Previously, I created audience development strategies for entertainment and media companies, consumer brands, technology businesses, and nonprofits, including Verizon, Amtrak, AirBnB, Cirrus Insight, Tastebud Technologies (now Raise.com), Factor75 (now Factor), and NBC. My multi-platform expertise in content, research, social media, marketing, and events elevates brand awareness, engagement, loyalty, and revenue.
Earlier in my career, I played a key role in company and industry firsts in audience development, earning the “Mr. Viral” moniker with early successes that pre-date the age of Social Media. In 2012, I shared these experiences in my book; Social Media Is Bullshit (St. Martin’s Press), giving companies an inside look at how social media, influencers, and content marketing can, and can’t, build a business. That book was translated into Russian, Spanish, Polish, and Chinese editions.
In 2018, my second book, “Privacy: And How We Get It Back” was published in multiple formats, including a popular audio edition, narrated by Roger Wayne. Roger previously narrated the worldwide smash hit, “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck.” In 2022,I revised that book and released it in the form of a podcast featuring privacy and information security experts.
I’m a huge comic book nerd who hopes some day to write for Marvel and DC. So, it was a thrill to also work as part of the marketing team which helped launch Orphan Black: The Next Chapter from Realm.fm. While working with Realm I also helped coordinate marketing and PR efforts for Marvel’s JESSICA JONES: PLAYING WITH FIRE, THOR: METAL GODS, and BLACK WIDOW: BAD BLOOD. (No. I don’t know why I put those titles in all caps either. Oh, and BLACK PANTHER! I worked on that audio series too.)
In the past, I have launched and managed national tours to raise awareness for the early detection of breast cancer and wounded warrior support organizations. I also created and executed a social media campaign that successfully moved a public-access television series to nationwide syndication on ABC.
Before the pandemic, I was a frequent guest speaker at conferences worldwide, including the National Automotive Dealership Association, the DO Lectures, and SXSW.
Now that we’re out of the pandemic, I’m back. I spent two years running an experimental local news blog that has made a huge difference in the Southern Orange County community in terms of battling the hilarious amount of corruption faced by residents there. We also successfully got rid of a whole bunch of MAGA candidates.
While running The Monroe Gazette (something I still do on the side), it helped me figure out what I wanted to write about next.
I am now (slowly) working on my next book, “How to Protect Yourself From Fascists and Weirdos,” which is a continuation of the Stupid Sexy Privacy podcast. If you subscribe to the Stupid Sexy Privacy newsletter, you’ll get the new book (and audiobook) for free when it’s finished in 2026.
Originally, I was going to do “Teeth & Elbows” as a comic book, but decided to do it instead as a novel. Then, about 40,000 words in, real life mirrored fiction, and I had to put a stop to it. You can read the first chapter here with a quick explanation as to what happened.
And now you’re all caught up with what I’m working on.
-BJ
(Updated January 2026.)
Book & Literary Inquiries Only:
Dan Mandel, Sanford J. Greenburger & Associates: dmandel@sjga.com
All Other Inquiries:
Email: BJMendelson@Duck.com
BlueSky: @BJMendelson.com
-This is the only public social media profile that I have. If you see anything else out there, it ain’t me.