My writing career has been a road trip guided by a wide-open itinerary, a journey marked by eclectic engagements and unforgettable characters.

The common thread woven through it all is storytelling, whether I was working as an online newspaper editor, corporate copywriter, branding guru, stand-up comic, movie critic, or marketing director.
 
I've boomeranged back and forth from four companies — always making my second act more memorable. (It may be some sort of record.) And I've applied my skills in more spots than Duct Tape, including the verticals of healthcare, HR, media, construction, finance, travel, entertainment, energy and telecom.

I'm a team player, having excelled as a Director of Marketing Communication charged with building and growing a team — then getting everyone on the same page. But I'm in my element as an add-on to your team, the cameo role that always gels with your superstars and delivers the goods.
 
For the past six years, I've hustled day in and day out as a self-employed hunter-gatherer. This is my best chapter yet: Founder and Chief Brand Driver for Milepost 0 Creative. Every day, I help companies find and tell their best stories, or fables, as my hero Aesop called them. It’s all done with the goal of driving brands to a better place.

When I’m not living the dream on the clock, I’m living the dream off it. I enjoy running a monthly stand-up comedy showcase, rooting for losing sport teams (#BillsMafia), coaching youth sports, and "quarantine cooking" with NPR simmering in the background. I share this dream with my patient wife, two curious kiddos, friendly mutt, and evil cat from Milepost 0 HQ in Chesterfield, Virginia.  -- Mike Ward

So, where to?

• Connect today
  
• See my work

 

Milestones

Managed & wrote 100+ page submission that earned Snagajob the distinction of being the No. 1 'Best Small Company to Work for in America' (Great Place to Work Institute / Entrepreneur.com)

D.C. Improv 'Best Drinking Story' Winner, sponsored by DC Brau

Wrote 350+ movie reviews & features as Richmond.com / Richmond Times-Dispatch / RottenTomatoes.com film critic (Featured on Opie & Anthony Show and WRVA film contributor)

Regular contributor to Virginia Economic Review

Ghostwriter for keynote speakers & business authors (including Help Wanted, Help Found)

2X parenting / family columnist (including this and this)

Co-wrote entertainment column with real-life D-Lister A.J. Benza (this A.J. Benza)

Built, managed & developed a robust Marketing Communications Team to manage B2C & B2B fronts

Guest speaker for storytelling, communications & journalism in classrooms K-12 (Here's one example)

Graduation luncheon keynote speaker for Richmond College (University of Richmond)

Stand-up comic at bars, clubs & colleges