Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Languages
Timeline
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STEPHEN SMYSNUIK

Delta,BC

Summary

I'm a media, brand and communications strategist, with efforts rooted in experience as a story-teller, to develop new audiences, as well as the business strategies to monetize them.

Overview

15
15
years of professional experience

Work History

Principal

New Ripple Strategies
11.2018 - Current
  • Consult for businesses on a variety of business development, content, and brand marketing needs
  • Current clients include DoStuff Media (brand & business development); UBC Sauder School of Business (communications & media support); and Range Magazine (brand strategy, editorial direction & content creation)
  • Build strong relationships with clients, fostering long-term partnerships and repeat business.
  • Increased client satisfaction by providing tailored consulting solutions for their specific business needs.
  • Evaluate business processes, identifying inefficiencies and recommending targeted improvements.

Publisher

Georgia Straight (Overstory Media Group)
05.2022 - 02.2024
  • Rebuilt Georgia Straight team and relaunched revamped product into market, including new weekly newsletter, monthly print and daily online content stream
  • Oversaw editorial and brand direction of new products, with careful consideration to growing new audience demographics
  • Managed strategic partnerships with clients across arts, music, events and hospitality sectors
  • Established clear communication channels among team members to facilitate collaboration on projects with tight deadlines.
  • Monitored industry trends staying ahead of competitors through continuous improvement in publishing techniques.
  • Mentored junior staff members to foster professional growth and skill development within the team.
  • Achieved financial goals through effective budget management, reducing overhead costs without compromising output quality.
  • Expanded distribution channels by negotiating contracts with new partners and vendors.

Director of Marketing and Brand Development

Craft Collective Beerworks
01.2017 - 04.2019
  • Responsible for all creative and brand development for brewery
  • Oversaw all product innovations, and marketing of these products, through my department
  • Oversaw high level business development, taking it from zero annual revenue when brewery launched, to well over $4 million in sales by Q1 2019
  • Responsible for all communications and PR, and oversaw brewery rebrand from Factory Brewing to Craft Collective.
  • Regularly presented marketing insights and recommendations to executive leadership, ensuring alignment with overall business objectives.
  • Collaborated closely with sales teams to develop effective marketing collateral that supported lead generation goals.

Founder & Editor

The Growler Craft Beer Handbook
09.2014 - 10.2016
  • Conceptualized and launched BC's first craft beer guide and magazine, which quickly gained a devoted following, becoming known as the "Craft Beer Bible," with each issue selling out within a week
  • Developed the business plan, the editorial plan and the brand direction and magazine layout
  • Led a team of writers, editors and designers to produce four issues per month, at 120+ pages per issue
  • Developed strong partnerships with other businesses to allow for collaboration and more significant opportunities for growth.

Digital Editor

Glacier Media
09.2012 - 09.2014
  • Managed and produced online editorial content across all publications for BCs largest media company
  • Developed new product ideas to test in market
  • Doubled as the Westender's digital editor, doubling traffic within the first month of my tenure.
  • Ensured consistency in tone, style, and messaging across all digital channels by enforcing editorial guidelines and best practices.
  • Edited articles, blog posts, and multimedia content to maintain high-quality standards and adherence to brand guidelines.
  • Enhanced user experience by working closely with web developers to ensure seamless navigation, functionality, and overall site design.

Arts & Culture Editor

Pique Newsmagazine
06.2010 - 09.2012
  • Covered all aspects of arts and culture, and its intersection with business and politics, for the Sea to Sky region
  • Articles included profiles, features, opinion pieces and investigations into provincial spending on cultural programming during the 2010 Olympics
  • Managed a team of freelance writers, ensuring high-quality output and adherence to deadlines.
  • Conducted interviews with prominent figures in the arts, entertainment, and lifestyle sectors for exclusive features.

Newsroom Intern

Toronto Star
09.2009 - 12.2009
  • Earned one of six spots in the coveted and highly competitive internship program at the Toronto Star
  • Covered a wide range of topics for the city news desk, including crime, poverty and general interest
  • Contributed regularly as a photographer.
  • Pitched unique story ideas during editorial meetings, resulting in diverse coverage of local events and issues.
  • Checked out news stories, logged videotapes and helped reporters research stories.

Education

Bachelor of Arts - Journalism

Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Richmond, BC
05.2009

Skills

  • "Intrapraneurship"
  • Brand strategy
  • Content strategy
  • Business development
  • Strategic partnerships
  • Writing & editing
  • Product development
  • Staff Development
  • Team Collaboration
  • Training and mentoring

Websites

Languages

English
Native or Bilingual

Timeline

Publisher

Georgia Straight (Overstory Media Group)
05.2022 - 02.2024

Principal

New Ripple Strategies
11.2018 - Current

Director of Marketing and Brand Development

Craft Collective Beerworks
01.2017 - 04.2019

Founder & Editor

The Growler Craft Beer Handbook
09.2014 - 10.2016

Digital Editor

Glacier Media
09.2012 - 09.2014

Arts & Culture Editor

Pique Newsmagazine
06.2010 - 09.2012

Newsroom Intern

Toronto Star
09.2009 - 12.2009

Bachelor of Arts - Journalism

Kwantlen Polytechnic University

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STEPHEN SMYSNUIK