Audarshia Townsend
Content Director @Informa Markets
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WORK HISTORY
Content Director @Informa Markets
US
The Content Director plays the primary role of overseeing and ensuring the development of excellent content — in written, verbal and visual forms — from idea conceptualization to reality. I oversee the SupplySide Food & Beverage Journal media brand, ensuring high-quality, relevant and consistent digital magazine, online article, video, e-newsletter, conference and webinar content. I also work with the content, conference, marketing and sales teams to oversee the production of all editorial materials tied to the SupplySide Food & Beverage Journal media brand. Further, as part of this role, I often develop high-level relationships with executive-level healthy and organic food experts with the goals of expanding and increasing the engagement level of the audience and the quality of the content produced. I am “the face and voice” of the brand, and conduct media interviews on its behalf, such as television, radio and podcast appearances. Here, I often appear on local and national media outlets to discuss food and beverage trends. For our two annual conferences, SupplySide Connect New Jersey and SupplySide Global (major attractions for the industry), I am charged with curating topics and expert panelists for the education sessions. I also serve as support for our sister brand, New Hope Network, at its Natural Products Expo West and Newtopia Now shows. I offer my POV on their sites, on video and serve as a judge for the annual NEXTY awards—the “Oscars of the natural food industry.”Additionally, I lead the junior editorial team for SupplySide Food & Beverage Journal in brainstorming content creation and strategies to attract and retain our target audience. And finally, I manage contributing writers for all assets associated with SupplySide Food & Beverage Journal.
EDUCATION
Columbia College Chicago
BA, Journalism/Magazine Editing and Publishing
ABOUT AUDARSHIA TOWNSEND
For three decades, Audarshia Townsend has been a leading voice in food and beverage media, earning her stripes as an award-winning journalist, most recently, Informa Markets\'\"Star Storyteller of the Year” (2023), Folio/Eddie Awards’ Honorable Mention for “Best News Site” for SupplySide Food & Beverage Journal (2024), Tabbie Awards’ (Trade Association of Business Publications International) Honorable Mention for “Editor’s Column” for SupplySide Food & Beverage Journal (2025), Folio/Eddie Awards’ Honorable Mention for “Editor’s Column” for SupplySide Food & Beverage Journal (2025) and Marquis Who’s Who (20••••29).As the Content Director for SupplySide Food & Beverage Journal, this lifelong Chicagoan blends visionary editorial leadership with a deep-seated passion for amplifying underserved business communities.Audarshia\'s insights are regularly featured on major media outlets such as FOX-32 Chicago, WGN-TV and NPR-Chicago, where she breaks down the latest food and beverage trends. Her expertise is so valued that she\'s a recurring judge for prestigious events like the James Beard Foundation Awards and New Hope Network\'s NEXTY Awards. Beyond her roles in content creation and media appearances, Audarshia is a dynamic speaker and moderator, having graced stages from SupplySide Global to Niche Media Conference to the Black Women in Food Summit. Her extensive portfolio includes writing for Chicago Magazine, Chicago Tribune, Essence, Esquire and The Huffington Post, and developing content for renowned brands like Lexus, MasterCard and Google. A true advocate for education, she dedicates her time to guest lecturing at universities like Columbia College Chicago, DePaul, Illinois Institute of Technology, Northwestern and Loyola, mentoring the next generation of journalists.
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