Dean Roper has a diverse and extensive work experience in the field of journalism. Dean started their career as a Copy clerk and part-time sports reporter at The News-Star in 1986, where they were responsible for the sports results page, copy editing, and layout. Dean then became a full-time Sports Copy Editor, taking charge of design/layout and copy editing of the sports section. Dean also contributed articles to the publication during this time. Dean later became an Assistant Sports Editor, overseeing editorial budget and copy desk operations, as well as producing special sections and writing commentaries, features, and news articles.
In 1993, Dean joined The Advocate as a Sports Layout/Copy Editor, where they successfully planned and designed the front page Sports Section and took charge of editing and laying out stories. Dean also worked closely with marketing and advertising departments, coordinating editorial, graphics, and photos for special sections.
Afterward, Dean joined the Waterbury Republican-American in 1995 as a Sports Editor. In this role, they supervised the sports copy desk and coordinated editorial coverage with reporters. Dean was responsible for editing and layout of the front page and special sections, contributing to the overall success of the regional daily newspaper.
In 1996, Dean took on the role of Editor in Chief for the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA). Dean coordinated all activities of the print-digital trade magazine, which focused on business strategy, journalism, technology, production, and press freedom. Dean's exceptional leadership skills allowed him to effectively manage the magazine's publication in multiple languages.
From 2009 to 2015, Dean served as the Deputy of Communications at WAN-IFRA, supporting various communication initiatives of the organization.
In 2013, Dean became the Director of Insights at WAN-IFRA, taking charge of the Insights Department and coordinating various publications, including the bi-monthly magazine World News Publishing Focus, research reports, the Executive News Service newsletter, and the website.
Overall, Dean Roper's work experience showcases their expertise and growth in the journalism industry, demonstrating their ability to lead, manage, and contribute to the success of various publications and organizations.
Dean Roper studied Journalism at the University of Louisiana Monroe.
WAN-IFRA, the World Association of News Publishers
WHO WE ARE - WAN-IFRA is the World Association of News Publishers. Our mission is to protect the rights of journalists and publishers around the world to operate independent media. We provide our members with expertise and services to innovate and prosper in a digital world and perform their crucial role in society. With formal representative status at the United Nations, UNESCO and the Council of Europe, it derives its authority from its global network of leading news publishing companies and technology entrepreneurs, and its legitimacy from its 80 national association members representing 18,000 publications in 120 countries. WHAT WE DO - We believe that business sustainability enhanced by a culture for innovation is the best guarantee for publishers to play their pillar role to advance freedom of expression in open societies. This has been a guiding principle of WAN-IFRA for seven decades of global advocacy and development work. Our mission is twofold. We deliver operational services to our individual members, be it to share knowledge on best practices, solutions to develop their organisation and business or to connect with expertise that helps them find the best solution to prosper in a digital world. We also represent our members as a global trade organisation with human rights mandate, advocating to protect the rights of journalists across the world to operate free media, coaching news media professionals in fragile states with our media development programmes.