Just looking for contact info?
Email: Jon.Swihart@gmail.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jonswihart
Here for the whole story? Behold…
I am a multidisciplinary copywriter from Seattle, with over 10 years of experience working in both traditional and digital-focused agencies. Although writing is by far my strong suit, I also have experience with audio production, graphic design, and UX.
As you've probably noticed, a great deal of my recent experience is in telecom, where I've stewarded the T-Mobile brand through the maelstrom that is the wireless industry. My job was not only to ideate and execute clever ideas but also to help oversee brand consistency across multiple channels in an industry where technology and trends evolve at a breakneck pace.
But it's not all ads, folks. I'm also a musician and creative writer. I've played in recording and touring bands for the last 15 years, and written satire, pop culture blogs, and short stories.
THE LONG VERSION
My career began at the University of Colorado, Boulder, while obtaining my B.S. in Journalism & Mass Communication. During that time, I was a reporter, cartoonist, and Graphics Editor for the campus newspaper, CU Independent.
After undergrad, I attended a fledgling ad school alternative called Boulder Digital Works, designed to give students real-world experience that they wouldn't get at traditional ad school. Our class projects were for real companies like Microsoft and Toyota, and our instructors were working professionals from shops like CP+B, Saatchi & Saatchi, TeamOne, and Wieden+Kennedy. There, I learned copywriting, UX design, pitch theater for startups and venture capital, and even some front-end development. The program worked so well that it was eventually transformed into the College of Media, Communication, and Information.
This led to an internship and eventually a full time job in Seattle at a digital design agency called SMITH. I had the nebulous title of Experience Designer, which was a mashup of UX, copywriting, design, and front-end development, serving clients like Microsoft, Amazon, Nike, and MasterCard. From there, I did a brief stint at LiveAreaLabs as a UX designer until landing a Jr. Copywriting job at Publicis Seattle (now Saatchi & Saatchi Seattle).
At Saatchi, I learned all the ropes of traditional advertising and began rising through the ranks. I worked on TV and radio spots, banners, stunts, social media campaigns, OOH, and just about every other medium you can slap an ad on. There, I was charged with stewarding the brands of major companies like T-Mobile, Metro, and Aflac, as well as smaller clients like KEXP, Special Olympics, and Visit Seattle. I've also been involved in successful new business pitches and some dark projects I can't really talk about right now. That about brings you up-to-date.
Wow, if you've read this far, I owe you a beer!
Send me a message at jon.swihart@gmail.com and we'll get something scheduled.