For a good time, take my Copywriting for the Web & Social Platforms class @ MediaBistro.
What do you do Jean Railla?
Well, I like to say I am an observer and maker of culture.
I write books and articles, contribute regularly to public radio and create vibrant web communities. As a brand and content consultant, I work with organizations to tell better stories about what they do.
I have been creating online content as a writer, blogger and creative director for over fifteen years. I have worked with WNYC, etsy.com, NRECA, as well as NIKE, Walmart and Estee Lauder, among several major brands.
Whether it’s an article on indie food purveyors for Bust Magazine or an i-Phone App for Walmart, I am interested in telling stories that tap into current cultural moments.
In my consultancy work, I especially enjoy helping small businesses and non-profits create authentic and impactful messages, and then translate those narratives across all collateral including print, web, email and social media, in ways that are cost-effective and revenue-generating.
Career Highlights
In my early twenties I self-financed, produced and directed 5 Nights Out, a documentary which included the musician Beck before he was Beck. Well-received, it played film festivals and had screenings in Seattle, Portland, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Press included MTV, LA Weekly and the Seatlle Weekly.
In 1997 I launched the indie web zine and community Get Crafty: Making Art Out of Everyday Life (getcrafty.com) and wrote the companion book Get Crafty: Hip Home Ec, which was published by Random House in 2004. Get Crafty received raves and write-ups from the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Self Magazine, Chicago Tribune and several others publications. At its height, this completely independent site received more
than 75,000 visitors a month. GetCrafty.com is no longer live but you can read more about all my cultural products.
Then, I worked as a strategist for Etsy.com, consulting both on the concept, the culture around crafting and how a sustainable community of crafters could be built. Learn more about my industry work.
At R/GA, “the digital agency of the decade,” I was the writer behind the award-winning web site NIKEgoddess.com and the associate creative director responsible for Walmart’s My Holiday iPhone App, featuring daily gifts, tips and recipes. See industry work.
Co-founder of the boutique copywriting agency Railla/Forrest, I worked on the rebranding of Scandia Down, and wrote copy for La Mer, Jo Malone, Vivre, James Beard Organization, along with several others. See industry work.
A passionate gastronome, I write about food and culture whenever I can. See writing.