Copywriting for Zipp

Since 2008 I’ve served as the primary copywriter for Zipp Speed Weaponry, makers of the world’s fastest bicycle wheels and components. Major projects have included Zipp’s catalogs, website, and print advertising campaigns. I’ve also written copy for press releases, email newsletters, and sales materials. In February 2009, I produced text, photo, and video web content around Zipp’s sponsored teams in the Tour of California. Project highlights

Web production for Specialized

Using the Wordpress MU platform, I developed a custom website for a team of amateur mountain bikers selected by Specialized for their social media skills. The site incorporates their blogs, Twitter feeds, Flickr photos, and YouTube videos. In the future, it could be scaled to accommodate public blogger registration and would allow each blog to have its own look and set of features. Highlights coming soon

Tour of California web content

I produced a range of text, photos, and videos around the 2009 Amgen Tour of California. For Zipp’s website and email newsletter, my work included reporting on riders’ wheel selections throughout the 9-day race, a video interview with 2008 Tour de France winner Carlos Sastre, and extensive photo coverage. Meanwhile, I was blogging for Incase to document my trip with the MASH crew that rode the courses on fixed-gear track bikes. Project highlights

Blogging and social media marketing for SRAM

In 2008, I produced a comprehensive social media campaign for SRAM Corporation. In addition to creating text, photo, and video content for The Road Diaries blog, I managed content generated by SRAM staff at the Tour de France and other major races. To extend the project’s reach, I distributed content through Flickr, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Highlights of the project include an interactive video broadcast with Tour de France star Levi Leipheimer and real-time text/photo/video liveblogging from the Interbike trade show. Project highlights

Advertising and sponsorship strategy for MyByk

For this social network and data services platform for cyclists and the bicycle industry, I was responsible for defining advertiser-facing features, writing the site’s rate card, and building relationships with advertisers and promotional partners. Working with MyByk’s engineering team, I created concepts and visual mockups for the site’s user interface and key functionality. My role also included helping to develop the company’s overall business strategy. Project highlights

Marketing manager for Kodak Gallery/Sierra Nevada

In 2005 and 2006, I planned and executed a marketing program for this US-based pro cycling team including website, media communications, news updates, collaterals, participation in sponsors’ advertising and events, and detailed reporting to sponsors of all these components. I also created proposals to secure Kodak’s and Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.’s renewals as co-title sponsors as well as major commitments from several new sponsors. Project highlights

Other Projects

PUBLIC

A stylish urban bicycle startup from Design Within Reach founder Rob Forbes
www.publicbikes.com

• Copywriting to educate non-cyclist customers by placing a collection of vintage bikes in the context of their design and history
• Consulting on PUBLIC’s unique model for sales, delivery, and service
• Social media strategy outline and concepts

Specialized

One of the world’s leading brands of complete bikes, components, and accessories
www.specialized.com

• Design, coding, and copywriting for dealer collateral highlighting key features of Specialized models and how those features factored into major race wins
• Delivered print piece, web page, and HTML code for pasting into blog/CMS
• Wrote documentation and user guide to help dealers with social media and other display/distribution methods

MASH

A collection of leading filmmakers and riders in the urban track bike/fixed-gear culture
www.mashsf.com

• Created sponsorship proposal materials
• Negotiated co-developed product line with major manufacturers
• Planned logistics for 9-day video shoot along Tour of California route
• Produced blog for sponsor website

The Bike Cooperative

Consulting services and cooperative buying for 300+ bicycle retailers
www.thebikecooperative.com

• Video and print curriculum to help bike shops use social media
• Subjects include Facebook, Twitter, blogging, and business review websites

ROAD Magazine

Monthly magazine covering global professional cycling
www.roadmagazine.net
View column archive

• Sports business columnist since 2005
• Topics discussed include marketing theory, analysis of cycling sponsorships, ideas for readers to apply to their own sponsorships

Franco Bicycles

Direct-to-consumer road bike maker with emphasis on full-service fitting
www.francobicycles.com

• Refined messaging and brand positioning
• Copywriting for advertising and website

Bebo

Youth-focused social network with 40+ million members worldwide
www.bebo.com

• Wrote and distributed press releases to tech media
• Learned strategy from VP of Business Development & Sales

Sneakerplay

Online social network for sneaker collectors
www.sneakerplay.com

“Josh is one of those superstars you have to have on your team! We hired him as a sponsorship/advertising consultant to help take our growing social network to the next level. He used his marketing and social media background to help us completely revamp our media kit which helped us get the attention of several major brands. We highly recommend his services.” - Robleh Jama, Sneakerplay co-founder (via LinkedIn recommendation)

• Created rate card and community profile documents
• Helped create survey of demographics and purchasing habits
• Developed concepts for advertiser-specific in-site promotions

Northern California/Nevada Cycling Association

Local governing body for Northern California cycling clubs and races
www.ncnca.org

• Developed sponsorship assets incl. 10-race NCNA Premier Series
• Conducted survey of demographics and purchasing habits
• Created PR/Marketing Toolkit for use by local clubs and events

Carrera de San Rafael

Pro-Am cycling race in downtown San Rafael, California
www.carrerasanrafael.com

• Participated in planning efforts with event staff and sponsors
• Managed website design and development
• Wrote and edited copy for special section in local newspaper
• Hired and managed media and PR contractors