HELLO! Thank you for visiting and taking the time to get to know me. I’m an accomplished copywriter, editor, and creative leader with a passion for writing captivating content that engages customers and makes brands more valuable to the people they serve. I’m recognized for creatively translating market insights into inspiring brand truths and inspiring bold, data-driven campaigns that strengthen customer affinity and boost results.
My background features experience developing omnichannel/multichannel campaigns that support full-funnel marketing strategies, from brand awareness to demand generation and ongoing customer advocacy. I have deep roots in direct marketing, loyalty marketing, and eCommerce. I’ve led digital advertising campaigns since the channel’s beginning. Writing is my core skill and truest passion, a talent I’ve leveraged throughout my entire career. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to support a wide variety of brands across a broad scope of industries, including extensive experience in regulated brands, financial services, fintech, digital security, SaaS, hospitality, travel, and retail.
While I offer experience as a creative leader, I am open to copywriter roles and serving as an independent creative contributor.
My mantra? Work isn’t work if you love doing it.
If you’re in the market for someone with my skills, let’s talk!
Core Skills
Copywriting, Creative Leadership, Concept Development, Content Strategy & Development, Copy Editing, Brand Strategy, Brand Development, Brand Governance, Creative Strategy, Omnichannel Marketing, Full-Funnel Marketing, eCommerce, Digital Advertising, Traditional Advertising, Direct Marketing, Loyalty Marketing, Social Media, Video Development, Design Direction, Photography Direction, Agile Methodology and Processes, Figma, Workfront, Adobe, Microsoft Office Suite
The rearview mirror
Public transportation is an unusual way to move a profession forward, but it’s how I got my start in advertising. In the heat of my post-college job search, I found myself one sweltering summer day in need of change for a bus. The office where I sought help happened to be a direct marketing agency. In addition to coins for my dollar, I came away with a new course for my career.
Direct Response has taken me places. Minneapolis. Houston. Boston. OgilvyOne. BBDO. Mullen. Digitas. Martin Williams. Carlson Marketing. The Lacek Group. Deluxe Corporation. Entrust. Modern Climate. I’ve had opportunities to learn from the best, working with amazing talent and remarkable brands. I advanced from Copywriter to Creative Director and expanded my experience to include the full marketing funnel, from campaigns that drive brand awareness to demand-gen campaigns that nurture customers from consideration to purchase. From my very first leadership role, I discovered a talent for owning the business side of creative leadership. I love orchestrating the processes and overseeing the project management that ensures creative effort is not only done well but done on time and on budget.
My shift to loyalty marketing was perhaps the most transformational of my career, as it taught me the lucrative skill of engaging customers one-on-one and defining strategies that turn them into loyal brand advocates. Through it all, I carved out a niche (and developed a passion) for balancing the science of data and analytics with the art of romancing the brand. My theory is that to inspire customers to act, you must first move their souls. And above all else, the customer rules.
YOU’LL FIND ME AT THE CROSSROADS OF ART AND analytics.
Imaginative copywriter and idea generator with a proven ability to simplify complex topics to engage target audiences
Data-driven, strategic thinker with experience optimizing creative and copy based on research insights.
Detail-oriented problem solver, who leverages agile operations, industry best practices, and emerging trends.
Seasoned brand strategist, successful at maintaining brand relevancy and driving brand consistency across all channels.
Collaborative, goal-oriented team player and influencer, communicates effectively and engenders trust in all relationships.
Polished presenter, excellent at delivering convincing pitches that sell ideas and strengthen client partnerships.
Unflappable, innovative change agent who plays to win and thrives in fast-paced, high-pressure environments.
recommendations – see more at WWW.LINKEDIN.COM/IN/LAURIE-BEDWELL
Mark Jespersen / Retired, Former Owner, Jespersen & Associates
Laurie is one of the finest copywriters I know. Her award-winning work helped lead our agency to a position as one of the nation's best direct-response groups based on creative solutions and results. Even more important is her sense of humor and ability to take others to places they never even dreamed of going to.
Chuck Abrams / Owner, Creative Director, Virtual Creative, Inc
I have had the pleasure of working with Laurie as a co-worker inside an agency as well as being able to hire her as part of a freelance team. At Martin-Williams Advertising, I quickly understood that Laurie was a quick learner, a deep thinker and a pretty sharp creative person. Our tenure together was nothing short of splendid, we did awesome work and when she moved on, I was sad to say the least. Fast forward a few years and I once again had the pleasure of being able to hire her to work on one of our biggest clients. Laurie once again came through in spades and made a complicated project seem like a breeze. One of the great things about working in the virtual world is that you get to choose the work people you work with, not just whomever is assigned to you 3 cubes down. Laurie is a great talent and I would work with her again anytime, anywhere should I be so lucky.
christian seyster / senior art director, deluxe corporation
Laurie is a visionary leader. She inspires forward thinking that delivers the unexpected. She articulates direction in a motivating and effective manner, pushing teams to challenge themselves both conceptually and aesthetically. She has a keen and critical eye, gives feedback that doesn’t just address problems but facilitates solutions. She is passionate about creating great work and sees everything as an opportunity. Working with Laurie for 7+ years I can attest that she has been a mentor and catalyst in my arc of creativity.
Working on the Safeguard re-brand initiative was a testament to her strength as a leader. She identified and structured team talent based on their abilities. Delivered on accountable key milestones. Redefined parameters when needed. Changed perception and elevated ideas throughout the development of the project. Achieving an outcome, from what had been requested, to an unprecedented level of success.
Her talent is set in what she does. She is a true creative director.
Laura Radewald / CEO & Founder, Hi-Per / Former Chief Brand Officer, Deluxe
Laurie brought a breath of fresh air to the creative department at Deluxe. She brings extensive agency experience, a strong understanding of brand strategy, and the communication skills and flexibility needed to deliver on the needs and objectives of numerous internal and external stakeholders. Laurie quickly built great rapport with her team and mine and was an all-around pleasure to work with.
Michelle Wildenauer / SVP Strategic Services, The Lacek Group
Laurie and I worked together at The Lacek Group. Laurie was a Creative Director, and I worked in Client Services. I loved working with Laurie because she is a wonderful combination of strategy and creativity. She pursued creative projects by first understanding the business challenges and client needs. This information helped Laurie produce wonderful things! Laurie was also dedicated to her agency team and her clients. She worked long hours when needed and she showed positivity in her approach. Laurie was a great agency partner and someone I really appreciate.
Kristie Klopp / Former Account Manager, The Lacek Group
Laurie was a very strategic creative director on the Enterprise Car Rental account. She managed her creative team to very high standards, which resulted in innovative ideas, and quality marketing that made the client remark, “Creative is more on target and has taken our product/sales to a new level with Laurie directing the marketing creative.” Laurie not only delivers quality work in a timely manner, but she pushes you to do your best and deliver the best. I would work with Laurie any time and would highly recommend her.
Janet Sparkman, Former Executive Vice President, Carlson Marketing Worldwide
Laurie is a creative director who really understands the business, the data and the audience to really drive results. She understands how to build relationships and loyalty through the art and science of creativity. Her extensive experience at Carlson and Lacek make her one of the best "loyalty" creative directors in the business and she can lead a team to excel. She brings the best out of them - pushes the envelope and truly connects with her clients and teammates as well. I loved working with her - and you will too.