Brian O’Connor is a writer, editor, and marketing strategist in Connecticut.
He’s also one half of Brunch Money.
Brian has helped transform digital operations for financial services companies, media brands, and startups.
He’s written about politics, small business, and beer, among other things.*
*He once chatted with the NATO Secretary General / former Prime Minister of Norway about Oslo’s beer scene. The bodyguards didn’t appreciate it.
Marketing and Digital Strategy
I’ve held full-time, in-house marketing and digital strategy roles at Fortune 100 companies and have worked with small businesses and startups through Brunch Money. My marketing experience includes:
Branding and voice
User experience
Content marketing
Inbound lead generation
Email marketing campaigns
SEO and SEM strategy
Technical SEO
Organic and Paid Social Media
Event marketing
On-site activations
Writing
News and Analysis
BBC News
The Rise of the Anti-Work Movement
“A few years ago, anti-work was a radical, fringe idea, but the pandemic incarnation of this movement has grown faster and become more well known outside these political circles.”
How Memes Got Broke Millennials through the Recession
“When the world went into financial crisis, millennials left behind in the chaos found solace in the only place that understood them: the internet.”
The Unrealistic Expectations of Retirement Behaviour
“Fewer than half of American baby boomers have more than $100,000 in retirement funds, even though one estimate puts healthcare costs in retirement for the average couple at $280,000.”
*He once chatted with the NATO Secretary General / former Prime Minister of Norway about Oslo’s beer scene, which was both cool and a little intimidating. The bodyguards didn’t seem to appreciate it.
Foreign Affairs
NATO’s Next Move: A Conversation with Jens Stoltenberg
“After serving as Norway’s prime minister from 2005 to 2013, Jens Stoltenberg took over as the 13th Secretary General of NATO this past March. As his tenure began, Russia was still fomenting unrest in Ukraine and the Islamic State (also called ISIS) was wreaking havoc in Iraq and Syria. […]”
Time Magazine
President Trump and Brexit Are Only the Start
“But now that President Trump is coming, we must look at this election in the broader context of Western populism—a trend that shows no sign of true direction but also shows no signs of weakening anytime soon.”
Business and Finance
JPMorgan Chase
Starting a Business Checklist: 5 Important Actions to Take Before you Open
“[…] Managing the day-to-day operations of a small business is a full-time job in and of itself, so take advantage of the time you have before you hang up an ‘Open’ sign in your new shop.”
Jay Baer's important business insights for 2019
“It's not always easy to come up with fresh ideas to keep your business growing, or stay on top of trends. All too often entrepreneurs are trapped in the 24/7 grind of running a business, left with little time to innovate, expand and challenge themselves.”
Fundera
21 Modern Lead Generation Strategies That Actually Work in 2020
“One size doesn’t fit all for most things small business, and that’s the case with lead generation strategies, too. Even knowing that, though, many small business owners still struggle to determine which lead generation strategies work for their company, industry, or for business size.”
How to Start a Digital Marketing Agency
“The proliferation of digital marketing tools has made it easier for businesses and entrepreneurs to try their hand at developing effective marketing campaigns. Perhaps paradoxically, however, this same phenomenon has made it harder for businesses to market themselves well.”
Culture
The Awl
”Reddit thrives on submissions from anonymous users, and the uncompensated work of its army of moderators. Their contributions to the site have catapulted a wonky, oft-ignored panoply of post-driven message boards into the tenth biggest website in the United States.”
The New Republic
Is a Community Still a Community Without a Bookstore?
”Some patrons would take three buses and a subway before climbing the steep hill to get to our store—all in the pursuit of a new book and, most importantly, to talk about their love of reading with the staff, many of whom had relationships with them that spanned decades.”
