Since 2018, it’s been my job to convert the why-are-we-doing-thaters to how-do-i-get-on-therers.
I’m currently serving as the senior strategist and managing editor for the Microsoft Design publication on Medium and the social channels. I started as a publication team of one to drive the vision and work with product, PR, and marketing to align on each story.
Now we’re a bigger team doing bigger things, but we’re still telling stories behind the perspective of the product makers.
I’ve also wrote a few stories myself along the way.
Other links you might be interested in:
“Can you help me put my charity out of business?”
The client needed a brand video to share the mission of Splash at their annual fundraising gala, so they could help bring clean water to resource-poor cities and, ultimately, end their own charity. I wrote the script and recorded the VO.
AD/Videographer: Boone Sommerfeld
Everyone: [silence]
Me: Let’s tell the design story for the Microsoft Surface Headphones!
I was the executive producer and story editor.
Designed to surprise and delight social media followers, the social content for Microsoft highlights each product's features by tying it into seasonal/relevant themes (e.g. productivity, spring break, etc.) and trending hashtags. This is a sampling of the content I created.
AD: Joe Prindeville
Designers: Becca Thresher, Dylan Shippee, and Catherine Roach
Editor: Chelsea Hundley
Client needed a brand video to share the untold origin story of Weld Seattle and show how the non-profit helps formerly incarcerated individuals not just return to society, but also belong and thrive. I wrote interview questions, conducted the interviews, and collaborated with the client and AD to put the story together.
AD/Videographer: Boone Sommerfeld
Who doesn’t love a little nostalgia?
We created this short video series as part of Skype's December 2015 content. We highlighted specific product features by leveraging the popularity of "Throwback Thursdays" and alluded to the ever-so-popular movie about a kid left alone during Christmas.
AD: Joe Prindeville
Designers/Videographers: Dylan Shippee, Catherine Roach
FB
Quiet until hunger moves him to hunt, everything about dad is designed to eat cookies that aren't his. He always gets away with it, but not this year.
IG
Quiet until hunger moves him to hunt, everything about dad is designed to eat #cookies that aren't his. He always gets away with it, but not this year. #Hangry #MilkAndCookies
TW
He hunts by scent and is easily tripped up by obstacles, but won't rest until he's eaten the cookies.
FB
He is the slowest human in the house. At top speed, he moves at 60 strides/minute. He hunts by scent and is easily tripped up by obstacles, but won't rest until he's eaten the cookies.
IG
He is the slowest human in the house. At top speed, he moves at 60 strides/minute. He hunts by scent and is easily tripped up by obstacles, but won't rest until he's eaten the cookies. #Hangry #MilkAndCookies
TW
Frightened by noise, but still undeterred, he'll creep within 100 ft. of the target before springing into action.
FB
He sports hair in his ears, perhaps to dampen sound. Frightened by noise, but still undeterred, he'll creep within 100 ft. of the target before springing into action.
IG
He sports hair in his ears, perhaps to dampen sound. Frightened by noise, but still undeterred, he'll creep within 100 ft. of the target before springing into action. #Hangry #MilkAndCookies
TW
Sensing his prey, he strikes to kill, but he sees the Skype video call. Next year, Dad, next year.
FB
He searches likely hiding places to find cookies. Sensing his prey, he fleshes it out into the open, strikes to kill, but sees the Skype video call. Next year, Dad, next year.
IG
He searches likely hiding places to find cookies. Sensing his prey, he fleshes it out into the open, strikes to kill, but sees the Skype video call. Next year, dad, next year.
#Hangry #MilkAndCookies
Explaining why insurance rates are rising is probably one of the worst parts of any agent’s job.
The client asked us to create an infographic for independent agents to distribute to their customers that explained why auto insurance rates were rising across the industry. Client provided the stats, we created the story.
Art Director: Heather Green
I wanted to create romantic greeting cards that encapsulated what actual love looks like in everyday examples.
When does direct mail ever work? 👇🏽
Accolade asked us to create a direct mail campaign to send during open enrollment, the most hectic time of year for in-house benefits teams.
During busy times at work, eating well—if at all—falls to the wayside. As such, we designed a printed gate-fold that offered a free one-week Blue Apron subscription to the department head and a free lunch for the entire team. To see the full DM piece, click here.
Results:
211 direct mail pieces delivered
48 responses
30 meetings
14 lunches scheduled
3 Blue Aprons redeemed
Award: Won silver for B2B campaigns at the 2016 The Marketing Awards.
AD: Heather Green
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