John Brien Email & Phone Number

Chicago, Illinois

Prepare proposals promoting products and services to corporate clients. CDW is a leading provider of integrated information technology solutions. A Fortune 500 and an S&P 500 company, CDW serves over 250,000 business, government, education, and healthcare customers, and had over $21 billion in net sales in 2023.

Chicago, Illinois

Reviewed, revised, and tracked content for Grades K-6 in the 4th edition of Everyday Mathematics. Worked closely with authors and vendors in completing print and digital projects. Everyday Mathematics is a comprehensive Pre-K through Grade 6 mathematics program: • Developed by the University of Chicago School Mathematics Project • Used by 4.3 million students in 220,000 classrooms

Chicago, Illinois

As part of a Taproot team, developed brand strategy and key messages for two non-profit organizations: • Bright Endeavors – Bright Endeavors “lights the way” for adolescent mothers who receive coaching, guidance, and on-the-job training while producing premium soy candles and bath products. Bright Endeavors is a pathway out of poverty—the first step toward quality, permanent employment. • The Spanish Coalition for Housing (SCH) – SCH advises and advocates for homeowners, renters, and small landlords, assisting over 15,000 clients a year. From financial literacy to foreclosure prevention, SCH educates and empowers people, helping them make critical housing decisions.

Chicago, Illinois

Involved in startup of this PC Mall subsidiary. Oversaw copy appearing on company’s daily deal website: onsale.com. Site offered a wide range of goods and services, served over 2 million subscribers, and featured national deals as well as local deals in Chicago, New York, and LA. Established voice of the site. Supervised staff of writers based in Chicago and the Philippines.

Chicago, Illinois

Served on national team staging Teach for America’s 20th anniversary summit. Prepared literature, emails, and surveys guiding and informing speakers and volunteers. Edited and uploaded materials. Summit attracted over 10,000 attendees and widespread media attention.

Chicago, Illinois

Assembled, wrote, and edited secondary school materials—textbooks, tests, student/teacher guides—praised by educators and adopted by key states. • Instrumental in creating the 2010 edition of the Grade 8 literature book: organized content, chose selections and art, partnered with vendors, wrote and revised text using InCopy. • Introduced, updated, and revised 24 test practice booklets for various grades and states, crafting questions and exercises to assess specific skills and reflect precise objectives.• Initiated processes, guidelines, and tracking tools for the middle school team. Enabled team to apply a more organized and efficient approach to complicated, time-sensitive projects. • Ensured all materials conformed to and correlated with state standards, an essential requirement in satisfying state commissions and securing multimillion-dollar contracts.• Reviewed all components—text, audio, video, links—of online textbooks, supplements, and ancillaries. Guaranteed digital materials were engaging, accurate, functional, and complete. • Served on QA team rolling out an e-learning program for struggling readers. Directed editors in applying standards and style; reviewed all aspects of this award-winning resource.

Chicago, Illinois

Wrote and edited content for B2B online publication covering marketing issues, news, and trends. Attended numerous conferences. Helped establish site as credible, informed source. Co-authored “Branding France,” white paper of the week placed on brandchannel.com.

Chicago, Illinois

Produced all marketing communications for Chicago office of this leading HR and benefits consulting firm. Authored brochures, newsletters, articles, announcements, and intranet copy. Worked with subject matter experts across practices and around the world. • Earned reputation as company’s “style guru,” developing the firm’s 70-page writing guide and pioneering proposal standards for a consistent look and feel nationwide.• Managed strategic process annually generating over 100 proposals, and $8 million to $10 million in revenue—received numerous performance awards for winning efforts.• Drafted presentations promoting firm capabilities, exploring topical issues in briefings and seminars, and showcasing findings/solutions at regional and national conferences. • Wrote press releases and grew media relationships, scoring press hits in highly visible publications and newspapers, expanding and enhancing firm’s image. • Coordinated marketing activities for advertising, events, and mailings, effectively defining target audiences and positioning firm as thought leader.

M.A., English

B.A., English

Certificate, Integrated Marketing