2005-2009
Additional Information
James Hale’s Websites:
James Hale’s Interests:
Jazz, other music, new technology, cooking, travel
James Hale’s Groups:
Member, Carleton University Alumni Association Executive Council
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Carleton University Alumni Association -
Jazz Writers
James Hale’s Honors:
IABC Capitale EXCEL Award winner
2009 Jazz Journalist of the Year, National Jazz Awards
James Hale’s Contact Settings
Interested In:
- consulting offers
- expertise requests
- business deals
- getting back in touch
