JULIE PARKINS-FORGET
julie@julieparkins.com

Relevant Experience | Other Work Experience | Education | Technical | Personal | Comments

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

  • 4 Years experience in the communications industry.
  • 10 years of work experience in the sport and physical fitness industries.
  • Master’s degree in Journalism and Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology.
  • Chosen as the editor of the Canadian Olympic Team’s newsletter for the 2006, 2004 and 2002 Olympic Games.
  • Proficient writer, editor, website designer and public speaker.

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

President, JSP Communications
Montreal, QC 2002 - Present

Manage a home-based communications business offering: web site design and maintenance, desktop publishing, media relations, writing and editing on a variety of topics.

  • Produced the Media Guide for the 2004 Canadian Paralympic Team which included researching, writing, designing and editing to strict deadlines.
  • Completed the desktop publishing for the 2004 Canadian Olympic Team Media Guide on short notice and to strict deadlines.
  • Created cleaner, simpler and more effective websites for a variety of clients that have resulted in increased site visitations.
  • Commended for efficiency, attention to detail and adaptability.
  • Acquired contracts through effective networking skills and proven reliability.

Communications Manager : Canadian Sport Centre Calgary
Calgary, AB 2000-2002

Created and implemented a multitude of new communication tools that resulted in increased exposure for the Centre and for its athletes and coaches.

  • Increased web site traffic by over 400%.
  • Utilized desktop publishing, writing and editing skills to produce a variety of documents that raised the profile of the Centre in Calgary and throughout Canada.
  • Praised for knowledge of the sports, athletes and coaches that the Centre dealt with, and the ease with which those people were dealt with.

Games Publications Officer: Canadian Olympic Committee
Athens, Greece 2004 & Salt Lake City, USA 2002

Worked collaboratively with a translator to produce a daily newsletter in both print and web format for the Canadian Team at the 2004 and 2002 Olympic Games.

  • Ultimately responsible for final content, design, layout and production.
  • Worked with press attaches, photographers and media to ensure a quality publication.
  • Worked out of the Main Press Centre under often stressful situations.

Communications Specialist: Olympic Oval Organizing Committee
Calgary, AB 2001

  • Worked collaboratively to design and build a new website for the organization.
  • Designed program for December 2001 World Cup Speed Skating competition using PageMaker software. Worked to tight deadline.
  • Composed and released several press releases for each day of World Cup competition.

Media Coordinator: Men’s National Water Polo Team
Calgary, AB 2000 – 2001

Increased exposure of men’s water polo in Calgary and Canada through regular press releases and press conferences.

  • Key contact for media prior to, during, and after events.

Internship Reporter: CBC Radio
Calgary, AB 2000

  • Researched, collected and edited interview and sound clips for morning and afternoon news programs.
  • Produced a series of profiles for the Sydney 2000 Olympics.
  • Participated in daily story meetings.

Internship Reporter: Calgary Sun
Calgary, AB 2000

  • Composed a variety of stories as a general news reporter in a busy newsroom environment.

Freelance Reporter: Variety of Publications
On-going

  • Composed articles for a variety of publications including: ROAR Magazine - University of Calgary athletics Department; MiY Magazine - University of Western Ontario Student Magazine; Canadian Sport News - Internet news service.

Sports Reporter: University of Calgary Gauntlet
Calgary, AB 1994 - 1999

  • Composed regular articles detailing activities of University athletes.
  • Traveled with University swim team to two National Championships as sports reporter.

OTHER WORK EXPERIENCE

Administrative Assistant: National Coaching Institute – Calgary
Calgary, AB 2000

Responsible for the efficient operation of the office and it's programs.

  • Developed and maintained up-to-date and accurate database and filing systems for program areas.
  • Performed daily office duties with minimal supervision.

Customer Service Representative: Campus Recreation, University of Calgary
Calgary, AB 1994 – 1999

  • Provided superior customer service to students, staff and the general public at both the main office and in the Outdoor Program Centre.
  • Advised customers on selecting recreational programs and outdoor equipment appropriate for their interests and skill levels.
  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively in stressful situations.
  • Informed local and international visitors about facilities and programs

Retail Sales and Customer Service: Mountain Equipment Co-op
Calgary, AB 1997

  • Employed extensive knowledge of outdoor sports and equipment to help members meet their outdoor equipment needs.
  • Underwent extensive training with a range of outdoor equipment and activities.
  • Ultimately responsible for customer satisfaction.

Rowing Coach: Montreal Rowing Club, Calgary Rowing Club, University of Calgary Rowing Club
Montréal, QC Summer 2003; Calgary, AB Summer 1993; 1997 - 1999

  • Coached recreational level rowers both on and off the water while ensuring their unique needs were met and that they enjoyed themselves.
  • Assisted Varsity coach with on-water and dry land coaching.
  • Developed and implemented strength and cardiovascular training workouts for athletes.
  • In charge of communication between coaches committee and the athlete’s council.

EDUCATION

MA (Journalism) - University of Western Ontario, 2000. Major: new media.
BKin - University of Calgary, 1997. Focus: sport history, sport sociology.
Level Three French - Language Studies Canada, 2002 - Present.

Courses: Practical and theoretical aspects of TV, Radio, Print and New Media; Organizational Communications; Canadian Sport History; History of the Olympic Games; Sport Sociology; Spoken and Written Discourse; Human Anatomy and Physiology; Exercise Physiology.

Honours: Dean’s list for high academic achievement - 1997.

SKILLS

COMPUTER: Web Design (DreamWeaver, FireWorks, Flash (learning)); Basic HTML coding; Desktop Publishing (Quark XPress, PageMaker & MS Publisher); Word Processing; Spreadsheets; Databases; PhotoShop; PowerPoint on both PC and MAC platforms.

JOURNALISM: BetaCam operation; Television & radio studio production; digital audio voice editing; Video editing.

SPORT: Certified strength and conditioning trainer; Locally certified volleyball referee; NCCP Level 1 certified coach for rowing, speed skating and field hockey.

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Competitive Dragon boat and outrigger canoe paddler; Competitive rower from 1991 – 1995; Recreational telemark skier, hiker, backpacker, runner and cyclist. Traveled throughout England, western Europe, Peru, Bolivia, Canada and the United States.

COMMENTS

“I was just on the Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton website and it was a welcome 'site' after cruising so many others today. It's so well organized in terms of format, colours and photos that as soon as I came to it, my eyes felt soothed. Great work!”

- Christina Disipio, Communications, SIRC (Sports Information Resource Centre)

"Super Journal Canada editor. You received the praises of many only after a few days of print. Journal Canada was very good and very popular. It was upbeat and interesting."

- Hélène Lapointe, Press Chief - Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games.


"I want to congratulate you on doing such a great job. You have continually raised the bar for us here at the National Sport Centre Manitoba. Great new initiative on the preview for watching amateur sport on the weekends. Great work and thanks for continuing to challenge us to do better!"

-Lisa Tinley, Manager of Communications, National Sport Centre Manitoba.

"You've done a tremendous job and have every reason to be proud of the excellent service you've provided for the Calgary media."

Doug Dirks, CBC-TV Calgary.


“I absolutely think you are doing a fantastic job of your newsletters. They are very informative, CONCISE and to the point, yet give enough information that is needed to know where the Alberta Athletes are going.”

- Betty. Reader of the “Week in Review”

“Congratulations on getting the "Update" on-line and also congratulations on a very interesting issue. Your lead story captured the passion and enthusiasm that Sally Rehorick is famous for. Super job!!!! Keep up the good work."

- Diane Jones Konihowski, Canadian Chef de Mission, 2000 Sydney Olympics.

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