Curry+Butler: Writing to Influence
a writing collaborative by Doug Curry and Meghan E. Butler
{ c+b in brief }
There will always be important stories to tell and new audiences to reach. However, our careers have made clear that the writing process is as important as the words we choose. (In fact, the latter is often the easy part!)
To that essential end, our emotionally intelligent approach to collaboration guides everything we do — both behind-the-scenes and with the clients we serve.
{ c+b’s business value }
We work closely with you.
We work closely with you to capture your message and inspire belief by your audience through speechwriting, speaker coaching, and storytelling, and other products such as op-eds, organizational messaging and brand narratives.
The focus of our writing includes but is not limited to executive communications, including thought leadership and speechwriting, plus advocacy and brand positioning and message architectures.
We similarly apply our years of experience to critical business services like content editing and copyediting.
{ meet your writers }
Doug L. Curry
Doug L. Curry is an experienced communications strategist and executive speechwriter skilled at positioning individuals and organizations as global thought leaders. He has shaped message for members of Congress, cabinet members, and multinational C-suites, as well as nonprofit and academic leadership and a number of figures in entertainment.
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Before founding Curry+Butler, Doug was an Obama administration appointee, serving as Senior Speechwriter to the Secretary at the U.S. Department of the Treasury. In that role, his writing focused on a range of domestic and international issues including economic development, trade and economic sanctions, financial services reform, and financial inclusion, among others.
Prior to public service, he led executive communications for the president and CEO of United Way Worldwide. His work helped support critical human investment strategies around the world, often focusing on the importance of innovative public-private partnerships in driving more inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
He has helped advance advocacy and public awareness efforts throughout his career, including representing the U.S. recorded music industry as Director of Communications for the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) during the internationally covered Napster litigation.
Doug began his career serving as an aide to U.S. Senator Bob Kerrey of Nebraska, where he worked in both his policy and political offices.
Meghan E. Butler
Meghan E. Butler is a management consultant and accomplished editorial writer who untangles institutional thinking and aggregates influence to solve complex business, brand and people puzzles. She has earned her reputation as a deep-thinking dot connector who quickly distills complicated information to bring big ideas to life.
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As a visionary stringer, Meghan finds throughlines in seemingly disparate bodies of content, fashions them from the puzzling intangibles of humanity (ahem, those pesky emotions) and weaves them together to create cohesive editorial direction and galvanizing thought leadership that drive business objectives. As a speechwriter, she’s crafted narratives and remarks for a presidential cabinet member, governors, blue chip brand founders, industry-leading executives, and intellectual influencers alike.
Meghan is a TED-trained speaker coach focused on generating influence over sharing information. Her own editorial has been published by Fast Company, Inc. Magazine, Rolling Stone, PR Week, LinkedIn, and Thrive Global, among others. She’s also the biographer for numerous musicians and bands.
Meghan’s award-winning PR, branding and writing expertise has benefitted General Mills, Dell Technologies, Phillips & Jordan, Seventh Generation, Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey, University of Michigan, SxSW, RadioShack, Nike, Bumble, Suavs, punk darling Industry Print Shop, and “Brand Under Fire.”
She has been recognized by Austin Under 40 and Austin Business Journal's "Profiles in Power” for her contributions to communications, journalism and leadership development.
{ speaker coaching }
Meghan E. Butler is a TED-trained speaker coach.
She is also a published authority on emotional intelligence @ work.
She can be your competitive edge.
Speaker coaching has very little to do with “What do I do with my hands?” or “Hear what I have to say!” It has everything to do with “What do my stakeholders need to hear to feel seen and heard?” and “How do they need to receive it?”
Finding your pocket for influence is challenging and deeply personal work. It requires a massive amount of shared trust and vulnerability to optimize the investment.
MEB’s approach to speaker coaching is far from textbook. She creates a safe and trusted space to help you more easily find your most influential voice and your rhythm, both of which contribute to your efficacy as a messenger and a leader.
MEB takes a holistic assessment of how you exist in your world by exploring your natural state of being, your speaking experience and anxieties, your business objectives and role within your organization, and your goals for elevating your profile. She works with you to productively channel your energy and hone your presence and voice for a more impactful presentation.
Every one of our clients astounds us with their emotional depth – a gift that means more to us than the paycheck.
speaker coaching case studies
{ writing products & services }
The range of your needs are as broad as our choice of words. We move seamlessly along the spectrum of tone, from the gravity of crisis management to the levity of a corporate skit or roast.
We apply an emotionally intelligent lens to our writing and speaker coaching to earn trust and allow for a more efficient creative adventure — from idea to presentation.
For the stage or publication, we write with you, ensuring your reputation and business strategy are always top-of-mind, ultimately helping you realize your goals through powerful expression.
{ clients }
Our clients include high-profile individuals and organizations, spanning the globe across both sector and industry.
As much as we would like to boast about some of our best writing work, we simply will not. We are serious about discretion. We keep their names confidential and they keep our words.
A member of President Barack Obama's cabinet
A global technology company seeking more meaningful impact
A Fortune 100 consumer product company whose products we all enjoy
Early, fast-growth founders honing their message and presence
Blue chip founders and executives
Prominent university leaders
An impact investment fund in the UK
An Academy Award-winning actor and activist
A software solution designed to uncover and correct unconscious bias in the workplace
A DC-based NGO advancing a vital, more inclusive global mission
On occasion, we produce work products we’re more than happy to share!
