Ethan Ames: Copywriter, Strategist, Storyteller, Musician

I’ve been fortunate to work across various industries — from digital agencies, e-learning, and financial services, to e-commerce and music journalism — but, at my core, I’m a storyteller. My goal as a writer is simple: to create content that resonates with target audiences. Whether through a marketing campaign, an engaging script, or editorial content, I aim to inspire and engage.

Over the years, I’ve freelanced with well-known brands and agencies like American Express, Edelman and Capital One. Each of my roles have sharpened my ability to create brand-specific content that leave a lasting impact on audiences and enhance brand performance.

One of my most rewarding challenges at Salted Stone, a digital agency, started with a blank slate. I was asked to write a retrospective case study on a project I hadn’t been involved with. To me, that was where the fun began. I dove deep into talking to team members, gathering insights, and piecing together a narrative that captured the project’s success. What started as a challenge became a discovery process, and it reminded me how much I love uncovering the stories behind raw data.

I’ve also explored my passion for storytelling by being a devoted fiction writer. This passion has led me to serving as a script reader/submission judge at the renowned Austin Film Festival in 2023. My creative prowess and insatiable curiosity shines when I’m building immersive worlds and compelling characters. I’m a student of the craft, and this passion has been a major asset in some of my marketing roles - particulary at a communications agency, Mind & Media, where I wrote digital shorts for a government cybersecurity agency/Mind & Media client, CISA.

Beyond writing, I’m also a musician. Composing, performing and recording music in professional studio environments is a cornerstone of my creative pursuits and other one of my life’s deepest passions.

I’ve come to find that creativity isn’t just an innate passion; creativity is action. To keep it alive, one must maintain momentum and openness to new ideas. There’s a rhythm, progression and tone to all things creative — whether I’m writing a song, crafting a narrative, or working on campaign strategy. Flow, structure, and authenticity are essential to my process.

I have over 15 years of experience as bandleader, songwriter and studio musician. Based out of Austin, TX, my experience playing multiple instruments with other artists and performing original music in my own bands.

My dedication to the craft of songwriting and my skills as an instrumentalist has granted me opportunities to collaborate and create music, both in live and studio settings.

Creativity is my lifeblood, and music is a deep and abiding passion of mine. The process of creation and collaboration has been inspiring every step of the way.

A photo from my band Tish’s album release show at Hole in the Wall in Austin, TX, 11/3/2024.