Jake Trussell

Listener Maker Communicator

Jake Trussell is a versatile marketing and communications professional who excels in strategic planning, team leadership, and creative endeavors. Known for his agile problem-solving, Trussell consistently drives organizational success.

Founder & Creative Director

Metabolize

2018 to Present

• Lead a human-centered strategic communications agency focused on concise brand storytelling
• Develop compelling written, visual, and audio content to enhance brand storytelling 
• Work includes strategic planning, branding (naming, identity, positioning, messaging) multi-channel campaigns. (web, print, social, event, PR), content development & curation (writing, photography, music), website design and development, experiential marketing

Record Label Founder

Mashit

2003 - Present

• Founded a record label that has produced over 20 releases on vinyl and digital formats garnering international media recognition from outlets including BBC Radio 1 (John Peel), Pitchfork, The Boston Globe, New York Magazine, Time Out Chicago, Mixmag, The Wire, and XLR8R Magazine
• URB Magazine described Mashit as “one of the most forward-looking labels,”
• Legendary BBC Radio 1 host John Peel said their “releases are killing dance-floors across Europe and the US months before their release” when he featured Mashit as “Label of the Month” on his show along with a session recorded by Mashit founder Jake Trussell AKA DJ C

Music Producer

DJ C, Jake Trusell

1994 - Present

• Recording artist, DJ, music curator, and film score composer who has performed at mountain-top festivals in Japan, underground raves in London, and nightclubs in Prague, alongside artists including Lupe Fiasco, Four Tet, Rhymefest, Flosstradamus, and DJ /rupture (with whom he founded the Toneburst event production collective)
• Discography features more than 50 records on labels including XL Recordings, Ninja Tune, and Soul Jazz, sharing production credits with the likes of Diplo, Quincy Jones, M.I.A., and Gregory Isaacs
• Has collaborated with other industry legends including Steve Albini, Damo Suzuki (Can), Glenn Jones, Cul de Sac, and others
• Chicago Reader said “Chicago producer Jake Trussell has developed a gift for extracting the DNA from an eclectic variety of pop subgenres” and that his music “brings life-giving daring.”
• Held nightclub residencies in Boston and Chicago where he has also booked other artists from around the world 

Creative Director

World Business Chicago

2009 to 2018

• Designed and managed brands, strategic initiatives, and marketing campaigns for Chicago's nonprofit economic development organization chaired by the Mayor
• Managed the brand of Chicago as a business destination achieving Site Selection Magazine’s #1 location for corporate relocation and investment from 2013 to 2019
• Led and mentored teams while collaborating with executive leadership, cross-functional teams, and external government, civic, and private-sector partners to ensure mission alignment
• Led the ThinkChicago technology talent recruitment program contributing to a 100%+ increase in the talent pool
• Developed the ChicagoMade program generating thousands of event attendees, hundreds of industry connections, and hundreds of media stories promoting the city as a hub of creativity and innovation

Web Consultant

MacArthur Foundation

2008

• Developed content for Annual Report, Digital Learning, and MacFound.org websites

Webmaster

Massachusetts College of Art & Design

1999 - 2007

• Designed and developed the College's first website in 1999
• Coordinated cross-functionally to develop clear, coherent brand storytelling
• Directed award-winning website redesign in 2002
• Served as communications and technology strategist for College President and directors

BFA, Media & Performing Arts, Interrelated Media

Massachusetts College of Art & Design - Boston, MA | Graduated with Distinction

1998

Prompt Engineering for Generative AI Certificate

edX (IBM)

2024

Blockchain Certificate

edX (Linux Foundation)

2018

Insights for Innovation Certificate

IDEO U

2016

Vice Chair, Board of Directors

Arts & Business Council of Chicago

2018 – 2024

• Led the development of the 2022 strategic plan, including a system for measuring progress
• Led a 2020 online experiential marketing campaign that generated over 2 million impressions and 40+ traditional media stories to raise funds, increase awareness, and generate engagement when we had to pivot away from in-person events during the pandemic
• Led communications during the organization’s acquisition by Lawyer’s for the Creative Arts

Braintrust

GreenHouse Innovation

2018 – Present

Participate with a group of thinkers using the Innovation Dynamics framework to help solve social problems in collaboration with organizations like the Chicago Literacy Alliance, Shedd Aquarium, and Design for America

Advisor

Year of Chicago Music

2019 – 2021

Served on 3 working groups with the City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (Marketing; Professional Development & Music Industry; Research, Infrastructure, and Cultural Policy) to support and promote Chicago's vibrant music sector

Mentor
2112 Creative Industry Incubator

2015 – 2020

Mentored startup entrepreneurs in design, branding, and marketing strategy at business incubator focused on music, media, entertainment, and other creative industries

Radical Creator

Chicago Ideas

2014 – 2020

Participated in a community of change-makers breaking down silos and sparking connections across Chicago

Advisor
Year of Chicago Theatre

2017 - 2018

Worked with Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs and the League of Chicago Theatres to support and promote Chicago's theatre industry, leading up to the “Year of Chicago Theatre” (2019)

Advisor
LakeFX Summit

2014 – 2017

Creative industry professional development conference

Advisor
Chicago Music Summit

2013

Music industry professional development conference

20x2

GMan Tavern

2023

Presented an overview of 20th-century popular music genres in 2 minutes. 20x2 is an event where 20 creative people from various walks of life are asked the same question and given 2 minutes each to answer in any way they choose. In this case, the question was “Did you hear that?”

Thrive Talk
Havas Life

2022

Presented the ChiMusic35 campaign to the Havas Life agency teams in Chicago and New York as part of their Thrive Talk series focused on how to help people thrive.

Psychology of Creativity
Illinois Institute of Technology

2020

Presented to an organizational psychology class on how the creative process, design thinking, and innovation can be applied across sectors.

Design for America Summit
Northwestern University's Segal Design Institute 

2019

Presented on the use of design methodologies to improve employee experience

Leadership for Creative Enterprises
Northwestern University's School of Communication 

2018

Spoke on building and collaborating with innovative businesses and organizations, in conversation with Melissa Kaufman, Executive Director of The Garage incubator

Lake FX Summit

Multi-venue Creative Industry Conference

2015 - 2017

Moderated discussions with Kickstarter co-founder Charles Adler, Cards Against Humanity co-founder Max Temkin, Threadless CEO Jake Nickell, Fake Shore Drive founder Andrew Barber, Young Chicago Authors Artistic Director Kevin Coval, and others

Taste of Chicago
Grant Park

2016

Moderated a discussion on designing experiences across industries with Lupe Fiasco's tour manager, Iridium Clothing Co. Creative Director and rapper Pugs Atomz, and the creative agency for The Second City and Pitchfork Meida

Grammy Town Hall 

2014

Moderated a discussion on Chicago’s creative industries at a Recording Academy event

Visiting Lecturer
Harvard University 

2000 – 2007

Lectured on music production and culture

Site Selection Magazine’s Top Metro for Corporate Relocation & Investment 

2013 – 2019

Top industry accolade 7 years in a row for Wold Business Chicago’s work marketing Chicago as a business destination

International Economic Development Council Innovation Award 

2012

SiteSelector Web Application

AIGA Web Design Award 

2002

MassArt.edu