Growth & Marketing
Twenty years. More than 20 brands. I’ve led marketing and creative teams through startups, acquisitions, private equity, and venture capital, in both B2B and consumer businesses.
The work changes with the company. I figure out what people need to understand, what the business needs to do next, and how to connect the two.
This is what I do
Brand Strategy
What does the company do, for whom, and why should anyone choose it? We get specific before spending money trying to get attention.
Messaging & Positioning
Words your team can use consistently and your customers can understand without a meeting to explain them.
Go-to-Market Strategy
What to launch, whom to reach first, where to show up, and what needs to be ready before any of it goes live.
Creative & Campaigns
Copy, campaigns, sites, email, ads, PR, and the people making them. The work should hang together across every place customers encounter you.
A few things I’ve done
- Built the most-downloaded content piece in Leadpages history.
- Led a ten-person team through 1,600% growth at Drip.
- Drew 20,000+ registrants to a one-day virtual event.
- Led Wild State Cider through a rebrand, packaging and all.
References on request. They pick up.
Where I work
Technology Companies
B2B and B2C software, from early startups to companies with Fortune 500 clients. I know what changes when the team, the budget, and the stakes get bigger.
Consumer Brands
Food, beverage, fashion, and publishing. I work in categories where the product has to explain itself quickly and live up to the promise afterward.
Nonprofits
I take on pro bono work with Twin Cities organizations doing things that matter. If that’s you, say so — the rate is zero and the standard isn’t.
How it usually goes
01
First conversation
What’s working, what isn’t, and what you’ve been avoiding saying out loud. No deck, no pitch.
02
Research & listening
Market research and conversations with customers, leadership, and the people doing the work. I want to hear where their descriptions agree and where they don’t.
03
A direction you can use
A clear recommendation and the work needed to make it real, sized to the business and the people available to do it.
04
Make it
Copy, campaigns, creative direction, and hands-on help. I stay involved when the plan meets reality.
How we work together
Sometimes it’s a focused project. Sometimes it’s a longer engagement where I work alongside your team. We’ll decide based on what needs doing.
What people have said
“Ryan has ruined all future marketing leaders for me. If his unique blend of marketing, strategy, and technical know-how wasn’t enough, his thoughtfulness and willingness to roll up his sleeves makes him an inspiring leader who gets the best from his team while having fun at the same time.”
“Ryan was critical to the success of our sales organization and was always ready to jump in and help at any time. He is a true leader in every sense of the word. If you are able to have him on your team, you have gained an unfair advantage.”
“One of the most talented and well-rounded marketers I’ve ever had the opportunity to work with. Everything he attached his name to, he executed with attention to detail and always delivered very high-quality work. I would work with Ryan again in a heartbeat.”
“He has a breadth of knowledge in digital marketing, a special skill to lead not direct, and a keen eye for the written word and design. He’s creative, grounded, and constructive. I would recommend him to anyone.”
“Ryan is special and someone any organization would be lucky to have leading their brand, marketing, and campaigns. I can’t recommend Ryan enough.”
“Ryan is a true talent when it comes to marketing. He led the highest-performing marketing team I have ever worked around. He is a thoughtful, creative, well-written, well-spoken, humble, hard-working individual that leads from the front and always by example.”