Also known as: Jon
tr"Husband, father, artist, daguerreotypist, Crestron Certified Programmer, founder of Maker FaireNC, passionate about user experience in emerging technologies.
Also known as: Jon
Professional: I am the Director of Communications at Story Worldwide, a global content marketing agency. We help brands tell their stories and reach audiences by creating engaging content and delivering that content across a variety of media platforms. I direct the corporate communications strategy in the areas of social media engagement, audience generation, and web content. Basically, I’m making Story famous. You can find part of the fruits of my labor at PostAdvertising.com, our blog chronicling storytelling, marketing and advertising in this post-advertising age. I’m also the Founder and Chief Simplicity Officer of Presentation Advisors, a presentation design firm and consultancy. Storytelling is just as important in presenting as it is in marketing. I help clients of all shapes and sizes visually engage their audiences and tell their stories more simply and effectively. I even created a presentation about social media for business that is kind of a big deal. Before marketing I was a true visual storyteller – working in television and video production. I worked in a media production house at a University as a videographer and editor, as well as an assistant professor in studio television. I even started my own wedding videography company. I still remember the looks on the bride and groom’s faces when they’d see their video for the first time… As a marketer, presentation designer, and all around storyteller, there’s no surprise that I love to speak. I’ve given presentations on topics like effective presentation design, personal branding in social media, and brand storytelling at conferences including the School of WOM and the Presentation Summit. Learn more about my presentations at my speaking page. Why I Do What I Do: When I look back at what I thought I’d be when I grew up and what I actually am, I’m both surprised and yet not surprised at all. In college I majored in information systems (computers for business). I always loved computers and I knew they had amazing potential to connect us as people. Once the Internet hit and we set up our first Prodigy (ha!) account, I knew my life’s work would revolve around computers and the web. I’ve experienced three distinct professions – video/film, marketing, and presentation design – however what I’ve come to realize is that they all intersect at one point: The Story. Storytelling opens hearts and minds, and creates a connection between the storyteller and their audience. Whether it was from behind the camera, within PowerPoint, or on a blog, I’ve always been using content and creativity to create stories. Personal: Born and raised on the south shore of Massachusetts, I’m the son of a banker and pre-school teacher. Not surprisingly I’m a die-hard Boston sports fan (complete with a Red Sox tattoo). I’m the husband of a loving wife of 3 years, and for the time being the father to one very moody yet lovable cat. Throughout grade school you could find me on any number of sports fields, but in high school I found my passion in volleyball. I followed my passion to Connecticut where I played at Fairfield University, where I earned my B.S. in Information Systems and my M.B.A. in Marketing. Through the volleyball circle in CT is where I met my loving wife, a standout Division 1 star at Loyola University in Maryland. We still play every now-and-again, and watching her blast a volleyball never gets old. However my latest passion, besides social media, is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Currently I’m a blue belt and compete in tournaments every once-in-a-while. The supportive BJJ community helped fuel my desire to start a nonprofit, which I did in early 2011. Named “Tap Out Cancer,†we are uniting the BJJ community to raise awareness and funds for organizations that are fighting cancer every day.
