How has your writing career evolved over time? What's different now compared to when you started? 

My first professional writing gig was with a now-defunct newsletter where I wrote about defined contribution pension plans (i.e. 401(k)s, etc.) It wasn’t my dream job, but it was one I was thrilled to have. Every journalism professor I’d had said some version of, “The industry is fucked, don’t get your hopes up,” which at the time felt like an unnecessarily jaded thing to say to your students, but it made sense given many of them had been victims of recession layoffs.

I didn’t love writing about retirement plans...I’d wanted to be a film critic a la Pauline Kael...but it helped me hone a beat and understand the value of business journalism. That’s not to say business journalism isn’t without its own challenges, but there’s a better chance you’ll have some sense of stability in this brutal industry if you have a specialty. 
 

Do you find it's difficult doing the type of work you do from the Midwest instead of a major metropolitan area?

Honestly, there’s been absolutely no change in my ability to do my work in the Midwest versus the Northeast. If anything, being remote has allowed me to broaden my sources and given me story ideas I probably wouldn’t have otherwise.

Depending on your beat, location shouldn’t matter as much as it does or has; especially after the last year. 
 

I noticed you did a lot of cover stories for Adweek. What was that like? Any standout experiences you can share?

Cover stories are awesome. If you still work at a print publication or freelance for one and you’re able to get a cover story in print, do it! Be relentless in pitching for a cover. I was, and that was the only way I was able to get the ones that I did. I had a ton of ideas rejected. That’s okay. Rejection is a given. Keep trying. 

As for standout experiences: I love being on set. I got to go behind-the-scenes of two Super Bowl spots, one for Budweiser and another for M&M’s. Budweiser was on location in Louisiana; it was super muddy and the costumes were incredibly intricate. M&M’s was on a Paramount backlot.

Long days, but getting to observe people, see their process and understand the mechanics...all of that is fodder for a more in-depth story with great color. For example, I got to watch Danny DeVito writhe around in a giant pool of a brown liquid that was supposed to look like chocolate, which it did on camera, but it was very much...not that.

It’s cool to get to go behind-the-scenes and understand how something or someone works. 
 

Tell us about the writing work you do in your spare time.

I used to pitch freelance assignments to other publications in my spare time. I’ve since learned that the writing I want to do in my free time is not journalism.

I’ve made a few short films (I only like one of them) and I’ve written a bunch of different screenplays that sit on my computer collecting some form of digital dust.

This year, I’ve been trying to approach my creative writing with the same methodology as that of my journalism. Having a daily routine. Doing research. Not caring so much about how shitty the first draft may be and just writing so that I can get to the edit round.

I’d like to make another short film this summer. We’ll see! 
 

What's a major misconception about the work you do?

Whenever I say that I write about marketing and advertising, people think that I’m a marketer. I’m not.

I’ve had random people ask me for advice about their ad campaigns or how they should market their small business. It’s so odd! 
 

How did your education shape your career trajectory? Did you take any courses/have any experiences post-college that were formative?

I wouldn’t have the career that I do without having been on my college paper. Courses are helpful but finding a way to do the actual thing, practice what you want to do, get into that rhythm and see if you actually like it. That’s super important.

Plus, the people I worked with there have been some of the best friends and connections in the industry that I’ve had and I certainly feel thankful for that. Join your college newspaper if you’re still in school and you can.