Mark Bazer Email & Phone Number

Core member of highly collaborative and high-growth new-business team charged with helping to shape the agency’s overall communications strategy. Work closely and build trust with high-level executives, including chief executive officer, chief marketing officer and chief creative officer, to shape the editorial voice, synthesize multiple perspectives, develop inter-agency events, help grow client base and attract more diverse talent for the largest advertising agency in Chicago (and one of the largest in the world). Write agency credentials, including annual pitch book and case studies. Distill complicated marketing concepts (including our ever-evolving capabilities in a data-driven world) and agency’s approach in requests for information (RFIs) from potential clients on tight timelines. Interview and draw out ideas from members of the executive team to write thought leadership articles and speeches; participate in speech prep. Write, produce and help direct agency prospecting videos. Help develop and lead content writing for global and U.S. agency website. Help develop marketing programs for clients when needed, including for Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, and work across agency teams, including our design and publicity departments.

Greater Chicago Area

Created, program, produce, host and set overall vision for a live, virtual and televised talk show that Chicago magazine has called one of “40 Reasons to Love Chicago.” Lead a team of 10+ freelancers that includes producers, videographers, editors, audio engineers and more. Interview business leaders, A-list celebrity talent and newsmakers and other diverse guests about their life, their work and their ideas. Make complex subjects understandable in substantive, entertaining and inspiring conversations. Book all guests, who have included MacArthur Genius architect Jeanne Gang, Lifeway CEO Julie Smolyansky, former U.S. Poet Laureate and Pulitzer Prize winner Natasha Trethewey, “The Fault in Our Stars” author John Green, “Gone Girl” author Gillian Flynn, and many more. Managed relationship with WTTW (Chicago’s PBS station) and American Public Television (national syndication partner) and prospected for and negotiated underwriting deals. Other duties include: conducting extensive research, forging partnerships, managing social media and writing opening monologue. Regularly leverage show to raise money for nonprofit organizations such as Greater Chicago Food Depository.

Wrote syndicated humor column for print and online, ultimately appearing in 50+ publications. Topics included politics, parenthood and why paper towels are better than electronic hand dryers (told from the perspective of a paper towel).

Edited and developed op-ed content, managed contractors and identified talent for one of the world’s largest digital and print syndication companies. Conducted research and provided editorial direction to high-profile contributors from across the political and business world, including Arianna Huffington and Ian Bremmer. Helped edit a weekly, internationally distributed Global Viewpoint package, which included op-eds by and Q-and-As with such world leaders as Madeline Albright and Shimon Peres. Assigned stories and edited for structure, style, accuracy and grammar under tight newspaper deadlines.

Interviewed and wrote pieces on everyone from (Little) Steven Van Zandt of the E Street Band to comedy legend Mel Brooks. Reviewed books and movies, including many movies with talking animals.