Description
Copywriting
Proofreading
Editing
Journalism
Promotional literature
Web content
Research
Report writing
Ghostwriting
Food & Drink Towers
Helen Lewis established Food & Drink Towers in 2004 to provide a freelance, creative B2B and B2C service with a professional, reliable and honest approach to business.
My specialist subjects are: market research, editing, copywriting, trends analysis, new product development and consumer insight, and marketing copy.
While I have a specialist focus on the food and drink industry, I am happy to discuss any creative projects that require a fresh approach – I’ve recently written about greyhound racing and economic growth in Central and Eastern Europe.
Unique Selling Points
• Professionally qualified, NCTJ-certified journalist with a BA Honours in Journalism from City University, London.
• Six years experience of writing, researching and publishing reports (5,000 to 25,000 words) about the food and drink industry.
• My contact book of food, drink and PR industry executives is bursting at the seams. I have extensive experience of face-to-face, telephone and email interviews with small, medium and large enterprises.
What do I do?
• Market research I: consumer insight (focus groups, online surveys, face-to-face consumer interviews).
• Market research II: in-depth industry reports with a focus on market drivers, trends, growth and profit strategies, competitor analysis, quantifiable market opportunities and marketing/new product development strategies. Topics have included: Trans Fats, The Glycemic Index Diet, Children’s Food, Functional Soft Drinks, Healthy Indulgence, and Whole, Organic & Natural Food.
• Market research III: snapshot analysis of latest industry trends (typically around 5,000 words). Subjects have included: Adults’ and Children’s Eating Habits, and Retailers’ Purchasing Trends.
• Press releases: finding a new angle for your product or service, compilation, distribution and follow-up.
• Advertorials and round-tables: interviews, writing, liaison with the publication and the advertising sales team.
• Features, news and comment pieces: there is so much activity in the ever-changing and fascinating world of food and drink that it is impossible to keep on top of all the latest regulations, new product launches and scandals around the world – but it’s fun trying! Stories have included: Choosing health: Food industry battles with nutrition labelling.
• Copywriting: my love of writing has led me to a host of stimulating projects including short stories, direct mail marketing, marketing brochures and food packaging copy.
• Nutrition: I’m currently studying for a nutrition diploma at Regent’s College, London. With obesity levels spiralling out of control around the world and the media’s growing obsession with eating habits, the course is not only timely but extremely fascinating, and has helped me with many projects over the past 15 months.
Portfolio of clients
• The Grocer (Focus on features writer) www.grocertoday.co.uk
• Just-food (Aroq) – example feature can be viewed at
www.just-food.com/features_detail.asp?art=1043
• Just-drinks (Aroq) – example report can be viewed at www.just-drinks.com/store/products_detail.asp?art=37613&lk=rotw_arch
• Coco a Moi – copywriter of short stories for food product www.cocoamoi.com
• Shakotis – copywriter for new food product packaging (impending launch)www.shakotis.co.uk
• 50 Lessons – part-time editor for new media company from July 2005 to date www.50lessons.com
• Food Processing Intelligence (SPG Media) www.fpi-international.com
• Global Business Insights (formerly known as Reuters Business Insight)www.globalbusinessinsights.com
• Business Monitor International www.businessmonitor.com
• The Greyhound Racing Association (A-Plus Ltd)
A bit of background…
My passion in life is food and drink. I love eating it, drinking it, cooking it, sharing it with friends and family, and most importantly, writing about it. After years of invaluable experience as the Head of Publishing for the food and drink division of a leading global B2B research company, I jumped into the world of self-employment at the end of 2004 and established Food & Drink Towers.
Well, Food & Drink Towers may not be as exclusive and impressive as the name implies, but I thought it was fairly amusing. Humble beginnings of working in the lounge of my one-bedroom flat in deepest darkest south London have escalated to my own office in my new Crystal Palace home.
My friends questioned how I’d manage to avoid the lure of the television when I first announced I planned to swap the daily trek into central London with self-employment. To date I’ve successfully managed to avoid the thrills and spills of morning television and repeats of Friends on Sky.
Juggling a number of different projects at once is a major motivator for me. I love being busy – in fact – the more organised chaos in my life the better. I’m a big fan of last-minute projects landing on my desk giving me an injection of panic, and I love working to deadlines... I think that’s what Journalism training does for you.
Guarantees:
I’m honest, approachable and easy-to-work with.
I always meet deadlines.
I don’t charge the earth and am open to negotiations – especially with new clients or start-up businesses.
I’m based in London and happy to travel for meetings – it’s always good to put a face to an email.
Client testimonials
"Helen has been working with us on an ongoing project and we have been consistently pleased with the work she has delivered. She responds well to deadlines, is always punctual with her copy and produces work on brief to a continually high quality. Through the standard of her editorial it is clear that she puts a lot of thought into her work, combines accuracy with a flair for language and ties this up with a succinctness that makes her copy both authoritative and readable."
Jenny Poulter, Head of Editorial at 50 Lessons. 21/03/2006
"Helen’s timing with our project was great and we were so pleased to find that she not only met our requirements, but also even surpassed our expectations. We look forward to work together on other projects."
Milda Laurikiete, Managing Director at Amber City Ltd. 16/03/2006
"Aroq has developed an excellent working relationship with Helen and we have come to rely on her for writing many of our global market research reports branded under the just-food name. Helen has been responsible for writing reports covering functional foods, children's modern eating trends, indulgence foods, and whole & natural foods to name but a few. We would not be able to offer our clients the quality and quantity that makes up our food reports portfolio without Helen as a key freelance associate."
Andrew Leighton, Head of Publishing, Aroq Ltd. 21/03/06
Helen Lewis - Details
E: info@foodanddrinktowers.co.uk
T: 07904 801 669
T: 0208 7711 212 |
