Bio Credit to EzineArticles.
As VP Publishing & Communications for Ripley Entertainment, Tim O'Brien is responsible for coordinating the publicity and promotion of the company's 70-plus attractions throughout the world. Serving as the corporate national spokesperson, Tim enthusiastically shares the Ripley product with the public through numerous TV and radio appearances.
Prior to his position with Ripley Entertainment, Tim served as senior editor of Amusement Business, the world's leading business trade magazine for the amusement park and attraction industries. During his 18 years with the magazine, Tim traveled the world chronicling the news and the history of the parks and attractions industry.
Since carving out his journalistic niche as an industry specialist, the award winning photojournalist has had nearly 5,000 articles and more than 3,000 photos published. Tim has visited more than 500 parks and attractions in 18 countries and has ridden in excess of 400 different roller coasters. He has appeared in 10 theme park documentaries on the Travel Channel, The Discovery Channel and National Public Television and has authored nine books, including "The Amusement Park Guide," considered the Bible of theme park and amusement park guidebooks.
As national corporate spokesperson for Ripley, Tim has gotten to know, up-close and personal many of the world's unique pieces of weirdness, including shrunken heads from the Jivaro Indian tribe of Ecuador, South America; Vampire Killing kits from Eastern Europe; two headed cows, chickens, pigs and goats from America's farmlands; to the world's largest hairball.
During the past 12 months alone, Tim has appeared in more than 300 radio and TV interviews, including The Daily Buzz, The Martha Stewart Show, Montel Williams and Good Morning America, talking about his favorite subject - the weird and wacky world of Ripley's Believe It or Not!
A graduate of Ohio State University with a master's degree in journalism/film production, Tim is an accomplished photographer and public speaker, having lectured extensively at industry seminars, high schools, and various civic groups.
In 2001 he won the coveted "Lifetime Service Award" from the International Assn. of Amusement Parks & Attractions (IAAPA) for his devotion and his "long-term achievement Award" for his dedication and service to the theme park and attractions industry.
He was born in Columbus, Ohio, grew up on Buckeye Lake, and took his first airplane ride at age 7.
