Freelance consultant with 10+ years in marketing and strategy who helps design and tech brands find their voice in the cultural conversation, and get results. I help develop positioning and content approaches that feel authentic to who they are and relevant to who they're trying to reach.
ajfonder@gmail.com
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(918) 607-5186
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Experience
Creative Strategist
Freelance
July 2023 – Present
Remote & Portland, OR
- Consult with design and technology organizations, startups, and studios to develop content strategies that simplify complex topics for broad audiences.
- Lead multi-channel messaging campaigns to drive engagement and empower users, achieving a 122% increase in LinkedIn following for a recent client.
- Build and maintain content style guides; manage end-to-end content lifecycles from ideation to analytics-driven iteration.
- Use tools such as Notion, Airtable, and Figma to manage projects, collaborate with stakeholders, and deliver high-quality content on time.
- Analyze content performance metrics to optimize resources and align with business and customer needs.
- Select clients: Baukunst, Brand.ai, Gantri, MADO
Senior Producer
Core77 ↗
October 2017 - July 2023
New York, NY
- Directed digital content strategy and managed content management systems for Core77’s awards program, conference, and blog.
- Oversaw project roadmaps, schedules, and workflows; led cross-functional teams in delivering editorial and support content for Core77 readers and customers.
- Developed and executed a new communications strategy for the 2021 Core77 Design Awards, resulting in a 20.7% increase in annual revenue.
- Served as events manager and Chair for two design conferences, managing programming, budgets, and customer experience in partnership with vendors and designers.
Community Manager
Core77 ↗
October 2015 - October 2017
New York, NY
- Managed editorial calendar, style guides, and social media channels; collected and analyzed data to optimize SEO and content engagement.
- Drove a rebrand of social media strategy, increasing Instagram followers from 2,000 to 110,000 in under two years.
- Produced culturally relevant, accessible content that deeply resonated with Core77’s core audience and drove meaningful engagement.
Graphic Designer
illesteva ↗
October 2015 - October 2017
New York, NY
- Managed editorial calendar, style guides, and social media channels; collected and analyzed data to optimize SEO and content engagement.
- Drove a rebrand of social media strategy, increasing Instagram followers from 2,000 to 110,000 in under two years.
- Produced culturally relevant, accessible content that deeply resonated with Core77’s core audience and drove meaningful engagement.
- Led visual brand strategy across web, email, and social channels.
- Collaborated with developers for a website UX relaunch, resulting in 3x traffic increase and 200% reduction in bounce rate.
- Led visual brand strategy across web, email, and social channels.
- Collaborated with developers for a website UX relaunch, resulting in 3x traffic increase and 200% reduction in bounce rate.
- Led visual brand strategy across web, email, and social channels.
- Collaborated with developers for a website UX relaunch, resulting in 3x traffic increase and 200% reduction in bounce rate.
Editor + Marketing Analyst
Totokaelo ↗
October 2015 - October 2017
Seattle, WA
- Developed and implemented blog content strategy aligned with brand values.
- Assisted with site rebrand of art direction and merchandising, resulting in a 150% increase in online sales.
- Analyzed sales and content performance metrics to drive targeted marketing and product promotions.
- Coordinated company-wide campaigns and A/B tested newsletters to optimize engagement and conversion.
Skills
Content & Creative Development
- Content Strategy
- Editorial Writing
- Editing
- Technical Writing
- Style Guide Development
Communication & Collaboration
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Client Relationship Management
- Stakeholder Communication
Project Management
- Workflow Planning & Scheduling
- Budget Tracking & Forecasting