ClickHole Writing Fellowship

  • Contract

Company Description

The Onion is truly one of a kind. It is among the most influential and respected media companies in the world, and its websites are the preferred digital destination for millions of millennials seeking the highest quality comedy and pop culture content, complemented by the most compelling—and entertaining—native advertising campaigns. The Company’s digital properties, The Onion, The A.V. Club and ClickHole, have leveraged a shared sensibility for creating smart content that attracts a dream audience for advertisers. Together the sites reach a monthly audience of more than 25MM unique visitors and over 12 million social followers.

As the media landscape has morphed, over the past decade, The Onion has transformed itself—and thrived. Onion Labs, the Company’s in-house content marketing team, has capitalized on the franchise’s award-winning creative teams and outsized social network to craft content solutions for a wide array of blue-chip advertisers.

The Onion, which began as a humble college tabloid in Madison, WI, completed its transition to all-digital publishing in 2013. The Onion is the premier satirical comedy brand providing content to the most highly coveted cohort—young, educated, employed, conspicuously consuming, influential, highly social and utterly engaged.

Job Description

ClickHole writers work alongside the editing staff to produce content on a similar level as would be expected out of a full-time staff writer. The writers will write multiple drafts per week, produce at least one video (written and directed) per week, assist on the creation of timely content, and will contribute as needed to additional areas such as features, sponsored content, and various special editorial projects. They will submit headline lists daily and attend/participate in all editorial meetings. They are expected in the office from 10:00-6:00 every weekday and all assignments will adhere to strict deadlines.

Responsibilities: 

  • Headline writing
  • Features writing
  • Draft writing 
  • Draft revision
  • Video scripting and directing assignments
  • Special projects by request 
  • Meeting participation

Qualifications

  • Mastery of the Onion comedic sensibility (as applied through ClickHole)
  • Strong grasp of (and active participation in the forming of) ClickHole's emerging comedic voice
  • Exemplary headline and draft writing skills
  • Adding creative value through participation in group-oriented idea meetings
  • Understanding of ClickHole and Onion editorial process
  • Ability to write video scripts and direct the videos through to completion
  • Joke curation skills
  • Ability to work through editors' notes and apply them to an existing piece
  • Understanding of how to provide feedback to current and potential contributors
  • Writing on tight deadlines as applied short and long term (timely and evergreen process)
  • Ability to juggle multiple drafts and prioritize creative projects 

Additional Information

To be considered for you must:

  • Submit a resume and cover letter explaining why they want to work for ClickHole
  • 10 ClickHole-style headlines
  • 5 quote examples for our daily "They Said WHAT?!" feature​
  • Be available to work July - December
  • Applications are due May 1st, 2015 
This is a Paid Fellowship