Alan Brandon

Tech writing, content strategy, and marketing communications

Resume

Writing • Editing • Content Development
Project Management • Illustration and Design

Accomplished communications professional with 20 years of experience in content strategy, technical writing, and marketing communications. A quick study with proven results writing for audiences including end-users, press, and decision makers. Blends deep telecom and network knowledge with exceptionally strong tools expertise, team leadership, and project management skills.

  • Develops content strategy to align organizational messaging with editorial and publishing channels.
  • Plans, authors, and publishes product documentation, sales materials, and marketing collateral.
  • Documents network and telecom technology ranging from small/home office devices to advanced core network switches and test systems.

Professional Highlights

Principal Marketing Technical Writer (contract) | EMC, Hopkinton, MA

Produce a range of technical marketing documentation to support cloud computing and cloud storage infrastructure products.

  • Lead a workgroup that defines content specifications and creates appropriate templates.
  • Collaborate with Solutions Engineering, Creative Services, and other subject-matter experts to deliver white papers and other marketing documentation. Publish to the company wiki, intranet, and corporate web site.

Contributing Writer | Gizmag (gizmag.com, Australia)

Write gadget and technology reviews and features for popular tech/gadget web site.

Principal Technical Writer (contract) | Sycamore Networks, Billerica, MA

Researched and wrote user documentation to support Sycamore’s core and edge telecommunications switch products.

Senior Technical Writer | Cisco Corporation, Boxborough, MA

Planned, wrote, and published technical publications to support Cisco’s WAAS router family. Investigated use of video in user documentation.

Technical Publications Coordinator | 3Com Corp., Marlborough, MA

Managed, wrote, and edited documentation to support 3Com’s entire line of wireless network products for the consumer market, as well as the enterprise and SMB markets.

  • Developed file conversion and change tracking process to handle source documentation from 3Com’s joint venture in China.
  • Investigated single-source documentation tools for cross-channel publishing.

Freelance/contract Communicator | (Selected clients listed)

Sr. Technical Writer, Harris Communications (Mason, OH; worked remotely)

Working in the Intraplex division, developed user documentation and technical marketing literature to support advanced digital broadcast transport equipment.

  • Implemented and maintained an interactive technical support web site that automated the support function and reduced the volume of incoming support phone calls.

Publications Manager/Instructor, Mike Rozumek’s Karate Center (Pepperell, MA)

Wrote ads, newsletters, and other marketing materials for a one of the largest martial arts schools on the East coast. Ghostwrote magazine articles, endorsements, and letters of recommendation for the school’s owner. Handled other PR duties as needed.

  • Taught martial arts classes for adults and children. Class sizes ranged from one-on-one to more than 50 students.

Learning Products Developer | Agilent Technologies | Hewlett-Packard, Westford, MA

Developed, wrote, edited, and illustrated publications to support advanced telecommunications test systems used in engineering labs and manufacturing environments.

  • Led rebranding effort for business unit when HP spun-off Agilent. Oversaw localization/translation projects as well as OEM/acquisition re-branding projects.

Newsletter Editor (contract) | AT&T Network Systems, North Andover, MA

Edited and managed The Channel newsletter for customers of AT&T’s network products.

  • Wrote and edited stories and managed internal and external vendors. Coordinated material from customers and AT&T personnel worldwide.
  • Won Society for Technical Communications’ Outstanding Achievement Award.

Expertise

Deliverables:

  • Hardware manuals, software guides, user guides, installation manuals
  • Help
  • Web sites, wikis, blogs
  • Direct mail, direct email
  • Newsletters, articles, white papers
  • Brochures, data sheets, advertising

Technologies:

  • Telecommunications, telephony
  • Networking, communications
  • Wireless, WiFi
  • DSL, xDSL
  • SONET, SDH
  • TCP/IP, POTS

Tools:

  • FrameMaker, Word, MadCap Flare
  • Acrobat, DreamWeaver, InDesign
  • WordPress
  • PhotoShop, Illustrator, Visio
  • RoboHelp, WebWorks
  • Excel, PowerPoint
  • ClearCase, Documentum

Specialties

  • Technical writer, principal technical writer, lead writer, senior technical writer
  • Technology writer, blogger
  • Editor, localization coordinator
  • Documentation manager, publications manager
  • Team leader, project manager, project lead
  • Content manager, web master, web content developer, web editor
  • Marketing communications, marcom, copywriter
  • Graphic design, illustrator, digital imaging

Written by Alan