I’m an Iowa based marketer, anchored by a background in design, who describes himself as a generalist and connector of dots. I’m Max, sometimes Maxwell. I miss Rdio, care about online privacy and security, and heart all things Apple.
For the past 15+ years, I’ve worked in design, marketing, and sales roles focused on the design community, with an emphasis on community building. I work honestly and creatively to build relationships, define opportunities, and connect the dots between both people and projects.
10+ yrs
Marketing / Design
5+ yrs
Sales / Partnerships
5+ yrs
Community / Events
Work
BuySellAds
Key Skillset
- Account management
- Business development
- Community outreach
Strategic Partnerships Lead
Aug 2020 — Present
- Build and manage relationships with MPS Publishers (Managed Publisher Services) in niche verticals: Design, Development, Tech/Consumer
- Define outbound strategy for pursuing new opportunities and campaigns across major publishers
- Create and design Sales Enablement tools and documentation for the broader BSA Sales team
- Support BSA Sales team to build strategic, long-term relationships with Advertisers
- Engage the existing Carbon community
8020
Key Skillset
- Agency management
- Team logistics and resourcing
- Scope, sell, and manage client projects
General Manager
Jan 2020 — Aug 2020
- Build and develop all aspects of agency operations including project scope, resource balancing, and revenue forecasting
- Develop simple, yet compelling visions for clients that provide a faster, less expensive way to turn ideas into reality without the need for complex code
- Manage and work directly with a team of fully remote designers and developers
- Proactively provide ongoing assessments for team balance to ensure a successful and smooth delivery of client projects
- Active team and client communication through daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly status reporting
- Act as an advocate for 8020 as an agency (and part of the Tiny Capital family) while also advocating for the no-code and visual development communities
Abstract
Key Skillset
- Event Marketing and Production
- Sponsorship Management
- Project Management
Additional Context
Manager Field Marketing / Designer Evangelist
Aug 2018 — Jan 2020
- Created global event sponsorship strategy and process supporting marketing objectives and continually growing an active customer pipeline
- Oversaw $1M events budget including all contracts and negotiations for sponsorship and logistics for large scale, enterprise focused conferences (e.g. SXSW, Adobe MAX) and smaller scale, local design Meetups
- Produced company-driven events that support product launches and sales initiatives including Abstract University workshops focused on hands-on training and interactive learning
- Lead the offline marketing communications and build rapport with strategic business partners (e.g. integrating Abstract into the core design curriculum at colleges and universities)
- Managed the ordering, inventory, and design production of all Abstract goods and swag used for both Field Marketing and Sales initiatives
- Advocated for Abstract amongst the greater design community to highlight and provide opportunities for the design team (e.g. speaking opportunities / workshops at conferences, guest spots on podcasts, contributor on blog posts, AMA on design forums)
Dribbble
Key Skillset
- Partnerships and Business Development
- Ad Sales and Fulfillment
- Event Production
Head of Partnerships / Senior Business Development Specialist
Jan 2017 — Aug 2018
- Spearheaded overhaul of advertising sales strategy to include direct sales, partner agencies, and self-serve platforms generating $500K annual sales across multiple channels (display ads, email, podcast)
- Managed the lifecycle of performance marketing campaigns from sale to fulfillment and ongoing analysis of proper serving, click through action, and conversion events
- Led new business development and partner programs to facilitate product integrations and referral campaigns with large scale design software / tools (e.g. Sketch, Adobe, InVision)
- Produced company-driven conferences tailored to designers and facilitated all sponsorship sales generating $75K per conference
- Provide individual designers and design teams resources to build and grow their presence on the Dribbble community (organic and/or paid)
Designer News
Key Skillset
- Business Development
- Ad Sales and Fulfillment
- Event Production
Community Manager
Jul 2015 — Jan 2017
- Managed day-to-day business operations and developed product roadmap balancing analytical and creatively driven goals leading to a 36% increase in registrations and 100% increase in engagement
- Built advertising sales strategy generating $200K annual sales across multiple channels (display ads, email, podcast)
- Rewrote, moderated, and enforced community guidelines for a global, online audience of over 100K users
- Act as an advocate and voice for Designer News amongst the greater design community
Web Strategist
Oct 2011 — Jul 2015
- Developed and executed performance marketing strategies for SMBs focused on fundamental SEO, SEM, paid media, and organic traffic through social campaigns and content driven initiatives
- Collaborated cross-functionally with designers, engineers, and senior leadership to support the success of projects with key clients in varying industries including e-commerce, general business, and nonprofit
iWireless (T-Mobile)
Key Skillset
- Design
- Product Development
- Project Management
Lead Interactive Designer & Product Development Coordinator
Apr 2007 — Oct 2011
- Designed physical and digital promotional materials including presentations and slide decks for senior leadership for retail environments in 250 company stores and authorized dealers across Iowa, Illinois, and Nebraska
- Acted as the liaison between iWireless Product Marketing and outside vendors (e.g. BlackBerry) to support communication and implementation of both hardware and software rollouts
Elsewhere
Written Word
Otherwise
Endorsing — Privacy, Inclusion & Diversity, Environment, Accessibility
Watching — Ted Lasso
Listening — Electric Guest — KIN
Reading — Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell
Drinking — slightly less coffee, slightly more water