• WORK HARD • KEEP WONDERING • PUSH CREATIVITY • LEVERAGE TECH • BE KIND • STRATEGY FIRST • DRIVE VALUE
• WORK HARD • KEEP WONDERING • PUSH CREATIVITY • LEVERAGE TECH • BE KIND • STRATEGY FIRST • DRIVE VALUE
WELCOME TO THE WORK OF
Ian John Young
creative director
copywriter
brand strategist
content creator
Hi, I’m Ian. My job is to bring ideas to life. I’ve led creative strategy and content production for brands of all sizes from the agency side (copywriter → creative director), the production side (writer, director, cinematographer, photographer), and the in-house side (creative director, content strategist, social media manager, producer). My sweet spot is being the conduit between executives and creatives.
AGENCY EXPERIENCE
〰️ Gatesman 〰️ AKQA 〰️ Code & Theory 〰️ FCB 〰️ Huge 〰️ McCann 〰️ MKG 〰️ R2integrated 〰️ Publicis 〰️ Safari Sundays 〰️ Pappas Group 〰️ BVK 〰️ TRIS3CT 〰️ Laughlin/Constable
〰️ Gatesman 〰️ AKQA 〰️ Code & Theory 〰️ FCB 〰️ Huge 〰️ McCann 〰️ MKG 〰️ R2integrated 〰️ Publicis 〰️ Safari Sundays 〰️ Pappas Group 〰️ BVK 〰️ TRIS3CT 〰️ Laughlin/Constable
CATEGORY EXPERIENCE
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B2C SaaS
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Telecommunications
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Higher Education
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Building & Construction
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Healthcare
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CPG
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Vehicles
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Travel & Tourism
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Government
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Finance
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Food & Beverage
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Retail
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Pro Bono
〰️ B2C SaaS 〰️ Telecommunications 〰️ Higher Education 〰️ Building & Construction 〰️ Healthcare 〰️ CPG 〰️ Vehicles 〰️ Travel & Tourism 〰️ Government 〰️ Finance 〰️ Food & Beverage 〰️ Retail 〰️ Pro Bono
Hire Ian for:
Brand &
Content Strategy
INSIGHTS
I help companies develop and define brands by identifying insights, crafting messaging guidelines, blueprinting go-to-market plans, and establishing learning agendas for integrated marketing efforts.
Brand Positioning & Messaging Guidelines
Content Strategy & Editorial Planning
Generative AI Leadership
Go-to-Market Strategy
SEO Best Practices
Creative
Direction
IDEAS
I set the strategic creative vision and lead teams to turn ideas into reality — with consistency at scale. I supervise (or source) creative teams, and I’ve developed individuals with specializations in writing, design, photography, cinematography, and social media.
Copywriting
Creative Pitches
Commercials & Photoshoots
Digital Content & Websites
Content
Creation
ACTION
I create integrated multimedia content and manage the entire process — whether it’s just me or with a crew. I have experience:
Directing Photo, Video, and Audio Projects
Managing Global Teams
Building Content Libraries
Sourcing Production Estimates
Starting In-House Content Studios
FEATURED WORK.
“On Board with Pride”
How do you earn 2.4+ million media impressions without spending a dime? Stand for what matters to your brand.
2023 Pride Month was special, because we helped Pace Bus march with purpose — by handing out pronoun pins so Chicagoland residents could wear their pronouns with pride and improve the mental health of LGBTQ+ youth.
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2.4+ Million Earned Media Impressions
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30% ↑ Social Engagment
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$0 in Media
〰️ 2.4+ Million Earned Media Impressions 〰️ 30% ↑ Social Engagment 〰️ $0 in Media
“Lost with Locals”
The #1 excuse stopping people from learning another language was that they didn't believe they'd use it enough, so I set out to prove that there’s more than English in America’s backyard.
I identified cities across the United States where foreign languages thrived, reached out to our most engaged learners, and teamed up with local influencers to create guided tours of their own cities.
We started with New York, Seattle, and a little bayou town in Louisiana — which became Rosetta Stone’s 2nd most-viewed video of all time. Each city featured a mini documentary of the experience as well as various cultural vignettes.
Client: Rosetta Stone
Production: Covalent & IW Edition
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Washington
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New York
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Louisiana
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Michigan
〰️ Washington 〰️ New York 〰️ Louisiana 〰️ Michigan
“Dream Fields”
CNX Foundation donates millions of dollars throughout Appalachia — part of which is used to fill the funding gaps in youth athletic programs. I pitched this campaign and directed the TV commercial for their Dream Fields grant program, which aired during the 2023 PONY League World Series.
Client: CNX Foundation
Agency: Gatesman
Production: Untitled
50% of LP visitors submitted for a Dream Fields grant.
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50% of LP visitors submitted for a Dream Fields grant. 〰️
What’s it like working with Ian?
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"Ian is a terrific talent who is always eager to learn. Beyond being a great copywriter, his enthusiasm is contagious and he brings the energy level up in any room."
Dave Hanneken
Executive Creative Director, Instructor, Author -
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"Ian Young: Brilliant, talented and wildly creative. Ian brings a special energy to the room that makes him a positive force to be reckoned with."
Brady Warmbein
PR/Social Account Executive at Gatesman -
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"Ian is always thinking about how to bring big ideas to fruition, and he formulates those solutions through strategic thinking—which makes him somebody I am incredibly grateful to have worked alongside."
Kayla Plunkett
Junior Copywriter at Gatesman -
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"Ian's contributions to higher-ed work were top-notch! ... His knowledge across creative domains, coupled with his capacity for larger-scale thinking, makes him unique."
Alex Hess
Creative Director at Gatesman -
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"Ian is a true creative, from writing to art directing, and truly knows his craft. On top of all this, the man can use his camera!"
Katy Reyers
Strategy Director -
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"I witnessed [Ian's] exceptional ability to infuse projects with big ideas, foster a culture of kindness, and promote collaboration at every turn."
Kelly Currie
Senior Media Manager at Gatesman -
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"I would recommend Ian to any team looking for a collaborative teammate/leader who doesn't hold back on sharing ideas that he believes will take the project in the right direction while maintaining flexibility, constructive discussion, and creativity."
Noah Ross
Digital Marketing Analyst at Gatesman -
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"Ian's commitment to staying on top of both technical and creative trends kept our projects innovative and pushed the creative boundaries. His dedication to his team’s success, combined with a genuine, caring approach, made every collaboration enjoyable and impactful. "
Stephanie Rizzo
Senior Account Executive of Public Relations at Gatesman -
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"Above all, I was impressed with Ian’s ability to search for the deeper meaning of the brand and how quickly his mind would get to work on an idea. Ian is a true creative with a passion for innovation and supporting his teammates."
Jack Franco
Copywriter -
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"Long story short, Ian makes me a better writer; he takes my voice and helps me elevate it—without losing what makes me unique—in a way no one ever has."
Jackie Dreyer
Copywriter
Get in touch
Hellos are free, and you never know where one will lead.