Ohio University

Copywriter, Editor & Content Strategist for Fashion, Luxury, Arts & Culture, LGBTQ+ Issues & Live Events

I oversaw men’s copy and voice across all channels, including jcrew.com, email, video, digital ads, social media, store signage, catalogs, and mailers. Collaborating with the marketing, creative, styling, merchant, and design teams, I led the development of seasonal content plans with email lineups, site content, online shopping enhancements, partnership opportunities, influencer campaigns, and casting suggestions.

Some key achievements:
* Conceived and developed high-performing new email, social, and video content franchises.
* Overhauled online category headers and navigation.
* Increased email open rates with compelling subject lines.
* Streamlined writing and editing process for product copy, reducing labor hours and freelance costs.

J.Crew

Men's Copy & Content Director

In this dual role, I oversaw all advertising and marketing copy for channels including print ads, e-commerce emails, sales associate emails, signage, and invitations. I also wrote, edited, and assigned the articles in Bergdorf Goodman's women's and men's magazines, including designer Q&As, product trend pages, personal essays, and arts and travel coverage.

Some key achievements:
* Led editorial strategy for redesign of women's magazine and launch of Goodman’s Guide men’s magazine. 
* Revitalized email campaigns with new editorial formats and captivating subject lines.

Bergdorf Goodman

Magazine Editor & Copywriter

I launched and wrote a blog, newsletter, and paid trend report service about live experiences, brands, culture, and technology. I also hosted and programmed Xembly, an invitation-only, paid cocktails and speakers series exploring those topics.

The X Letter

Editor & Founder

Working with editor in chief Kevin Sessums, I developed and managed the back-of-book section covering art, entertainment, design, and travel, for this startup LGBTQ+ magazine, which Folio magazine named Launch of the Year.

dot429

"The Back 9" Editor, FourTwoNine Magazine

As a consultant, I have developed brand voice, editorial content, and live event concepts for clients in industries including publishing and finance.

As a journalist, I have written about fashion, culture, and events for magazines and digital platforms, including Southern Living, Governing, and Rhapsody, United Airlines’ luxury magazine.

As a speaker for hire, I have given talks about trends in live events at large conferences and internal corporate events, including keynote sessions for hundreds of attendees, smaller breakout seminars, and intimate team meetings.

Freelance

Freelance Writer, Editor, Consultant

I wrote a popular biweekly column about new event trends and marketing strategies.

BizBash

Editor at Large

I led the content development and operations for the launch of the leading website and magazine for the event industry, defining the editorial voice and franchises for print, web, email, social media, and video. During my time there, I managed an expansion to nine markets, hiring local writers, and identifying key contacts.

I edited a quarterly magazine with more than 100 editorial pages and a controlled circulation of 65,000, and directed editorial content (more than 30 stories per week) for BizBash.com, managing a team of editors, art directors, photo editors, reporters, and photographers. 

Adding trade show content programming responsibility in 2012, I re-engineered our annual conference, beating attendance and revenue goals. I also spoke frequently about events, marketing, and social media for conferences and media outlets.

We won an American Business Media Jesse H. Neal Award in March 2013, and were named finalists in three other categories for print and digital projects.

(Features Editor, June 2000 to January 2001; Executive Editor, January 2001 to November 2001)

Editor in Chief

I wrote short and feature-length profiles, how-to articles, and business trend pieces, and interviewed analysts, C.E.O.s, and other high-level executives. My responsibilities including editing the travel department, a humor column, and a management strategies section.

Chad Kaydo