Sebastian Fryer Email & Phone Number

As a brand and interactive writer at Focus Lab, I provide verbal identity and content/interactive strategy recommendations for B2B organizations undergoing rebrands. During a rebrand project, I interview key stakeholders and research competing brands to identify opportunities for differentiation; this, alongside insights uncovered with our projects' brand strategists, informs deliverables that I create to help these organizations after brand rollout. These deliverables include core messages (purpose, mission, and vision statements), situational messages (unique selling propositions and value propositions), voice and tone guidelines, and more. I also provide UX and content recommendations, collaborate with designers in Figma to create lo-fi wireframes, and write copy for our clients' new websites.

Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States

Improved the organizational effectiveness of numerous Fortune 500 companies across industries such as life sciences, finance, and hospitality. Highlights include award-winning work for Royal Caribbean and Best Western Hotels. See the Projects section of my profile for more information.As a team lead, I oversaw numerous eLearning projects and played in active role in talent acquisition and development. I hired and mentored dozens of instructional designers and copywriters, leading a highly skilled multidisciplinary team. I also conceptualized and authored eLearning courses marketed by Maestro on various online platforms, boosting recurring monthly revenue for the agency.Working on a cross-functional team, I led efforts to integrate WCAG accessibility standards into our content design processes, resulting in enhanced usability and more user-friendly digital experiences for our clients and their audiences.

Gangnam-Gu, Seoul, Korea

IAN Language Institute (이안 어학원) is a world-class English-language academy located centrally in Gangnam, Seoul. In my role as an instructor, I taught mainly academic essay writing to elementary and middle school students. This involved creating lesson plans and providing constructive feedback for dozens of my students’ essays each week. I also facilitated some wonderful discussions with my students in which we broke down well-known writers' essays to figure out what makes their writing so effective.My work wasn’t limited strictly to the classroom. During my time at IAN, I also contributed to the academy’s curriculum, researching and writing content for in-house textbook publications.

Gwangjin-Gu, Seoul, Korea

As an English instructor at GLEC, I taught English to elementary and middle school students of varying proficiency levels. Tailoring lesson plans to accommodate the diverse needs and learning styles of my students, I facilitated language acquisition and fluency development. Providing personalized feedback and support, I conducted thorough assessments and closely monitored progress to ensure academic growth and success. Additionally, I meticulously proofread assignments, assessing student work for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors to reinforce language skills and uphold academic standards.

Greater Detroit Area

As a Michigan Election Stringer for the Associated Press, I covered statewide primary and general elections in Cass County, Michigan. I tabulated election results and transmitted data to the Associated Press elections bureau in Detroit, facilitating real-time updates for news outlets and the public. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to journalistic standards, I played a pivotal role in collecting and verifying election data, thereby enhancing the reliability and integrity of AP's election coverage. Operating with autonomy and efficiency, I met tight deadlines and delivered accurate election results, demonstrating adaptability and composure in high-pressure situations. Additionally, I collaborated closely with colleagues and editors at the Associated Press elections bureau, coordinating coverage and addressing any issues or discrepancies in election reporting as they arose.

Kalamazoo, Michigan Area

As a freelance reporter for the Kalamazoo Gazette, I specialized in arts and entertainment coverage, crafting engaging articles that spotlighted local cultural events, performances, and creative endeavors. This included writing previews and reviews of musical concerts to offer readers a comprehensive insight into the local arts scene. Additionally, I managed a food review column, offering insightful critiques and recommendations on various dining establishments in the area, enriching the newspaper's coverage of the culinary landscape. Adhering to Associated Press (AP) style and house style guidelines, I maintained consistency and professionalism in written communication across all published content. Conducting thorough research and interviews to gather information, I provided accurate and insightful reporting on a diverse range of topics pertinent to the local community.

Kalamazoo, Michigan Area

During my internship at the Kalamazoo Gazette, I immersed myself in the daily operations of a mid-sized city newspaper, gaining invaluable hands-on experience. Working closely with reporters and editors, I supported various tasks such as research, fact-checking, and data gathering to facilitate the production of news articles and features. My contributions frequently led to front-page articles, demonstrating my ability to identify and report on compelling stories that resonated with the community. Throughout my internship, I honed my skills in Associated Press (AP) style and house style guidelines, maintaining consistent communication standards in both written and verbal communication.

Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States

During my internship at WWMT Newchannel 3, I handled various news gathering responsibilities with precision and diligence. This included assisting the assignment desk, where I answered phones and conducted research, demonstrating a keen eye for detail and resourcefulness in gathering information for news stories. Additionally, I communicated with local courts to follow up on cases being reported, ensuring comprehensive coverage of relevant events.In the field, I conducted interviews and captured broadcast-quality video footage for news segments airing in Southwest Michigan, showcasing strong storytelling abilities and visual communication skills. In addition, I logged audio and edited video content for broadcast, meticulously ensuring accuracy and adherence to editorial standards while honing my proficiency in video production and post-production techniques.Within the newsroom environment, I actively participated in daily staff meetings, collaborating with team members to discuss story assignments, editorial priorities, and broadcast planning. This collaboration extended to directly contributing to evening broadcasts by providing meticulously researched, shot, and edited content, significantly enhancing the quality and depth of news coverage in the region.Working closely with reporters, photographers, producers, and editors, I played a pivotal role in sourcing and organizing content for broadcast segments, fostering effective teamwork and communication within the newsroom. Throughout my internship, I dedicated myself to developing and enhancing a wide array of skills, including interviewing, shooting broadcast-quality video, editing, voiceover narration, scriptwriting, and research.

Kalamazoo, Michigan Area

As the A&E Editor at the Western Herald, I spearheaded the editorial strategy for the arts section of our university newspaper, overseeing comprehensive coverage of cultural events, performances, and creative endeavors both on and off-campus. I effectively managed a team of up to a dozen student reporters, offering guidance, feedback, and support to nurture their journalistic growth and ensure the delivery of high-quality, engaging content. Hosting weekly editorial meetings, I facilitated brainstorming sessions, delegated article assignments, and orchestrated coverage plans to foster collaboration and innovation among our staff members.Through proactive relationship-building efforts, I cultivated connections with artists, performers, and cultural organizations within and beyond the university community, fostering valuable partnerships and uncovering unique story opportunities. Collaborating closely with other editorial team members, I played a pivotal role in ensuring cohesive and balanced coverage across all sections of the newspaper, contributing to our overarching editorial direction and mission.Leveraging Adobe InDesign, I meticulously crafted visually compelling page layouts for print publication, optimizing space and aesthetics to captivate our readers and enhance content presentation. Demonstrating strong time management and organizational skills, I consistently met deadlines and effectively juggled competing priorities in our fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. Additionally, I provided coverage for staff duties outside my role, including copyediting stories beyond the A&E section and collaborating with the newspaper’s off-site printer to ensure seamless publication processes.

Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States

As a reporter for the news and arts sections of the Western Herald, I researched and conducted interviews to gather information for news articles covering a wide range of topics, including campus events, student activities, and local news affecting the university community, including an influenza outbreak on campus and the cancellation of a statewide scholarship.I wrote clear, engaging, and accurate news stories under tight deadlines, adhering to the Associated Press (AP) style guidelines, while collaborating with editors and fellow reporters to brainstorm story ideas, pitch articles, and provide feedback on drafts.