Spotlights
Spotlight on Creativity
February 2009
February’s spotlight on creativity is local young professional John Davidson, Managing Editor of Keystone Edge. John got into print journalism just as it jumped the shark and spent several years roaming around the country writing about crime, politics and education for various newspapers. After a short stint in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., as a night reporter, he moved to Philadelphia and worked for NBC Universal before becoming immersed in the world of online freelance journalism, which he now does full-time as Managing Editor of Keystone Edge.
In addition to managing Keystone Edge, John writes news stories and produces web videos for Planphilly.com, a site affiliated with PennPraxis, the clinical arm of University of Pennsylvania's School of Design.
Your name:
John Davidson
Firm/company:
Keystone Edge
Occupation:
Managing Editor, Keystone Edge
Current Location:
Fishtown
Hometown:
Palmer, Alaska
Favorite Philadelphia neighborhood:
Art Museum
Best advice you've ever been given:
Stay on the boat.
Your favorite thing about living in the Philadelphia Region:
The live music scene, the restaurants and nightspots and the museums.
Your favorite thing about working in the Philadelphia Region:
There's plenty to write about, and I'm in the business of writing. This place keeps me busy.
How would you market the Philadelphia Region to professionals outside the region?
I would tell them there's a lot creativity here, a lot of momentum. One of the things I think people outside the region don't know is how many entrepreneurs we have here, and how connected they are to one another. It creates a very dynamic environment where talented, creative people can thrive.
What advice would you give to young professionals trying to break into your industry?
If you want to be a writer, and you want to write for online media, you should learn how to edit video, write html and take decent photos.
Keystone Edge tells the story of the new economy in Pennsylvania--a narrative of creative people and businesses, new development, cool places to live, and the best places to work and play. Each Thursday, the Web site and weekly online magazine presents original stories, video and photography to tell that story, from Harrisburg to Philly.
To learn more about John and his work in the region, visit www.keystoneedge.com/.