Eric Bender, the Short Resume

617.244.2676, ebender00 ((at)) yahoo.com, 86 Greenlawn Avenue, Newton, MA 02459

Summary

• Extensive experience in engagingly and effectively communicating about science and technology via print, web, interactive media, video and live events
• Running many communications and public affairs efforts for Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, including overseeing all websites and publications
• Launched successful clean-slate site overhaul for MIT's technologyreview.com
• Created startup editorial operations at technologyreview.com and at PC World Magazine
• Strong background in managing collaborative ventures with numerous players

Professional Experience

Associate Director of Communications and Public Affairs (formerly Manager of Publications). Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, 2004 to present, Cambridge, MA

• Overseeing numerous communications and outreach programs for world-famous basic research institute:
• Strengthening Whitehead's web presence, adding video offerings, podcasts, RSS news feeds and tailored content for special topics such as stem cell research
• Editing award-winning Paradigm magazine, refocusing its content directly on Whitehead science and the context of that work
• Overseeing highly effective media relations and adding enhancements that increased quality and quantity of worldwide press coverage
• Managing successful outreach events, including annual symposium with more than 1000 registrants, and starting popular events such as the Whitehead Drama Fest
• Supervising ongoing internal communications (everything from intranet to the skit at the annual scientific retreat)
• Writing speeches and scientific award recommendations
• Launched 25th anniversary planning and supervised many well-received anniversary projects, including videos about Whitehead's founding and the Institute today plus exhibit viewed by 80,000 visitors at the MIT Museum

Editorial consultant. 2002 to 2004, Newton, MA

Writing, editing, online course creation and web publishing services for America Online, Education Development Center, Institute for Healthcare Improvement, Technology Review, U.S. Distance Learning Association, and other medical and publishing groups

Editor, technologyreview.com. 2000 to 2002, Cambridge, MA

• Responsible for building first full-blown version of MIT web site, tripling site traffic in six months and winning web awards
• Assigned and edited stories on biotechnology, information technology, nanotechnology and other emerging technologies
• Planned and implemented strategy for content, information architecture and design for complete re-launch from bare-bones site, accomplished within three months
• Added web enhancements including forums and how-it-works animations

Executive Editor, PC World Magazine (starting as East Coast Editor). 1986 to 2000, Boston, MA

• Reporting to editorial director, played significant role in PC World's rise to world's most widely read computer magazine, with paid circulation of 1.25 million
• Proposed and created cover stories, columns and special reports, achieving high ratings in detailed monthly quantitative readership studies
• Created and ran pcworld.com's award-winning daily news operation
• Managed partnership projects, including quarterly consumer publication produced jointly with Family Circle
• Oversaw successful startup and operation of network server testing lab (the magazine's most technically complex testing effort)
• Created some of PC World's first online-only content and planned the framework for first web community efforts

Related Professional Experience

Writing, editing and creation of printed and online material on information technology, marine research, electro-optics, environmental issues and many other topics in science and technology

Education

• M.S. in Journalism with major in Science Communication, Boston University, Boston, MA
• B.A., Goddard College, Plainfield, VT