Jon Bell
616-706-4817
Denver, CO -> Orange County, CA (Summer 2025)
Let’s Connect
Whether you have a project in mind or just want to say “Hello”, we’d love to hear from you.
hello@companybell.com
Communications, Brand, and Creative Director
Creative and entrepreneurial leader with a passion for brand storytelling and and a track record of turning ideas into impactful, real-world results. With 19 years of creative leadership experience, I specialize in crafting engaging customer experiences and delivering integrated campaigns that elevate brands and build lasting connections with their audiences.
About
Leading Communications and Creative for a Mission-Driven Organization
As Communications and Creative Director at AIA Colorado, I amplify the voice of the architecture profession across the state. I lead initiatives that support 2,600 members—architects, licensure candidates, and industry professionals—through storytelling, advocacy support, and creative strategies. My work helps elevate the profession to design a more equitable, sustainable, and beautiful Colorado, aligning communications with our mission to inspire and empower.
Driving Creative Success Across Industries
With an entrepreneurial mindset and a passion for storytelling, my former creative agency, Company Bell, delivered over 500 creative projects for 82 clients, helping businesses and organizations elevate their brands and achieve measurable growth. Highlights include rebranding Tooling Systems Group—Midwest’s largest tool and die company with 13 subsidiaries—and designing Immerse, winner of the 2022 EPCA Best Book Award.
Innovating for Impact
I developed MI Recovery, the first interactive directory of 1,635 substance abuse recovery resources in West Michigan, funded by the State of Michigan. This tool, now utilized by seven Health Departments, meets critical State and Federal requirements, demonstrating how thoughtful design can make a real difference.
Entrepreneurship and Startups
I created and grew MichiganAwesome, a DTC apparel company that was one of Shopify’s first 500 stores, sparking Michigan’s state-love apparel trend. Earlier, I co-launched HeartSupport, a nonprofit offering late-night, online chat counseling for teens, an innovative solution to address mental health challenges.
Global Vision, Local Expertise
From producing film projects in Burundi, Ethiopia, and Honduras to leading speaking tours across the US, Canada, and UK, my work has spanned continents and cultures. I also collaborated with Charity: Water to launch their first ever text-to-donate campaign, amplifying their global impact.
Building Brands from the Ground Up
My career kickstarted with a mission for growth through strategic marketing and creative excellence. Partnering with a speaker and author Rob Bell, my work managed his global tours, produced conferences attended by thousands as well as studio films and live event films, contributing to his success with multiple New York Times Bestselling books, helping to secure his place on TIME’s 100 Most Influential list in 2011.
Skills
- Creative direction and fostering high-performing creative teams
- Integrated campaign development across digital, print, email, social media, TV, and eCommerce
- Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro) and Microsoft Office, iWork, Figma, Sketch, and WordPress
- Production capabilities for film, web, and print
- Expertise in project management, operations, and budget/P&L oversight
- Experienced public speaker who enjoys giving client presentations and pitches
- Deep understanding of customer insights and behavior analysis to drive engagement and retention
- Entrepreneurial mindset with a focus on aligning creative solutions with measurable business goals
Education
B.B.A. Marketing, Sales Emphasis, Grand Valley State University, Seidman College of Business
Kendall College of Art and Design, Continuing education courses in print and graphic design, 2009-2013
Experience
2022 – Present
AIA Colorado • Denver, CO • aiacolorado.org
Communications & Creative Director
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is the member organization for the architecture industry with over 101,000 members in the United States. In Colorado, we serve 2,619 licensed architects as well as 450 industry allied members and my communications and creative roles are essential to informing and equipping Colorado’s architecture community. I plan and execute all external and internal communications for the organization and programs utilized by membership, political advocacy, direct volunteer engagement, as well as develop all design and web based creative.
- Programs include the annual Design + Honor Awards, Colorado’s most prestigious architectural awards, and the Practice + Design Conference, an annual 3-day conference attended by 500
- Publish the twice-monthly industry newsletter, enjoying a 70+% open rate and have doubled social media following
- In first year of employment, I saved the organization $60,000 in business efficiency and cost savings relative to prior year’s creative expenses. Expanded financial opportunities by creating new sponsorship programs and launched ‘Find an Architect’ program
- Launched relationship with Architecture ByDesign TV show to feature Colorado architects in upcoming episodes
2012 – 2022
Company Bell • Denver, CO (previously Grand Rapids, MI) • companybell.com
Company Bell was a creative agency I founded and led. Designed logos, brand guides, print marketing collateral, website development, UX wireframes, digital advertising, product packaging, trade show experiences, customer personas, direct mail, photography and film shoots
- Managed 3 employees and 8 freelancers, conducting the business and directing all production
- Served 82 individual clients, delivering over 500 projects
- Industries served include publishing, CPG, real estate, manufacturing, food Service logistics, education, apparel, roofing and home remodeling, insurance, financial services, author/speaker, and nonprofit
2009 – 2012
Michigan Awesome • Grand Rapids, MI • michiganawesome.com
Against the backdrop of the auto industry bailouts and general economic hardships of 2008, I began implementing my ideas as a celebration of hometown love disguised as an apparel company, pioneering new ways for Michiganders to be Smitten With The Mitten™. After 3 years of exponential growth, I sold the business above 3x valuation.
- One of the first 500 Shopify stores worldwide
- Created print-on-demand system to support an innovative matrix of 40+ trademarked designs screen-printed on 16+ types of clothing items
- As part of organic PR activities, was a frequent guest on local TV news outlets and in print
2008 – 2010
The Image Group • Holland, MI
Account Manager
My experiences at The Image Group shaped my understanding of the design and advertising industry. At the agency staffed by about 30 employees, I practiced a range of agency services, including workshop facilitation, photo and video production, budgeting, product launches, website development, and mapping customer personas.
2007 – 2008
Heart Support • Grand Rapids, MI • heartsupport.com
Co-Founder, Director of Operations
Started a nonprofit organization to address the spiking rates of teen depression and suicide by connecting those in need with counselors through online chat. At the time, we were the only provider of such services in USA. I spoke publicly over 40 times to audiences up to 2,500, leading to 10,000 unique visitors in the first month and averaged 250 counseling experiences each month thereafter.
2006 – 2010
Self-employed • Grand Rapids, MI
Event Producer, Film Producer
Produced over 100 live events across USA, Canada, and UK featuring Rob Bell, New York Times Bestselling author and recipient of TIME 100 Most Influential People. The tours and events were attended by over 150,000. I produced 2 live tour films as well as 5-disc DVD curriculum box set. Several of the events were multi-day conference experiences where I oversaw every aspect from marketing and promotion, to ticketing, venue selection and management, and on-stage production.
Additional Experiences
- Leadership Grand Rapids, Class of 2014, Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce
- Business Advisory Committee Member, Kent Innovation High School, 2014 – 2015
- Community Advisory Member, Downtown Market, Grand Rapids, 2013 – 2014
- Two time Start Garden Business Grant Award Winner, 4/2012
- Winner, 5×5 Night Business Pitch Competition, 6/2011