Flying Kite is Greater Philadelphia's newest publication, a weekly online magazine focused on what's next for the city and its suburbs. We're creating a new narrative about Philadelphia, one that connects our readers with everyone and everything moving the city and entire region forward. We're highlighting the people, ideas, neighborhoods, companies and institutions that are helping return Philadelphia to world-class city status.
With a talented and experienced group of writers, photographers, videographers and editors, Flying Kite will cover the creative thinkers, innovative ideas and developments that are currently defining the future of Philadelphia. Every Tuesday, we'll tell those stories in a new issue packed with multimedia features. You can get Flying Kite free in your e-mailbox each week if you sign up here.
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Publisher: Michelle Freeman
With an ongoing love for her native Philadelphia region, Michelle has been working in marketing and events since she was in high school. Promoting concerts and handling flyer distribution projects as a teen, she eventually headed to Drexel University and received a degree in Corporate Communications while simultaneously working with Jon Herrmann to establish and grow non-profit organization, Campus Philly. She worked in various positions at Campus Philly where she produced Campus Philly College Day (formerly known as Campus Philly Kick-Off) and served as Senior Manager for Events and Media Programs. More recently, Michelle has been operating her own agency, Michelle A. Freeman Marketing & Events. Amongst other things, she implements marketing programs for the City Reps Office, co-produces Philly Swap, and serves as a board member at Young Involved Philadelphia and Spiral Q Puppet Theater. Michelle is now joining the Flying Kite staff as Publisher and can't wait to tell the untold story of Philadelphia to the world!
Managing Editor: Joe Petrucci
Joe got his media start in broadcast journalism, producing and announcing for several radio stations before making the switch to newspapers. He spent a decade working as an award-winning general assignment reporter, sports writer and sports editor at newspapers in Eastern PA. After moving to Philadelphia and stints running a non-profit and at a public relations agency, Joe joined Issue Media Group sister publication Keystone Edge as managing editor, a role he maintains. He is currently adapting to Main Line life, having settled in Ardmore with his wife Jennifer. Joe serves on the board of the Woman's Club of Bala Cynwyd, plays accordion and ukulele and is chief taste-tester for his wife's catering business.
Managing Photographer: Michael Persico
Michael is a professional photographer living and working in Philadelphia. He specializes in clean, thoughtful imagery that evokes feeling for, and from, his subjects. When not behind the lens, he's happy spending time maintaining his '66 Honda Motorcycle or making a break to beach for a few good waves on his classic longboard. When pressed to name his artistic inspirations, he cryptically says, "I am inspired by photographers of the past, and motivated by photographers of the present." Michael has shot for New York Magazine, Anthem magazine, Plan B Magazine, Ace Fu Records, Anti Records, Philly Style and the Philadelphia Weekly.
Innovation & Job News Editor: Sue Spolan
With two decades experience as a freelance journalist and editor, Sue has lowered herself into sewer pipes, toured an Arizona biosphere, and been at the wrong end of a fishy situation at the wholesale seafood market in South Philly. Best known as a radio director and writer for NPR's Fresh Air with Terry Gross, Sue has served as Contributing Editor for the Philadelphia City Paper, News Writer and Field Producer for Fox29 Ten O'clock News, and radio reporter for WXPN, WHYY and NPR. Sue also spent quality time eavesdropping on strangers and hanging off scaffolding overlooking the Schuylkill Expressway while painting Passing Through, Meg Saligman's citywide mural project for which she served as Text Director.
Development News Editor: Andy Sharpe
Andy Sharpe is a recent Temple University graduate who has spent the last two years making a difference in transportation improvement at the Delaware Valley Association of Rail Passengers (DVARP). He is also the youngest member of the Transportation for Pennsylvania working group, serving as a liaison to Transportation for America. A lifelong resident of the Philadelphia-area, Sharpe is excited to be back in the journalism field, and happy to be doing the reporting rather than speaking to reporters. He previously covered the Philadelphia zoning code reform and rail-oriented development on behalf of PlanPhilly and Philadelphia Neighborhoods. When not writing or in meetings, he can be seen on Facebook (yes, he actually admits to that), traipsing the city of Philadelphia, or riding SEPTA. Just look for the colorful sneakers he's known for. If you see him, feel free to say hello, and suggest any development, planning, or infrastructure story ideas.
Flying Kite is published by Issue Media Group.Operations and Media Contact: Deepa Ramsinghani
Web Site and E-Newsletter Technology: Matt Lehman and Mark Walz, Fluent Consulting
Also check out Issue Media Group's other fine publications:
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- Keystone Edge in Pennsylvania
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- Model D and metromode in Detroit, MI
- Rapid Growth in Grand Rapids, MI
- Soapbox in Cincinnati, OH
- The Line in Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN
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