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  • About 
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  • …  
    • About 
      • Bio
      • News
      • Press
      • Writing
    • Résumé
    • Portfolio 
      • Overview
      • Experiential
      • Branding
      • Web
      • Writing
      • Print
      • Photo
      • Video
      • Music
    • Connect
    broken image
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    • About 
      • Bio
      • News
      • Press
      • Writing
    • Résumé
    • Portfolio 
      • Overview
      • Experiential
      • Branding
      • Web
      • Writing
      • Print
      • Photo
      • Video
      • Music
    • Connect
    • …  
      • About 
        • Bio
        • News
        • Press
        • Writing
      • Résumé
      • Portfolio 
        • Overview
        • Experiential
        • Branding
        • Web
        • Writing
        • Print
        • Photo
        • Video
        • Music
      • Connect
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      • Jake Trussell

        Résumé

      • PROFILE

        Listener Maker Communicator

         

        Jake Trussell is a strategic, creative, and versatile communications leader, adept at driving successful initiatives that engage audiences.

        SKILLS

        • Strategic Communications
        • Team Leadership
        • Strategic Planning
        • Brand Strategy
        • Human-Centered Design
        • Creative Direction
        • Web Design & Development
        • SEO
        • Writing
        • Partnerships
        • Graphic Design
        • Naming
        • Photography
        • Presentation Design
        • Adobe Creative Cloud
        • WordPress (& Other CMS)
        • Project Management: Trello, Basecamp, Aritable, Jira
        • Prompt Engineering
        • Marketing Strategy
        • Project Management
        • Multi-Channel Campaigns
        • Brand Management
        • Experiential Marketing
        • Public Relations
        • User Experience Design (UX)
        • Information Architecture
        • Social Media Strategy
        • Music Production & Curation
        • Logo Design
        • Brand Messaging
        • Video Production
        • Public Speaking
        • Microsoft Office
        • Google Workspace
        • Generative AI: ChatGPT, Calude, Gemini, Midjourney, RunwayML, Suno

        EXPERIENCE

        Director of Marketing & Communications

        Intuit Art Museum

        2025 to Present

        Work with leadership and board on strategic communications for exhibitions, education programs, and fundraising campaigns that align with the Museum's mission of welcoming audiences to explore the work of artists who've traditionally been outside the mainstream art world, including:

        • Strategic Planning
        • Public Relations
        • Brand Management
        • Website Management
        • Social Media
        • Managing Editor of Outsider Magazine

        Founder & Creative Director

        Metabolize

        2018 to 2025

        • Led a human-centered strategic communications agency focused on concise brand storytelling
        • Developed compelling written, visual, and audio content to enhance brand storytelling
        • Work included 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
        • Clients included the Government Finance Officers Association, Arts & Business Council of Chicago, The Scion Group, Greenhouse Innovation, Basil Consultants, Wolfson Design Build, and PEER Families.

        Record Label Founder & Music Producer

        Mashit

        2003 to 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 Mashit's “releases are killing dance-floors across Europe and the US months before their release” when he featured them as “Label of the Month” on his show along with a session recorded by Mashit founder Jake Trussell AKA DJ C

        Music Curator & Producer

        DJ C, Jake Trussell

        1994 to Present

        • Recording artist, DJ, and film score composer who has performed globally, from mountain-top festivals in Japan and underground raves in London to nightclubs in Prague and house parties in Chicago, alongside artists including Lupe Fiasco, Four Tet, Rhymefest, 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
        • Collaborated with industry legends including Steve Albini, Damo Suzuki (Can), Glenn Jones, and Cul de Sac
        • The 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 recognition as 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 to 2007

        • Designed and developed the first official college 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

        EDUCATION

        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

        BOARDS & VOLUNTEERING

        Advisor

        GreenHouse Innovation

        2018 to Present

         

        • Member of a group of entrepreneurs, scientists, authors, designers, coaches, and nonprofit leaders who work with organizations to help leaders overcome business challenges and solve social problems using the Innovation Dynamics framework.
        • Worked with the Museum of Contemporary Photography, Chicago Literacy Alliance, Shedd Aquarium, and Design for America

         

        Vice Chair, Board of Directors

        Arts & Business Council of Chicago

        2018 to 2024

        • Organization that envisioned a world where creativity was universally valued as a resource with limitless potential for social and economic impact and provided programming that served Chicago’s cultural workers and enterprises to ensure community vitality and an equitable creative economy
        • Planned and led strategic communications during the organization’s 2024 acquisition by Lawyer’s for the Creative Arts
        • Led strategic planning leading up to the acquisition, including a restructured vision, mission, objectives, and a system for measuring progress
        • Developed and 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; the Executive Director called it “one of the most innovative campaigns I’ve ever been involved with”

         

        Advisor

        Year of Chicago Music

        2019 to 2021

         

        Served on 3 working groups with the City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events to support and promote Chicago's vibrant music sector:

        • Marketing
        • Professional Development & Music Industry
        • Research, Infrastructure, & Cultural Policy

         

        Mentor
        2112 Creative Industry Incubator

        2015 to 2020


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


        Radical Creator

        Chicago Ideas

        2014 to 2020


        Chicago Ideas is a movement built on the belief that when a broad spectrum of thinkers and instigators share ideas, they have the power to transform the world.

         

        Radical Creators was a group of emerging change-makers brought together for exceptional experiences to inspire action. Aiming to foster a sense of discovery and community, this unique network of impact-driven individuals broke down silos and sparked connections across Chicago. Aligned with Chicago Ideas’ mission of nurturing great ideas and bolstering actionable initiatives, they engaged in unique experiences and conversations leading to deeper, more meaningful dialogue and action—like a new-age social chamber of commerce—where nonprofits met tech junkies, artists met business leaders, and North Side met South Side; a social ecosystem of deeply driven, boldly active individuals who came together to make things happen.

         

        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 & Panel Discussion Moderator
        LakeFX Summit

        2014 – 2017


        Creative industry professional development conference

        Advisor
        Chicago Music Summit

        2013


        Music industry professional development conference

        SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

        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

        LakeFX Summit 

        Multi-venue Creative Industry Conference

        2015 to 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 to 2007


        Lectured on music production and culture

        AWARDS

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

        2013 to 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

         

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      Jake Trussell

      Listener
      Maker
      Communicator

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