ASSOCIATE CREATIVE DIRECTOR, COPY // September 2017 - Present
Keen eye for editorial + creative direction in support of all manner of copy projects (videos, websites, social media, podcasts, exec comms, narrative and messaging frameworks, and on and on and on), as well as brand architecture, new business development, and platform concepts. Adept at reading the room and assessing project requests while navigating the nuances of team dynamics and client relationships. Skilled at assembling the right editorial team for the job, from intake to final delivery, ensuring we arrive with integrity (in the work) and respect (for the creatives).
Major wins include:
- Establishing myself as a trusted team member, conceptual thinker, and cheerleader for DXT’s work and values
- Spreading the good word about Microsoft’s security endeavors through publisher relationships (like this three-parter with Quartz), with and owned video (the miniature kingdom was a big deal)
- Articulating Microsoft’s brand identity for its employees and prospective job candidates through internal communications, recruitment outreach and social programs
- Drawing a line between trading crypto and solving puzzles for Bittrex (and winning an Addy in the process)
- Reinforcing Gilead’s commitment to novel research in pursuit of a cure to HIV
- Vaulting Cisco from #67 to #1 (a position we helped them secure and hold for 3 years running) in Fortune’s + Great Place to Work’s
“100 Best Companies to Work For” list
COPYWRITER & CONTENT STRATEGIST // JUne 2015 - MAY 2017
In May 2015, I joined Studio1850, Oregonian Media Group's in-house creative agency team, creating media campaigns, content strategies and brand identities for clients while building an entirely new offering within Oregonian Media Group.
As lead copywriter and content strategist, I worked across teams to create custom site content, ad concepts and campaigns, content strategies, blogs, social media posts, video scripts and storyboards, infographics, emails, collateral and brand guidelines. I handle audience and competitive analysis, client communications and presentation development, as well. I also know how to monitor and improve campaigns based on search and engagement metrics.
My work included a six-month content strategy + creation for Premera BlueCross BlueShield, copy and design for new client websites, original advertising concepts for local and national brands, brand guidelines for Alameda Brewing and presentations delivered in eight countries for Nike’s sustainability initiatives.
RESEARCH ANALYST // APRIL 2013 - JUNE 2015
In my work with the research team, I used metrics and survey tools to dig into audiences in Portland, Oregon, and Southwest Washington. I turned this information into cohesive, creative collateral for Oregonian Media Group's advertisers and internal staff to promote The Oregonian and OregonLive, as well as Advance Local's 10 Local Media Groups nationwide.
Primary responsibilities included supporting media strategists’ relationships with advertisers using original ideas and thoughtful collateral, analyzing marketing efforts based on relevant metrics, creating social media plans and posts, developing personas from audience and industry data, and promoting Oregonian Media Group as a full-service digital agency and an Oregon institution.
Programs and tools used include Google AdWords, Google Analytics, Lotame, DIH/Burthub, Scarborough, comScore, Nielsen/PRIZM, Kantar, Adobe SiteCatalyst, Canva and several others. I used Adobe CS, Microsoft Office and major social media platforms daily.
LAYOUT DESIGNER // MARCH 2012 - mARCH 2013
I coordinated daily news presentation primarily for the St. Cloud Times, but also for the Springfield (Mo.) News-Leader and the (Sioux Falls, S.D.) Argus Leader. Daily responsibilities included calling/Skyping in from my desk in Des Moines to planning meetings with newsroom leaders across the Midwest, ensuring placement of local content, selecting articles and photos from the Associated Press and other national/international news wires, designing top-notch centerpieces for front and local/metro sections, and putting sweet baby newspapers to bed (on time!) each night -- even on Election Day.
In January 2013, I won third place design portfolio from the Minnesota Newspaper Association for a five-day series on the impact of North Dakota's oil boom on Central Minnesota.
COPY EDITOR & LAYOUT DESIGNER // OCTOBER 2009 - MARCH 2012
Attended news meetings, proposed wire and front page suggestions, placed and edited local and wire stories, edited and sent page files to the press, updated SCTimes.com after press deadline each evening, and worked with reporters and editors on featured series. In between, I learned important lessons about Minnesota's most interesting celebrity (Prince, obviously) and the glory days of Northwoods League amateur baseball.
I also spent six months on the Times' editorial board with the publisher, editor-in-chief, opinion editor and a rotating community representative.
During my time in St. Cloud, I attended a Poynter seminar on copy editing and writing better headlines. Assignments included analyzing demographic data, identifying key elements of a great headline, and discussing subtle bias and ethical dilemmas in copy.