Essays
Courtney Young
From trial, error, and delusion, the bones of a creative
Personal Life
References
Courtney Young (/koʊrtniˈˈjʌŋ/, born February 6, 1998) is a creative director in training. Her experience in the media industry spans five years of public relations, journalism, copywriting, branding, and curiously, amateur screenplay evaluation. She creates art in the service of commerce, the way the media conglomerates intended. Her writing inspires clicks, sales, streams, and hotel bookings.
She'd love to work with you.
Early life
Courtney Young attended Florida State University, where she studied English Literature and Film Studies. In her three years at the university (2016-2019), she contributed to the student-run fashion and culture magazine, Swatch Magazine, as a Staff Writer. She served on the executive board of her Panhellenic organization as Vice President of Public Relations, and worked as a Junior Account Coordinator at The Zimmerman Agency, a full-service advertising agency.
In 2018, Young began working as a Content Writer for Luna Brand Management, publishing ghostwritten web content for direct sales companies across the country. In her four years with the company, she grew to manage a portfolio of content ranging from thought leadership journals to executive profiles.
Career
Courtney Young
Born
Alma Mater
Occupations
February 6, 1998 (age 25)
Florida State University (BA)
Writer - Publicist - Copywriter
2019-present: Agency work
In 2019, Courtney Young joined The Decker/Royal Agency as Public Relations Account Coordinator. In her four years at the agency, Young has been promoted through multiple levels of leadership, working today as a Media Relations and Content Strategist, overseeing creative copy strategy and media outreach on behalf of the agency's entire portfolio of clients, which includes large travel and hospitality clients, i.e., Sandals Resorts International, Atlantic Hospitality Group, and The Travel Corporation. As an executive at The Decker/Royal Agency, Young led the ideation of numerous creative media campaigns, which went on to be executed collaboratively, garnering legacy media coverage. In addition to her account work, Young manages a team of junior creatives, mentoring them in their development.
2021-present: Copywriting
In 2021, Young began moonlighting as a freelance content writer, creating content for travel brands ranging from long-form blog posts, to physical marketing materials, to destination brochures.
2021-present: Editorial
In February 2021, Young was published in Betches, with story titled "FKA Twigs Never Had Social Media On Her Side, But They’re Standing With Her Now." She went on to become a regular contributor to the site, penning satirical pop culture commentary for the remainder of the year. Her most successful stories include "When You’re Dancing With The Devil, But The Devil Is Fat-Free Frozen Yogurt," and "And Just Like That, Society No Longer Needed Carries."
Later that year, became the first writer to nationally break a story about a vigilante group of content creators called Dads Against Predators. Her story, "These Youtubers Say They Hunt Pedophiles. Their Targets Keep Winding Up Dead," was published on Mic in October 2021. The group would go on to be profiled by Vice News in 2023.
In November 2021, Young was published in New York Magazine's The Cut, with a story titled, "Rebooting Dylan O’Brien (Taylor’s Version)." She is proud of that one. Young continues to work as a freelance culture and entertainment writer, regularly contributing to Cosmopolitan, People Magazine, Bustle, and more.
In April 2023, Young launched the Gifted Baby substack, a personal newsletter dedicated to media and pop culture.
Legacy
Personal life
"This has Courtney written all over it." - Devyn Barker, Senior Vice President, The Decker/Royal Agency
"Smart, I like it." - Cathleen Decker, Principal and Founder, The Decker/Royal Agency
"This is very funny!" - Sara Levine, former Editor-in-Chief, Betches
"Thank you for your application! While were impressed with your experience, we've decided to move forward with other candidates." - Multiple sources
Courtney Young currently resides in New York City. Her creative influences include Fran Lebowitz, A24's e-commerce strategy, the Goodby and Silverstein Masterclass, and the "Beach House" episode of Girls. She sharpens her pretension by studying audience reactions at the 92nd Street Y, soft clapping at The Moth, and religiously listening to The Daily.
In 2023, Young began working seasonally with The Big Apple Film Festival as a judge for the festival's bi-annual screenplay competition.
Contact information
References
See all Cosmopolitan bylines here; stories are like Deadline for the people who read Cosmopolitan
See all People Magazine bylines here; stories mine the personal lives of public figures for page views
See all Betches bylines here; stories lampoon celebrities and influencers to feed a sense of internet community
See all Bustle bylines here; stories decode viral internet culture for Instagram Reels people
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