Signal Custom Content

07/06/2018

So many hotels and resorts put all this effort into driving traffic to their websites, and then those who make it there find an uninspired design and uninformative copy filled with errors. The Loren at Pink Beach in Bermuda wanted something better, and Signal worked with them to bring the resort to life, writing all the copy for their just relaunched site and consulting on the design and images too. http://www.thelorenhotel.com/

10/12/2017

The point of Signal Custom Content is to promote clients more than promote myself, but I appreciate this shout-out from Hawkins International Public Relations. http://blog.hawkpr.com/news/branded-content-guy/

Who: John Newton, AFAR’s Branded Content Advisor and founder of Signal Custom Content How is work in today’s digital space different from how companies would create messages before? Today, there’s a realization that sponsored/branded content has as much potential to reach desirable audience....

17/11/2017

Another installment in the Omni/Washington Post Brand Studio series has been posted today for those who have been waiting impatiently for the next one. (Signal's role was to hire the writer and photographer and do initial edits of both the copy and photos.) http://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/brand-connect/omni/heritage-of-the-homestead/

This family has worked at an iconic Virginia resort for seven generations. Take a tour with them. (Partner Content)

15/08/2017

The latest installment in the Omni/Washington Post program that Signal has helped pull off focuses on the Omni Amelia Island. Signal can only take credit for the words and helping source the images, but I love what Washington Post Brand Studio does with the design of these stories. The next in the series will be on the Omni Homestead.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/brand-connect/omni/eyes-on-the-prize/

Top chefs compete in a sumptuous Florida cook-off. (Partner Content)

28/06/2017

The first of a series of stories on Omni Hotels and Resorts that Signal created, working with editors at Washington Post Brand Studio, has been published. A look at the whiskey culture of Pennsylvania, and the Omni William Penn. Enjoy! http://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/brand-connect/whiskey-pittsburghs-fourth-river/

The Steel City was also the center of the Whiskey Rebellion. Now, a new generation is keeping the spirit alive. (Partner Content)

31/03/2017

I thought I would share some good news this Friday. Signal will be working with Washington Post's Brand Studio to create content highlighting news at three Omni Hotels & Resorts properties. The first story will be live in June. This little business chugs along. Thanks everyone for your support!

22/03/2017

Five Caribbean islands where you can escape the spring-break crowds. Part of my ongoing work for Chase. https://www.chase.com/news/030317-caribbean-escapes

Five Caribbean islands for an off-the-beaten path tropical escape.

01/03/2017

This was not so much a Signal project as one I did in my AFAR Ambassador role, but it was still a branded content program I enjoyed working on. http://ustoa.com/blog/confessions-tour-skeptic/

Join AFAR Ambassador John Newton as he explores the Canadian Rockies on Collette's Winter Wonderland tour.

01/02/2017

Another story for this Storia project, from Amy Robertson. Lebanon remains at the top of my must-visit list. Soon. https://storia.me//wander-full-14byzf/6-things-you-may-not-know-about-lebanon-17ylnr

I say Lebanon, you say . . . ?

18/01/2017

OK, one more story to plug in this project. It's funny how you can know a writer for years from being at the same events, but then you finally have a chance to work with her and you realize you love her writing, and in this case her photos too. Gail Harrington on Roundstone, Ireland. https://storia.me/.Harrington/wandering-eyewitness-i5suj/lessons-learned-in-an-irish-village-1ghun7

I’ve visited Ireland more than two dozen times since the mid-80s, and I’m not even Irish. What keeps me coming back are stays in small towns and villages where it’s easy to peel back the layers of a p

17/01/2017

I love the personal stories that writers are sharing through this Storia/Signal collaboration. Here is Gretchen Kelly on a miraculous cure in Athens! https://storia.me/.kelly/gretchen-kelly-s-story-4chnar/walking-the-acropolis-a-greek-miracle-1ypxap

As a journalist who has been to some dangerous places, I felt a certain sense of letdown at being felled at Jones Beach on Long Island, while wading in knee-deep water and watching my little nephew sw

16/01/2017

I'm happy to have Jennifer Ceaser on board for this Storia.me project, in part because she is drawn to stuff that's not as high on my travel to-do list, from high fashion to craft cocktails, and it's great to experience those aspects of travel vicariously through her. Here, she visits the new Ritz Bar in Paris: https://storia.me/.ceaser/the-out-of-towner-7lukd/putting-on-the-ritz-the-new-ritz-bar-is-tops-for-cocktails-2okjxx

I came to Paris last fall with a singular mission — to visit the newly reopened Ritz Paris hotel (ritzparis.com). This legendary 1898 property on the Place Vendôme had been closed for a massive four-y

14/01/2017

The process of building out Storia.me's travel coverage is just starting, but I'm already enjoying reading some of my favorite writers on the places and types of travel they are most passionate about. No writer I know is more familiar with and enthusiastic about Ecuador and Peru than Gail Harrington. Now I want to follow her to Rainbow Mountain. https://storia.me/.Harrington/wandering-eyewitness-i5suj/climb-a-rainbow-in-peru-lq1er

Follow me southeast of Cusco in Peru to 16,500-foot Rainbow Mountain (or Vinicunca in Quechua, which means seven-color mountain), a thrilling challenge that literally took my breath away as we ascende

13/01/2017

"And then there was the time I created a guide sponsored by the Martinique Tourism board..." Talking about travel media today at the . My message: Branded content is the future, and I'm here to help.

09/01/2017

I think that anyone who still thinks travel coverage is neatly divided into "pure" edit on one side and advertising, or even advertorial, on the other doesn't understand where things are headed. Here is a story, published today as part of the series of stories I am creating for Chase Sapphire and Chase Freedom. None of the businesses that are covered paid anything to be included, but now they are being promoted to Chase Sapphire card members. There's a world of travel information out there that isn't traditional edit, yet it also isn't pay for play and travelers can trust it. It's what Signal's all about. Thanks Hawkins International Public Relations and TURNER, especially Campbell Levy, for your help with this. https://www.chase.com/news/010917-park-city-cuisine

Chefs in Park City and other mountain towns find creative ways to go local.

08/01/2017

In anticipation of tonight's Golden Globes, check out this story on storia.me by Gretchen Kelly writing about one of her passions—visiting movie locations. She's one of the writers working with Signal to create great new travel content for storia.me. https://storia.me/.kelly/gretchen-kelly-s-story-4chnar/on-the-road-with-the-golden-globes-1ie5gv

"And the winner for best location is...."

26/12/2016

All the i's are dotted and t's crossed so I'll share now that the project I mentioned last week is for Storia, Inc. Storia.me is the website in its current state (not storia.com). Come back in a few months to see Signal's changes to the travel content. I am happy that my plate is fullish with this project, content for Chase Sapphire and Chase Freedom, and ongoing work for Holland America and other AFAR projects, but it is not to the point of bursting. So if you or someone you know could use great custom travel content, keep Signal in mind! Thanks everyone.

Storia platform for creating ongoing stories: keeping your personal diary or blog, writing real-time stories with friends, making them private or public.

23/12/2016

I have neglected this page, and my excuse is that I have been busy creating content for clients—mostly through AFAR, but also for a bank and occasional smaller projects. Today, however, I received news that Signal is going to be contracted to provide all the travel content in 2017 for a new website. That has been my goal, not to just edit and write, but to produce travel content on a bigger scale. Now I have a client that will write Signal a check and then I will go spend it on writers. Thanks for all your support up till now, and by Monday I should be able to share the website's name. If you are a travel writer, I hope to soon be convincing you to help me with this project in 2017. Happy Holidays, everyone!

26/04/2016

Interesting article: Television is also turning to branded content. http://adage.com/article/media/snl-air-fewer-commercials-season/303697/

"This will give time back to the show and make it easier to watch the show live," said Lorne Michaels, creator and executive producer.

19/04/2016

I've enjoyed working on this program with AFAR's Travel Advisors and Destination Canada to help introduce the country to Americans. Some minor tweaks and additional content in the days and weeks ahead. http://www.afar.com/journeys

AFAR Journeys

14/04/2016

Some recent editorial work, a story for Virgin Australia's inflight magazine, Vo**ur, about Milan.

13/04/2016

At Signal, I spend my time working focused on creating great content for clients not promoting my own business. On the to-do list! But today as I work on content about Canada and an exciting hotel project, I'll admire these tulips that I grew, just as I can help you grow your business.

22/12/2015

This is what I spend most of my time doing when I am not Signal, but in my role as Branded Content Advisor to AFAR. Creating guides for Holland America to all of their ports. It's an exciting project and last week we launched 35 guides to Europe. Only some 440 more ports to go! http://destinationguides.hollandamerica.com/?WT.ac=pnav_Dest_DestGuide_Image

Holland America Line has partnered with AFAR, the experiential global travel experts, to bring you destination guides, must-sees and hidden gems for the most fascinating places on earth - with personalization tools to help you find and save your perfect journey. How it works

09/11/2015

The latest custom content project to be posted online, for Chase in my AFAR role. https://www.chase.com/news/110415-three-perfect-days-charleston

Experience Charleston's charms in just three days with these tips.

30/10/2015

SEATTLE, Oct. 29, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Holland America Line is partnering with experiential travel expert AFAR Media to help cruisers dream, plan, choose and prepare for the perfect cruise vacation. Through the collaboration, AFAR will provide "Destination Guides" for all of Holland America Line's p…

29/10/2015

Until I wrap things up at AFAR full time and transition to my new role next week, it's hard to find a lot of social media time, but till then here's some incredible content marketing that I can claim no credit for.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m91zBt94Ll0

"If you wanna know what China's gonna do, best pay attention to the 十三五!" Click the music video to see China's Five-Year Plan and why it matters.

17/10/2015

Thanks for being an early follower/liker of Signal. I appreciate it. I'm going to push Facebook friends to like the page soon, and it means a lot that a few of you have signed up even before that nudging Facebook request.

In the meantime, I hope that if you have any thoughts about how to make the website better, you'll feel free to let me know. The 20 of you who are here already have lots of media and travel experience, so any critical comments would be helpful. I've added a Services tab after feedback that the site needed one. And, of course, if you hear that someone like, I don't know, Tourisme Québec is looking for help creating some guides, let them know about Signal. Thanks!

16/10/2015

Welcome and thanks for dropping by. More about Signal soon here and you can visit signalcustomcontent.com in the meantime!