Joel's Portfolio

Hello, I’m Joel!

Large man on the left, creative with copywriting

and social media chops, amateur graphic designer, photographer, chef, dad.

(And former professional dancer.)

About Me

Almost 14 years ago, while working a job I felt decidedly “meh” about, friends and family said, "You should apply for this role in copywriting."

So I did. And someone said, "Yes."

Since then, I've been the luckiest guy in the world. I've wrote blog posts (for companies and for executives), website copy, social media posts (paid and organic), e-mail series, radio ads, direct-response TV ads, phone app copy, and more. I’ve helped build brand campaigns, content and social media strategies, live-streamed from the Winner’s Circle at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and facilitated online Q&As with professional athletes.

Whether I’m writing things that make people say, “You’re one funny dude,” or designing graphics that make my kids say, “Bruh, that’s sick, dog. No cap!” (Is that good?), I love being creative. There’s nothing better than working on a team of passionate, like-minded, clever people focused on delivering the best possible product for our clients.

Let’s work together.

Testimonials

“Joel is a fantastic team player, with a unique style that any company would be lucky to have.”

“This guy owes his entire career to me. I took a chance on him, and he knocked it out of the park.”

“He cheers entirely too loud at my softball games. He’s really embarassing.”

Kelly LaVaute,

former leader, Fleishman Hillard

Clayton Closson,

former leader, Quicken Loans

Elliott Jarvi,

current daughter, middle child

Work I’m Proud Of

Fleishman Hillard - Social Media

#ThanksJG

Beloved Team Chevy NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon announced 2015 would be his last season as a driver. I was challenged with finding a way to utilize Team Chevy Motorsports social media channels to wish Gordon the best and thank him for 24 seasons with Hendrick Motorsports and Chevrolet.

Using Twitter and the hashtag #ThanksJG, we asked followers and fans to use 180 characters to say THANK YOU to their favorite driver. I coordinated the posting strategy, compiled the messages, and worked with a design team to have a 2016 Camaro hood decal fitted with as many messages possible.

At the 2015 Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, on the Team Chevy stage during a Q&A session, Team Chevy dignitaries presented Gordon with the one-of-a-kind hood, where he indicated it would hang in his home office. During race weekend, I was able to interact with many of the fans that submitted messages that appeared on the hood, sending them close-ups of their thank-yous.

Social media is at its best when it’s connecting people, and this project was one of my favorites.

Quicken Loans - Copywriting, Brand Building

Mortgages Suck

In the fall of 2013, the internal marketing team at Quicken Loans (now Rocket Mortgage) was tasked with building new brand campaigns. Teams were comprised of leaders, copywriters, designers, and videographers. At the end of 6 weeks, ideas would be presented to the CMO and marketing senior leaders, with the best campaigns going through to a final presentation with the Chairman, President, and other senior leadership.

We developed several concepts, our favorite being Mortgages Suck, a frank and honest look at how many customers feel about the homebuying process. To present this idea to stakeholders who had grown Quicken Loans from the ground up, built their success and fortune in the industry was risky, to say the least.

At the end of the six weeks, our presentation was chosen as the best for its simplicity, honesty, and stark truth-telling. The entire exercise was a testament to teamwork, bold thinking, risk-taking, and creativity that still fills me with pride.