Brett Debritz


Nationality: Australian and British (EU)
Current location: Glasgow, Scotland
UK mobile: 07503454631
Australian mobile: +61 416257348 (redirects to my current location)
Email: debritz@hotmail.com


Summary: I am a highly skilled, passionate, experienced and motivated writer, editor, internet content provider/producer, broadcaster and manager who has worked at senior levels in Australia, the United Kingdom and South East Asia. I have a broad range of interests, and I have worked in general news, sport, features and business. In my special area of expertise – the arts and entertainment – I have been a section editor, commissioning editor, feature writer, critic, columnist and blogger. I have had a keen interest in new media since it really was new. In 1997, I helped launch the South China Morning Post’s scmp.com and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s abc.net.au/news site. More recently, I have been a blogger and vlogger at news.com.au/couriermail, and I continue to run a suite of personal websites including a blog (www.debritz.net), the popular Showbritz entertainment site (www.showbritz.com) and the Celebrity Deaths Archive (www.celebritydeaths.net). Now based in the United Kingdom, I am writing for newspapers and magazines, including the Escape travel liftout in The Sunday Mail, in Brisbane, Australia, and sub-editing for Glasgow-based publications. I also have a regular weekly spot on 612ABC Brisbane's high-rating Breakfast with Spencer Howson show. I am available for other writing, editing, broadcasting and online production assignments.

Qualifications

University of Queensland
Bachelor of Arts with majors in journalism, English literature and history
Completed: 1980

Miscellaneous post-graduate study in English, politics and economics
1982-83

Tutor, print journalism
1991-93

Australian Film, Television and Radio School
Certificate in radio announcing and presentation
Completed: 2006

Miscellaneous
I hold a certificate in Teeline shorthand, and have successfully completed newspaper design courses with News Limited and the Pacific Area Newspaper Publishers Association. I have completed on-the-job training in InDesign, Quark XPress, Cybergraphic, Photoshop and other design and production software packages, and I am comfortable working in both the Mac and Windows operating environments.

Interests

·      Performing arts, showbiz and popular culture

·      Travel

·      History and politics

·      Internet and personal technology

 

Personal and professional qualities

·     Insatiable curiosity about the world and its people

·     Passion for news, especially big breaking stories

·     Drive to be first and best

·     Ability to multi-skill across writing, editing, production and commissioning tasks

·     Eye for detail and a love of the English language

·     Ability to work independently or as part of a team; in the field or in the office

·     Love of gadgets that extends to news-gathering and production technology

·     Easy-going and adaptable to different circumstances and ways of working

·     Genuine enthusiasm for, and endless optimism about, the profession of journalism


Updated: October 10, 2008