Eugene, Oregon
Makenna Brakefield
Communications & Content Strategist
I figure out what an audience needs to hear, find the clearest way to say it, and manage every piece it takes to get that message out into the world. For 7+ years, I’ve done that across websites, campaigns, email, editorial, and research.
Selected work
A few projects that show how I think: from the first question about the audience to the finished work.
Giving Richardson a voice online
I planned the structure and wrote SEO-optimized copy for the new website’s homepage, Our Story, and Careers pages, giving the brand a clear voice for customers and future employees.
Quality in every stride
I pitched and led a trail-running campaign from a one-page brief to launch in eight weeks, across email, web, sales materials, and social.
B2B email & lifecycle
Campaigns and email series for business customers, with a 38.5% average open rate.
Making business planning approachable
SEO-optimized articles and educational video that turn intimidating business topics into clear, practical steps for first-time founders.
How I work
Most of my career has been somewhere in the middle of strategy, writing, and actually making the thing.
01
Start with the audience
Before I write a word, I want to know who we’re talking to, what they already believe, and what would make them care. Research, sales data, and customer feedback all count.
02
Say it clearly
Complex information doesn’t have to feel complex. I write in whatever voice the brand or leader needs: plain, warm, and easy to act on. I also write content that’s optimized for search, and I use AI tools to research and refine content faster.
03
See it through
A strong idea only matters once it’s out in the world. I write the briefs, line up the people, and manage the details from concept to delivery.
Where I’m headed
Communication that helps people understand their health
Long before marketing, I was fascinated by how people learn about their health, and by how often the information they need isn’t where they’re looking. My undergraduate honors thesis studied how TV shows for teen girls represent sexual and reproductive health. My master’s research looked at why lesbian and queer employees are left without fertility coverage, or the information to navigate it.
I bring that same care to every audience I write for, and I’m especially excited about work in health communication and education.
Who gets left out of health information
Three research projects on the gaps between people and the health information they need, and what brands and communicators can do about it.
Experience
7+ years across software, sports and headwear, and small-business brands.
Senior Copywriter / Marketing Manager
I lead content strategy and copywriting across web, email, editorial, and video for two entrepreneur-led brands, writing in each founder’s distinct voice.
Marketing Specialist
I developed and presented campaign strategies and product launch recommendations, ran creative direction for photoshoots (including a $40M Team product line), built email campaigns and automated journeys, and managed paid and organic channels.
Content Marketing Strategist
I grew through four roles in four years, moving from content specialist to strategist. Along the way I wrote editorial and SEO content for LivePlan and Bplans, crafted communications in senior executives’ voices, scripted and directed educational video, and told customer success stories.
- Content Marketing Strategist · June 2023 – Jan 2024
- Social Brand Manager · Mar 2022 – June 2023
- Digital Marketing Communications Specialist · June 2021 – Mar 2022
- Content Marketing Specialist · Sept 2019 – June 2021
Research Assistant & Journalist
I coded and analyzed news coverage for a global research project, and reported, edited, and produced stories for evening television broadcasts in Ghana.
Education
- M.S., Advertising and Brand Responsibility
University of Oregon, School of Journalism and Communication - B.S., Advertising (Honors)
University of Oregon, School of Journalism and Communication
Certifications
- Public Relations Foundations
- Email Marketing
- Key Account Management
- Customer Service Leadership