Antonio Cuevas
Antonio Cuevas
Editorial Director/Content Producer/Digital Marketing Strategist
DTLA
WHAT DO YOU DO?
“I have a hybrid background in editorial content and marketing.”
I work with brands and publishers to produce digital content—articles, blog posts, photography, social media posts—for content marketing campaigns.
I’ve worked with a ton of categories but I’m expert lately with: alcohol brands and social impact and sustainability topics.
The scope of what I do: 1. create strategy and come up with content ideas, 2. get it written and edited, 3. get images/photography, 4. handle the logistics of publishing. I also have a few years of experience in pulling together creative teams and managing them through production.
WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO GET WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
I’ve worked on staff at major publishers and media companies like L.A Times, Chicago Tribune, Variety, William Morris Endeavor. I'm proud of the relationships I’ve built with many media and creative pros.
FOR OTHER PEOPLE IN YOUR FIELD, WHAT DO THEY USUALLY LACK?
I think many writers, social media specialists, influencers and video producers are often hired to simply produce. I hear about brands spending to create rad material but so often with only a tad of brand strategy or organization for publishing on all the appropriate platforms. Having a media/publishing background, I know how to think big picture how to conceptualize, produce and publish/promote a stream of content. I also know how to keep the process as agile and streamlined as possible.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?
I’m working as the senior editor on a special series focused on projects around the world trying to shape the future. It’s publishing on www.good.is, a social impact/environmentalist magazine, and the series is sponsored by Hennessy. The brand’s tradition for making cognac requires a 50-year aging process. So, basically, the cognac that is going into production today isn’t for me and you, it’s for a future generation. That’s where the future theme came from.
WE ARE ALL SLASHIES WITH MULTIPLE SKILLS, WHICH ONE DO YOU WISH YOU COULD DO MORE OFTEN?
Honestly, I’m doing the perfect balance right now.
WHAT IS FRUSTRATING YOU RIGHT NOW?
When my work schedule takes a bite out of my time for social and networking events.
WHAT TASK KEEPS LANDING AT THE BOTTOM OF THE TO DO LIST?
Create a “Look Book” of curated and original content to share and present my POV on topics like creative process, media, technology, trends, human communication.
IF YOU COULD HIRE SOMEONE FOR $20/HOUR, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE THEM DO TO MAKE YOUR DAY EASIER?
Copyediting; spelunking stock photo sites for gorgeousness.
LET'S BRING OUT THE TIME MACHINE. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD HAVE TOLD YOURSELF, WHEN, AND WHY?
I’ve always had personal projects to feed my need for a creative outlet—like building magazine websites, radio/music DJing, photography. Back when I created my first magazine site, I would’ve advised twenty-something me to seek out more collaboration on all creative projects.
IF YOU COULD TALK TO AN EXPERT TO GAIN MORE INSIGHT ON SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?
Martha Stewart and Snoop on staying resilient and highly (that’s a pun) relevant in the media.
WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES/PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
Content initiatives to help move the needle for a brand’s image and relationship with their target audience on the Internet. Collaborations with other creatives are cool, too.
WHAT IS YOUR IDEAL CLIENT?
I don’t get mad at: at least a little daring; driven to be better—especially if there’s a social or environmental aspect to their mission; clear with communication; has a good sense of of what their current fans love about their brand/their product or service.
WHAT IS YOUR RATE?
I switch back and forth between proposing hourly and project-basis.
HOW SHOULD SOMEONE APPROACH YOU ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER?
Email is the very best way to get me, followed by LinkedIn Messages. One of my favorite stages is scoping the possibilities so don’t be shy if you don’t know precisely what you want.
HOW DO YOU STAY CREATIVE?
I follow my curiosity constantly. I have binders full (lol) of editorial outlines, article drafts, photography sessions that were obviously more about practice and inspiration.
This member profile was originally published in February 2016, Updated August 2018.