I am passionate about high-quality publishing. Drawing on eight years’ experience in a dynamic media landscape, my aim as a writer and presenter is to maintain high standards teamed with the efficiency of delivery demanded by the modern-day publishing cycle.

Experience with print and digital magazines, newspaper, website and app publishing and video presentation reflects my belief that a multi-faceted journalist role is to be embraced.

Knowledge around multiple ways for users to view content is I believe as important as being versatile with content itself. Tone and structure with an unwavering focus on the target audience of each project is as critical as the constants of correct grammar and high production values.

Professional strengths include news reporting, features writing, audio-visual production, copywriting and developing content strategies.

That quality content underpins the success of a media brand regardless of the format is an ethos emphasised early during four years of journalism studies at the University of Sydney. It is a value then reinforced as a journalist at Wheels magazine, Australia’s longest running motoring title.

Under the tutelage of some of the automotive industry’s most experienced and respected journalists, I aimed to help ensure high writing and research standards were maintained.

Upon completion of my university degree, I was promoted to staff journalist (2009) and news and features writer (2011) roles.

In my most senior role at Wheels I embraced multi-car comparison and features content, the latter in particular requiring a markedly different writing style between factual and informative or light entertainment briefs.

Of my time at Wheels, former editor Bill Thomas remarked: “Daniel is a pleasure to work with and a dedicated young professional with strong ability.”

“His writing is clear, concise and delivered promptly, and needs very little reworking to meet any given brief. He works well with an editorial team, works hard and is well organised. His car knowledge is vast.

“Daniel has a very clear understanding of the needs of the car enthusiast reader, for magazine, online and social media. This is perhaps his greatest asset – understanding a car loving reader’s needs and then delivering content to entertain and inform in equal measure.”

A changing media landscape signalled embracing change by late 2012. Former Wheels chief sub-editor Jez Spinks had stepped from being Fairfax’s Drive online editor to CarAdvice editor-in-chief. The independent website was in its infancy, and Jez asked me to join as deputy editor to help guide an ambitious expansion plan.

The challenge was set. I had long believed there was space for magazine-style quality in website publishing, but that the formula had not been nailed.

In close consultation with Jez and an enthusiastic and capable editorial team, we set out to shift CarAdvice from a motoring blog to a media outlet focused on quality, delving into new formats such as the iPad app and YouTube video, and expanded content such as features and comparison tests.

CarAdvice doubled its audience in the first year I was employed, and came close to doubling again in the second. In June 2013 CarAdvice became the fourth largest motoring website in Australia, and of its rivals ahead remains singularly without a used car classifieds component. By March 2014, CarAdvice recorded 4.4 million page impressions with a unique audience number of 296,000 an all-time high.

Over the course of two-and-a-half years at CarAdvice I contributed to the website 160 single car reviews, 56 comparison tests, an average of 10 to 12 news articles per international motor show, and 30 videos that have garnered over 1.2 million views on YouTube.

Of my time with CarAdvice, former editor-in-chief Jez Spinks said: “Daniel’s multi-function role comprised strategic support, writing car news and reviews, and primarily organising and conducting group vehicle tests.”

“The latter part of this role especially highlighted the thoroughness not just in the way logistically challenging comparison tests were organised so well, but also in how he analysed the pros and cons of different vehicles.

“Daniel’s dedication to executing a job as close to perfection as possible is also admirable, and he was a rare member of my staff with whom I could entrust the detailed proofing of my own copy.

“Combine these abilities with a high level of trustworthiness, and Daniel has capabilities that would make him an asset to any company operating in the media environment.”

The experiences and values developed over my career give insight into my strengths as a freelance journalist – offering strategic support, commercial direction, photography organisation, video presentation, focused copywriting, and clean news and features writing.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions or feedback via email or phone below.

Dan DeGasperi​
Email: dd.degasperi@gmail.com.au
Tel +61466612742
LinkedIn: Daniel DeGasperi