I’m a marketer, a technologist, a strategist and generally a creative thinker.
Over the course of my career, I’ve worked with brands including Sony, HBO, Golden Boy, Adidas, Nike, VH1, and MTV, artists, like the Wu-Tang Clan, Nas, Nneka, Outcast, Mark Ronson and Kid Capri, to name but a few.
I’ve worked behind-the-scenes to help launch a number of different products, including web-based applications, online products and services, a host of websites and an iPhone app (or two).
I’ve worn a bunch of hats in my day. I’ve been a ‘digital czar’ for a United States Congressional candidate for New York, the ‘social media guru’ for a Green organization out of Altanta, and ‘director of online marketing’ for a New Jersey based software and electronics supplier.
I’ve been offering my strategic advice and business development expertise to clients for years, and set up this blog to share what I’ve learned over the years.
I’m always looking for new challenges, so feel free to drop me a line if you want to pick my brain or retain my services! You can reach me on http://www.emissary.io/u/#/stephenchukumba
Stephen Chukumba 
I did not have time to go through all your posts, but what I read was good, I will surely come back.
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Followed you Stephen. 🙂
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Danke!
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Haha. Btw, I just started my blog last month so in case you look at it, nothing much in there as of now. I will try to be better in writing first. Great day Stephen!
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Just nice to meet you!
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Ditto!
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just a word to let u know I was here
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Thanks!
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Hi Stephen,
I was wondering if you would be available to join us for a segment today via webcam discussing the importance of yoga for men. It is today at 4pm ET. Please email me at kara.ramonetti@huffingtonpost.com Thanks so much!!
Kara
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Sure!
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Curious if you would rant about the iPhone Mail filter? For example, there is currently no possible way to view only unread emails on the iPhone AFAIK.
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Thanks for the suggestion, but I’m ok with Apple’s email filter. Although being able to segregate read and unread emails would be useful, I’m not up in arms over the fact that I can’t.
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Hi Stephen,
I came across your blog while random browsing and I love it!
You seem like a very smart, witty person and I would like to have you in my network!
I am a graphic designer and I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to have your professional opinion on my work. My design portfolio is http://www.veronicahanna.weebly.com.
I just wanted to say hi, and I hope to pick your brain about the industry, things, and life in general. You just seem so cool!
Hugs.
Veronica
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Veronica,
Thanks for your comments and feedback. I really appreciate it. I’ve taken a look at your website/portfolio, and here are my general thoughts.
First, you are clearly creative and understanding the creative process, especially as applied to corporate and professional settings. This is aptly demonstrated by your identity projects for AFP. I like the way you laid everything out and explained it. It was clean, clear and concise.
Second, you understand layout, as demonstrated by both your magazine layouts and covers. I liked the Fuesion and Rock and Roll covers the most.
Third, it’s clear that you have a deep understanding of many different web, online and print protocols and processes. From the depth of your portfolio, you clearly get that impression.
On the flip side, I think that it’s better to stick to your strengths. You should focus on targeting three or four core areas and become an expert at them, versus showcasing the fact that you can ‘do it all’ but master none.
Some of your work isn’t quite as polished as the rest, and as a result, comes off a tad amateurish. It’s like you uploaded content from your art school portfolio. That impression is derived from the subject matter you chose to showcase, and the fact that much of it is repetitious.
If I were you, I’d stick to the identity, print, direct mail, typography, ad campaign, and leave the rest off. Not to say that you can’t offer it, but showcasing it in your portfolio doesn’t make it appear that it’s one of your strengths.
I’d love to talk to you further so send me an email with your contact information to stephen.chukumba@gmail.com and we can go into greater detail.
I hope my comments are constructive.
Cheers!
SC
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Hi Stephen!
I came across your blog while random browsing and I love it!
You are a very smart, witty person that I would like to have in my network! I am a graphic designer and would LOVE LOVE LOVE some professional feedback on my work.
I would also love to pick your brain sometime about the industry and just everything, you’re such a cool person!
My online portfolio: http://www.veronicahanna.weebly.com
Thank you so much!
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Hello Stephen, let me start by saying happy holidays to you, and I find your post very interesting. I wanted to ask if you are presently still working with music artist? I read in one of your previous post how you use to manage artist. Just curious if your still involved in the music scene. Either way I would still like to send you music from a talented artist I know to get your advice.
Thanks : )
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Dawn,
Happy holidays to you too! I am a consultant for brands and still actively involved with the entertainment industry. Please shoot me an email with your contact information, and I’ll give you a call to talk about your artist.
Cheers!
SC
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hello, nice blog on anokute! Pardon me, but are you guys west africans?
Cheers.
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Yup. We’re both from Nigeria (our parents are anyway)!
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I actually arrived here the same way as Leah! It’d be great to talk to you about how you got to where you are. And is my hunch that you are Nigerian correct?
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Chukwuma, yes. I am Nigerian. What do you want to talk about? I’ve checked out your blog. I like.
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Much thanks!
I just wonder how you got into what you do and how much (or little) friction you received on the part of your parents in making this decision initially.
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Hi Stephen!
I came across your site by googling Chris Anokute, actually. Random!
To be honest, I would just love a few words of wisdom. I got a record deal last summer, but it isn’t working out and I asked for a release, which they are granting me. I’m sort of at a loss. I’ve started booking live performances here in LA, mainly because I don’t know what else to do but start the old-fashioned way: live performance, build a following, create buzz, attract the labels. But of course, I’m devastated. I’m a pop artist, so sometimes I feel sort of lost in this new world of rock bands. Any advice you could give me would be so appreciated. I haven’t really reached out to anyone because I don’t want to seem like I’m doubting my decision. I know you know all about this kind of stuff and I’m all ears. Thank you Stephen!
Best,
Leah
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Hi Stephen,
One of your recent blog posts really inspired me. Can I e-mail you to elaborate?
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Hi Stephen, I am wondering if you have a few minutes to talk to me on the phone about your blog. I am writing a small piece on local bloggers for a new barista-net-type website called PatchMontclair. It will be up and running in July, I believe.
Let me know if you are interested and we can set up a time to talk.
Thank you!
Patricia Held
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Patricia, absolutely! I sent you an email with my contact information. Call me!
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