Founded by Andy Austin in 2017, Words and Strategy offers project-based and ongoing communication strategy consulting, along with editorial services, to start-ups, small to mid-size businesses and not-for-profit organizations.

Our core specialties include communication strategy and customer experience strategy, along with interactive media content strategy and development. We also collaborate seamlessly with an extended team of skilled designers and other communications professionals.

Words and Strategy welcomes all types of engagements, from copywriting and content refreshes to full communication strategy evaluations and tactical development, working independently or with existing teams.

About Andy

Andy Austin photoI’m a writer, an editor, and a communication strategist. I’m also a storyteller.

With wit, intelligence, and a keen understanding of what engages and motivates people, I help businesses and organizations to understand their audiences and objectives, refine their communication strategies, and tell their stories more effectively.

Expertise:

  • More than 35 years in content, customer experience and communication strategy
  • Writer and editor for websites, apps and traditional media
  • Media-agnostic strategist and consultant skilled at identifying and solving communication challenges

Career Highlights

Addison Design Company | Senior Strategist, 2007-2017

At Addison, I devised and implemented highly successful multimedia communications campaigns for major health insurance companies, financial services firms and other Fortune 500 clients. I also created targeted content and communications strategies for stakeholder, employee and customer audiences. In addition, I wrote and edited strategic copy and simplified “plain English” content for print collateral, annual reports, multimedia and online communications.

IBM Corporation | 2000-2007

Content and Communications Consultant
In this role, I directed content strategy and development for the Web and new media at IBM’s interactive media agency, the Center for IBM e-business Innovation, with responsibility for all editorial content created for IBM clients as well as for internal projects. I also supervised a team of staff and contract editorial professionals, monitoring their client work and mentoring them to achieve superior skills.

Manager, Worldwide Content Strategy & User Experience, LE Extranet Sites
As leader of a global team accountable for design, content strategy and user experience on more than 1,000 customized Web sites targeted to IBM’s largest, most valued enterprise customers, I established editorial and user experience standards for large enterprise (LE) extranet websites in collaboration with worldwide managers and their teams.

Waters Design Associates | Content and Communications Director, 1998-2000

I served as a member of the senior management team at this 60-person design studio and interactive media agency. I led copywriting and content development for all client and internal projects, and directed all internal, external and marketing communications.

Additional Experience

  • Public spokesman and strategic communicator for America’s first popular online service
  • Public relations account manager and writer of executive speeches, bylined articles and collateral
  • Television news production facilities manager, senior producer, news writer/editor and video editor
  • Radio announcer, voiceover artist, manager and producer of public affairs programming