Ben
Wachtel
Writer, Marketer, Coach & Creative Problem Solver
core strengths
High Achiever
Sets high goals and pursues them tirelessly. A rising tide lifts all boats.
Elite Communicator
Sets clear expectations, asks great questions, and listens more than he speaks.
A+ Teammate
Supports others as an experienced collaborator and mentor.
Fast Learner
Picks up new skills or concepts quickly. Knows a little bit about a lot of things.
Growth Mindset
Believes most obstacles are actually opportunities in disguise.
Highly Adaptable
Comfortable with change. Adept at acquiring new skills to need the needs of the team.
Ratings
Writing & Content Development
Brand & Marketing Strategy
Experience
Gregory & Appel Insurance
Content Marketing Specialist
2023 - Present
Led & supported all revenue-generating marketing efforts, including digital campaigns, event marketing and targeted paid advertising. Developed individual lead generation and nurturing campaigns across three lines of business (commercial property & casualty, employee benefits and private client) and variety of industries.
Planned & developed full content campaigns, including digital and print ads, email communications, website landing pages, and long-form content offerings
Extensive work with SMEs to develop content and collateral for specific audiences
Planned, lit, filmed, interviewed, edited and produced video series for generations, an art exhibition featuring local artists
Key Duties Performed
Number of guests that attended The HR Lab, a collaborative, hands-on conference for workforce leaders that our team planned and promoted. Attending prospects represented over $1 million in sales pipeline.
YOY increase in MQLs generated through digital and event marketing efforts in my first full year with Gregory & Appel
New marketing-qualified leads generated through trade group partnership campaign for commercial property & casualty (captive insurance) in 2024
Erika Cuadrado
Executive VP of Marketing, Gregory & Appel Insurance
“Ben is a problem solver who delivers outstanding work. There isn’t a challenge or project I have presented to him that he hasn’t found a way to execute. Whenever there are obstacles, he brings them to the table for discussion and resolves them.
He has a growth mindset and has a humble way of using it to support his colleagues. It is great to see him connect with others and go out of his way to help because he wants to see them to succeed as well.”
Katee Holman Meyers
Marketing Operations Specialist, Gregory & Appel Insurance
“Ben is a powerhouse in content marketing. He has an incredible ability to take any subject matter and transform it into high-impact content that delivers real results. Beyond his content expertise, he’s a jack-of-all-trades in marketing. If he isn’t familiar with a particular skill, he self-teaches and executes flawlessly.
But what truly sets Ben apart is his team-first mentality. He’s thoughtful, considerate of others’ time and energy, and is always ready to collaborate. Any team would be lucky to have him.”
Southeastern Swim Club
Head Age Group Coach &
Director of Marketing
2016 - 2023
Directed long-term development of second-largest age group program in Indiana, responsible for over 200 student-athletes. Also managed all marketing, advertising, and recruiting efforts for competitive swim club, lessons program, and high school team.
Coordinated all facility operations, including practice calendars, staff schedules, and lane space for all aquatics programs
Strategic planning with head coach and board of directors to meet needs of all members
Led parent education and team communications efforts
Oversaw multiple fundraising efforts, raising over $250K for club
Managed website, all social media advertising, direct mail, and paid search / AdWords campaigns
Directly coached high performance group, which achieved highest number of championship meet qualifiers in over 15 years
Key Duties Performed
National Recognition
Club named 2016 USA Swimming Marketing Club of the Year & Best Use of Social Media
Team Indiana
Named to coaching staff for 2021 Central Zone Championships (Elkhart, IN), 2022 Indiana Senior Elite Camp (U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD), and 2023 Mid-States All-Star Championships (Indianapolis, IN)
Beyond the Pool
Invited to Royals Scholar Recognition, a Hamilton Southeastern High School tradition where seniors graduating Summa Cum Laude celebrate one educator who was most influential in their career
Lead creative copywriter for accounts across a wide range of industries, including recreational vehicle manufacturing, information technology, financial services, and insurance. Wrote brand-focused copy such as blog articles, long-form thought leadership content, website copy, video scripts, case studies, and advertising copy.
Copywriter & Social Media Specialist
Element Three
2013 - 2016
Developed full creative campaigns for iconic travel brand Airstream which significantly boosted website lead generation efforts, online merchandise sales, and overall site traffic
Led rebranding efforts for clients across variety of industries, helping plan overall brand voice, positioning, direction and purpose
Developed digital & social lead generation campaigns for variety of B2C, B2B and not-for-profits, integrated with overall brand & creative campaign direction
Played direct, client-facing role in marketing attribution, reporting, and proving ROI of campaign efforts for select accounts
Key Duties Performed
Award-Winning Copywriter
Four-time Indianapolis ADDY Award winner for copywriting, brand direction, packaging, and digital campaign planning
Core Values Winner
Won very first Element Three quarterly Core Values Award in 2014, due to my significant impact on the overall culture and positive environment at E3
Team MVP
Sure, it might sound silly – but for three straight summers, Element Three dominated the Indy-area AIGA / Ad Club kickball league. Wednesday night kickball was a huge part of the team spirit and pride at the agency.
Character & Personality
DISC Profile
Warm and accepting individuals, who aim to be collaborative and empathetic while avoiding conflict. They adjust and adapt easily to a wide range of styles and give others a sense of belonging. They have a strong desire for social harmony and connection,
The Harmonizer
Predictive Index
Accurate, imaginative, and seeks a high level of technical expertise. The Scholar has the aptitude to spot trends in data and figure out how complex systems work. They thoughtfully weigh multiple options before making a decision, and focus on what needs to be done and the best way to achieve the goals of the project.
The Scholar
StrengthsFinder
Myers-Briggs
Compassionate and insightful, they are deeply attuned to the needs of others and have a natural ability to understand others and their situations.
They are often artists or creatives with a strong sense of purpose. They can be effective leaders, inspiring others and bringing out the best in those around them. They motivate others to be their best selves, and to achieve a common goal.
INFJ - The Idealist
Organizations & Community Involvement
Indianapolis-based, volunteer-run not-for-profit whose mission is to support arts, cultural, and educational activities and institutions in Indiana. The Society is a fellowship of professionals who work together for the betterment of Indiana.
Member, Inducted 2016
The Penrod Society
Facilitate and support the planning, preparation, and operations of “Indiana’s Nicest Day,” the Penrod Arts Fair – the nation’s largest single-day arts festival on the grounds of Newfields & the Indianapolis Museum of Art
Served as member of the Labor, Advertising & Marketing, Food & Beverage, Gates, and Parking committees (2016 - 2022)
Primary Roles
2016 Advertising & Marketing Committee
Increase in pre-fair ticket sales over previous record, through digital ads, content marketing and promotion
2017 Food & Beverage Committee
Increase in revenue from Food & Beverage sales (mostly beer) on day of the Fair
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation - Indianapolis
Top individual fundraiser for the 2014 black-tie fundraiser featuring Indy’s top professionals. Raised funds and awareness for cystic fibrosis research.
Honoree of the Year,
2014 Indiana Guys & Dolls Auction Gala
Generate donations through word-of-mouth, leveraging personal connections, social media promotion, and organizing & hosting events
Concluded with fundraising gala where we raised additional money for cystic fibrosis research
Served organization for two additional years as mentor & advisor for new honorees
Primary Roles
Individual Fundraising Total
Named both Fundraiser of the Year and Honoree of the Year for fundraising success and commitment to serving the CF community
Total Amount Raised
Organization’s total fundraising during 2014 Indiana Guys & Dolls season – a new record
AAF – Indianapolis
Part of organizing committee for AAFter 5, a young professionals networking group affiliated with the American Advertising Foundation / Ad Club chapter in Indianapolis
AAFter 5 Indianapolis
Helped with new member outreach, aimed at early-career professionals
Organized events & programming, from informal happy hours to guest speakers to hands-on workshops
Helped grow memberships by 10% in time working with AAFter 5
Primary Roles
Member of Varsity Swimming & Diving team at Purdue University. Graduated as school record holder in three events and freshman record in 200 freestyle.
Varsity Team Captain, 2010-2012
Purdue Swimming & Diving
Four-year letterwinner
Team captain for 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons
Durham Brothers Leadership Award Recipient, 2010
Cuonzo Martin Service to the Community Award Recipient, 2011
Purdue’s representative for 2011 Big Ten SAAC Conference
2012 NCAA All-American Honorable Mention
Awards & Recognition
Indiana High School Swimming & Diving Hall of Fame
Inducted 2011
Hall of Fame was established to “honor athletes, coaches, and special contributors who have contributed to high school swimming and diving in the state of Indiana”
Four-time Indiana state champion and seven-time All-American for Westfield High School
Won both 100 and 200 free in both 2007 and 2008
In 2008, broke right foot before prelims of state meet and still won both individual events
First state champion in Westfield High School history in any sport
Received St. Vincent Spirit of Sport Award for Service to the Poor in 2008 for organizing book drive for children in Kenya
Awards & Recognition
Contact Me
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