JUSTYN HARKIN
SUMMARY
Senior B2B writer with 15+ years turning complex technology into clear, persuasive content for the executives and technical audiences who buy it. Sole copywriter on Microsoft Security Insider (via VML) and contributing writer across Microsoft Security's broader cybersecurity and AI portfolio, spanning thought leadership, brand journalism, and go-to-market content.
Senior B2B writer with 15+ years turning complex technology into clear, persuasive content for the executives and technical audiences who buy it. Sole copywriter on Microsoft Security Insider (via VML) and contributing writer across Microsoft Security's broader cybersecurity and AI portfolio, spanning thought leadership, brand journalism, and go-to-market content.
SKILLS
B2B Content Marketing, Content Strategy, Thought Leadership, Product Marketing, Go-to-Market Content, Copywriting, Brand Journalism, White Papers, Executive Ghostwriting, Long-Form Content, Storytelling, Content Development, Editorial Strategy, Research Synthesis, Customer Stories, Subject-Matter Expert (SME) Interviews, Content Architecture, Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Generative AI, SaaS, HR Tech, Fintech, Enterprise Software
B2B Content Marketing, Content Strategy, Thought Leadership, Product Marketing, Go-to-Market Content, Copywriting, Brand Journalism, White Papers, Executive Ghostwriting, Long-Form Content, Storytelling, Content Development, Editorial Strategy, Research Synthesis, Customer Stories, Subject-Matter Expert (SME) Interviews, Content Architecture, Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Generative AI, SaaS, HR Tech, Fintech, Enterprise Software
EXPERIENCE
Senior Copywriter (Associate Creative Director)
VML — Seattle, WA (Remote) | April 2022 – July 2026
B2B copywriter on the Microsoft Security account. Sole copywriter on Microsoft Security Insider—Microsoft's editorial hub for security leaders—and contributing writer across Microsoft Security's broader cybersecurity and AI portfolio.
VML — Seattle, WA (Remote) | April 2022 – July 2026
B2B copywriter on the Microsoft Security account. Sole copywriter on Microsoft Security Insider—Microsoft's editorial hub for security leaders—and contributing writer across Microsoft Security's broader cybersecurity and AI portfolio.
- Contributed to 601% year-over-year growth in Security Insider engagement in FY24 as sole copywriter on the account.
- Wrote thought leadership and brand journalism—feature stories, research-driven guides, and reported pieces built from threat-intelligence interviews—plus white papers, campaign ebooks, executive ghostwriting (introductions, forewords, social content), and blog posts for product marketers.
- Translated commissioned analyst research (Gartner, Forrester) into executive summaries, ebooks, and infographics positioning Microsoft Security against the analyst landscape for enterprise security buyers.
- Exceeded FY24 deliverables by up to 31%, producing 28 articles, 63 social ads, and 4 video assets beyond original scope.
- Wrote thought leadership and brand journalism—feature stories, research-driven guides, and reported pieces built from threat-intelligence interviews—plus white papers, campaign ebooks, executive ghostwriting (introductions, forewords, social content), and blog posts for product marketers.
- Translated commissioned analyst research (Gartner, Forrester) into executive summaries, ebooks, and infographics positioning Microsoft Security against the analyst landscape for enterprise security buyers.
- Exceeded FY24 deliverables by up to 31%, producing 28 articles, 63 social ads, and 4 video assets beyond original scope.
Senior B2B Content Writer & Copywriter
Self-Employed — Chicago, IL & Paris, France | February 2016 – April 2022
Independent B2B copywriter for growth-stage SaaS and technology companies across HR tech, fintech, edtech, and accessibility. Based in Paris (2016–2021), then Chicago.
Self-Employed — Chicago, IL & Paris, France | February 2016 – April 2022
Independent B2B copywriter for growth-stage SaaS and technology companies across HR tech, fintech, edtech, and accessibility. Based in Paris (2016–2021), then Chicago.
- Delivered a full website rewrite for BenchPrep (2021) that contributed to a doubling of monthly demo requests, with pages-per-session up 70% and bounce rate down 60%.
- Produced a 2020 research report for RevenueWell that ranked first for the year and second among all gated assets in company history — plus the landing pages, email, and social content that promoted it.
- Pitched and led a 2018 Harris Poll survey report for Yello that generated 70%+ of the year's marketing leads and lifted site traffic 10%.
- Ongoing work for SaaS clients including Jellyvision, M1 Finance, Evive, and AudioEye; boutique B2B agency contract work (+Intention) and event-marketing content (Freeman Company) after returning to Chicago.
- Produced a 2020 research report for RevenueWell that ranked first for the year and second among all gated assets in company history — plus the landing pages, email, and social content that promoted it.
- Pitched and led a 2018 Harris Poll survey report for Yello that generated 70%+ of the year's marketing leads and lifted site traffic 10%.
- Ongoing work for SaaS clients including Jellyvision, M1 Finance, Evive, and AudioEye; boutique B2B agency contract work (+Intention) and event-marketing content (Freeman Company) after returning to Chicago.
B2B Copywriter & Content Marketer
Jellyvision — Chicago, IL | February 2012 – February 2016
Part of the original ALEX team, helping build the content marketing function from the ground up for an HR-tech and benefits audience.
Jellyvision — Chicago, IL | February 2012 – February 2016
Part of the original ALEX team, helping build the content marketing function from the ground up for an HR-tech and benefits audience.
- Helped drive the ALEX Benefits Communication research series (Harris Poll survey data), a flagship thought-leadership program that generated earned media across HR and benefits publications.
- Published bylined articles in HR and benefits trade press under my own name, including Strategic HR Review, and served as a named subject-matter source quoted in outlets such as PLANSPONSOR.
- Created Jellyvision's first external brand guidelines for partners, resellers, and enterprise clients.
- Published bylined articles in HR and benefits trade press under my own name, including Strategic HR Review, and served as a named subject-matter source quoted in outlets such as PLANSPONSOR.
- Created Jellyvision's first external brand guidelines for partners, resellers, and enterprise clients.
EARLIER EXPERIENCE
Senior Writer & Marketing Strategist, University of Chicago Booth School of Business (2010–2012)
Instructional Designer, Kaplan University (2004–2008)
Copy Editor, GIA Publications (2003–2004)
Managing Editor, Ziff Davis Media / GameNOW, Expert Gamer (1999–2002)
Assistant Editor, Emmis Communications (1998–1999)
EDUCATION
Master of Fine Arts, Writing — School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), 2009
- Trustee's Merit Scholar
- Trustee's Merit Scholar
Bachelor of Arts, Program of Liberal Studies; Spanish — University of Notre Dame, 1998
- Meghan Beeler Memorial Scholar
- Meghan Beeler Memorial Scholar