AJ Wendel

Scaling the FIXD Marketing Department

Scaled in-house creative from 2 to 15+ team members and contractors; built workflows, tools, and testing systems that supported $2M/month in spend and long-term growth

Context

After the success of our first in-house VSL, it was clear we could outperform our affiliate partners and agencies if we could scale what worked.

I helped build the department from the ground up. In the beginning, it was just two of us handling everything: creative, writing, editing, landing pages, and ad buying. As we grew, I transitioned into Creative Lead among four marketing heads, responsible for creative direction, production, and testing infrastructure.

We built every piece from people to process to tools while maintaining aggressive testing velocity and growth goals.

What I Did

  • Co-built the internal marketing team from two people into a 15+ person creative department
  • Directed every ad shoot produced during my tenure, from concept through final cut
  • Designed modular creative workflows that supported hundreds of ad variations
  • Built a storyboarding and testing system that aligned creative, analytics, and leadership, used company-wide for campaign planning
  • Managed creative testing strategy, ad asset libraries, and performance tracking
  • Led cross-functional initiatives connecting creative, product, analytics, and support
  • Scaled hiring while maintaining creative alignment and production speed

Inside the Creative Testing System

Below is the live storyboard that aligned writers, editors, and analysts around fast iteration.

What It Showed

  • A small, structured team could outperform external vendors
  • High-performing creative came from systems, not bigger budgets
  • Modular workflows made remixing faster than rebuilding
  • Supported $2M per month in spend with a lean creative crew

Why It Worked

We didn’t build an agency inside a company. We built a creative system designed for scale.

Every template, test, and shoot existed to learn and move faster. This wasn’t a creative department for show. It was the engine that powered FIXD’s growth, and I built its creative core.

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Experience

2024 - Present
Independent Creative
Content Strategist & Freelance Creative | August 2024 - Present
• Produced video, social, and brand content for independent clients, including touring musicians and small businesses.

• Shot and produced music videos and live tour content for independent musicians, creating promotional assets and social campaigns under fast-paced conditions.

• Developed branding and digital infrastructure for an occupational therapy reading service, preparing the business for future launch and client acquisition

• Continued professional growth through independent projects and training with tools such as Unreal Engine, Adobe Creative Suite, AI tools.
2018 - 2024
FIXD Automotive
Digital Creative Director | August 2020 - August 2024 (Reference From CEO Available)
• Helped build and scale FIXD’s in-house marketing department, starting from a two-person testing team

• Managed a five-person creative team and oversaw all content tied to $2M/month in advertising spend

• Directed and edited hundreds of performance ads, including a Video Sales Letter (VSL) that ran for 5+ years and supported 250+  iterations

• Developed creative testing frameworks and content pipelines that reduced reliance on new production

• Played a central role in team growth, strategy, campaign planning, and channel scaling
Video Content Creator | October 2018 – August 2020
• Produced original video content for the FIXD YouTube channel and app

• Created educational and brand-aligned visual assets using advanced After Effects workflows
2021
Craftsman Tools
Video Producer / Director / Editor | Oct 2021 – Dec 2021
• Delivered a 25-video explainer series for a white-labeled Craftsman Tools version of the FIXD app

• Handled all production phases independently—scripting, directing, shooting, editing, client communication

• Completed the project in under 3 months while managing full-time responsibilities at FIXD
2020 - 2022
Pale horse production
Freelance Director / Editor | Nov 2020 – Nov 2022
• Edited four short documentaries for the outdoor and hunting industry

• Managed story flow, edit pacing, and sound design tailored to enthusiast audiences
2015 - 2018
Charles Ryan Associates
Director of Photography | Jul 2016 - August 2018
• Led cinematography and post-production for agency video work across healthcare, energy, and public service clients

• Directed a $50K healthcare explainer video that went on to win Best in Show at the WV ADDY Awards

• Contributed to writing, storyboarding, and cross-functional creative projects
Video Production Specialist  | Jun 2015 - Aug 2016
• Shot and edited educational and advocacy content for healthcare, government, and natural gas clients.

• Collaborated with directors and PR teams to shape messaging and deliver polished video content.
Film Intern  | Jun 2015 - Aug 2016
• Supported professional film and commercial projects across camera, editing, and design roles