Toronto, Canada Area
- Current
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- A&R Scout at Major Label Scout
- Owner / Editor In Chief at Renown Magazine
- Past
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- Crew Member at Lifeway / Quick Study TV
- Staff Writer at The Phantom Tollbooth
- Editor In Chief at VGN Daily
- Co-Administrator/Editor at Xbox Xtreme.net
- Video Games Expert at Jumbo Video
- Connections
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6
connections
- Industry
- Entertainment
Josh McConnell’s Summary
I have been in the music industry for over seven years and the entertainment industry for even longer (I was a video game journalist for a couple of years and wouldn't mind pursuing that industry again someday). From Toronto to Vancouver and Los Angeles to New York, I work on a regular basis with some of the biggest labels, management companies, and PR companies in the business. In my video game days, I worked with the biggest video game developers and publishers in the industry daily.
I am or have been a music journalist, music industry consultant, A&R Scout, video game journalist, cameraman, editor, producer, director, floor director, and many other jobs. I wouldn't mind getting back into broadcasting again eventually too, perhaps in front of the camera/mic this time? I am always looking to expand my network and moving upward in the industry, but I also enjoy helping out people with what they need too when possible.
On top of the official jobs listed below, I also freelance articles/photos and have had my material appear in various print and online publications around North America. You can also find me quoted in many press releases, website articles, and more.
I have been a technology enthusiast for as long as I can remember (relatives suggest I could find my way around a computer at the age of two or three). I am a geek at heart and am very knowledgeable in this category as well.
For a full (and current) bio on me, visit my website at JoshMcConnell.net.
Josh McConnell’s Experience
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A&R Scout
Major Label Scout
(Music industry)
September 2006 — Present (3 years 3 months)
- Search for and identify talent, working closely with Arista / J Records and EMI Publishing.
- Review music for mainstream / Top 40 appeal that was submitted by co-workers. -
Owner / Editor In Chief
Renown Magazine
(Music industry)
April 2001 — Present (8 years 8 months)
- Write album reviews and editorials on a regular basis.
- Interview bands/artists, transcribe the conversation, and publish the article.
- Maintain the website and its mailing list.
- Covers many events in the Southern Ontario area as well in locations such as Nashville, Tennessee both outside and backstage via all access media passes. Venues include Copps Coliseum (Hamilton), Canada's Wonderland (Vaughn), Ontario Place (Toronto), Grand Ole Opry (Nashville), and more.
- Talk to (and create strong relationships with) publicity contacts, bands, label executives, management agencies, and many other contacts within the industry.
- Articles/quotes appear regularly in in industry press releases, artist websites, retail advertising campaigns, e-cards, and more.
- Work with concert promoters to help organize, put on and promote concerts/tours.
- Will do the occasional industry consulting with bands/artists and other interested parties. -
Crew Member
Lifeway / Quick Study TV
(Entertainment industry)
June 2003 — June 2005 (2 years 1 month)
- Set up and strike studio equipment (lights, cameras, sound, etc.) and sets.
- Run/maintain cameras for programs to be broadcast on both television and the internet.
- Work in the control room doing various tasks such as switcher, directing, and VTR operator.
- Helped create shows/programs from scratch as well as design their sets.
- Was an extra “on-air talent” at times (though rarely)
- Other studio work includes directing, scripting writing, producing, editing, floor directing, lighting, grip and more.
- The television studio is located in Southern Ontario (Canada) north of Toronto and creates shows that are sent to 60+ countries as well as posted on an internet station that receives thousands of viewers.
- Does various other jobs around the building, such as being an extra hand to carry objects (IE: equipment and wood), helping build the odd item, and so on. -
Staff Writer
The Phantom Tollbooth
(Music industry)
May 2001 — November 2003 (2 years 7 months)
- Reviewed albums that were sent from Editor
- Interviewed various bands/artists.
- Wrote features/editorials occasionally, including a monthly feature that lasted for a while. -
Editor In Chief
VGN Daily
(Entertainment industry)
May 2002 — February 2003 (10 months)
- Wrote video game reviews, previews, news stories and other articles.
- Talked to (and created a strong relationship with) game developers and publishers of all sizes on a daily basis.
- Received games for review directly from game developers and publishers on a daily basis.
- Helped manage/edit the website and its message board. -
Co-Administrator/Editor
Xbox Xtreme.net
(Entertainment industry)
January 2002 — June 2002 (6 months)
- Wrote video game reviews, previews and other articles.
- Helped manage/edit the website and its message board.
- Played the role as an Editor by proof reading and editing other staff's articles to approve for publication. -
Video Games Expert
Jumbo Video
(Entertainment industry)
June 1996 — June 2000 (4 years 1 month)
- Critiqued video games from all current (at the time) consoles through print reviews.
- Recommended games for purchase to make available for customers to rent.
Additional Information
Josh McConnell’s Honors:
- Served on a media panel for a workshop, titled "Meet The Press," during a Canadian music week event in May 2005. The panel consisted of eight or nine respected media/entertainment organizations from all across Canada representing multiple mediums including television, radio, print, and the internet.
- Has been interviewed by newspapers, college/university students, and other media outlets regarding the music industry and Renown Magazine.
- Demonstrated the ability to “perform as effectively in the workplace or in higher education as the top 10% of traditional high school graduates" in all of Ontario, Canada according to GED results.
- Maintained honors status during post secondary education.
