I am a writer who works with business and community leaders to help them get to the heart of their stories and connect with new audiences.

I’ve worked with:

A great story is a hook. It’s something for people to hold onto, and when you have products or services to sell, it’s imperative to give people this substance, or they’re left grasping.

Without Clear Compelling Writing, There Is No Point

Poorly written copy costs you a lot of money. Don’t waste your money — or your reader’s time — with pointless, meandering fluff.

Get Help Getting to the Point

David Burn is the thought leader’s thought leader. In an industry of writers and idea people, his insight and expertise stand out from the hubbub. David brings a fearless point of view with a seemingly endless supply of fresh thinking.

— SALLY HOGSHEAD

News

Show, Don’t Tell: A “Help Provided” Prose Poem Campaign

In my desire to "Show, Don't Tell," and to chronicle the prelude to my third career act, I've been writing prose poems about my career, the communications industry, and some of the philosophies that guide me. I published more than a dozen of these prose poems on...

My Presentation to Advertising & PR Students at the University of Texas

I was invited to speak to undergraduates at the Stan Richards School of Advertising & PR at the University of Texas. The invite came from the Association of National Advertisers in New York City. The suggested topic for this guest lecture was "My Work as a...

RFPs Are a Waste of Precious Time

There’s a wealth of highly specialized marketing talent available to brands today, but few brand managers know exactly where to look to find a good fit for their most pressing needs. Sure, the brand manager may read the trades — and maybe she has a robust network of...

Ad Brains: Conversations with Advertising’s Icons, Rebels, and Rulers

In this collection of 18 interviews with advertising professionals, the reader travels inside the minds of some of today’s top performers in the field. From the hallways of Madison Avenue to the freelancer’s home office, the lessons and stories offered here will entertain and inform.

A reader says:

I really enjoyed Ad Brains. When you’ve been working in the ad business as long as I have, you tend to gain a veneer of cynicism. Well, this book helped chip a fair bit of that away as it reminded me of all the smart, interesting people that work in the business. David Burn did a great job of giving us a peak into the minds of many of them.

This book is definitely worth the read for both newbies to the industry, as well as the road-worn folks like myself. A fun read!

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