James Laird

About

Editor, journalist, content manager, strategist and writer with 10+ years experience in digital media, SEO and news. Currently, I am Content Manager at ExpressVPN, the flagship brand of Kape Technologies. Previously, I was Content Manager and Strategist at MVF brand Tech.co, where I helped drive organic growth taking it from a 500k session site to a 1-1.5m one in less than a year.Prior to that, I was Sports and TV Streaming Editor at Future plc as part of its Content Development team, working mainly on TechRadar. The role also included general content and SEO strategy for other Future sites including Tom's Guide, T3 and more - including Future's US, Australian, and other international teams. In my time there, I helped deliver five of the publisher's most profitable 24 hour streaming sale periods ever.Other historical roles include: News & Features Editor at Trusted Reviews, UK Editor of Lifehacker, Senior Staff Writer at ITProPortal.My areas of editorial knowledge include technology, sports, culture, lifestyle, food and drink. 10+ years of digital media experience as a writer and editor means I am well-versed in SEO, content strategy, content management, social media and e-commerce.Over the years, I've moderated panel debates at global technology shows; interviewed high-profile subjects from 50 Cent to Arianna Huffington and Jimmy Wales; and spoken to major television networks about the latest consumer gadgets. I've managed and worked with diverse teams all over the world in a variety of environments - training graduates at startups, project managing across brands at large publishers, handling global contributor networks, both leading and being a small part of remote working teams. I also have considerable experience in copywriting.Bylines and related editorial work for: TechRadar, Trusted Reviews, T3, The Sun, Gizmodo, Lifehacker, Golf Monthly, InStyle, ITProPortal.com, TopTenReviews, The Spaces, Stadium Productions, Technology.info, Hackney Citizen, Islington Gazette, EastLondonLinesBack in the day, I attained a professional wine qualification, WSET Intermediate Certificate (Professional Level w/Merit), because it seemed like the obvious way forward at college - and full UK, US and EU citizenship by sheer luck of the draw. More recently, I acquired a CPCAB Level 3 in Counselling Skills.