John Cutter is a publishing consultant who specializes in raising readership and revenue through creating collaborations among the editorial, advertising, events and marketing teams.

As award-winning managing editor and company director at the Orlando Sentinel Media Group in Florida, John led numerous innovations that transformed the traditional newsroom into an industry leading digital operation, meeting or exceeding revenue and digital readership goals annually. Such work led Editor and Publisher magazine to name the company one of the “10 Newspapers That Do It Right” for its success with audience, digital and new revenue ideas. 

John’s work on the Tribune Publishing Newsroom 2020 initiative led to increased health and travel coverage, expansion of digital-only content for subscribers and the creation of a national professional soccer site. As the company looked to deepen its connections with its most dedicated readers, John was a key leader in planning large community events, like Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Prime Expo and Top Workplaces.

During John’s tenure as the top newsroom daily manager, the Orlando Sentinel won numerous state and national awards, including being named Pulitzer Finalist in 2013 and 2016 and Emmy Award finalist in 2015 and 2016 as well as winning an Emmy in 2017.

John’s expertise can help publishing companies find innovative ways to connect with core readers, bring in new ones and create more opportunities for revenue to sustain and grow the organization. 

John is experienced at leading an organization and working collaboratively across teams, specifically:

  • Content Development: Managed award-winning digital, visuals and print teams. Writer at top regional and national publications.
  • Strategic Planning: Led newsroom 2020 initiative to grow readership and revenue. Results include increased health coverage and creation of ProSoccerUSA.com, partnering with advertising and marketing on short- and long-range strategic plans.
  • Event Management and Special Projects: Executed newsroom initiatives for large events, such as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Prime Expo, and Top Workplaces.
  • Financial and Freelance Oversight: Managed hiring decisions, oversaw contractor billing, responsibility for news budget.
  • Media Relations and Public Speaking: Lead spokesman for Sentinel during Pulse shooting. Frequent public speaker, panelist and guest on TV, video and podcasts. Have executive-level contacts at media organizations in Central Florida, the state and key media markets nationally.
  • Customer Relations: Thought leader as reader advocate, enhancing transparency about how the newspaper operates.

In his spare time, John is an avid cyclist and volunteers at Lake Cares, the local food pantry.

EXPERIENCE

Publishing Consultant/Writer/Editor
2022-Present:

Tribeca Leadership, New York City: Management consulting
Day Communications, Winter Park, Florida: Writing and Editing
Orlando Sentinel, Orlando, Florida: Writing and Editing

Orlando Sentinel, Orlando, FL — Content Director/Columnist
2010 – 2021

Oversee operations and standards for newsroom. Columnist for regional sections. Plan daily newspaper and special sections in print and online, working with local and remote editors and writers. Manage editorial collaboration with advertising, marketing and events teams. Previously: Managing Editor over digital, news, features and visuals.

WESH-TV, Winter Park, FL — Digital Media Manager
2008 – 2010

Supervised web producers of local content on WESH.com.

Orlando Sentinel, Orlando FL— Deputy Online Editor
2002 – 2008

Managed day-to-day online news operation of OrlandoSentinel.com since April 2006. Previously: Assistant City Editor; Lake County Editor.

Freelance Health Writer, Clearwater, FL 1998 – 2002
Wrote for The New York Times, WebMD.com and others. Published 75 entries in Human Diseases and Conditions (Scribner’s, 2000). Spent 2000-01 as Kaiser Foundation Health Reporting Fellow.

St. Petersburg Times, St. Petersburg, FL Feature Writer
1985 – 1998

Writer specializing in health, aging and retirement on features team. Previously: County Reporter, Assistant City Editor, Copy Editor.

EDUCATION

Fordham University, Bronx, N.Y. — Bachelor’s Degree
Mass Communications and Political Science

University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Studied in master’s program in gerontology (1995-2002)

MEMBERSHIPS

Florida Society of News Editors — Secretary-Treasuer (2018-19), Vice President (2019-20)
Table Talk Committee 2019 — Central Florida Foundation

VOLUNTEER

Mount Dora Bicycle Festival: Ride leader, 2022
Lake Cares food pantry: 2022 to present

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