Justin Schmidt

I am a marketing leader who wants to build cool things, tell cool stories about those things, and do it with cool people. 

When I think about my favorite moments in my career, they are all centered around building something new with a group of smart people and we’re all thinking through how we’re going to make the thing in front of us work as best as possible for the given use case. Over the years, I built things that I would use myself (or did use myself);  I loved sharing the excitement over that thing with others. Even better was building things that drove demonstrable value for our clients. There is nothing better than marketing a product that gets me excited about the way it can be used and about the problems it solves. This is why I like startups so much! I really enjoy the creative process from the initial marketing strategy to marketing execution and how I get to go back and forth between the 50’ and the 50,000’ view.
 
For me, building also means building teams. I have been so fortunate to have built amazing teams over the years. I am proud to have built a large network of people and it brings me so much joy to see how their careers have grown since our time together. I am the type of leader that cares more about my teams success than my own. I want to help my teams become better and I believe that if my team members grow, the company’s goals will fall into place.
 
I want to bring a product to market that delivers measurable value. I need to do all of this with smart people who challenge me and push me to be better. Marketing is storytelling with an objective. I love bringing ideas to market and telling a story to someone about how the offering we have is going to not only solve their immediate problem but also help them take advantage of new opportunities in the future. I’ve been doing this my whole career, and it is something I must continue doing.

I am always interested in expanding my professional network. If you would like to connect or have any specific questions about what you see above, please contact me at justin (at) justinschmidt.me.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE 
Revenue Growth
Product Marketing
Marketing Strategy 
Demand Generation
Executive Leadership
Revenue Optimization
Content Development
Business Development
Brand Strategy and Identity
Innovative Solutions Creation
Transformation & Turnarounds 
Product Development and Launches
Business Development and Expansion 
Startup Operations and Market Growth
Team Leadership, Empowerment, & Development

VP of Marketing

Compt helps companies build, streamline, and scale employee perk stipends that delight teams and give companies a more productive and engaged workforce.

Everyone has different needs, and we think that when perks take this into account the value to the employee goes beyond just beer or catered lunches and becomes so much more.

Max Wastler, LLC • All Plaidout

At the helm of Max Wastler, LLC and All Plaidout, I blend timeless storytelling with strategic brand building. Specializing in brand strategy, creative direction and content creation, I've cultivated narratives that resonate deeply with audiences across diverse sectors.

Strategist: Brand ∙ Content ∙ Creative ∙ Editorial ∙ Experiential ∙ Naming ∙ Product ∙ Retail ∙ Social ∙ Web

Additional: Interim CMO ∙ VP of Brand & Creative ∙ Partnerships Director ∙ Brand Ambassador ∙ Producer ∙ Host

What I Do:

Brand Strategy & Partnerships: Crafting compelling brand identities and forging strategic partnerships with icons like General Motors and Patagonia.

Creative Direction & Content Creation: Leading creative projects from concept to execution, including digital content, experiential design, and storytelling that captures the essence of each brand.

Design & Visual Storytelling: Innovating in clothing design, product development, and styling, alongside producing engaging visual narratives through photography and film.

Communications & PR: Elevating brand presence through targeted social media strategies, PR campaigns, and compelling copywriting.

About All Plaidout:
All Plaidout celebrates the art of storytelling and the craftsmanship behind quality goods. Recognized by top publications and major menswear magazines, I've spotlighted heritage brands and collaborated on exclusive products that embody the All Plaidout ethos – from an exclusive moccasin with Quoddy to the Faribault Woolen Mill Shadow Plaid blanket.

Clients: Aparium Hotels ∙ Caterpillar ∙ Domino Magazine ∙ GM ∙ Lands’ End ∙ Maxwell House ∙ Patagonia

Agencies: Dentsu Creative ∙ Havas ∙ IDEO ∙ Leo Burnett ∙ Preacher ∙ Starcom Worldwide ∙ Walton Isaacson

Brand Strategist • Creative Director • Designer • Filmmaker • Photographer • Writer

Maritz

Pandemic Layoff: 09/2020

Stewarded a 125-year-old family-owned brand by implementing a strategy to make Maritz widely known.

Spearheaded the plan and execution of design and messaging for COVID-19, resulting in a successful communication campaign that helped Maritz weather the pandemic.

Crafted inspiring brand narrative and content platform to resonate with employees and customers alike.

Drove improved performance through behavioral science, data and design, resulting in increased sales and customer satisfaction.

Led the digital transformation of Maritz's enterprise sites and internal communications platforms, making them more user-friendly and effective.

Designed and implemented consistent, holistic brand standards across all Maritz businesses, unifying its brand identity.

Audited Maritz's marketplace reputation with existent and potential employees and clients, identifying areas for improvement and taking steps to address them.

Strategized and shared internal and external Maritz brand communications, ensuring that the company's message was clear and consistent across all channels.

Sr. Director, Brand Creative and Corporate Reputation

Condé Nast Traveller 

Crafted a wide range of content, from pithy descriptions to lush travel photography.
Wrote and photographed pieces for Instagram, Tumblr, Twitter and Facebook.
Curated Spotify Playlists.
Quarterly weekend / weeklong Instagram takeovers added 50,000 followers to the @cntraveler account.

Contributing Editor • Creative Director

Beam Suntory

Spokesperson, cultural / team leader for internationally-sold bourbon: chief storyteller, content creator. 
Structured brand strategy around client’s desire to connect cocktails and craftspeople. 
Produced co-branded shoes and rocks glasses in Maine and bar carts in Chicago. 
Hosted Landmark Theater commercials and YouTube series featuring makers and bartenders. 
Planned and hosted national events alongside 60 local makers, garnering 30M+ impressions. 
Built social media following from zero to 100k users across platforms.

Joint partnership between Beam Suntory and creative agency Walton Isaacson.

Basil Hayden's • Executive Brand Strategy • Creative Direction • Production

GQ Magazine

Chicago’s cultural ambassador to Condé Nast’s premiere menswear publication.
Hosted Monthly Event Series.  
Partners: Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue; Barbour, Belstaff, Brooks Brothers, J. Crew, Orvis.

Brand Marketing Ambassador

Gitman Bros. / Individualized Apparel Group

Gitman Bros. / Gitman Vintage
Designed and sold custom neck ties and dress shirts to retailers in a fourteen-state territory of the Midwest.
Sold to an international retail client list in 22 countries.
Grew territory sales 18%. Grew account list 150% at U.S. and Italian trade shows.
Built brand disciplines: expansion, core messaging, visual creation.
Oversaw the creation and creative direction of several brand partnerships.
Directed creative for gitmanvintage.com, authoring the official brand history.
Responsibilities included concept design, production development and curation and expansion of company archive.

Oxxford
Refreshed the brand's story to ensure relevance for an emerging audience.
Produced a video to tell the unique story of the world's last fully handmade suit factory.
Built a digital communications platform for salespeople to better tell the company's story online and in retail stores.

Gitman Vintage • Oxxford • Creative Director • Design • Brand Strategy • Web Dev • Film • Sales

Patagonia

Led local activism programs for the Riverkeeper organization and Farm Aid.
Designed windows and in-store displays keeping with brand marketing initiatives.
Top seller in the company's best performing store, 2007.

Brand Ambassador • Visuals • Sales

Condé Nast

Edited architecture, interior design and fashion education textbooks for the book publishing division of Condé Nast. 
Communicated extensively with authors after signed contract and before going to print.
Provided insight for the creation of a new e-book product line.
Guided authors in the layout and designs of their titles.
Co-wrote new author guidelines and a house style sheet.
Executed the new editorial/production process of the Managing Editor which lead to a 200% growth in number of front list titles and a 50% revenue growth during my tenure.

Sr. Development Editor • Fairchild Books

J.Crew

Built the brand's first-ever archive from vintage Madewell. 
Produced footwear and accessories. 
Developed the brand's first-ever sourcing books, wholesale and brand partnership relationships.

Madewell: Brand's Launch Team • Archivist • Brand Partnerships • Production

Trims, patterns, piece goods and fabric for swimwear and outerwear.

J. Crew: Women's Designer

Speedo

Product tester, tech designer, planner, strategist, brand partnerships developer.

Brand Partnerships • Product Development

As a Creative Director and Branding Expert, I've carved a dynamic path through digital startups, retail, fashion, and hospitality, driven by a fervent belief in the power of storytelling and authentic brand experiences. My journey is marked by successful ventures that have not only transformed but also revitalized brands, making them resonate deeply with their audiences.

My work, characterized by agility and a keen eye for untapped potential, has earned recognition from prestigious publications including Condé Nast Traveler, Domino, Dwell, Esquire, GQ, and The New York Times. This acknowledgment is a testament to my ability to not just navigate but thrive in the ever-evolving landscape of multimedia creative leadership and branding.

I pride myself on being more than just a strategist; I am a storyteller at heart, passionate about crafting narratives that forge meaningful connections. Whether launching new ventures or injecting new life into established names, my goal is to unveil hidden opportunities and pivot businesses towards sustainable growth.

In this ever-changing world, I remain committed to leveraging my comprehensive expertise to meet new challenges head-on, always aiming to leave a lasting impact on both the brands I work with and their communities. Let's connect and explore how we can tell your brand's unique story together.

taplio

The Battle

Justin Schmidt

Max Wastler

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