About John Fries

John is a marketing professional with nearly 30 years of strategic, creative and management experience and a long list of results. He provides companies of all sizes and types with strategic marketing counsel, expert writing and attention-grabbing graphic design.

His experience includes developing results-focused marketing strategies and writing and designing a full range of marketing materials (ad campaigns, brochures, newsletters, publications, etc.)
, websites, e-communications programs, e-books, logos and identities, television and radio programs, video productions, and more.

He has led the communications departments at several major organizations, including UPMC Passavant, Shadyside Hospital, the Port Authority of Allegheny County, and Butler Gas Products Co. He also held a management position at Burson-Marsteller, one of the largest communications firms in the world, where he led initiatives for Highmark, Eckert Seamans, Duquesne Light, and PA Blue Shield.

Writing and Graphic Design
John has provided writing and/or graphic design services to organizations of all sizes, ranging from major corporations (UPMC Health System, Heinz, PNC Bank, Giant Eagle, Pizza Hut, the Pittsburgh Convention Center, and Schering Plough among them) to numerous mid-sized companies, small businesses, non-profits, and entrepreneurial ventures. He also writes comedy and humor material, film scripts and cartoons.

Journalistic Writing
John's writing has been published extensively. His articles have appeared in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pittsburgh Magazine, Pittsburgh Boomers, PNC Strategies, North Hills Monthly, Peters & Point South, Hospital News (Western PA, Chicago, Atlanta and South Florida), The Western PA Guide to Good Health, and many others.
He has interviewed a diverse range of public figures, personalities and people with interesting stories, including authors, politicians, business leaders, sports figures, actors, film directors, musicians, and many others.

He began his career while in college as a radio writer, producer and host at WDUQ, a 25,000-watt NPR affiliate. He later served as writer and producer of the morning show at 3WS-FM and in the station's newsroom.

Web Design
John is an award-winning web designer with 10+ years of experience and a couple dozen sites in his portfolio.

Author
John is the
author of several business guides covering such topics as branding, web marketing, public speaking, and advertising for results.

Teaching and Speaking
John has developed and taught marketing and communications classes. An engaging and entertaining presenter, he often speaks to business audiences about innovative, results-focused marketing and communications. He also
guest lectures in the university and college environment.

Education
He holds a B.A. degree in communications from Duquesne University.

Contact John at 412.760.2299 or johnfries@comcast.net.

 



John's Pics



1985: John meets Andy Warhol at the Factory in New York. John was on a trip to NY with Andy's nephew, one of one John's best friends since childhood.


2002: John meets comedy legend Martin Short after his show at Heinz Hall in Pittsburgh. He's not literally short, though; he appears to be about 5'10".