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I am an award-winning editorial leader with 25 years of experience running high-profile platforms and teams. I have led content operations for brands such as CNN and SCMP, and I have built content marketing programs for influential personalities and brands. Highlights include growing CNN Travel from 50k visitors to 30M, and launching Travelling Earth. I’ve led multiple platforms across Hong Kong and now UK-based, managing international teams and a vast network of media professionals. My approach blends editorial excellence with commercial savvy to drive audience growth, engagement, and revenue across global markets.…I am an award-winning editorial leader with 25 years of experience running high-profile platforms and teams. I have led content operations for brands such as CNN and SCMP, and I have built content marketing programs for influential personalities and brands. Highlights include growing CNN Travel from 50k visitors to 30M, and launching Travelling Earth. I’ve led multiple platforms across Hong Kong and now UK-based, managing international teams and a vast network of media professionals. My approach blends editorial excellence with commercial savvy to drive audience growth, engagement, and revenue across global markets.

James Durston

Writer, Content Producer, Content Creator, +2

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I am an award-winning editorial leader with 25 years of experience running high-profile platforms and teams. I have led content operations for brands such as CNN and SCMP, and I have built content marketing programs for influential personalities and brands. Highlights include growing CNN Travel from 50k visitors to 30M, and launching Travelling Earth. I’ve led multiple platforms across Hong Kong and now UK-based, managing international teams and a vast network of media professionals. My approach blends editorial excellence with commercial savvy to drive audience growth, engagement, and revenue across global markets.…I am an award-winning editorial leader with 25 years of experience running high-profile platforms and teams. I have led content operations for brands such as CNN and SCMP, and I have built content marketing programs for influential personalities and brands. Highlights include growing CNN Travel from 50k visitors to 30M, and launching Travelling Earth. I’ve led multiple platforms across Hong Kong and now UK-based, managing international teams and a vast network of media professionals. My approach blends editorial excellence with commercial savvy to drive audience growth, engagement, and revenue across global markets.

Available to hire

I am an award-winning editorial leader with 25 years of experience running high-profile platforms and teams. I have led content operations for brands such as CNN and SCMP, and I have built content marketing programs for influential personalities and brands. Highlights include growing CNN Travel from 50k visitors to 30M, and launching Travelling Earth.

I’ve led multiple platforms across Hong Kong and now UK-based, managing international teams and a vast network of media professionals. My approach blends editorial excellence with commercial savvy to drive audience growth, engagement, and revenue across global markets.

Skills

Experience Level

Expert

Expert

Expert

Intermediate

Intermediate

Work Experience

Editor in Chief at Blue Tech Wave

February 1, 2023 - Present

Built the team and set the editorial & marketing agenda for a new digital website covering tech news and insights. Increased traffic tenfold, launched the Fellowship Academy, BTW Podcast and BTW Leadership Alliance. Regular travel to key tech events in Asia, Europe and Americas for breaking news and interview coverage.

Associate Editorial Director at SCMP

January 1, 2022 - January 1, 2023

Led SCMP’s Specialist Publications division (15 staff), overseeing 60 luxury and lifestyle publications per year. Daily experience with luxury brands and c-suite leaders, from travel to watches to wine and property.

Managing Editor at JamesSuckling.com

December 1, 2018 - December 1, 2021

Led content marketing & social media (IG, FB, Tw, LI, WeChat, Weibo) and podcast production for a leading fine wine platform. Increased newsletter subscriptions 3x (90k+ subs) and traffic 5x with editorial audits and improvements. Pioneered subscription strategies to 3x subs revenue in 3 months.

Digital Editor at Cedar Hong Kong

November 1, 2016 - October 1, 2018

Led Cathay Pacific’s travel news & features site Discovery. Led SEO strategy to 3x organic Google traffic. Conceived and managed all digital microsites and digital campaigns.

Digital Director at LE PAN

September 1, 2014 - November 1, 2016

Leadership of all digital publishing strategy and execution. Managed a multicultural, multilingual team across 5 global locations.

Senior Producer at CNN

December 1, 2009 - September 1, 2014

Homepage editor and lead producer for CNN Travel website. Increased traffic 10x PVs per month within three years. Managed in-house staff of 10, APAC editors of 15, and hundreds of freelancers. Played key leadership role in CNNGo transition into CNN Travel.

Managing Editor at ITP Publishing India

December 1, 2006 - December 1, 2009

Managed launch of six publications in luxury, lifestyle, B2B spaces. Supervised editors, strategy, managed budgets, chaired conferences.

Senior Features Writer at The Grocer

July 1, 2005 - December 1, 2006

Lead feature writer for UK’s leading food and drink retail magazine.

Group Editor at Crier Media Group

January 1, 2004 - July 1, 2005

Responsible for production of four B2B food production magazines.

Freelance journalist at SE Asia + UK

July 1, 2002 - December 1, 2003

Freelance projects on mental health, travel, environment, law, finance.