Resume

 
 

JOHN LEDESMA
SENIOR PRODUCER ❘ WRITER ❘ DIRECTOR

SYNOPSIS:
Senior-level editorial creative and manager with 20 years experience collaborating with an international network of production professionals to develop and deliver high-quality content for a variety of platforms. Successful track record of sustained dependability, accountability and independence within mainly the lifestyle and documentary genres.

 

 
PROFESSIONAL HISTORY:
OPTIMISM MEDIA GROUP
Versatile and responsive multimedia production agency
 (www.optimismmedia.com)  2010-present
Founder & Director
This self-created company is the primary content provider for GOLF.com in its instruction, travel and feature departments. Over the past two years, OMG has produced and delivered hundreds of tips, features and interviews that have been credited with increasing traffic to the site by nearly 200%. In addition, we have been trusted to create various advertorial campaigns for clients such as Zurich, Titleist and the United States Golf Association. Among other things, my responsibilities include:

■    Plan, coordinate and manage multi-day, multi-camera shoots across the country employing local and non-local crews.

■    Script material and craft interview questions. Direct on-camera talent in the field and in studio. Conduct interviews on location.

■    Supervise post production with final project approval

 Camilo Villegas and Luke Donald in New Orleans.
 
ECHO ENTERTAINMENT
Internationally recognized, high-volume production company		 (www.echoent.com) 2002-2010

Writer & Producer
As a primary contract writer and producer, I've been responsible for delivering a vast collection of high-profile programs and DVDs for various broadcast and cable networks. Highlights include 25 syndicated network hours of targeted programming for EA SPORTS. Also, along with partner Eclipse Television, created product specific advertorial features for major clients including Nike, Sony, Jeep, Paul Mitchell and Muscle Milk.

■    Supervising producer on well-received Animal Planet show entitled “Mascot Madness” starring Jeff Corwin and Lee Corso. Writer/Producer of important series “XIX Paralympic Winter Games on A&E” with Harry Smith and Joan London.

■    Writer, Producer and/or Director for dozens of television shows, series and interstitials that appeared on ABC, Biography Channel, CBS, ESPN, Fox Sports, GSN, History Channel, NBC, Speed, Spike, and Universal Sports, among others.

 Todd Haris, Ledesma, Brian Movalson and Kirk Morrison at the U.
 
CONTRACT WRITER (www.johnledesma.com) 1997-2002
Writer, Author, Screenwriter & Contributor
As a freelance writer taking advantage of the superior opportunities during these heady economic times, I pitched, researched and wrote scores of articles and advertorials across dozens of national magazine titles including Bloomberg Businessweek, Continental, GOLF, Men’s Health, SPORT, Stuff, and The Sporting News, among others.
■    Authored two books: Golf School for PRC Publishing (London) 
and Golf Skills for Thunder Bay Press
(Los Angeles). Contributed on four additional books: The PGA Tour’s 
Complete Book of Golf (New York), Duel in the Sun (New York), 
Game of the Century (New York) and The Golf Dictionary (Dallas).
■    Wrote an original screenplay titled “Turning the Tide,” the true story of how an integrated group of young men from Southern California changed deep-seated racial attitudes in the South and created unimagined opportunities for blacks in the region simply by playing a single football game.
 
WERNER PUBLISHING
Managing Editor, Golf Tips Magazine		 (www.golftipsmag.com) 1995-1997
 
PETERSEN PUBLISHING
Managing Editor, Petersen’s Golfing
Research Editor, SPORT Magazine		 1992-1995
 
EDUCATION & AFFILIATIONS:

University of Southern California, BA, Broadcast Journalism, 1991

USC Alumni Association, USC Annenberg School for Communication, Sigma Chi Fraternity,
Trojan Football Alumni Club, Trojan Rugby