Ben Yarling

Freelance Strategy Director. Big-picture strategy, editorial instinct, technical understanding, cultural fluency.

San Diego, California, United States

About

Strategic brand builder and marketing leader bringing story, data, technology, and empathy to brands in tech, finance, lifestyle, luxury, and hospitality. I’ve helped companies like Google, Aperol, Under Armour, Marriott, Stripe, Zscaler, Pearson, and Netflix connect with people and turn fuzz into focused, effective action.

Experience

  • Independent Strategy Director & Creative Partner at Self-employed
    Jul 2023 - Present · 3 yrs 1 mo

    Independent contractor solving complex problems for brands including: Stripe · Intuit Quickbooks · Aperol · L’Oréal Paris · Tres Generaciones Tequila · La Mer · Prada · Armani Clients: Grizzly, NiceFish, Mighty Cultures, Last Waav, Invisible North, and others.

  • Grizzly ()
    • Strategy Director
      2021 - 2023 · 2 yrs

      Brands: Health-Ade · Google Kids & Families · Marriott · Qualcomm · Zscaler · FICO · Moveworks · DigitalOcean + more

    • Senior Strategist
      2020 - 2021 · 1 yr

  • Giant Spoon ()
    • Senior Strategist
      2018 - 2020 · 2 yrs

      Brands: Synchrony · GE · UnderArmour · Pearson · HBO · Netflix · Coca-Cola · HPE · MassMutual + more

    • Strategist
      2017 - 2018 · 1 yr

  • W. W. Norton & Company, Inc. ()
    • Associate Editor
      2015 - 2017 · 2 yrs

      Projects: The Self-Compassion Skills Workbook • Advertising Concept & Copy • The Business Side of Creativity • Art Deco Mailboxes • Mindfulness for Teachers • The Good Mood Kitchen • New York Neon + more

    • Assistant Editor
      2013 - 2015 · 2 yrs

    • Editorial Assistant
      2011 - 2013 · 2 yrs

  • Founder + Editor-in-Chief at American Chordata Magazine
    2014 - 2017 · 3 yrs

    AMERICAN CHORDATA MAGAZINE is an award-winning literary & arts biannual launched in 2014. It has achieved international acclaim for uniting sophisticated design with brave, illuminating, and emotionally detailed works of written and visual art. As FOUNDER + EDITOR, I was responsible for the magazine's creation, launch, and 360-degree management, including content strategy, concept development, social optimization, and logistical mobilization from inception to self-sustaining maturity. Assembled and orchestrated team of 14 world-class editors, artists, publicists, photographers, and designers through 5 niche-bridging print and digital issues. HIGHLIGHTS: Established active community of 20K+ readers within 2 months of launch • Surpassed revenue and engagement goals by 150%+ every quarter • Formed strategic experiential partnerships with leading brands and organizations • Secured press coverage and editorials with mass outlets and niche publishers in the design, fashion, indie mag, and literary spaces • Earned 4 Stack Independent Magazine Awards for outstanding content on the global stage + MORE