Mike E. Brown, a.k.a. “Browny,” was once called “the world’s greatest wordsmith.” Granted, it was by his mother, but most agree he’s “a damn good writer.” Once a soulless ad man, Browny now channels his wit, warmth, and knack for voice into thoughtful, engaging memoirs and other page-turners. Through his background in advertising, in which he has written everything from billboards to online videos and everything in between, Browny has developed a unique literary skillset and versatility. He can translate technically challenging material into clear, engaging copy without dumbing it down. He can pivot from eloquent, descriptive prose to punchy, dramatic text within a single paragraph. Most importantly, he helps clients explore and express their ideas and thoughts in a way that feels both authentic and distinctly their own.

Mike Brown

Mike E. Brown, a.k.a. “Browny,” was once called “the world’s greatest wordsmith.” Granted, it was by his mother, but most agree he’s “a damn good writer.” Once a soulless ad man, Browny now channels his wit, warmth, and knack for voice into thoughtful, engaging memoirs and other page-turners. Through his background in advertising, in which he has written everything from billboards to online videos and everything in between, Browny has developed a unique literary skillset and versatility. He can translate technically challenging material into clear, engaging copy without dumbing it down. He can pivot from eloquent, descriptive prose to punchy, dramatic text within a single paragraph. Most importantly, he helps clients explore and express their ideas and thoughts in a way that feels both authentic and distinctly their own.

Available to hire

Mike E. Brown, a.k.a. “Browny,” was once called “the world’s greatest wordsmith.” Granted, it was by his mother, but most agree he’s “a damn good writer.” Once a soulless ad man, Browny now channels his wit, warmth, and knack for voice into thoughtful, engaging memoirs and other page-turners.

Through his background in advertising, in which he has written everything from billboards to online videos and everything in between, Browny has developed a unique literary skillset and versatility. He can translate technically challenging material into clear, engaging copy without dumbing it down. He can pivot from eloquent, descriptive prose to punchy, dramatic text within a single paragraph. Most importantly, he helps clients explore and express their ideas and thoughts in a way that feels both authentic and distinctly their own.

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Work Experience

Freelance Writer at Self-employed
February 1, 2021 - Present
I help to concept and write headlines and copy for books (creative nonfiction), social media, videos, websites, e-newsletters, print executions, emails, and other marketing collateral.
Chief Operating Officer at Flying Axes (Louisville, KY)
June 1, 2023 - August 22, 2025
As a co-founder of a small chain of axe-throwing venues, I led brand development, daily operations, expansion efforts, investor relations, as well as the marketing and management teams.
VP, Creative Director at LEAP (Louisville, KY)
June 1, 2017 - August 22, 2025
Led a team of art directors, designers, copywriters, and other creatives to produce smart, integrated, and engaging marketing campaigns, including websites (creative and UX design), classic digital advertising, video, print, social media, and brand identity.
Senior Writer at Bandy Carroll Hellige (Louisville, KY)
April 1, 2011 - August 22, 2025
Helped lead a team of art directors, web designers, and copywriters to create both traditional and integrated advertising campaigns.
Freelance Writer at Self-employed
July 1, 2010 - August 22, 2025
Concepted and wrote headlines and copy for print campaigns, TV and radio spots, websites, e-newsletters, and various print executions.
Writer at Red 7e (Louisville, KY)
November 1, 2009 - August 22, 2025
Produced award-quality advertisements across TV, print, radio, and out-of-home campaigns. Developed concise, strategic, and engaging concepts.
Marketing Director at Youth Interactive (Austin, TX)
March 1, 2006 - August 22, 2025
Promoted health and fitness to school-aged kids and their families through events such as adventure races and fitness fairs. Promoted events and attracted corporate sponsors.
Writer at Javelin Direct (Dallas, TX)
June 1, 2005 - August 22, 2025
Wrote headlines, copy and helped concept digital campaigns that included landing pages, banner ads, newsletters, and email blasts.
Freelance Writer at Self-employed
February 1, 2021 - Present
I help to concept and write headlines and copy for books (creative nonfiction), social media, videos, websites, e-newsletters, print executions, emails, and more.
Chief Operating Officer at Flying Axes (Louisville, KY)
June 1, 2023 - August 22, 2025
As a co-founder of a small chain of axe-throwing venues, I led brand development, daily operations, expansion efforts, and investor relations, as well as led the marketing and management teams.
VP, Creative Director at LEAP (Louisville, KY)
June 1, 2017 - August 22, 2025
Led a team of art directors, designers, copywriters, and other creatives to produce smart, integrated, and engaging marketing campaigns including websites (creative and UX design), classic digital advertising, video, print, social media, and brand identity.
Senior Writer at Bandy Caroll Hellige (Louisville, KY)
April 1, 2011 - August 22, 2025
Helped lead a team of art directors, web designers, and other copywriters to create both traditional and integrated advertising campaigns.
Freelance Writer at Self-employed
July 1, 2010 - August 22, 2025
Helped to concept and write headlines and copy for print campaigns, TV and radio spots, websites, e-newsletters, and a variety of print executions.
Writer at Red 7e (Louisville, KY)
November 1, 2009 - August 22, 2025
Produced award-winning advertising campaigns for TV, print, radio, and out-of-home media. Focused on creating concise, strategically solid, and engaging concepts.
Marketing Director at Youth Interactive (Austin, TX)
March 1, 2006 - August 22, 2025
Promoted health and fitness to school-aged kids and their families through events like adventure races and fitness fairs. Promoted events, executed them, and attracted corporate sponsors.
Writer at Javelin Direct (Dallas, TX)
June 1, 2005 - August 22, 2025
Wrote headlines, copy, and helped concept digital campaigns including landing pages, banner ads, newsletters, and email blasts.
Freelance Writer at Self-employed
February 1, 2021 - Present
I help to concept and write headlines and copy for books (creative nonfiction), social media, videos, websites, e-newsletters, print executions, emails, and other media. This role involves creating engaging and creative content for a variety of platforms.
Chief Operating Officer at Flying Axes (Louisville, KY)
June 1, 2023 - August 22, 2025
As a co-founder of a small chain of axe-throwing venues, I led brand development, daily operations, expansion efforts, investor relations, as well as the marketing and management teams. This role combined entrepreneurial leadership with hands-on operational and marketing responsibilities.
VP, Creative Director at LEAP (Louisville, KY)
June 1, 2017 - August 22, 2025
Led a team of art directors, designers, copywriters, and other creatives to produce smart, integrated, and engaging marketing campaigns. Campaigns included websites (creative and UX design), classic digital advertising, video, print, social media, and brand identity projects.
Senior Writer at Bandy Carroll Hellige (Louisville, KY)
April 1, 2011 - August 22, 2025
Helped lead a team of art directors, web designers, and other copywriters to create both traditional and integrated advertising campaigns, producing copy and concepts across various formats.
Freelance Writer at Self-employed
July 1, 2010 - August 22, 2025
Concepted and wrote headlines and copy for print campaigns, TV and radio spots, websites, e-newsletters, and a variety of print executions.
Writer at Red 7e (Louisville, KY)
November 1, 2009 - August 22, 2025
Created award-quality advertising copy for TV, print, radio, and out-of-home campaigns. Developed concise, strategically solid, and engaging concepts that won awards across mediums.
Marketing Director at Youth Interactive (Austin, TX)
March 1, 2006 - August 22, 2025
Promoted health and fitness to school-aged kids and their families through events such as adventure races and fitness fairs. Helped promote the events, put them on, and attracted corporate sponsors.
Writer at Javelin Direct (Dallas, TX)
June 1, 2005 - August 22, 2025
Wrote headlines, copy, and helped concept digital campaigns including landing pages, banner ads, newsletters, and email blasts.
Freelance Writer at Self-employed
February 1, 2021 - Present
Helping to concept and write headlines and copy for creative nonfiction books, social media, videos, websites, e-newsletters, print executions, and emails. Providing writing services for diverse marketing materials.
Chief Operating Officer at Flying Axes (Louisville, KY)
June 30, 2023 - August 22, 2025
As a co-founder of a small chain of axe-throwing venues, I led brand development, daily operations, expansion efforts, investor relations, as well as marketing and management teams to successfully grow the business.
VP, Creative Director at LEAP (Louisville, KY)
June 30, 2017 - August 22, 2025
Led a team of art directors, designers, copywriters, and other creatives to produce integrated marketing campaigns including creative and UX web design, digital advertising, video, print, social media, and brand identity projects.
Senior Writer at Bandy Carroll Hellige (Louisville, KY)
April 30, 2011 - August 22, 2025
Helped lead a team of art directors, web designers, and other copywriters to create traditional and integrated advertising campaigns across various media.
Freelance Writer at Self-employed
July 31, 2010 - August 22, 2025
Conceptualized and wrote headlines and copy for print campaigns, TV and radio spots, websites, e-newsletters, and various print executions.
Writer at Red 7e (Louisville, KY)
November 30, 2009 - August 22, 2025
Produced award-quality ads across TV, print, radio, and out-of-home campaigns. Developed concise, strategically solid, and engaging concepts that won various creative awards.
Marketing Director at Youth Interactive (Austin, TX)
March 31, 2006 - August 22, 2025
Promoted health and fitness to school-aged children and their families through events such as adventure races and fitness fairs, managing event promotion and corporate sponsorship acquisition.
Writer at Javelin Direct (Dallas, TX)
June 30, 2005 - August 22, 2025
Wrote headlines, copy, and helped conceptualize digital campaigns including landing pages, banner ads, newsletters, and email blasts.

Education

Master of Arts - Advertising/Portfolio Program at University of Texas (Austin, TX)
January 1, 2002 - August 22, 2025
Bachelor of Arts - Journalism/Advertising at University of Kentucky (Lexington, KY)
January 1, 1997 - August 22, 2025
MA - Advertising / Portfolio Program at University of Texas (Austin, TX)
January 1, 2002 - August 22, 2025
BA - Journalism / Advertising at University of Kentucky (Lexington, KY)
January 1, 1997 - August 22, 2025
MA at University of Texas (Austin, TX)
January 1, 2000 - January 1, 2002
BA at University of Kentucky (Lexington, KY)
January 1, 1993 - January 1, 1997
MA - Advertising / Portfolio Program at University of Texas (Austin, TX)
January 1, 2002 - January 1, 2002
BA - Journalism / Advertising at University of Kentucky (Lexington, KY)
January 1, 1997 - January 1, 1997

Qualifications

Three District 5 Silver ADDY Awards
January 1, 2014 - August 22, 2025
Louie Awards Judges Choice (Louisville ADDYs)
January 1, 2014 - August 22, 2025
PRINT Regional Design Annual
January 1, 2011 - August 22, 2025
PRINT Regional Design Annual
January 1, 2010 - August 22, 2025
Louie Awards Best of Show (Louisville ADDYs)
January 1, 2009 - August 22, 2025
1st Place (Interactive) - One Club Young Professional Category
January 1, 2000 - August 22, 2025
80+ Gold and Silver Louie Awards (across multiple years)
January 11, 2030 - August 22, 2025
Three District 5 Silver Addy Awards
January 1, 2014 - August 22, 2025
Louie Awards Judges Choice (Louisville ADDYs)
January 1, 2014 - August 22, 2025
PRINT Regional Design Annual
January 1, 2011 - August 22, 2025
PRINT Regional Design Annual
January 1, 2010 - August 22, 2025
Louie Awards Best of Show (Louisville ADDYs)
January 1, 2009 - August 22, 2025
1st Place (Interactive) - One Club Young Professional Category
January 1, 2000 - August 22, 2025
Three District 5 Silver ADDY Awards
January 1, 2014 - August 22, 2025
Louie Awards Judges Choice (Louisville ADDYs)
January 1, 2014 - August 22, 2025
PRINT Regional Design Annual
January 1, 2011 - August 22, 2025
PRINT Regional Design Annual
January 1, 2010 - August 22, 2025
Louie Awards Best of Show (Louisville ADDYs)
January 1, 2009 - August 22, 2025
1st Place (Interactive) - One Club Young Professional Category
January 1, 2000 - August 22, 2025
Three District 5 Silver Addy Awards
January 1, 2014 - August 22, 2025
Louie Awards Judges Choice (Louisville ADDYs)
January 1, 2014 - August 22, 2025
PRINT Regional Design Annual
January 1, 2011 - August 22, 2025
PRINT Regional Design Annual
January 1, 2010 - August 22, 2025
Louie Awards Best of Show (Louisville ADDYs)
January 1, 2009 - August 22, 2025
1st Place Interactive - One Club Young Professional Category
January 1, 2000 - August 22, 2025
80+ Gold and Silver Louie Awards (multiple years)
January 11, 2030 - August 22, 2025

Industry Experience

Consumer Goods, Retail, Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Education, Other