I am John Kennedy O'Connor, an Anglo-American author, entertainment and political commentator, based in the United States. Born in North London, United Kingdom in 1964, he has written for numerous publications as well as writing, creating and producing media events for a number of international corporations all over the world. Subsequently, I relocated to the USA in 1992, becoming a US Citizen in 2000.
In 2005, Carlton Books, UK published my book ''The Eurovision Song Contest - The Official History'' (ISBN 978-1-84442-586-0), in conjunction with the European Broadcasting Union, initially produced in English, German, French, Swedish, Dutch and Danish editions, with a separate English publication in Australia. A Finnish version followed in 2007. The book has been updated, expanded and reprinted three times in the UK, the 2007 edition published by Carlton Books, UK, in April of that year (ISBN 978-1-84442-994-3). The first edition of the book, published to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Eurovision Song Contest in Kyiv, was listed in the Top 10 book sales of both Amazon UK and Amazon Germany in May 2005, after being featured during the broadcast during an inset with the contest hosts Maria Efrosinina and Pavlo Shylko.
I have reported for the UK TV channel Sky News live from the Fox News studios in New York and Greek TV station ERT in Athens to the UK, and been a guest on BBC World News and BBC News 24 on TV and BBC Radio 2's ''Steve Wright In The Afernoon'' with host Steve Wright and actress Brooke Shields on Radio. I've also contributed to many other BBC Radio programme's, including BBC Radio 5 Live, ''The Big Toe Show'' on BBC Radio 7, "The Arts Show" on BBC Radio Scotland, countless local BBC Radio stations including guest spots with Judi Spiers, Richard Bacon, Paul Henley, Ted Robbins, Liz Kershaw and featured on the BBC World Service and Independent Capital & LBC Radio. Following a guest spot for Gaydar Radio's Jason Rosam's morning show in 2006, I was interviewed again for the station in a live link up from Helsinki in 2007.
In Ireland, I've guested on Key 101 FM Radio with Eurovision winners Dana and Paul Harrington, RTE1's Rattlebag, Newstalk Radio and Radio Ulster.
In Australia, I have become a regular contributor to ABC Radio National's ''Perspective'' programme, hosted by producer Sue Clark, providing commentary on British and International Politics as well as popular culture issues. Amongst other stories, I have reported on both Gordon Brown's accession as British Prime Minister and the international media coverage of the Australian Federal Election, 2007 for the programme. I've has also regularly appeared on ABC's Radio National Breakfast Show with Fran Kelly and many local Radio stations in Australia and was the featured guest on an hour long special on the Triple J ABC station.
In 2006, UK editions of 'Metro' Newspaper featured me for their "60 Seconds Interview" column. In 2007, I contributed on camera items for both The Associated Press and Reuters for broadcast, in addition to video spots on AOL's Big Story. Online, I've been interviewed by ESCToday.com and Oikotimes.com about the Eurovision Song Contest.
My written work has been published in the United Kingdom in the Sunday Express, Daily Mail, Radio Times, Private Eye, Northern Woman and The News Of The World. In the United States, I had a syndicated column originating in San Francisco, primarily published in Playlands Magazine, a local guide to entertainment and I've written for and been interviewed by The New York Times, The San Francisco Chronicle, The San Jose Mercury News, The Houston Chronicle and other American daily papers. I've also been profiled in Meetings & Conventions Magazine.
Links:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzG59qVLeFk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_fJlfqo06M
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/perspective/stories/2007/2095018.htm
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/perspective/stories/2007/1960948.htm
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/perspective/stories/2006/1792537.htm
http://www.metro.co.uk/fame/interviews/article.html?in_article_id=13555&in_page_id=11
