Featured Work

COMING SUMMER 2025

Frank’s first book, a  collection of 100 easy-to-apply tips and guidelines to help make your messaging and copywriting more persuasive.

Essential reading for nonprofit communicators.   

In 2014, Frank O’Brien was the principal author of Preventing Gun Violence Through Effective Messaging. The guide helped strengthen the movement’s messaging at a time when the NRA was dominating the issue.

FEBRUARY, 2025: In the cover article in Direct Impact, the new Direct Marketing Association of Washington (DMAW) magazine, Frank explores the core emotional dynamic at the heart of all effective uses of behavioral science to persuade our audiences.

DECEMBER 2024: Frank’s article “COMPETING NARRATIVES: The messaging battle during and after the 2024 election” appeared in DIGITAL PROGRESSIVE, the new magazine widely read by progressives across Europe.

SEPTEMBER 2024: On a LinkedIn Live Event, “Frank and Maddie’s Storytelling Dos and Don’ts,” Frank joins his good friend and leading copywriting coach Maddie Nance to discuss the keys to making sure nonprofit storytelling is more intentional, purposeful and persuasive.

‎MARCH 2024: On “The Strategy Session with Frank O’Brien, Progressive Strategist,” Frank joins organizers and strategists working to advance progressive causes and candidates in the Midwest to discuss the 2024 political landscape and the path to persuasion for the progressive movement.

On this episode of Nathaniel Pearlman’s Great Battlefield podcast, Frank discusses his career and the unique messaging challenges of 2024.

OCTOBER 2024: Frank’s blog “Does Your Messaging Match Giving Level Dynamics?” explores how donors at different giving levels vary on time frame, philanthropic strategy, ego involvement, and path to impact.

JULY 2024: The Direct Marketing Association of Washington (DMAW) asked Frank to share his political expertise and offer advice to “Year-End Fundraising in a Presidential Election Year.”

MAY 7, 2025: Frank will kick off this year’s Creative Day with “Building a Message Foundation,” an interactive presentation on the vital steps defining and clarifying your messaging strategy before you start writing copy. Register to attend here.

DECEMBER 2024: At a Congress bringing together Green Parties from all across Europe, Frank led a messaging workshop on how progressive groups and parties that have their backs to the wall can communicate more persuasively.