Benjamin Classen

Co-Founder and Board Member · Coast Film Festival

Bend, OR

In My Own Words

Two-time Webby Awards Nominee and Digiday Awards Nominee for Brand Marketing.

Highly accomplished and dedicated Marketing Director and investor, holding a bachelor's degree, offering over 15 years of success in building, executing, and scaling cross-functional marketing campaigns from concept to completion. Experience with structuring tests, analyzing data, identifying opportunities, and putting learnings into action. Technically proficient, along with an ability to write compelling copy, take photos, and film and edit video. Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills at all levels. Creative, solutions-focused, and results-driven leader possessing an in-depth ability to work across divisional and departmental lines in managing issues with competing priorities.

Work Experience

Co-Founder and Board Member

Coast Film Festival

2018 – Present

Successfully hosted a live festival three years running with a focus on marketing and content processes. Skillfully moved all tickets to a digital system, saving personnel and forty volunteers countless hours while saving the festival over $100k.

Co-Founder & Agency Director

Skeleton Key Agency

2017 – 2022

Recognized for taking the new start up from zero to $1M in sales in two years. Managed, operated, and oversaw a successful marketing agency that spawned an incredible film festival based in Laguna Beach, CA. Provided in-depth support of over a dozen brands with full service marketing and promotional efforts (Clients included Fossil Watches, Gear.com, Fix Mfg., Sunset Magazine, and Tech Deck toy brand, amongst others). Successfully directed a cross-functional staff of 13 employees and approximately 25 volunteers. Recognized a marketing spend of $510k which was misappropriated, and effectively redistributed it, yielding a 4x increase in social followers from the annual campaign. Successfully branded and launched a new product line aimed at urban audiences for an outdoor brand, yielding more than $1M in annual sales.

Senior Editor

Nobleman Magazine

2017 – 2018

Managed, led, and oversaw the production of the quarterly editorial calendar with a focus on performing all interviews with feature guests, outlining product features, and managing brand placements. Held responsibility for writing all cover stories, along with the entire book, for each quarter.

Global Digital Marketing Manager

VonZipper

2015 – 2016

Manage global digital marketing and ECOM initiatives

Integrated Marketing Manger

TEN: The Enthusiast Network

2013 – 2015

Successfully oversaw all aspects of brand marketing and advertising in partnership with 64 media titles. Demonstrated exceptional skills in heading up integrated strategy for outdoor brands and automotive manufacturers, proposal/sales deck development, and budget/project management. Recognized for selling over 12 integrated campaigns to outside advertisers, one making it as a finalist in the 2014 Digiday Awards and the 2015 Webby Awards

Digital Marketing Manager

FCA: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

2012 – 2013

Engaged with outsourced agencies in developing award-winning campaigns and commercial tv spots, and developing unique concept vehicles such as the 2013 SEMA Ram ‘Sun Chaser’. Held an instrumental role in the yearly spending cut of more than 40% in marketing along with an increased dealer digital traffic rate of 14% sustained for three quarters.

Digital Marketing Manager - Music

Skullcandy

2011 – 2012

Performed as an Assistant Producer for two music tours with a focus on content production around all musical acts and product collaborations. Successfully launched five brand product collaborations. Provided in-depth assistance in producing more than thirty-five tour stop events over a year and a half.

Digital Marketing

STANCE

2010 – 2011

Freelance consultant with content production, digital marketing, and website support.

Industries

BikeLifestyleOutdoorSnowSurfHealth & Fitness