Meet Scott McDowell of Strategic Leverage LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Scott McDowell

Hi Scott, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My career began at the Baltimore Examiner, where I led the retail advertising department and helped launch the first daily newspaper in 2005, the first since USA Today in the early 1980s. After a couple of years running retail advertising at the Examiner, I decided it was time for a change and moved to Tampa, Florida, in 2008. There, I landed a job with CBS Sports Radio as an advertising executive covering Southwest Florida.

During my time at CBS, I secured a major campaign with the Hot Import Nights tour, which included a live remote broadcast at the event. When one of the radio hosts was unavailable for a broadcast, I stepped in as co-host and met DJ Rocky Rock, the tour DJ and official DJ for the Black Eyed Peas. Together, we successfully pitched HIN after-parties to nightclubs and lounges across 12 of the 18 cities on the tour.

My experience with the nightlife scene, meeting amazing artists, DJs, and unique people, inspired me to move to Hollywood to work in the music industry. Through my connections, I landed a position at Akon’s label, Konvict Muzik, where I helped market, promote, and book artists like T-Pain, Lady Gaga, Kardinal Offishall, and Colby O’Donis.

After enjoying my time at Konvict Muzik, I moved back to the East Coast and joined CEG Talent as a booking agent, working with top names in music and television. Eventually, I started a podcast and blog out of the Bad Boy Records studio in Times Square, covering events around NYC. During this period, I partnered with an art gallery owner in Tribeca to create the Urban Arts Showcase, celebrating hip-hop culture. We hosted over 15 UAS events in NYC and our first in Denver in late 2016.

Feeling burnt out from managing my events and blog, I launched Strategic Leverage LLC, a boutique marketing agency, and relocated from NYC to Denver in early 2016. Since then, we’ve secured amazing clients, helping them obtain sponsors and advertisers for events and digital platforms.

Our largest client is 303 Magazine, a well-established Denver publication curating the best in fashion, music, food, and lifestyle. Managing their advertising has been a blessing, especially with Denver Fashion Week, which Forbes named an alternative to New York Fashion Week and one of the fastest-growing fashion platforms in the country.

In addition to 303 Magazine and DFW, I’ve worked with the X Games, securing athlete lounge sponsorships and integrating professional athletes and VIPs into the event and broadcast. I’ve also worked with Denver Broncos players on sponsorships for their charity events and collaborated with My 420 Tours, a cannabis tourism company, to integrate cannabis brands into tours and experiences.

Currently, my main projects include 303 Magazine, Denver Fashion Week, X Games, Global Fire, and a few other exciting ventures in the pipeline. As we approach our 10-year anniversary at Strategic Leverage, I’m excited about what lies ahead. Please follow us on Instagram @StrategicLeverage.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Obstacles are always going to be there, but something my high school football coach, Joe Bosley, taught me, a lesson from the Marines, was to “Improvise, adapt, and overcome.” Many times, I find that my biggest challenge is myself, and I need to remind myself to step out of my own way. Developing patience has been a significant focus for me, requiring extra effort in all aspects of my life. Obstacles and challenges will always be present, but it’s up to us to use them as building blocks and learning experiences rather than letting them hinder our progress. While I could dwell on the sad and tough challenges I’ve faced, I prefer to focus my energy on positive accomplishments.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Strategic Leverage LLC ?
Strategic Leverage is a boutique marketing agency specializing in digital advertising, sponsorship development, and product placement. With over 20 years of experience, I’ve had the privilege of working with some of the world’s biggest brands, including Reebok, G-Shock, Ciroc, Red Bull, BodyArmor, Arizona Iced Tea, Kid Robot, Izze, House of Marley, Cazal, and many more. My extensive experience in the marketing space and collaboration with top events nationwide allows me to be nimble and agile in creatively activating brands.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
Digital advertising and media are poised for a major shift with the increasing implementation of AI in content creation. AI will also transform how we consume and search for content on the internet. Personally, I’ve already integrated AI into my daily life, and it has significantly improved my workflow and communication, particularly in crafting email outreach templates. I highly recommend experimenting with AI tools like ChatGPT and taking free Google courses on AI. By becoming an early adopter, you’ll be ahead of the curve in the next 5-10 years.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/StrategicScott
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strategicleveragescott
• Twitter: https://x.com/Strategic_Scott