John Peabody

About John Peabody

Head of Content & Editorial Strategy | Video & Digital Storytelling Leader | Team BuilderI build editorial systems that scale—leading teams to create video, digital content, and narrative properties that drive audience growth and commercial impact.What I Do- Lead content strategy and production across video, digital, and social platforms- Build and manage high-performing creative teams (photo, video, editorial)- Launch original video series and editorial franchises from concept to execution- Translate complex ideas into formats that engage modern audiences- Drive measurable results: 10x content output, 85% audience growth, 4x engagement ratesCurrent: Director of Content Strategy at the Aspen Institute, where I\'ve launched multiple video series (In Session, Leading Voices), built the editorial team, and grown digital audiences across Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.Previously: Led content studios and visual teams at Gear Patrol and Hodinkee. Developed branded content strategies at The Atlantic (Webby Award winner). Trained as a journalist with bylines in The New York Times, Fast Company, and Reuters.I specialize in: Editorial leadership • Video production & strategy • Content team management • Social & vertical video • Creative direction • Brand partnerships • Workflow optimization • AI-powered content systemsI lead with clarity, trust, and direct feedback—creating the conditions for creative teams to do their best work. Always exploring how ideas travel through my newsletter, NESS.

Experience

1. Director, Content Strategy

   The Aspen Institute

   Dec 2023 — Present

   Lead enterprise content and communications strategy, translating institutional priorities into high-impact storytelling across video, social, and digital channels. Built and manage a cross-functional content team. Conceived, developed, and launched two flagship video series (Leading Voices and In Session) distributed across Instagram and YouTube.

Education

• University of Colorado Boulder

  Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Geography

• University of California, Berkeley

  MJ, Journalism

Skills

• Feature Writing
• Newsletters
• Digital Strategy
• Feature Articles
• Pitching Ideas
• New Media
• Content Management
• Creative Content Production
• News Writing
• Magazines
• Blogging
• Audio Editing
• Social Media Marketing
• Public Relations
• Media Strategy
• Media Relations
• Content Strategy
• Marketing Strategy
• Breaking News
• Photography
• Newspapers
• Online Journalism
• Facebook
• Marketing
• Copy Editing
• Copywriting
• Journalism
• Branded Content
• Custom Content Creation
• Communication
• Editorial
• Editing
• Writing
• Decks
• Storytelling
• Digital Marketing
• Content Marketing
• Online News
• Broadcast
• Creative Strategy