We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Adam Townsend a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Adam, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

Leaving the journalism field and jumping into digital marketing showed me that old specializations like advertising, merchandising, copywriting, design, art direction, UX and campaign strategist weren’t useful anymore — brands need passionate advocates that are polymaths when it comes to marketing expertise.

Content managment and production technology, along with platforms that connect freelancers with clients worldwide have changed the equation for marketing professionals.

Once I understood this shift, I relaunched Townsend Creative Imaging (formerly a little shingle for my illustration and design freelancing) as a full-service digital marketing firm focused not just on SEO and content creation, but the whole gamut of brand advocacy.

Adam, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

If had it not been for a personal blessing, I might still be plugging away at my corporate job in California. I had to leave a successful job as a corporate marketing manager in Southern California after the birth of my twins shifted our family’s priorities. Our oldest daughter already was missing out on close family during her early years, and the California cost-of-living continued to pressure us.

My wife, a professional therapist, and I moved to Gahanna, Ohio near Columbus in spring of 2023 to be closer to both our extended families. As I searched for new employment, firms struggling with attracting digital audiences started contacting me for help raising their digital profiles.

In light of the insights I gained building the marketing operation at my last job, I knew I could offer the Columbus market great service, so I quickly revamped my personal website to take advantage of the opportunities.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My mission for Townsend Creative Imaging is to be a passionate advocate serving our clients’ vision.

When I started my career as an investigative journalist and beat reporter, I wanted to tell stories that would change the world. As the newspaper industry collapsed, I had to do some soul searching to figure out what I wanted to do next; publishing would not support my growing family in California.

It took years of SEO grunt work and lots of self-education, but I finally married my passion for storytelling to a discipline that would allow me to exercise it while making a good living.

Every aspect of life and business has a unique and interesting story, and all information is useful to someone. The trick with marketing from a brand advocate’s perspective is finding that fascination within yourself and sharing that information with audiences in a useful way.

Any advice for managing a team?

When you have people who agree to work for you, that’s a golden relationship you should nurture and grow. I view myself as support staff for those I manage. Just as a farmer carefully tends the fruit trees to maximize production in his orchard, I make sure those who report to me have the inputs and care they need to perform at peak efficiency.

When an apple tree is not producing as many apples as its neighbors, the strategy is not to withhold water and fertilizer until the plant shapes up. Your tree will die — or at least, it will call Robert Half and find a better orchard.

That doesn’t mean you should be a pushover as a manager. Prune ruthlessly and dispassionately when it’s necessary. As long as you are consistent and supportive with your employees, they’ll appreciate the leadership it takes to root out low-performers or respectfully correct problem behavior.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.townsendcreativeimaging.com/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-townsend-0523841a/