Gregor
Davidson
Digital Content Specialist, Freelance Digital Handyman, Music & Sports Promoter
Location
Toronto, ON
Resume
Download Here
INTRO
Coles Notes of who I am
Welcome to my online personal profile. It’s more tongue-in-cheek than my resume or LinkedIn page, as it’s more about why I love to do what I do, than just what I do. It’s also a replica of a site I proudly coded from scratch in my HackerYou (now Juno) Web Development class. It’s a little text-heavy and simple, because I had to remake it in its original form (on Squarespace) for nostalgia's sake.
As you’ll read below, I’ve spent much of my professional career in the Digital Media space. From websites and all types of content, to social media and its many communities; if it’s connected to the Internet, I can manage it. I’m a prototypical 'jack of all digital trades, master of some,' with a community of expert resources to help me execute any online job efficiently.
At the moment, I’m a part-time freelancer and full-time soccer dad. My main freelance client is one of Canada’s largest distributors of award-winning cannabis products, and as a 'Digital Handyman,' I service small businesses and hobbyists in need of a cost-effective digital resource. I manage and coach some of my son’s many soccer teams and spend the bulk of my time chauffeuring him to his high-performance soccer school and a plethora of training sessions and matches across the GTA and beyond.
In the past, I’ve been a Boxing Instructor, Model & Talent Scout/Agent, Educational Assistant, Small Business Owner and Music & Event Promoter (see all below). I’ve always done many things to make ends meet; nevertheless, I manage my time carefully. My perpetual focus is to cherish and preserve the very fortunate life I live with my wife and son in Toronto’s Liberty Village.
If you have something we can work on together, please hit me up. I often have a lot going on, but when it comes to interesting stuff, I can never do enough. Thanks for visiting, gD.
EXPERTISE
What I can do
CONTENT MANAGEMENT
This is my bread and butter. For tight and tidy online content, I’m your guy. I’ve worked with several different content and video management systems that were built and serviced in-house, as well as by third-party vendors. I write, edit and take care of all the tedious digital tasks you don’t have the time or inclination to do.
WEB DEVELOPMENT
I launched my first HTML website in 2002, and by 2006, I graduated to WordPress installations. With the help of Juno’s Web Development program, I once built this microsite by writing the code from scratch. However, I now let a content management system do the work and Squarespace is the tool that makes the magic happen.
USER EXPERIENCE DESIGN
In Juno’s UX Design course, I explored 'The Five Planes of UX' methodology, as well as the 'The Systematic Approach to Design' and 'UX Accessibility.' I’ve also independently completed several Photoshop and Sketch courses. Nevertheless, despite all the tuition spent, experience is still my best asset for UX.
PROCESS MANAGEMENT
Consistency, clarity and efficiency are key ingredients in successful executions. If you communicate clearly and set a standard of professionalism, the results will almost always be positive. From my experience creating video encoding and native advertising processes, that’s been my story, and I’m sticking to it.
CLIENT EXECUTIONS
My process management philosophies came into play when I was entrusted to manage the native advertising executions for Rogers Publishing. I led the team that set up the tools and established the steps to build client projects that earned a boatload of revenue. Unfortunately, I probably documented the process too well. I digress…
FUNCTIONAL COPYWRITING
I inherited the gift of gab and have spent a lifetime expressing myself through pen and paper—and now using my keyboard—for essays, case studies, blog posts, ad media, contest sites, etc., etc. Professionally and personally, I have a knack for getting one’s point across, especially my own. Follow me on my network and you can read for yourself.
SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING
I create, curate and preserve communities, host events, market products and inspire social justice commentary from all sides of the political spectrum through a vast, organically-built social network (with the help of some digital ads and e-blasts). Social media was hand-coded for natural-born promoters like me.
ANALYTICS
I’ve studied analytics in many digital courses throughout my career, so I can help navigate and interpret your dashboard. I’ve also gained valuable experience working with several cross-functional teams that use data to guide business decisions toward optimal results. Does that sound nerdy enough for you?
EXPERIENCE
Where I’ve put my expertise to work
2019 - Present
ENTOURAGE HEALTH CORP
Digital Content Specialist
Toronto, ON
Entourage is my main freelance client. Originally WeedMD, Entourage Health Corp. is one of Canada’s largest distributors of award-winning cannabis products. Through its full-service medical cannabis company, Starseed Medicinal, Entourage is an industry leader in the medicinal space. It’s also a major player in the recreational market with its Color Cannabis and Saturday Cannabis brands.
I was introduced to the team shortly after Canada’s nationwide legalization and I’ve managed Entourage’s online corporate communications ever since. I’m responsible for all updates to the corporate website, which has included a platform migration from WordPress to Squarespace. I also manage their internal all-staff emails, and in the past, I managed their digital shareholder communications and social posts.
2018 - Present
BARNEY'S UPDATES
Freelance Digital Handyman
Toronto, ON
I absolutely love building online brands for small businesses and hobbyists. I’m inspired by the courage and dedication it takes for entrepreneurs to pave their own path. I find it so rewarding to work with my incredibly passionate clients, who always end up becoming friends if they weren’t already.
So many small business owners don’t have the time, resources or expertise to oversee a quality online brand. I can provide the skill and know-how to make their digital dreams a reality. Plus, I do the work at a reasonable cost, which is almost always the most serious obstacle for my clients.
Please visit and support some of the online brands I’ve been extremely fortunate to collaborate with:
2010 - 2017
ROGERS MEDIA
Digital Content Manager
Toronto, ON
I couldn’t have been in a better situation after I accepted an offer to join the Rogers Client Solutions team. We had it all; the all-time greatest Director, strong Project Managers, knowledgeable Engagement Managers, super creative Designers, skilful Developers and a wordsmith for a Copywriter. For a time, we also had an in-house QA Analyst and Information Architect.
It was a tight-knit group who delivered high-quality executions worth millions of dollars. Restructuring got the best of the entire team, but not after I was able to gain invaluable experience alongside some of the smartest and most talented people in the Digital Media business.
2006 - 2010
CANWEST / ALLIANCE ATLANTIS
Senior Web Producer / Webmaster
Toronto, ON
I applied for a Coordinator position at Alliance Atlantis, but didn’t land the gig. Two months later, I received a request to meet with the Digital Director and within a couple of hours of that meeting, I accepted a more senior role than the Coordinator position I applied for.
The following year with the AA Digital team was extraordinary in so many ways. My highlight was the opportunity to lead the group that developed the department’s first video-encoding process, which produced Canada’s premiere online stream of a television episode. It was Naked Josh on Showcase, for those who care to know.
My entire time at 121 Bloor Street East was such a confidence-boosting experience. Despite the struggles that came with the sale of Alliance assets to Canwest—and partly because of them—this is where I grew to become a true professional.
2004 - 2006
CANOE / TORONTO 1
Digital Content (New Media) Coordinator
Toronto, ON
It was like I rubbed a bottle and out came a genie with my first Digital Media job. In reality, it was the Director of Marketing, and he became the perfect mentor to begin my Digital Media career.
I was a sponge learning the technical aspects of digital from the Craig Media IT group in Calgary. And TORONTO 1’s superstars in front and behind the camera taught me the in’s and out’s of broadcast television.
After the station’s transition to Quebecor Media, I worked on SUN TV’s website with another well-oiled machine at Canoe. The entire experience was the epitome of starting off on the right foot.
2001 - 2004
BROADBELT & FONTE MODELS / MODEL & TALENT SEARCH CANADA
Booking Agent / Model & Talent Scout
Toronto, ON
This is the opportunity that kick-started my journey to Toronto. I was scouted by a couple of models / actors (from Brantford of all places) to enter a model and talent competition called Model & Talent Search Canada (MTSC). Being a dime-a-dozen guy, I really had no interest in that side of the business; however, I was very intrigued by what they were doing.
One thing led to another, and I was soon managing MTSC’s children’s competitions at conventions across the country and in the United States. A couple of years after joining the team, I took over bookings for MTSC’s sister company, Broadbelt & Fonte Models.
As a Booking Agent, I managed test shoots and brokered deals for models with agencies across the globe, including in fashion meccas like New York City, Paris and Seoul, South Korea. As you can imagine, this was one of the coolest periods of my career, mostly because of the incredibly motivated and creative people I met throughout my time in the 'Fashion Biz.'
1997 - 2001
EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANT
Brant Haldimand-Norfolk Catholic District School Board
Brantford, ON
While living in my hometown, I was often employed in several different full-time, part-time and seasonal positions simultaneously. I worked in retail at Al’s Shoe Factory for over a decade. I was a camp counsellor and program coordinator for Brantford’s Parks & Recreation for nearly as long, and for a short time, I was a membership advisor at The Athletic Club and bartender at the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre.
The most rewarding and substantial position I held while living in Brantford was as an Educational Assistant for the Brant Haldimand-Norfolk Catholic District School Board. I landed the position after a successful season coaching the ninth grade basketball team at my alma mater, St. John’s College.
The SJC principal saw how well I connected with the boys and offered me an opportunity to work with students dealing with behavioural issues. I completed several contracts where I worked one-on-one with elementary and high school students; however, my longest contract was in an off-site alternative learning centre for grades nine through OAC. Within this classroom I managed the attendance, student behaviour and taught a physical education credit.
A victim of the program’s success, once the classroom was physically moved back into the school, I was bumped by another union member who wanted a full-time position, rather than the split placement she was currently in. It was a devastating blow to me personally and, in the end, the catalyst for my desire to leave Brantford for The 6ix.
NETWORK
Where you’ll find me
A formal look at my career experience and education, as well as the home to one hell of a lot of spam. I’m on LinkedIn because you have to be.
Politics, social justice, pop culture, music, sports, friends and family. My Facebook profile is my personal diary. It’s where I have my say, my way.
My IG profile is an extension (not a duplicate) of my Facebook profile, but not as serious (except the stories). I also manage a profile for MaxFlashPower, our up-and-coming footy star.
The streaming home of barneysUNMIXEDtapes, which will eventually feature thousands of carefully curated tracks in 21 different series.
I have over 600 DJ sets uploaded to the system; however, my subscription is paused until I figure out what’s next in the bringthebeats underground. For now, my likes are pretty groovy.
As a recovering X user, I’m loving the vibe of Bluesky. Expect mostly reposts, but when breaking news hits, you should definitely check out my lists.
SPORTS
A dude who loves games
So much of my life in Brantford revolved around basketball, as a player, coach, referee and convenor. I played on some amazing high school teams and led another to a city championship as a coach. I also coached a U15 city select squad and founded a men’s summer league, which operated for four seasons. Now, I’ve taken this experience and transitioned to the world of soccer where I manage and coach multiple tournament teams for my boy. Being court or pitch-side is definitely my happy place.
Since I was a child, I’ve been a fan of combat sports; but to be clear, not the business side of the industry. In my early thirties, I searched for a healthier workout regime and found multiple-time World Muay Thai Champion, Kru Clifton Brown at Totum Life Science. I trained with Clifton for five gruelling, yet exhilarating years. After transitioning to boxing, I became an instructor at Totum for almost a decade.
For my entire life, I’ve loved everything about hoops. Ever since Toronto FC moved into our neighbourhood, I’ve also had mad love for the beautiful game. To express my passion for both sports (and to stay in touch with my hometown crew), I moderate Bell City Raps and Bell City Reds. Two Brantford-based supporter groups dedicated to basketball and soccer at all levels, with a Canadian focus, eh.
MUSIC
Is always the answer…
I’ve never played an instrument, but I've always been the guy with a mixtape ready to be blazed. I'm actually very uncomfortable with silence, so music has literally maintained my sanity and is something I could absolutely never go without.
I finally put my musical obsession to use on October 4, 2001, when I launched my promotions company online. For twenty years, bringthebeats was more than a passion project; it was my lifestyle. Promoting music and DJ events monopolized every minute of my free time and even beyond that.
For all the time and energy I put into our little house music movement, I received equal parts knowledge and inspiration in return. bringthebeats was an ideal training ground for my writing, content management and social media marketing. Technically, I learned so much, but emotionally I profited even more.
bringthebeats will certainly play an important role in barneysUNMIXEDtapes, the music project I’m currently working on. It will officially launch when Barney’s Updates is fully and completely ready for online consumption; however, for now, the BTB community is on pause.
I have some ideas for the future, but parenthood doesn’t allow me the time or energy to invest in the late-night shenanigans like I used to. So, when I’m ready, the BTB brand will evolve. Stay tuned and I thank our crew for their patience.
As mentioned, I don’t only adore listening to music, I also love to write about it. Check out some of my favourite and most noteworthy pieces below…
BIOGRAPHY WRITTEN FOR TEL AVIV'S SUPERSTAR DJ / PRODUCER
SLEEVE NOTES FOR THE COMPILATION RELEASE ON GLOBAL UNDERGROUND
BIOGRAPHY WRITTEN FOR TORONTO'S RENOWN DJ / PRODUCER
BIOGRAPHY WRITTEN FOR COLOMBIA'S MULTI-TALENTED DJ / PRODUCER