Seven Days, Vermont’s free, independent weekly newspaper, is pleased to announce its new production manager is John James.
James comes to Seven Days directly from the Burlington Free Press, where he worked as the lead graphic designer in the editorial department for four and a half years. Prior to the Free Press, James worked as a page designer at the Plattsburgh Press Republican and at the Utica Observer-Dispatch. James is a central New York native.
James, 34, is responsible for the redesign of the Burlington Free Press; his work on the "Green Mountain" section won him a 2010 Best of Gannett award. After completing the Free Press redesign, James’ Vermont job was eliminated, whereupon Gannett offered him a comparable position in New Jersey. But he didn’t want to leave Vermont. The opening at Seven Days came at the perfect time.
“I've lived in the Champlain Valley for nearly 11 years, between Plattsburgh and Burlington, and I've always thought Seven Days would be a super-cool place to work,” said James. “Plus it’s a growing, locally owned publication that focuses on the politics, arts, entertainment and culture of Vermont — things that are important to me.”
“We definitely noticed John’s graphic flair at the Free Press, and we think he’ll be a great addition to our award-winning design team,” says Seven Days publisher and co-editor Paula Routly. “Plus, we couldn’t let this talented young person leave Vermont for New Jersey.”
At Seven Days, James will also be managing the production of — and designing for — the publishing company’s other free publications: Kids VT, What’s Good, Seven Nights and BTV, the Burlington International Airport Quarterly.