David Holston
Creative and Marketing Strategy
Strategic Communication
In doing research for my books, I had the opportunity to interview hundreds of leading communicators, strategists, researcher,s and educators. I learned a great deal about the nature of creativity and communication from these conversations, but there was one thing that stood out for me - successful communicators are passionate about strategy.
For the past twenty five years I've worked in public affairs, marketing, advertising, communication planning and design management for leading organizations including General Electric, Martin Marietta, Lockheed Martin, The University of Texas and the Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America – helping them take a strategic communication approach that integrates organizational goals, internal and external analysis, implementation and measurement.
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Areas of Expertise
Brand Creation
Brand Management
Brand Research
Communication Strategy
Content Strategy
Content Marketing
Conversion Strategy
Creative Direction
Direct Marketing
SEO/SEM
Social Strategy
Web Strategy
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Personal
When I'm not thinking about communication and design, I can be found playing old blues tunes on my National steel guitar, drawing, painting, sailing, writing or just hanging out with my wife, two daughters and our hound dog Violet in beautiful Midtown Atlanta.
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Speaking and Workshops
I give lectures and workshops to associations, businesses, and conferences. I’ve presented to design, communication, and public relations professionals in cities across the U.S. and Canada. I strive to bring the concepts I’ve written about to life through engaging, challenging, and insightful lectures and workshops.
My goal is to help communicators take a strategic approach to their work, so my workshops are hands-on. I want participants to walk away with valuable, practical tools that they can apply immediately. I love taking the information and knowledge that I’ve acquired from countless talented people and sharing it.
Here are a few of the lectures, workshops, webinars, and competitions that I've presented at over the last few years.
UCDA Design Conference, Austin, TX
Council for Advancement and Support of Education, Austin, TX
HOW Design Conference, Boston, MA
Destination Design Management Conference, Los Angeles, CA
National Education Association Editors Conference, San Diego, CA
Council for Advancement and Support of Education, Austin, TX
HOW Design Conference, Denver, CO
Museum of Design Atlanta, Atlanta, GA
UCDA Design Competition, Nashville, TN
Assoc. of Registered Designers (RGD) Webinar, Toronto, Canada
Trinity University Design Lecture, San Antonio, TX
RGD Design Thinkers Conference, Toronto, Canada
Adobe Digital Publishing Suite Webinar
Assoc. for Univ. Continuing Education Design Competition, Canada
AIGA Boston - Strategic Designer Workshop, Boston, MA
ConFab, Philadelphia, PA
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