SPS Stories
Faculty Spotlight
Simon Mullin
Adjunct Instructor, Center for Publishing
Center for Publishing, Writing, and Media
A New Document Design + Data Storytelling Expert
Fast Facts
- NYU College of Arts & Science alumnus with a background in politics and gender & sexuality
- Brings 13+ years of experience at American Express, Martha Stewart Living, and L'Oreal
- His goal is to share knowledge with new writers to create solid foundations for their careers
<p><span class="p-body">This spring, the MS in Professional Writing program at NYU SPS is excited to welcome Simon Mullin as the new instructor for our core course, Document Design and Data Storytelling. A seasoned copywriter and creative director, Simon has spent over two decades shaping compelling narratives in New York City, where he has also made his home. </span></p>
<p><span class="p-body">Mullin is also an NYU College of Arts & Science alum with a background in politics and gender & sexuality and brings over thirteen years of experience from leadership roles at prominent organizations such as American Express, Martha Stewart Living, and L'Oreal, among others.</span></p>
<p><span class="p-body">At NYU SPS, Mullin is eager to pass on his professional insights and experiences. We had the chance to chat with him about this exciting new chapter of his career and what he hopes to bring to the classroom.</span></p>
A Tactful Rebrand
<p><span class="p-body">We were curious to know what drew Mullin to a career in the marketing and advertising field. The Great Recession in 2009 marked a turning point for many undergraduate students in his year, who had to rethink and reinvent their professional path. "By rebranding, persistence, and a little bit of luck," he says, he found a way forward by leveraging his writing skills as a marketing copywriter. He then found a job as an e-commerce writer for a design brand on the Upper East Side and has since dabbled in SEO writing, web content, email marketing, and advertising while growing his career.</span></p>
<p><span class="p-body">Another tactful step that Mullin took to continue his professional growth was taking on a leadership role as a manager and then as a creative director at several agencies. This creative director-turned-educator says, "I look forward to teaching the skills I wish I had known early in my career to this talented class of burgeoning professional writers."</span></p>
Two Skills Every Professional Writer Should Have
<p><span class="p-body">According to Mullin, the world of professional writing is ever-evolving. His goal is to share the practical and applied knowledge that new writers need to begin building a solid foundation for their careers. With the Document Design and Data Storytelling course, Mullin hopes that students will develop their writing skills with an eye for design, which is valuable to companies and clients after they graduate. He adds, "I want students to be excited about the meaningful work we do in the course."</span></p>
<p><span class="p-body">There are two skills that Mullin finds particularly impactful for a successful professional writing career.</span></p>
First, it is important to write in a way that is engaging and easily digestible. The ability to craft clear, concise, and direct copy is a skill that takes practice. Second, one has to know how their writing informs and impacts the design of the medium in which they write. Understanding that writing operates within a medium's format, structure, user experience, and more is key. Both of these skills are about keeping your target audience in mind when writing. Writers should always ask themselves, 'What do you want people to know? How do you want them to feel? And, for most business writers, what do you want them to do?'"
<p><span class="p-body">Additionally, he emphasizes the importance of ideation and editing in professional writing. His favorite slogan, "Write fearlessly. Edit ruthlessly," illustrates these two key stages, which need to be engaged fully for an impactful result.</span></p>
<p><span class="p-body">We share Mullin's enthusiasm about the upcoming online Document Design and Data Storytelling course. When he's not writing or teaching, he's probably watching a Portland Trail Blazers or Chicago Bears game or reading history books on Middle Ages Byzantium. </span></p>
<p><span class="p-body">Join him and other <a href="/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/ms-in-professional-writing.html" title="MS in Professional Writing">MS in Professional Writing</a> students who are ready to write their way into the center of the industry.</span></p>
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