Former competitive triathlete, then, well, kids
Wellness maven Maybe, obsessively so But alas, happiness is counting macros and spending more on supplements than clothes
Writer, reader, workouter On repeat
A yoga reject
TORI MALCANGIO
San Diego,USA
Summary
Marketer Hat. Storyteller Wand.
With twenty-plus years as an award-winning advertising copywriter and a master’s degree in creative writing and literature, I bring a unique mashup of strategy & story, of understanding that the sweet spot of marketing sits cozy at the intersection of business metrics and meet-ups. At making money and making friends.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Freelance Creative Director/Writer
Back of the House
San Diego, CA
01.2023 - Current
- Particularly prejudiced to authentic and human (in content, approach, and team) over tricks and flash.
- Brand personality must feel real enough to meet for coffee or trust with your life. Sometimes both.
- Brand jumpstarter for health/wellness and non-profit clients looking to envision, create, and launch new brands or breathe life into old.
- OOH guru with decades of experience creating immersive 360 consumer experiences including trade show, airport takeovers, venue marketing, digital storytelling, and more.
- Clients: City of Hope, Daily Nourish, Pretend City, Epitomee, gnosis, Groundswell, United Way, Optihealth, Motorcycle Safety Foundation, Revive, Cielo, Second Harvest, Waymakers, Families Forward.
Associate Creative Director
62Above
San Diego, CA
02.2022 - 03.2023
- Led creative strategy development for integrated marketing campaigns primarily in video/TV creation, digital, and OOH.
- Renamed, revamped, and reincarnated brands with storytelling and visual identity.
- Directed brainstorming sessions with prompts and snacks.
- Mentored junior teams.
- Clients included: Monterrey Tourism, Harrah's Casino, Napa Valley Tourism, and Qualcomm.
Senior Writer
3Q Digital
San Diego
09.2020 - 09.2021
- Conceptualized and wrote performance-based creative in the digital sphere, including paid search, social, interactive, web, and video for B2C and B2B clients in healthcare, wellness, fashion/apparel, higher education, and some of the biggest names in tech. Participated as a brand strategist and creative storyteller in rebrands, brand audits, and pitch-deck creation.
Freelance Writer
Back of the House
San Diego
01.2017 - 09.2020
- Author copy and guide creative strategy for the masses and micro-targeted audiences, via: TV, brand books, sizzle videos, social media, digital, websites, packaging, radio, and print.
- A ferocious guardian of brand voice who swoons for showstopping syntax but never at the expense of strategy.
- A stickler for collaboration, authenticity, and working with good people.
- AGENCIES:
- Mering, Amusement Park (formerly DGWB), VITRO, ParkerWhite, Sixxwasnine, MeadsDurkett, Roni Hicks, Farm Advertising, Simpler&Simpler, Challenged Athletes Foundation.
- CLIENTS:
- Four Seasons Resorts Aviara, St. Joseph Hoag Health, Covenant Children’s Hospital, Infantino, Thermador, ACTIVE Network, National University, Petco, Union Bank of California, Sani Trac, Pick up Stix, Electra Bikes, Kwikset, Yahoo!Personals, Ossur, Challenged Athletes Foundation, Carl Zeiss vision, Brehm Builders, id Analytics, Las Vegas World Arena, Open Energy, Wamberg Genomics, Ciralight, Valutech, San Diego Gas & Electric, Visit Napa Valley, Protect the Joy.
Senior Writer
Shutterfly
Redwood City
12.2018 - 08.2019
- Developed integrated 360-campaigns across print, catalog, site experience, out of home, and social (lots of social) for Tiny Prints, The Wedding Shop, and the ever-evolving category expansion arm.
- Mentored junior writers and copy interns.
- Amassed a collection of mugs and luggage tags with my kids' faces.
Senior Writer
Greenhaus
San Diego
02.2005 - 06.2007
- Oh the days of print, print, print and radio. I did it all.
- Hard Rock Hotel, John Laing homes, The Irvine Company, Pardee homes, The Grand Del Mar
Copywriter
VITRO
San Diego
09.2003 - 01.2005
- Swam in the exciting waters of some of the biggest, most influential consumer brands.
- ASICS, Qualcomm Inc., Quidel rapid tests, Kyocera, Taylor Guitars, Yamaha Watercraft, Baby Einstein, Newcastle Brown Ale, Baskin Robbins, Marie Calenders.
Writer
DiZinno Thompson
01.1999 - 08.2003
- Led content creation for the San Diego Convention and Visitors' Bureau, including TV, print, and the lost but loved artifacts of radio and giant brochures.
Education
MFA - Creative Writing/Literature
Bennington College
01-2014
Advertising
Portfolio Center
Atlanta08-1999
Journalism
Arizona State University
Tempe08-1996
Skills
- Connect brands to people through storytelling
- Think like a strategist Execute like a creative
- Help brands grow from seed to stalk
- Uncover each team member's strengths, and capitalize
Accomplishments
Award-winning Advertising
Recognition and publication in:
Communication Arts, Obies, PRINT Magazine, US AdReview, and Graphis.
Award-winning Prose Writer
A widely published, award-winning fiction and non-fiction writer with work appearing in distinguished journals and anthologies, including:
Missouri Review, Conjunctions, “Best Short Fictions 2021,” Glimmer Train, Cincinnati Review, McSweeney’s, American Literary Review, Chattahoochee Review, Mississippi Review, Tampa Review, Cream City Review, ZYZZYVA, River Styx, AGNI online, and more.
Winner of the 2023 Missouri Review Jeffery E. Smith Editors’ Fiction Prize, William Van Dyke Fiction Prize, American Literary Review Fiction Prize, the Waasmode Fiction Prize, the Cincinnati Review Fiction Prize, the Lascaux Review Short Fiction Prize, as well as a finalist for the Spokane Prize for Fiction.
Interests
Timeline
Freelance Creative Director/Writer
Back of the House
01.2023 - Current
Associate Creative Director
62Above
02.2022 - 03.2023
Senior Writer
3Q Digital
09.2020 - 09.2021
Senior Writer
Shutterfly
12.2018 - 08.2019
Freelance Writer
Back of the House
01.2017 - 09.2020
Senior Writer
Greenhaus
02.2005 - 06.2007
Copywriter
VITRO
09.2003 - 01.2005
Writer
DiZinno Thompson
01.1999 - 08.2003
Advertising
Portfolio Center
Journalism
Arizona State University
MFA - Creative Writing/Literature
Bennington College
Why Me?
I'm a writer's writer. I don't write for advertising, I write for humans. Content isn't consumable if it tastes like AI.
I'm also deeply invested in the wellness space, both as a follower and preacher of the benefits of everything from red light therapy to mushrooms. My favorite is Reishi. Chaga is a close second.
Not yet a cottage cheese convert.