To see Philip's recent work for USF magazine, go to http://usfweb2.usf.edu/ur/usfmagazine/index.html

Philip's media releases for the University of South Florida are accessible at http://usfweb3.usf.edu/absolutenm/PPLSearch.aspx?publisher=4

4509 S. Lois Ave.
(813) 453-5138
Tampa, FL 33611
jphilipbooth@gmail.com

Summary of Qualifications
Experienced communications professional with background in corporate communications, media relations, journalism and academia. High-level analytical and organizational skills, and talent for managing projects to meet tasks. Self-starter with productive and efficient work habits. Detail oriented. Highly motivated and goal oriented.

Professional Experience
Nearly 25 years’ experience as a professional writer. Currently working in media relations. Extensive background in journalism. Recent experience in higher education.

Employment History
Communications and Marketing Officer/Media Relations Coordinator, University of South Florida (4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, FL 33620; 813-974-2011) – August 2006 to present

  • Manage press coverage for College of Business Administration, College of Education, School of Architecture and Community Design and multiple departments in liberal arts and hard sciences.
  • Pitched stories or responded to inquiries leading to placement in all Tampa Bay area network TV affiliates and daily newspapers, as well as the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Smart Money, Audubon, the Baltimore Sun and other national media outlets.
  • Initiate, research and write press releases for above areas.
  • Respond to myriad press inquiries; serve as liaison between reporters and on-campus experts, including professors and administration officials.
  • Track USF media coverage and coordinate news of such to on-campus email lists.

Marketing/Communications Writer, Bright House Networks, Division Office (700 Carillon Parkway, St. Petersburg, FL 33716; 727-329-2000) – February 2005 to August 2006

  • Fulfilled and expanded role of newly created position, responding to needs in Marketing and Public Affairs departments
  • Wrote, managed production and helped direct distribution of:
  • Customer newsletter, delivered quarterly to one million customers
  • Employee newsletter, delivered monthly to 2,000 employees
  • Press Releases, delivered to the media by VP of Public Affairs
  • Email updates, delivered several times per month
  • Wrote, managed and led Marketing seminar on messaging.

Freelance Journalist/PR Writer (Philip Booth Media, 4509 S. Lois Ave., Tampa FL 33629; 813-831-3189) – November 1996 to February 2005

  • Successfully operated freelance writing business, Philip Booth Media, Inc.
  • Contributed features, news stories, essays and reviews to dozens of newspapers, national magazines, and web concerns, including:
  • St. Petersburg Times, Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
  • Miami New Times, Orlando Weekly, Weekly Planet, Folio Weekly
  • Las Vegas City Life, Philadelphia City Paper, Detroit Metro Times
  • Rolling Stone, Billboard
  • Salon.com, Groovewell.com
  • Down Beat, Jazz Times, Jazziz
  • Bass Player
  • Wrote Public Relations pieces for:
  • USF Magazine, USF Arts
  • Blue Note and Concord record labels
  • John Heagney Public Relations (Holiday, Fla.)

Pop Music Critic, Tampa Tribune  (202 S. Parker St., Tampa, FL 33606; 813-259-7600) – June 1988 to November 1996

  • Wrote features, reviews and news pieces on pop, rock, jazz, blues, world music and other genres.
  • Contributed to film, books and travel sections.
  • Concurrently contributed to Variety, Boston Globe, Spin, Option and other national magazines.

Feature and Entertainment Writer, The Ledger (300 W. Lime St., Lakeland FL 33815; 863-802-7323) – October 1986 to June 1988

  • Wrote features, reviews, news pieces, commentary and more on music, film, television, theater and the visual arts.

News Reporter, Florida Today (One Gannett Plaza, Melbourne, FL 32940; 321-242-3500) – November 1985 to October 1986

  • Covered crime and county government beats, and contributed to arts/entertainment sections.

News and Feature Reporter & Entertainment Editor, The News Chief (650 Sixth St., S.W., Winter Haven, FL 33880; 813-294-7731) – August 1983 to November 1985

  • Covered city government, education and features beats.
  • Edited and wrote for weekly entertainment magazine.

Education

  • M.A., English, University of South Florida, Tampa – May 2006
  • Concentration: Creative Writing.
  • 3.97 GPA; 100-page thesis was a collection of short stories.
  • As Teaching Assistant, taught classes in film/popular culture and freshman English composition.
  • Directed and managed first USF Writers Series.
  • Presented paper at Hemingway Society Conference, Key West, 2004; and Florida College English Association conference, 2007.
  • Articles and book reviews published (or forthcoming) in Literature Film Quarterly, Banyan, Journal of Popular Culture, Journal of American Culture, Saw Palm.
  • Awards: USF Anspaugh Fiction Award, 2006; USF Bayboro Fiction Award, 3rd place, 2004.
  • B.A., History,  University of Florida, Gainesville – May 1983
  • Major: History, with English minor
  • Wrote features and news for Gainesville Sun and Independent Florida Alligator.
  • Attended UF on partial scholarship from UF Friends of Music.

Other Experience/Personal Interests

  • Accomplished Acoustic and electric bassist; have led and/or played with Tampa Bay area jazz, rock and world music groups, including Philip Booth Quintet, Greenwich Blue, Ghetto Love Sugar, Amandla Tunesmith, spoken-word/music project Irritable Tribe of Poets and several other bands. Have played nightclubs, concert halls, and festivals.
  • Produced and/or played on several CDs, including a Thelonious Monk tribute featuring national artists; received funding from the Arts Council of Hillsborough County.
  • Worked as jazz DJ at Tampa NPR affiliate WUSF-FM.