ALEX STEER
     Email: alex@alexsteer.net
     Website: http://alexsteer.net

   PROFILE

   I'm a planner working across disciplines on WPP's global Marketing
   Fellowship, currently at Ogilvy Cape Town. I have worked on strategy and
   campaign development for major brands and organisations in the UK and
   South Africa. I began my career as a dictionary editor, which taught me to
   value the twin contributions of measurement and creativity to solving
   communications problems.

   EMPLOYMENT

   2009-present: Marketing Fellow, WPP (marketing communications group).

     A three-year program comprising rotations through WPP's companies, with
     the aim of developing high-calibre management with experience across
     marketing disciplines and cultures.

     2009-present: Planner, Ogilvy Cape Town (advertising/communications
     agency).

       Brand and communication strategy; campaign development; reviewing
       competitor brands and market activity; consumer and market trends
       advice for client and agency audiences; briefing creative teams to
       develop campaign ideas and executions; strategy for new business
       pitches.

     2009: Analyst, The Futures Company, London (strategic research
     consultancy).

       Helping brands and organisations adapt to change by monitoring
       attitudes, behaviours and trends. Designing and running
       research-backed trends, futures and strategic planning projects.
       Producing reports, briefings and presentations. Working with
       organisations to improve marketing and communication strategy
       development.

   2008-09: Research Analyst, New Philanthropy Capital (charity analytics
   consultancy).

     Advised donors, funders and charities on how to achieve and demonstrate
     greater social impact from their activities. Planned, researched and
     wrote reports and briefings on charities' work in the education sector.
     Analysed charities' activities, results and finances and produced
     funding recommendations.

   2006-08: Assistant Editor, Oxford English Dictionary, Oxford University
   Press.

     Researched the history and development of the English language. Wrote
     and edited dictionary entries. Used proprietary language corpora and
     search tools, and trained other editors and researchers on search
     methodologies and use of linguistic resources. Advised on specialist
     areas of lexicography and historical bibliography (especially early
     English). Developed public relations as a correspondent on the OED's
     Word and Language Service. Gave presentations to school and university
     students and the media on the OED and its work.

   2009 (part-time): Associate Lecturer in English Language, Open University.

     Taught English language and linguistics to students. Marked written work
     and gave group tutorials.

   2007-08 (part-time): Tutor in English Language and Literature, University
   of Oxford.

     Taught undergraduates reading for papers in English language and
     medieval literature. Set and marked written work, and gave one-to-one
     and small-group tutorials.

   EDUCATION

   Girton College, Cambridge University (2001-05).

     2005: M.Phil. Medieval and Renaissance Literature. Thesis on late
     medieval English historical bibliography. Distinction in examination.
     Arts and Humanities Research Council award, 2004-5.

     2004: B.A. (Hons.) English, double 1st class. Top in college year. M.A.
     degree awarded March 2008. Graduate Scholarship, 2004-05; Davies
     Scholarship, 2004; Russell Scholarship, 2003.

   Caterham School, Caterham, Surrey (1991-2001).

     2001: A Levels. English Literature (A), Government and Politics (A),
     Modern History (A), Latin (A). Academic scholarship, 1994-2001. Academic
     awards for English and Latin.

     1998/99: GCSEs. 10 at Grade A*; 1 at Grade A.

   ADDITIONAL SKILLS

   Computing: highly proficient; experience across major operating systems
   and with common software (incl. Word, Excel, Powerpoint, basic SPSS) and
   internet applications. Coding and markup experience in XML flavours, XSL,
   CSS, PHP, Javascript, Perl, Python, Bash. Fast learner on proprietary
   platforms.

   Languages: Native English, conversational French (good reading knowledge),
   some German and Afrikaans, several historical languages. Expert on history
   of English.

   INTERESTS

   Hiking and camping; cycling; improvised comedy; music (guitar, banjo,
   drums); language and communication; word games. Member of the Philological
   Society.