Jake Trussell

Listener Maker Communicator

Jake Trussell is a strategic and versatile media and communications leader, adept at creatively driving successful initiatives that engage audiences.

Founder & Creative Director

Metabolize

2018 to Present

• Lead a human-centered strategic communications agency focused on concise brand storytelling
• Develop compelling written, visual, and audio content to enhance brand storytelling 
• Work includes strategic planning, branding (naming, identity, positioning, messaging) multi-channel campaigns. (web, print, social, event, PR), content development & curation (writing, photography, music), website design and development, experiential marketing
• Clients include the Government Finance Officers Association, Arts & Business Council of Chicago, The Scion Group, Greenhouse Innovation, Basil Consultants, Wolfson Design Build, and PEER Families.

Record Label Founder & Music Producer

Mashit

2003 to Present

• Founded a record label that has produced over 20 releases on vinyl and digital formats, garnering international media recognition from outlets including BBC Radio 1 (John Peel), Pitchfork, The Boston Globe, New York Magazine, Time Out Chicago, Mixmag, The Wire, and XLR8R Magazine
• URB Magazine described Mashit as “one of the most forward-looking labels”
• Legendary BBC Radio 1 host John Peel said Mashit's “releases are killing dance-floors across Europe and the US months before their release” when he featured them as “Label of the Month” on his show along with a session recorded by Mashit founder Jake Trussell AKA DJ C

Music Curator & Producer

DJ C, Jake Trussell

1994 to Present

• Recording artist, DJ, and film score composer who has performed globally, from mountain-top festivals in Japan and underground raves in London to nightclubs in Prague and house parties in Chicago, alongside artists including Lupe Fiasco, Four Tet, Rhymefest, and DJ /rupture (with whom he founded the Toneburst event production collective)
• Discography features more than 50 records on labels including XL Recordings, Ninja Tune, and Soul Jazz, sharing production credits with the likes of Diplo, Quincy Jones, M.I.A., and Gregory Isaacs
• Collaborated with industry legends including Steve Albini, Damo Suzuki (Can), Glenn Jones, and Cul de Sac
• The Chicago Reader said, “Chicago producer Jake Trussell has developed a gift for extracting the DNA from an eclectic variety of pop subgenres” and that his music “brings life-giving daring”
• Held nightclub residencies in Boston and Chicago where he has also booked other artists from around the world 

Creative Director

World Business Chicago

2009 to 2018

• Designed and managed brands, strategic initiatives, and marketing campaigns for Chicago's nonprofit economic development organization chaired by the Mayor
• Managed the brand of Chicago as a business destination, achieving recognition as Site Selection Magazine’s #1 location for corporate relocation and investment from 2013 to 2019
• Led and mentored teams while collaborating with executive leadership, cross-functional teams, and external government, civic, and private-sector partners to ensure mission alignment
• Led the ThinkChicago technology talent recruitment program, contributing to a 100%+ increase in the talent pool
• Developed the ChicagoMade program, generating thousands of event attendees, hundreds of industry connections, and hundreds of media stories promoting the city as a hub of creativity and innovation

Web Consultant

MacArthur Foundation

2008

• Developed content for Annual Report, Digital Learning, and MacFound.org websites

Webmaster

Massachusetts College of Art & Design

1999 to 2007

• Designed and developed the first official college website in 1999
• Coordinated cross-functionally to develop clear, coherent brand storytelling
• Directed award-winning website redesign in 2002
• Served as communications and technology strategist for College President and directors

BFA, Media & Performing Arts, Interrelated Media

Massachusetts College of Art & Design - Boston, MA | Graduated with Distinction

1998

Prompt Engineering for Generative AI Certificate

edX (IBM)

2024

Blockchain Certificate

edX (Linux Foundation)

2018

Insights for Innovation Certificate

IDEO U

2016

Advisor

GreenHouse Innovation

2018 to Present

• Member of a group of entrepreneurs, scientists, authors, designers, coaches, and nonprofit leaders who work with organizations to help leaders overcome business challenges and solve social problems using the Innovation Dynamics framework.
• Worked with the Museum of Contemporary Photography, Chicago Literacy Alliance, Shedd Aquarium, and Design for America

Vice Chair, Board of Directors

Arts & Business Council of Chicago

2018 to 2024

• Organization that envisioned a world where creativity was universally valued as a resource with limitless potential for social and economic impact and provided programming that served Chicago’s cultural workers and enterprises to ensure community vitality and an equitable creative economy
• Planned and led strategic communications during the organization’s 2024 acquisition by Lawyer’s for the Creative Arts
• Led strategic planning leading up to the acquisition, including a restructured vision, mission, objectives, and a system for measuring progress
• Developed and led a 2020 online experiential marketing campaign that generated over 2 million impressions and 40+ traditional media stories to raise funds, increase awareness, and generate engagement when we had to pivot away from in-person events during the pandemic; the Executive Director called it “one of the most innovative campaigns I’ve ever been involved with”

Advisor

Year of Chicago Music

2019 to 2021

Served on 3 working groups with the City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events to support and promote Chicago's vibrant music sector:

• Marketing
• Professional Development & Music Industry
• Research, Infrastructure, & Cultural Policy

Mentor
2112 Creative Industry Incubator

2015 to 2020

Mentored startup entrepreneurs in design, branding, and marketing strategy at a business incubator focused on music, media, entertainment, and other creative industries

Radical Creator

Chicago Ideas

2014 to 2020

Chicago Ideas is a movement built on the belief that when a broad spectrum of thinkers and instigators share ideas, they have the power to transform the world.

Radical Creators was a group of emerging change-makers brought together for exceptional experiences to inspire action. Aiming to foster a sense of discovery and community, this unique network of impact-driven individuals broke down silos and sparked connections across Chicago. Aligned with Chicago Ideas’ mission of nurturing great ideas and bolstering actionable initiatives, they engaged in unique experiences and conversations leading to deeper, more meaningful dialogue and action—like a new-age social chamber of commerce—where nonprofits met tech junkies, artists met business leaders, and North Side met South Side; a social ecosystem of deeply driven, boldly active individuals who came together to make things happen.

Advisor
Year of Chicago Theatre

2017 - 2018

Worked with Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs and the League of Chicago Theatres to support and promote Chicago's theatre industry, leading up to the “Year of Chicago Theatre” (2019)

Advisor & Panel Discussion Moderator
LakeFX Summit

2014 – 2017

Creative industry professional development conference

Advisor
Chicago Music Summit

2013

Music industry professional development conference

20x2

GMan Tavern

2023

Presented an overview of 20th-century popular music genres in 2 minutes. 20x2 is an event where 20 creative people from various walks of life are asked the same question and given 2 minutes each to answer in any way they choose. In this case, the question was “Did you hear that?”

Thrive Talk
Havas Life

2022

Presented the ChiMusic35 campaign to the Havas Life agency teams in Chicago and New York as part of their Thrive Talk series focused on how to help people thrive.

Psychology of Creativity
Illinois Institute of Technology

2020

Presented to an organizational psychology class on how the creative process, design thinking, and innovation can be applied across sectors.

Design for America Summit
Northwestern University's Segal Design Institute 

2019

Presented on the use of design methodologies to improve employee experience

Leadership for Creative Enterprises
Northwestern University's School of Communication 

2018

Spoke on building and collaborating with innovative businesses and organizations, in conversation with Melissa Kaufman, Executive Director of The Garage incubator

LakeFX Summit 

Multi-venue Creative Industry Conference

2015 to 2017

Moderated discussions with Kickstarter co-founder Charles Adler, Cards Against Humanity co-founder Max Temkin, Threadless CEO Jake Nickell, Fake Shore Drive founder Andrew Barber, Young Chicago Authors Artistic Director Kevin Coval, and others

Taste of Chicago
Grant Park

2016

Moderated a discussion on designing experiences across industries with Lupe Fiasco's tour manager, Iridium Clothing Co. Creative Director and rapper Pugs Atomz, and the creative agency for The Second City and Pitchfork Meida

Grammy Town Hall 

2014

Moderated a discussion on Chicago’s creative industries at a Recording Academy event

Visiting Lecturer
Harvard University 

2000 to 2007

Lectured on music production and culture

Site Selection Magazine’s Top Metro for Corporate Relocation & Investment 

2013 to 2019

Top industry accolade 7 years in a row for Wold Business Chicago’s work marketing Chicago as a business destination

International Economic Development Council Innovation Award 

2012

SiteSelector Web Application

AIGA Web Design Award 

2002

MassArt.edu