Mick Swasko

About Mick Swasko

Storied newspapers. Historic aquariums. Startup incubators. Regulated healthcare systems. Burgeoning B2B brands. In a career spent at the intersection of journalism and marketing, the assignments have varied wildly — but the through-line never has. Whether it\'s a front-page byline, a clinical white paper, or a product launch campaign, good content starts with an open ear and hinges on curiosity, empathy, and the discipline to get it right. I bring the instincts of a reporter, the eye of a managing editor, and the strategic fluency to align content with buyer journeys, business objectives, and brand authority, now augmented by genuine fluency in AI tools, learned through practice and applied with purpose.

Experience

1. Director of Content

   Park & Battery

   May 2024 — Present · Chicago, IL, US

   Led content strategy and execution for clients across healthcare, AI/technology, fintech, and professional services — developing comprehensive programs tied to buyer journey stages and business objectives- Drove messaging and campaign content for major health plan product launches targeting employer and health plan buyers — influencing initial positioning and owning execution across formats and channels- Built content strategy and editorial infrastructure for an emerging medical category from the ground up, spanning research, messaging framework, editorial calendar, ad concepts, and execution- Produced long-form thought leadership — including stakeholder-interview-driven white papers and research reports — using AI-augmented workflows to improve efficiency without sacrificing depth or voice- Authored internal white paper on AI adoption for creative teams and served as early advocate and tester of emerging tools across the agency- Managed and mentored a team of writers; provided proactive coaching, editorial guidance, and people support beyond formal requirements- Contributed creative strategy and campaign concepting to new business pitches and BD efforts- Served in client facing roles — presenting strategies, facilitating feedback, and building long-term partnerships across regulated and complex industries

Education

• Illinois State University

  B.S., Journalism and Political Science

  2004 — 2008

Skills

• Social Media
• Multimedia
• Media Relations
• Media Monitoring
• Digital Media
• Influencer Marketing
• Content Management
• Twitter
• Press Releases
• Editing
• Ap Style
• News Writing
• Copy Editing
• Journalism
• Breaking News
• Feature Articles
• Blogging
• Newspapers
• Storytelling
• Online Journalism
• Wordpress
• Headline Writing
• Fact-Checking
• Editorial
• Investigative Reporting
• Newspaper
• Incopy
• Newspaper Design
• New Media
• Public Relations