The Hired Pen

Professional Qualifications

Bruce R. Mendelsohn ("The Hired Pen")

A digital marketing and social media storyteller who helps organizations design, develop, and deliver measurable and memorable marketing, PR, content development, and branding campaigns, Bruce Mendelsohn is Principal of The Hired Pen. Serving diverse clients in businesses, higher education, nonprofits, law enforcement, and government agencies, Mr. Mendelsohn is a verified professional Journalist, nationally recognized social media expert, and a Constant Contact "All Star."

The Hired Pen's copywriting and copyediting credentials include researching, writing, and disseminating content for websites, social media, blogs, and Intranets, E-mail newsletters, Annual Reports, Press Releases, Direct Mail, Congressional testimony, speeches and talking points. Mr. Mendelsohn's professional accomplishments include:

Writing a report to the U.S. Congress that informed creation of a national plan to transform Federal detention operations
Growing enrollment 650% in a engineering leadership program for undergraduate students at Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Promoting the national crime-fighting icon, McGruff The Crime Dog
Planning and implementing a $80M campaign to build the National Law Enforcement Museum in Washington, D.C.
Increasing Intranet engagement 280% for the Massachusetts Department of Youth Services

Multimedia content produced by The Hired Pen for clients has appeared in People Magazine, CNN Wolf Blitzer Presents, CNN The Situation Room, and Headline News, ABC Nightly News, CBS Evening News, FOX News, the Associated Press, The New York Times, USA Today, MoneyInc.com, Equities.com, The Boston Globe, Boston Business Journal, Worcester Business Journal, Massachusetts NonProfit Network, CommPRO.biz, and other media outlets.

A former U.S. Army officer with service in Korea and Germany, Mr. Mendelsohn graduated from Vassar College and has a Master’s Degree in Systems Management (Organizational Behavior) from the University of Southern California--Marshall School of Business. He is a Trustee on the Board of The Rensselaerville Institute and was a civilian first responder at the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. He lives in Central Massachusetts. Contact Mr. Mendelsohn at bruce.mendelsohn90@gmail.com

Client Testimonials

“Bruce provided important expertise for us during the execution stage of the launch of our new company, TAG Media Solutions. He led the website architecture phase, development, launch and social media strategy for both our companies. He would make a valuable asset to any marketing team.” Paul Provost; Publisher, Worcester Telegram & Gazette

“You delivered outstanding writing and editing skills on very short notice to help Ascend Analytics complete our RFP for the New York Power Authority. You conveyed a highly complex topic in layman’s terms, using active and engaging language. I think your greatest strength is that you understand the commercial element to writing for marketing purposes, and you brought that understanding to us when we needed it most.” Dr. Gary Dorris, President, Ascend Analytics; www.ascendanalytics.com

“An excellent communicator, Bruce is motivated, professional, and has a brilliant mind for marketing, communications, and social media. I cannot recommend Bruce enough. He's willing to go the extra mile, and he will make any employer glad they hired him!” Jared Sharp; Employment and Training Specialist, Veterans Inc.

"Thanks for your work on the Annual Report. Your writing provides strong images about the library and engages the reader with the services we offer, our continuing efforts to bring more resources and our concern with the physical space patrons use. You bring an important strength to the Board of Trustees." Matt Toth, Chairman, Auburn [MA] Public Library Board of Trustees

"I trust you Bruce, I hope you know this. You have guided me well since we began working together. This, I am very appreciative for. Bruce, I most definitely want to stay close to you. I really admire your style, but most important to me, how dedicated you have become to me and my business. I sincerely mean this. It is obvious in your willingness to work with me (even at the last minute) and tips you send." (Kim Harmon; Owner, Harmon Home Health Care)

"Bruce’s creativity has proven very effective in our synagogue's marketing efforts. His writing is engaging and original and working with him is a pleasure. He understands what drives our clientele and respects our audience's intelligence and experience. His brilliant marketing pieces have resulted in an 80% increase in membership and/or philanthropic support for our organization." (Mendel Bluming; Rabbi, Chabad Shul of Potomac, MD)

"I really appreciate your quick turnaround on this project as well as your expertise. I couldn't have come up with something as good as this so I'm certainly extremely grateful for your help. Excellence in this will help us get more men to events, which means we can affect more lives. I have no doubt that this work will help us impact 1000 more men than we would have without your support. I can't thank you enough for your help with this project which promises to be another home run." (George Young; National Seminar Director, www.fathers.com)

"Thanks for the good work, Bruce. Please feel free to use me as a reference." (Mark Bilotta, President, Colleges of Worcester Consortium)

"This is very creative and exactly in the direction I was thinking. I really appreciate your quick turnaround on this and your expertise. There is no way I could have come up with something as good as this so I'm certainly extremely grateful for your help. Excellence in this will help us get more men to events, which means we can affect more lives. I have no doubt that this work will help us impact over 1000 more men in 2008 than we would have without your support. I can't thank you enough for your help with this." "I can't tell you how much we have appreciated your work, and this promises to be another home run. Thanks again for your time and input; it is invaluable to us." (George Young; National Seminar Director; Resource Development; www.fathers.com)

"We are certainly pleased with your work promoting MassPLASTICS. Although we have many people who would do this per diem for less, you have the research, knowledge, and experience." (David McKeehan; Former CEO, North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce)

"I constantly say what a great job you've done, and we are certainly pleased with your work promoting MassPLASTICS. Although we have many people who would do this per diem for less, you have the research, knowledge, and experience. Count on me for a stellar reference." (David McKeehan, CEO, North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce)

Thanks, Bruce! You're the best when it comes to communication and follow-up - literally. (M. Kathleen Brown, Partner, Bloch and Brown Associates)

"A collaborative team player and skilled communicator, Bruce is equally adept planning high-level strategy as he is implementing tactics that deliver tangible, measurable results. As the CEO of the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF), I appreciated the tremendous passion and energy Bruce devoted to fundraising and awareness building efforts in the New England Region: the successes he achieved were deeply rooted in his natural ability to create and build authentic relationships with donors.

Bruce's interactions with lay leaders, donors and staff were characterized by respect for all. His excellent communications skills enable him to convey ideas and initiatives clearly; while diplomatically expressing his own opinions and ideas, he is open and receptive to opinions of others and enthusiastically seeks advice on how to improve his performance and results." (Major General [Ret.] Meir Klifi-Amir)

"I hired Bruce as a freelance contractor. In this role, he demonstrated outstanding professionalism and deep expertise in his field. A superb communicator, Bruce understands and deploys emerging technologies that help me connect with new audiences, while simultaneously deepening and broadening established relationships

"Bruce has a deep, intrinsic understanding of how marketing, public relations, business development, and media work, repeatedly executing his projects and reaching our targets with an uncanny eye and drive to exceed client expectations. Bruce is both detailed oriented and has a strategic vision of organizational projects and goals.

"Finally, Bruce inspires and challenges his teams with charm and strong leadership---he is a driven and enthusiastic leader, with a keen ability to work with diverse, international and multicultural team members, all with deep dedication, perspective, and sense of humor.
"I have great respect for Bruce. He is a fantastic asset to any team as a member or leader. I wholeheartedly can provide Bruce the highest recommendation possible."

Clara Piloto; Director of Global Programs, MIT Professional Education

Further References

(.pdf files)

Craig W. Floyd, Chariman and CEO,
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund

Chief Charles Ramsey,
Washington, DC, Metropolitan Police Department

GEL Program,
Parent Thank You

Kazimir Karwowski, MIT,
Engineering Leadership Specialist