Drea Knufken

Experience

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  Taos Inc.

  Jun 2002 - Feb 2003

  Sales and Market Research

  Outbound inside sales to East Coast IT managers to sell outsourced sys adminsCoordination with outside sales to pass baton and seal dealMarket research to build and manage contact databasesStrategized approach to find and reach out to new verticals

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  Google

  Feb 2003 - Nov 2005

  Blogger Specialist; AdWords Coordinator

  AdWords editorial optimization for AdOps teamKeyword optimization using Google toolsCampaign testing and optimization for premium accountsReviewed ads for editorial- and policy adherenceCreated legal policy framework for Blogger teamBlogger helpdesk and troubleshooting technical issuesRepresented AdWords at trade shows

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  HomeandAbroad.com

  Nov 2005 - Mar 2006

  Destination Researcher

  Wrote destination descriptions for online travel guide startupManaged freelance writers who submitted destination guidesCopyedited, fact checked and uploaded descriptions to database

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  Weaver Inc.

  Mar 2006 - May 2007

  Los Angeles Web Editor

  Worked with project manager to architect content for two major new LA tourism websites: Discover Los Angeles and DineLAWrote all basic Web content for the mechanics of the site (calls to action, descriptions, SEO)Wrote feature articles for both sitesRecruited and manage freelance article contributorsWrote articles for print tourism guides (LA, San Diego, Colorado)Edited, copyedited and fact-checked freelance writers' submissionsCreated editorial calendars for LA sites and ensured they were executed upon Show less

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  Drea Knufken Writing and Editorial

  May 2007 - now

  Content & Communications Consultant

  Know you need content, but don't know where or how to start? From messaging to PR campaigns, there are handfuls of ways to approach content. Success depends on aligning content with your strategic business goals. If you're an early-stage B2B tech, agtech or crypto/blockchain company, I'll take a look at where you are, where you want to go, and provide recommendations. As needed, I will also provide strategic, messaging, editorial and outreach work. The goal is to build a foundation of strategic content with a strong message that resonates with your target audience(s) and inspires them to see your business with fresh eyes. Show less

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  Business Pundit

  Jun 2008 - Aug 2011

  Editor in Chief

  Business Pundit provided informed, witty, thought-provoking commentary on the vast phenomenon that is the business world. Transformed a niche commentary blog into a mainstream resource, increasing daily views from an average of 5K to 10-40K, with the occasional 100K+ viral hit.Increased frequency of posts from roughly daily to 2-3x/day, boosting organic search traction Expanded breadth of commentary to include images, executive interviews, humorous weekly columns, how-to articles and listiclesAdded a social component to the blog, increasing its community reach. Examples include participation in Marriott's small business contest, guest post blogathons, book reviews, etc.Blog posts were included in curated updates and/or syndicated on channels including USA Today, the WSJ, the Financial Times, the Economic Times of India and a host of niche blogs Show less

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  BOCA Communications

  May 2011 - Mar 2014

  Senior Writer

  Interviewed clients to ghostwrite bylines that were placed in Tier 1 and Tier 2 publications. Also wrote press releases, white papers and other forms of marketing communication, primarily in the B2B tech space. Topics included big data, business intelligence, monitoring tools, cloud storage, file sharing, supply-chain management, patent law, crowdsourcing, advertising/marketing tech, machine-to-machine communication, developer tools, open source, continuous delivery- and integration, and mHealth. Show less

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  Treble

  Feb 2014 - May 2021

  Designed, built and now direct a content marketing bureau within the PR agency. TrebleINK focuses exclusively on content, creating and executing focused thought leadership strategies for clients, and placing ghostwritten content into mainstream- and vertical media. Rich experience in tech and writing, from working at Google to publishing a travel book, enables me to build entire strategies and editorial calendars from a single one-hour client interview. After a "getting to know you" and strategy session, TrebleINK creates editorial calendars and content strategies for clients--with other assets, such as messaging, when needed--that align with clients' business goals. Over time, through content published in targeted outlets, clients see name recognition grow, and begin to generate inbound interest from their target audience. Results include new customers, partnerships, LPs/portfolio startups (for VC clients), investor interest, credibility etc. A team of professional writers, including former journalists, works closely with TrebleINK to pen publication-worthy content on behalf of clients. Articles have been featured in TechCrunch, Forbes, Entrepreneur, Inc., TheNextWeb, VentureBeat, trade publications and elsewhere. Clients include venture capitalists and startups in mostly B2B tech sectors including big data/data science, cloud biology, open source enterprise software, the industrial internet, AI/machine learning, cybersecurity, gaming, hiring platforms, CRM, project management, online accounting, legal tech, mobile health and others. Show less

  • Vice President

    Jun 2018 - May 2021

  • Director

    Feb 2014 - Jun 2018
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  Critical Alliance, Inc.

  May 2021 - Jun 2022

  CMO

  Critical Alliance is where capital meets innovation to tackle the world's most urgent problems. We are an interdisciplinary, global alliance of finance, marketing, compliance, and tech innovation experts. Our businesses are designed to commercialize early, grow big, and regenerate the planet in the process. By applying pragmatism to innovation, we are harnessing our unique time in history to permanently repattern the future.For one project, we conducted a feasibility analysis on the nascent and still siloed industrial hemp industry for opportunities in denim manufacturing, terpenes, and CPG. Other projects included groforestry, second-generation NFTs, and blockchain/MAO-driven shared recreation opportunities. Show less

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  AI Salon

  Mar 2023 - Dec 2023

  Generative Architect

  Build systems and workflows, content strategy, and growth strategy for the AI Salon, a values-first, innovative community dedicated to exploring the boundaries and potential of generative AI. It's my belief that AI can and should be used ethically to deepen human connection and trust. As it continues to displace some of our job functions--and we adapt in the face of this massive wave--it is incumbent upon us to become *more human*. As the Salon’s Generative Architect, I use our values as a guiding force for prompt engineering, collaboration, and automation. The aim is always to subvert a reactive, automation-first strategy to instead prioritize human connection. At the Salon, we are always looking for ways to experiment with AI as a companion and catalyst to spreading our values of curiosity, generosity, exploration, collaboration, inclusion, and empathy. Show less