WRITING & STRATEGYI write stories, essays, articles, and case studies that move people and organizations forward.
From long-form narrative and executive communications, to brand strategy and editorial consulting, I help organizations understand the value of clear, compelling thinking.
Love His Way
If Rich Good ever held aspirations of becoming a rock star, he certainly took the road less traveled. Way less traveled. The young Brit moved thousands of miles away from the fertile rock star breeding ground of 1990s London—at his prime rock-star age of 24 no less—to tranquil and remote Nevada City.
Good and his then-partner were both graphic designers looking to escape the big city. When she brought him to visit her tiny Northern California hometown, “I was absolutely smitten by the Sierra Mountains and Lake Tahoe,” he says. “The minute I saw Nevada City, I fell in love with it, and I realized I was born in the wrong country.”
Inside the Raw Dog Challenge
So you’ve boarded your flight and settled into your cramped seat, only to realize you’re wedged between an overly chatty neighbor on one side and a guy snoring like a garbage disposal on the other. Yet before you lies redemption: a glowing TV screen offering hours of time-killing entertainment, just waiting for you to plug in and check out.
WireScreen Makes it Easy to Navigate the Business of China
We developed the overall editorial strategy, (including mission and vision, tag line, and positioning) to accompany Pentagram partner, Luke Hayman’s logo and web design for WireScreen. This powerful new digital tool, launched by Pulitzer Prize-winning New YorkTimes journalist, David Barboza, analyzes and maps complex data about Chinese companies and their stakeholders to help people interested in doing business in China better understand and vet the fastest-growing economy in the world. Deliverables included taglines, marketing copy, mission/vision statement, and brand positioning.
Meet Boombang’s Powerful Creative Combustion Engine
For this award-winning LA-based innovation, design, and venture firm, I partnered with their leadership group to write more than 30 case studies for their recent web relaunch. Over the past 20 years, Boombang has collaborated with a who’s who of cutting edge tech, lifestyle, product, and startup brands on a dizzying array of pioneering and industry disrupting projects. Included are case studies for MLB, Skullcandy, JBL, Zygo, Armstar, Disney, Nickleodeon, Under Armour, SmartImage, Audeze, and many more.
Marvell Web Copy
For tech giant Marvell I was asked to write website copy for a number of the company’s vertical groups, including Careers, Inclusion and Diversity (I&D), and Environment, Social and Governance (ESG). The goal was to update and outline Marvell’s brand language and personality, tone of voice, and general storytelling parameters for all content delivery moving forward.
The Houston Independent School District (HISD) Takeover Explained
In March of 2023 the Texas Education Agency (TEA) moved forward with plans to take control of the Houston Independent School District (HISD), the largest district in the state and one of the largest in the country. For Houstonia magazine, I wrote about the controversial decision, which sparked a series of accusations and finger pointing from just about everyone: local and state politicians, school board members, teachers, administrators, parents, even students.The situation is complex, to say the least. Here’s how we got here, and what this could all mean for the future of education in Houston.
The Most Excellent Mikser Festival
A little more than a week ago, at almost exactly the same time that Ratko Mladic was being arrested for heinous war crimes and rioting was breaking out in the streets of Belgrade, one of the more impressive arts festivals was taking place right down the road at a sprawling industrial complex where the Sava and Danube rivers meet.
Pulling it All Together With Mike Perry
It must be fun to be Mike Perry. You think of a book idea, Princeton Architectural Press says sure, they’ll publish it, and then all of your friends, who just happen to be the best, most famous designers in the world, want to contribute. So it is with his newest project, a book on screen printing called Pulled: A Catalog of Screen Printing being released this week. “It’s a collection of contemporary illustrators and designers who use screen printing in their personal work,” Perry says. “Its not about band posters its about art.”
Marks Men: A Conversation With Chermayeff, Geismar, and Haviv
This month Print will release its first book under the newly established Print Publications line. Identify: Basic Principles of Identity Design in the Iconic Trademarks of Chermayeff & Geismar looks back at the last half century of work by Chermayeff & Geismar, the design studio behind many of the world’s most recognizable trademarks: Chase Bank, the Library of Congress, NBC, National Geographic, PBS, Showtime, and many others.
George Lois Can Still Kick Your Ass
When George Lois wants something, he usually gets it. Whether it’s Maypo, Matzo, or MTV, the advertising and design legend has won many more battles than he’s lost. And at 81 years old, Lois still approaches life like it’s something to be fought over and enjoyed and laughed about later. He has lived a rich life, one of fame (and infamy!), “Big Ideas,” and accolades. And like Frank Sinatra, Paul Newman, and Ernest Hemingway, Lois has always been the coolest guy in the room. He transcends his industry and stands out even among the other stars in it.
Trying to Get Invited to TED with Chris Anderson
TED has grown exponentially from its start as a stand-alone tech conference. Today, along with the main event, there are independently organized TEDx conferences, an initiative on advertising, the annual TED prize, and more. Print’s editor in chief, Aaron Kenedi, sat down with TED’s chief curator, Chris Anderson, to ask him about his favorite presentations, the importance of storytelling, and how a certain design-mag editor might get that coveted invite to speak.
Radiohead Let’s Out a Universal Sigh
The release of the newspaper is the latest in a series of zingers from perhaps the world’s most iconoclastic mega band. After ditching their record company, EMI in 2007 because the company didn’t want to give “In Rainbows” away for free, Radiohead is back turning the music industry furniture upside down. And to add to the spectacle, Donwood and Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke personally handed out copies of the publication Monday morning outside London’s Rough Trade East record store.