Overview
Cynthia West is a strategic marketing consultant and writer. She excels at carefully examining operational challenges, identifying untapped opportunities, and imagining future growth potential. Her skills include targeted marketing communications, crisis management, and public relations initiatives.
Areas of Expertise
- Strategic Marketing
- Communications
- Art & Culture Promotion
Education
- M.A. English /Writing (1999), Simmons College, Boston, MA
- B.A. Literary Writing (1992), Trinity College, Hartford, CT
Strategic Marketing
Brookside Media Group, 2006-2016
Cynthia founded Brookside Media Group using a virtual agency model. Brookside assisted arts organizations, small businesses, schools and non-profits as they worked to navigate marketing strategy,
build brand and develop audience retention. During this time, Cynthia was a frequent writing consultant for Church & Main, a Keene, New Hampshire advertising agency, where she led creative teams in the creation of a diverse array of collateral.
Saturn Asset Management, 1993-1998
Cynthia worked with a small team of co-founders in a Boston-based venture capital firm prior to her consulting career. She was responsible for all aspects of investor relations,
business formation and alternative financing documentation, marketing campaigns for zero and first stage companies, and crisis management services. Cynthia’s team raised the private equity that launched the wildly popular Boston Duck Tours. Cynthia also worked from the ground up with FreeMarkets, Inc., as they sought financing and developed marketing strategies. Nine years later, FreeMarkets was purchased by Ariba for $493 million.
Writing & Publishing
Copywriting, Editing & Research, 2013-present
Writing and editing services for businesses, non-profits and individuals. Project consultation and manuscript review. Memoir writing workshops.
Monadnock Living magazine 2007-2016
As the former Publisher/Founder of award-winning Monadnock Living magazine, Cynthia worked with a creative team to develop an art and culture publication for southern New Hampshire.
Other Written Work
Cynthia’s written work has appeared in La Vie Claire, Old House Interiors, The Food Network Magazine, New Hampshire Magazine, Vineyard Magazine and several other regional publications.
Cynthia has interviewed a variety of personalities and professionals including John Updike, F. Lee Bailey, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Julia Glass, Celebrity Chefs Robert Irvine and the Deen Brothers, Aerosmith’s Joey Kramer, New England Patriot Benjamin Watson, and Stanley Cup winner Ray Bourque.
Flexible work habits, deadline sensitivity, and excellent feedback from readers are trademarks of her work.
Northshore Living magazine, 2003-2007
Cynthia was the Editor-in-Chief of Northshore Living magazine in Massachusetts, where she directed the editorial content and artistry, as well as advertiser retention.
CMI Report, 2005-2007
Cynthia was the Editor of The CMI Report, a magazine that highlighted the philanthropic endeavors of celebrity athletes.
Art & Culture Advocacy
Artist Profiles | Alternative Gift Giving Guide
As a publisher and writer, Cynthia has highlighted the unique stories of over 50 New England artisans through print and digital media. She also championed non-profit organizations through an annual guide that put forth alternatives to traditional holiday giving.