Ari M.

WellPlay is a boutique narrative strategy firm that uses storytelling for outcomes, partnering with leaders in high-complexity industries to make change irresistible.

• Lead a narrative strategy practice helping innovation leaders turn complex products, platforms, and strategic initiatives into clear narratives that drive alignment, adoption, and commercial momentum.
• Focus work on frontier tech, enterprise innovation, regulated industries, and category-shaping initiatives where story must help people understand, trust, repeat, and act.
• Delivered narrative strategy and messaging for Johnson & Johnson, Toyota Research Institute, ResMed, Shopify, Sourcegraph, Roche, GSK, Pfizer, AdvaMed, Generator Ventures, Yunity Ventures, Mila Health, and Vesta Healthcare.
• Supported product launches, category positioning, executive alignment, stakeholder engagement, and commercialization across complex and regulated markets.

Stanford University is one of the world's leading teaching and research universities.

• Guest speaker for Design for Health Equity: Early Relational Health led by Dr. Lee Sanders and Christine June.

Since 1965 UCI combines major research strengths with a Southern California location and is a top public university committed to academics, research, and community impact.

• Guest lecturer for Transmedia Storytelling class.

Innovating Better Together (Jennifer Kenny) — consulting and leadership practice focused on human-centered innovation and organizational transformation.

• Managed the Human Innovation Thought Leadership practice for Jennifer Kenny, supporting senior executive teams on emerging technology and transformation.
• Grew practice revenue by 200% via executive advisory, thought leadership, workshops, trainings, and online learning products.
• Worked across robotics, AI/ML, spatial computing, IoT, blockchain, AR/VR/XR, and autonomous driving.
• Supported Fortune 500 engagements on innovation adoption, leadership alignment, executive communication, and human systems to integrate new capabilities.
• Developed online courses, workshops, and thought leadership assets translating complex strategy and design frameworks into practical tools for executives.
• Trained under Jennifer Kenny in Design Thinking, Language Action Design, Human-Centered Design, Promise-Based Management, Systems Thinking, Restorative Leadership, Gender-Balanced Leadership, and Executable Strategy.

TED Conferences: nonprofit devoted to spreading ideas, typically via short, powerful talks under the motto 'Ideas worth spreading.'

• Presented at TEDxYouth@San Diego 2015 for the theme "Conversations That Matter."

Various freelance and client engagements across media and entertainment, including development, production, and board roles.

• Developed IP from inception to pitch with a focus on licensable content and international audiences.
• Managed development pipeline, collaborating with creators, talent, and producers to deliver exceptional content.
• Developed omni-channel media strategy for IP.
• Crafted pitch materials from inception through distribution.
• Extensive experience negotiating licensing agreements and navigating independent feature film distribution.
• Sold projects to Participant Media, PBS, and FX.
• Collaborated with brands including FX, FOX, CNN, Sony, Discovery, Universal, CBS-Viacom, ABC-Disney, PBS, Participant Media, Cinedigm, Film Rise, and Film Sprout.

Christopher Poole Productions (Puddle Monkey) — television production company known for creating and producing the hit series Sister Wives.

• Researched and developed new TV show ideas from inception through sizzle pitch.
• Produced sizzle shoots, coordinated crews, and provided administrative support to executives and the company.

It’s On Us — changing the culture around campus sexual assault through prevention campaigns, education, and student organizing.

• Managed international social impact screening campaign for It Happened Here as part of It's On Us.
• Served as impact producer for the 88th Academy Awards performance of 'Till It Happens To You' by Lady Gaga and Diane Warren.
• Coordinated 50 survivors and grassroots partners to maximize the performance’s impact and participated on stage as a public survivor-activist.
• Campaign produced 17.5 billion media impressions and 338 million impressions for #ItsOnUs.
• Achieved a 400% increase in Google searches, 154,704 website page views in 24 hours, and over 440,000 pledges for It's On Us.
• Snapchat released an It's On Us filter during the telecast, and 48,719 tweets using #ItsOnUs reached an estimated 250 million people.

CAA — leading entertainment and sports agency representing talent across film, television, sports, and media.

• Wrote script notes and prepared script coverage for writers.
• Brainstormed ideas for works-in-progress, researched talent, and assisted with errands and varied projects.