Michael Mackie

⏵ My goal is to drive brand storytelling and business growth through strategic content, networking, and PR. Thanks to my extensive media background and branding expertise, I’m determined to help raise the visibility and credibility of each of Square Peg Marketing and Branding’s clients. At our agency, we don’t go the way of the traditional marketing and branding agency. We meet you where you are, crafting — as we call it — “just right” marketing and branding solutions that achieve your business goals on your budget. You need marketing, but not full-time and not at agency prices. That’s where we come in. We’re a full-service marketing and branding firm that specializes in listening to our clients and understanding their needs and business objectives. From thought leader videos to full-scale marketing campaigns, we serve as your on-call marketing department, treating each project as if it were our own.

As a storyteller, explorer, and word nerd, I craft engaging travel features that inspire curiosity, uncover hidden gems, and bring destinations to life — one pithy paragraph at a time.

⏵ Feature-centric entertainment reporter for Kansas City's boldest, brashest, most-read alternative magazine. From A-list celebs to D-list celebs, I'll interview just about anyone—well, except Andrew Dice Clay. (I do have some standards.) My weekly columns include #FourInaneQuestions and #SecretMenuKC. This 41-year-old alt-news publication gets 5-6 million average unique views on-site per year, and 40k+ print magazines delivered per issue. It remains the loudest voice for progressive change in Kansas City.

⏵ Main fill-in co-host for KC's #1 talk radio program, "Dana & Parks." Helped create four hours of spontaneous, topical, on-air banter. Conducted interviews live on air. Maintained a consistent internet presence through the company's social media page and blogging.

⏵ Finding unique, off-the-beaten-path destinations and introducing them to the travel-savvy masses. Bi-weekly contributor of content from little-known locales throughout the United States. Got wanderlust?

⏵ Regardless of your nuanced marketing needs, I'm determined to arm you with the content you need to make an impact on your audience. Whether it's whipping up creative copy that cuts through the clutter or creating impactful, imminently watchable video content touting your personal brand, I'll gladly tackle the assignment.

⏵ Wrote 80 percent of all client-driven sponsored content for high-end retailers, businesses, and corporate executives. ⏵ Created 90 percent of all digital content—from feature pieces and celebrity interviews to personality profiles and a wide array of culinary articles. ⏵ Published an average of 45-50 articles per month—the majority focused on personality features, the arts, and entertainment. ⏵ Only writer to achieve over 100,000 clicks on multiple articles. ⏵ Built an online brand from scratch: • Instagram: 0 – 26,000 followers in 3 years • Facebook: 0 – 20,000 followers in 3 years

⏵ Represented several major pharmaceutical conglomerates to audition, develop, and train hundreds of brand ambassadors. ⏵ Conducted nationwide searches, developed scripts, and coached real-life drug patients to become effective, successful spokespeople for a wide variety of boutique prescription medications. ⏵ Hosted a series of online forums on healthcare education and patient advocacy.

Mid-America Emmy Award “Best On-Air Talent/Host” 2014 Mid-America Emmy Award “Informational/Instructional Segment” 2014 ⏵ Wrote, segment produced and co-hosted an hour-long, live daily entertainment show with stories that showcase the best of Kansas City. ⏵ Scheduled daily guest segments, coordinated on-location shoots, and worked directly with clients, performers/artists, and PR firms on specific marketing needs. ⏵ Managed all platforms of social media for the show to increase buzz, notoriety, and build core audience.

Mid-America Emmy Award "Informational/Instructional Segment" 2012 Mid-America Emmy Award “Informational/Instructional Segment” 2008 ⏵ Conceived, wrote, and field produced on-location commercials and long-form videos for over 100 career college clients throughout the United States. ⏵ Directed production crews, editors, and graphic designers to execute high quality education marketing campaigns. ⏵ Supervised an inter-departmental team to develop advertising and promotional material for over 250 clients. ⏵ Managed in-house philanthropic committee to raise over $200,000 for local charities. ⏵ Facilitated the development and implementation of all television production.