ESTHER HAYNES
CREATIVE DIRECTOR / WRITER



esthernyc@gmail.com | 917.838.8316 | New York, NY | estherhaynes.com



PROFESSIONAL OVERVIEW
Award-winning editor, writer and creative director with a strong background in story editing, interviewing and screenwriting. Visual storyteller with a deep understanding of film structure and cinematic narratives.



WORK EXPERIENCE
Creative Director, Editorial | Esther Haynes Creative, NYC August 2023 - present
Collaborate with various publications, brands and individuals to bring their creative visions to life. Some highlights:
Freelance Editor, New York Times / T Brand Studio (October 2025 - present): Write branded content to appear across New York Times platforms, sponsored by the National Parks Foundation, Destination DC, etc. Write articles, slideshows, social media copy and podcast ads, aligning with brand voice.
Screenwriter, Director, Editor, “My Billionaire Boss Locked Me in His Safe Room,” a vertical film, 2026.
Still Photographer / Production Associate, “Unknown Caller,” a short film by Indra Dattagupta, 2026.
Contributing Editor, The Free Press (October 2024 - April 2025): Covered for a features editor on paternity leave at this global publication, a digital newsroom with 1 million subscribers. Edited essays, profiles, hard news pieces, video scripts, podcast pitches. Wrote articles and social media posts.
Contract Editor, AnotherJanePrattThing.com (June 2024 - December 2024): Helped launch the Substack for Jane Pratt, editor of xojane.com. Wrote, assigned and edited first-person essays and social media posts. Closely followed trends. Collaborated with writers to develop strong points of view.
Contract Editor / Ghostwriter, Alan Siegel (September 2023 - June 2024): Worked with Siegel, the brand strategist and creator of the NBA logo, to draft a thought leadership book on brand identity.
Freelance Writer / Editor (2014 - present): Wrote and edited articles for various publications, including VanityFair.com, Popular Science, New York magazine, New York Post, Travel + Leisure, Mother Jones, InStyle, Jet, The Free Press, Rolling Stone, Martha Stewart Living, Elle and others.
Group Director, Brand Communication | Siegel+Gale June 2022 - September 2023
Led a creative team of 5 editors and 10 freelance copywriters at this renowned brand-experience agency.
Created the verbal identity and shaped the communications strategy for global brands, including 3M, Solventum, Micron, American Express, Glanbia, NYU Langone, Philips and others.
Collaborated with strategy and design departments to create communications guidelines, marketing copy, video scripts, articles, and social media posts, bringing brand voice to life.
Worked with CEOs, CMOs and other corporate leaders to create executive talking points, brand narratives, thought leadership articles, display ads, DEI manifestos, training workshops.
Director of Editorial | New York Times / T Brand St