Dan Blacklock

Experience

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  Schneider Electric

  Nov 2010 - Sept 2013

  Technical Communications Writer

  • Write training and communications materials for industry software (including real-time SCADA systems) using a variety of tools (FrameMaker, SnagIt, Captivate, PhotoShop, Visio, InDesign etc.)• Develop plans for technical communications; integrate customer/stakeholder feedback and establish timelines• Publish manuals into HTML/CSS format using web publishing software (ePublisher, RoboHelp etc.)• Write internal documents and communications materials for Telvent employees• Work with R&D administrator to distribute and deliver internal publications to customers and internal clients• Review and edit the written work of other writers/developers• Maintain and regularly update the internal wiki website for developers and customers• As department webmaster, maintain the corporate intranet (written mostly in HTML/CSS) Show less

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  Press+1

  Oct 2011 - Dec 2013

  • Wrote articles covering the Canadian entertainment industry• Covered many Calgary-based events (eg. Comic Con, OtaFest, Stampede etc.)• Interviewed industry icons to build hype for upcoming events (eg. interviewed Tommy Tallarico before his upcoming concert); these interviews are transcribed/filmed• Regularly contacted local media representatives to gain press privileges for Press+1• Used social media tools (Twitter, Facebook, etc.) to provide readers with constant updates on events• Volunteered as a Production Assistant on the Press+1 web show Show less

  • Web Journalist

    Apr 2010 - Dec 2013

  • Production Assistant

    Oct 2011 - Nov 2011
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  Telvent

  Apr 2012 - Nov 2012

  Scrum Master

  • Create and perform bi-weekly presentations that showcase any new features of the software and documentation to internal stakeholders; create and distribute materials to meeting participants• Facilitate and participate in planning meetings, where the task details of a sprint (2-3 week period) are decided• Write and distribute meeting summaries to participants• Enforce the development time schedule and inform developers of deadlines• Resolve impediments to the workflow of the developers (includes attaining necessary hardware, limiting unrelated work tasks, preventing distractions from external forces) Show less

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  AltaLink

  Sept 2013 - Aug 2018

  Communications Advisor

  • Write overarching communications plans that cover objectives, strategies and tactics, and see them through to completion• Write project communications materials, including stakeholder letters and information brochures• Create marketing material, write and design sponsored articles, newpaper ads etc.• Lead creation of visual design projects, such as infographics and other PR collateral• Create and lead the design of internal communications materials• Update and maintain content on AltaLink’s external website• Produce internal and external-facing videos and animations• Advise project teams on public relations concerns• Inform media about local transmission projects through media fact sheets and matte stories Show less

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  Cloud Puncher Games Inc.

  Apr 2016 - now

  Founder

  -Designed and launched Project Ironside, currently the 2nd highest funded Kickstarter campaign board game table (over $4 million).-Successfully pitched on Dragons Den Canada! (S18E04)-Designed and created the BoxThrone Board Game Shelves product line, launched to Kickstarter in November 2017 and raised over $1.5 million USD in 50 days.-Created storemyboardgames.com and lifted the brand to $900,000/year in revenue.-Designed and created Token Sesame line of products ($400,000 raised on Kickstarter, $600,000 on Crowd Ox)-Designed and created LAX RAX line of products ($480,000 raised on Kickstarter, $800,000 on Crowd Ox)-Used SEO tactics to launch www.storemyboardgames.com to PR1 and the first Google result for "board game shelves", our target search term, resulting in over $150,000 of additional pledges.-Used targeted ad campaigns to build a pre-launch mailing list 25,000 quality email signups in 4 weeks (5% conversion rate)-Sourced manufacturers and supplier network spanning multiple factories in China-Set up logistics and fulfillment network, from freight from Shenzhen to regional fulfillment centres in the US, UK, Australia and Canada.-Created the brand story of www.storemyboardgames.com, including copywriting, video production, graphic design, and web design of the BoxThrone product marketing campaign.-Coordinated 3D modelers, designers and illustrators in the creation of marketing assets including the design of the "BoxKing" product mascot and furniture renders.-Interviewed on Shopify Masters, Shopify's official podcast: https://www.shopify.com/blog/boxthrone-crowdfunding-Designed retailer affiliate program and created a marketing network of retail stores to further promote the BoxThrone brand.-Developed and designed manufacturing specifications, vetting factories and created quality control plans.-Featured in numerous industry media such as Forbes, Apartment Therapy, Kotaku, Polygon, The Dice Tower, tabletopgaming.co.uk. Show less

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  Beyond Reality Technologies Inc.

  Sept 2016 - Jun 2017

  Marketing Guru

  Define and execute marketing strategies for virtual reality services, with tactics including Google Cardboard campaigns, PR outreach and events, with the goal of meeting defined KPIsCreate and promote social media content according to audience targeting strategy (Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn), with a significant increase in engagement since 2016Produce and edit promotional videosWrite and publish SEO-friendly weekly blog posts

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  Viewpoint Group (Calgary)

  Aug 2018 - Oct 2019

  Senior Communications Consultant

  - Build comprehensive communications plan for company and department, including social media, press events, publication promotions etc.- Write weekly research article roundups covering business psychology, industrial organization and investment topics - working with SMEs to create an engaging, addictive newsletter product- Build subscriber base using a mix of email marketing, social media and LinkedIn posts- Coordinate PR events for company publications- Connect founder Mac Van Wielingen to business partners, most notable being Michael Bloomberg Show less

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  Crowd Pop Marketing

  Nov 2018 - now

  Co-Founder

  -Creating marketing strategies for Asian startups to debut their products on Kickstarter and Indiegogo (see selected campaigns below)-Directing creative, content, social media, digital advertising and product design tweaks to achieve funding targets-Writing scripts, storyboarding and directing video content-Determining pricing and bundling strategies to capture maximum raise-Coordinating logistics and customer support as upsell services-Raised over $4 million in total funding for clients including MSI, Hellofish Creative, Hoverpen, HOMI winterwear, Mivo Technology and more-Connected clients with distributors in 10 different countries, and proliferated the placement of client products on store shelves at major international departments stores such as Eslite Show less