Uncopyable,by design.
See how we’ve built positioning that aligns teams and their audiences on the same vision of meaning, creating an identity so distinct there’s no substitute.
CCIJ.
NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION & PUBLICATION
The cross-border investigative journalism nonprofit needed more than a mission statement. It needed a model that could sustain the work, attract support, and scale impact across borders.
We built the brand and operational strategy from the ground up: defining the value proposition, creating the earned-revenue framework, and conceiving VEZA, a new publication platform built around the organization's editorial identity and collaborative mission. The result was an organization that could tell its story as powerfully as it told everyone else's.
Conceived and led naming, editorial, and brand strategy for VEZA
Defined value proposition for fundraising and membership growth that tripled revenue and membership
Created earned-revenue and partnership strategy
Developed project management and digital asset management system across 11 time zones
Led development and launch of an experimental XR publication
Trained African journalists on visual storytelling as a strategic asset
Recognition: 7 international awards
THE WORK
"Scott's entrepreneurial sensibility, experience and leadership showed up in his ability to identify new revenue opportunities and build pilot initiatives that we would bring to scale. He is willing to go into potentially challenging conversations with candor and respect. As a new non-profit leader, I learned from Scott in many areas."
JEFF KELLY LOWENSTEIN Executive Director / Founder
TIDELINE.
MARITIME TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS
A pre-seed maritime startup had a genuinely compelling idea of luxury water transit as a human-centered alternative to the Bay Area's gridlocked commute and cattle-car style ferries but needed the brand, the business, and the investor story to align.
We built the brand identity, financial modeling, investor materials, and the narrative positioning that made Tideline inspiring to the people who were needed to fund it. Then we closed the round.
Built brand identity and marketing operations from scratch
Positioned service as a human-centered, urban experience
Created financial modeling tools to maximize profits and inform sales strategy
Prepared corporate profile, market analysis, and 3-year revenue projections
Led investor negotiations and successfully closed second round of investment and multiple subsequent capital infusions
THE WORK
"Scott has an uncanny ability to understand business processes, identify inefficiencies and implement re-engineered improvements. His tactical, strategic, and analytical abilities are impactful."
WAYNE MARKOWITZ CFO
FEARLESS GENIUS.
EDUCATIONAL NONPROFIT & PHOTOGRAPHY ARCHIVE
FEARLESS GENIUS is an archive created by Doug Menuez who spent fifteen years documenting the people who built Silicon Valley — Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, and hundreds of others — in spaces that no one else had access to. The challenge was how to leverage this massive asset.
We helped develop the strategy to turn a priceless photographic legacy into a living educational platform. We refined the business model, built the pitch materials, and were key to engaging the corporate partnerships that gave the project credibility and momentum.
Redeveloped business model, pitch materials, and financial modeling
Created targeted pitch decks for investment and partnership opportunities
Led collaborations on investment positioning and partnership development
Secured strategic partnerships with major corporations
THE WORK
"Scott holds his own as a world-class advisor. Scott was extremely calm and focused under pressure, never reactionary or impulsive, unlike Steve Jobs, with whom I spent three years documenting. He aced pitch decks, marketing, editorial and investment strategies... His added value was critical in securing the trust and engagement of our C-suite level partners."
DOUG MENUEZ Founder
SILVERMAN BE REAL.
PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO
A successful regional photography studio was ready for its next challenge, an exit in a space not known for acquisitions. The challenge was positioning this niche business in a sector where sales are rare and the market is inherently tough. Our mission was to build the materials and strategy that would attract the right buyer(s).
We defined the value proposition, developed the strategy, built the pitch materials, and guided ongoing iterations of negotiations with multiple buyer types. The ideal buyer profile and transaction strategy as conceived from the start were exactly the buyers and transaction structure that closed the deal.
Defined value proposition, positioning, and acquisition strategy
Created pitch decks from concept through final product
Advised on individual investor relations and deal negotiation strategy
THE WORK
"Rather than some hazy fantasy, Scott helps you focus. You can see more clearly what your business needs to flourish."
STEVE SILVERMAN Owner
INN.
NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION
The Institute for Nonprofit News knew visual storytelling mattered. What they needed was someone to help them operationalize that conviction from the quality of imagery in their marketing to the systems behind how assets were managed, licensed, and used across their member newsrooms.
We diagnosed the gaps, built the infrastructure, and made the case internally for visual journalism as a strategic driver. We presented to the 400+ members of the organization on how to maximize the impact of visual journalism regardless of budget or staffing limits.
Researched and proposed cloud-based digital asset management system including taxonomy, intake, and ongoing management structure
Identified, commissioned, and managed a commercial photography shoot including contracts, payment, and licensing
Advised on copyright, image licensing practices, and rights management
Presented on visual journalism's value as a sustainable asset for news organizations
THE WORK
"Scott's guidance was invaluable as the Institute for Nonprofit News sought to chart a cultural shift toward more visual storytelling. Time has passed, but we continue to apply the changes he developed with INN in our daily work."
SHARENE AZIMI Director of Communications