These are things you won’t see on my resume.
I’m a Senior Producer of Video, Marketing and Corporate Communications and a third generation storyteller.
My father and his father told their stories from the pulpit. They were steadfast in their work, never wavering as they crafted their inspirational messages. They were resilient in their quest to find new ways to explain the inexplicable. Watching and listening to them, I learned to tell stories from your heart, be relentless and always creative.
As a kid, my first job was delivering an afternoon paper, The Raleigh Times. I learned valuable life lessons there too. Work quickly and pedal hard. Because if you’re slow, the Cocker Spaniel on Everette Avenue bites and that hurts.
My education continued while lifeguarding at the coldest mountain pool on the planet, flipping burgers at a ski resort, working on the ferries at Ocracoke and hanging out of helicopters shooting television news. While getting my masters in fun, I learned the importance of keeping an eye out for trouble, anticipating demand, talking to strangers and always getting the shot.
At KTRK-TV in Houston, “Eyewitness News, Number One In Texas!”, I learned what it felt like to be number one in the fourth largest city in America. And it felt great. Doors opened quicker and people said yes more often. Being number one is best. Always work to be the best.
Moving on to Washington, DC I learned the power of spin when their three-term mayor was busted in a sting operation for smoking crack. After his release from prison, he was re-elected to a fourth term. His winning campaign slogan? “He May Not Be Perfect, But He’s Perfect for D.C.” Believe in the power of carefully chosen words.
When I returned to North Carolina to be near my aging parents, I began freelancing with the world’s second largest pharmaceutical company. Soon I went from freelancer to business owner and employer. It was an incredible experience and I traveled the world producing patient testimonials. Show what your product does and let customers explain the benefits.
“I have worked with numerous filmmakers all over the world in my 30 year career with GSK but John Cline is easily the best.” Peter Hare, Vice President HIV, GlaxoSmithKline.
As with everything else, technological advances changed the video industry. Productions that once took a room full of equipment could suddenly be done on a laptop. So I pivoted. I sold my business and returned to freelancing. And I ran the New York Marathon. Never stop learning. Add skills. Take care of yourself.
Soon I joined some old friends at ARCA, a financial technology company. There, I created multimedia content, telling the story of their brand in a unified, consistent voice. I produced videos that promote products, provided technical assistance and showed how what they sell improved their customers’ lives. I wrote articles, press releases, customer testimonials and published the content on their website. I created trade show materials, booth branding and on-site video production. I even got to name new products. I cranked out almost 500 videos in 8 years. I created the company’s intranet, e-learning courses, employee orientation presentations and more. But all that is on my resume.
“The content John created became the voice of ARCA and the primary tools we used to succeed as a sales organization. We would not have enjoyed the success we did without his behind the scenes support and willingness to do whatever was needed.” Mike Mares, ARCA Vice President, Sales and Business Development.
When I began working in the marketing department at ARCA, they were a 60 employee distributor of banking technology. During my time at ARCA, they grew, acquiring two companies in France and a 450 employee company in Italy that manufactured their products.
“The results of John’s efforts over the last five years has consistently and without fail exceeded all expectation. His work allowed us to present this company at the very highest levels and exceeded the products of all our multi-billion dollar competitors.” Ralph Sanders, ARCA Worldwide Sales Lead.
Most recently, I accepted a position at Research Triangle Institute (RTI) International. RTI’s mission is a dedication to improving the human condition globally. I am thrilled and humbled to be helping with this endeavor, managing their video services.
I have been successful in my career by keeping my eyes open and an ear to the rail, anticipating change, identifying challenges and creating new opportunities. I produce stories that engage and enlighten audiences.
I remain a life-long, inquisitive, self-motivated, multimedia storyteller. And while that does run in my family, I’ve also learned on my own many, many lessons, tips and tricks, and a whole bunch of what not to do.
These are some of the things you won’t see on my resume.