Neil Abt
Award-winning journalist with 25 years of editorial leadership.
Develops fresh concepts generating insightful coverage.
About Me
As an award-winning journalist and creative communications specialist, I have decades of experience spanning trade publications, editorial management, and storytelling across business, government, and emerging technology news.
I've directed editorial and production staff but have also worn multiple hats creating feature stories, digital & multimedia content, and PR programs.
Want to learn more about me? Read this "Meet the Media" spotlight piece.
Work Experience
Freelance Editor and Content Creator
May 2020 – current
Create blogs, opinion pieces, white papers, content for email marketing blasts and provide media exposure for a variety of transportation and technology clients.
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White Paper: How IoT Is Reshaping Maintenance
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Feature Story: Extending Tire Life
Fleet Owner
Editorial Director: March 2017 – March 2020
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Supervised editorial staff of six at award-winning monthly B2B publication with 105,000 print subscribers and 2 million visitors annually to Fleet Owner.com. Also oversaw American Trucker print magazine (9 times a year) and website.
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Wrote breaking news stories, in-depth feature packages and a monthly column.
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Assigned/edited the work of senior staff members, freelancer writers and outside contributions from subject matter experts.
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Digital-first emphasis resulted in monthly record of 690,000 page views in March 2019 for FleetOwner.com, leading to annual records in unique visitors, site registrations and social media engagement.
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Launched the “Fleet Owner For-Hire 500” listing in 2019, a joint effort with data researchers from Fleet Seek. Brought back “Heavy-Duty Pickup & Van” e-newsletter.
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Selected winners of “Green Fleet of the Year” and “Private Fleet of the Year” awards.
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Served as a judge of the “Zonar All Star Award” program.
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Moderated Fleet Owner-hosted webinars and secured guests upcoming programs.
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Scripted promotional commercials for radio broadcasts.
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Represented publication at industry events and media interviews.
Transport Topics
Editorial Director: January 2014 – November 2016
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Responsible for all editorial decisions and coordination with sales and marketing teams.
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Led Transport Topics in 2016 to the fourth-straight annual revenue record.
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Created “Live on Web," TT's first video program (liveonweb.ttnews.com).
Transport Topics
Managing Editor: 2012 – 2013
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Oversaw a 12-member print and online reporting staff
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Restructured the newsroom and editorial budget to prepare for a more digital-first environment
Transport Topics
News Editor: 2005 – 2011
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Managed the first online-only edition (pdf) for subscribers in 72 hours in response to breaking news: http://progressive.playstream.com/truckline/progressive/HOS_Special_Report.pdf
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Created “People in Trucking” feature series profiling the most influential people in the industry.
Transport Topics
Senior Web Editor/Staff Reporter: 2001 – 2004
America Online
News Channel Editor: 1998 – 2001
The Washington Post
Print Reporter - Sports: 1996 – 1997
Washingtonpost.com
Online Contributor - Sports: 1996 – 1997
The Internet Newsroom
Freelance Writer: 1996 – 2002
Gannett News Service
News Intern: 1995
2020 Eddie and Ozzie Awards:
Winner: Planned or On-Location Coverage
The Future of Trucking: North American Commercial Vehicle Show coverage
American Society of Business Publication Editors:
2016 National Bronze Award
Mid-America Trucking Show, on-site coverage
ASBPE:
News Section of May 5, 2008
ASBPE:
Front Cover: Issue of April 24, 2006
ASBPE, regional:
Original Research: Transport Topics Top 50 Logistics Companies, 2006
Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association Editorial Award, 1997:
Second-place award for Washington Post Sports Feature (one in a series) detailing obstacles facing athletes in Washington Public High Schools