Daniel Hightower Smith
Copywriter
About
Daniel is a copywriter, UX writer, and editor who has worked in agency, corporate, and media settings.
Daniel currently authors pieces for Dallas real estate institution Candy's Dirt, covering noteworthy homes for sale around North Texas. He's been a copywriter for the Chicago fintech company PEAK6, handling corporate social media, internal messaging campaigns, and other writing projects for the company's portfolio of firms. Before the pandemic Daniel was lead copywriter for Dallas ad agency Commercial Ideas, designing and authoring marketing campaigns, and composing social media, email, and website content for clients in industries ranging from real estate to the non-profit world. He wrote email marketing copy - B2C and B2B - and social media ad copy for the San Francisco education tech company Chegg. Before that he was a copywriter for Mary Kay Corporate, and a copy editor at the Omnicom ad agencies Targetbase and Javelin in Dallas.
Before all that, Daniel lived in New York and cut his teeth as a freelance copy editor for pharmaceutical ad agencies including Euro RSCG, Sudler & Hennessey, Harrison and Star, and Grey Advertising.
Wayyy back when Daniel also taught high school English in Hungary, traveling Eastern Europe solo on days off. He's an avid songwriter and guitarist, and still dorks out on sports (MLB and NBA in particular).
Message Development, Copywriting, UX Writing
EXPERIENCE
PEAK6 - Chicago August 2019 to January 2022
Copywriter, UX writer
I authored social media, blog content, and internal messaging for this Chicago fintech company’s multiple lines of business. Subject matter included crypto, economic policy awareness, and internal charity fundraising campaigns.
I authored and edited UX microcontent to guide new users registering for one of PEAK6’s startup businesses.
Multiple clients - Dallas April 2020 to present
Freelance writer
I deliver email marketing content, vlog scripting, blog posts, and web content for clients including DFW real estate blog Candy’s Dirt, Dallas education firm Greatfull Growth, and Access Consciousness lecturer Dr. Lisa Cooney.
Commercial Ideas - Dallas August 2019 to April 2020
Freelance writer
Lead copywriter for this PR/advertising agency, I authored content including blog posts, social media campaigns, print marketing materials, email marketing campaigns, press releases, and web content. Client industries spanned real estate, professional services (accounting, legal), construction, retail, non-profit, and outdoor recreation.
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Collaborated with web design team, art director, and account professionals to craft messaging
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Sought out and interviewed subject-matter experts to research information for copywriting projects.
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Devised comprehensive marketing campaigns, consulted clients on effective strategy for coordinated messaging across the major social media platforms. Boosted social media follower rates.
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Researched specific geographic and industry coverages to ensure media awareness of press releases for maximum effectiveness. Took sustained follow-up action to guarantee print press coverage for these clients.
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Edited video deliverables using Adobe Premiere Pro 2020, including landing page video presentations, podcast video, and corporate meeting video.
Mathnasium - Dallas March 2019 to October 2019
Freelance social media copywriter
Strategized and authored social media campaigns for Mathnasium North Dallas, collaborating with Mathnasium content providers, the North Dallas center’s leadership, and other Mathnasium owners throughout the Metroplex.
Chegg - San Francisco August 2018 to September 2018
Contract copywriter
Authored content for web and mobile interfaces to market the launch of Chegg’s CareerMatch platform.
Mary Kay Inc. - Dallas June 2015 to January 2016 & March 2017 to July 2017
Contract copywriter
Product copywriter within this well organized, team-driven structure. Deliverables included seasonal product launch copy, product descriptions, and banner advertising.
SKILLS
SOFTWARE: Adobe Premiere Pro 2020; CMS (Vignette, Sitecore); Adobe Workfront; MS Office
AMA, AP styles.
INTERESTS
Guitar and songwriting, languages, travel, baseball, reading.
Education
Santa Clara University
BS, psychology
George Washington University
MA, economics
University of Vienna, Austria
Certificate, Austrian literature