Adam Arcus makes the technical and complex more human.
As an accomplished creative leader, Adam has more than a decade of experience distilling science, engineering, technology, and innovation into relatable and human stories and is currently the Director of Brand Strategy at Rheaply.
His style of articulated maximalism, emphasized through multimedia, is filtered through clean, minimalist user experiences and well-built narratives. Data-driven and research-based, Adam uses techniques steeped in psychology and narrative science to create experiences and brands built on honest relationships that push forth visionary ideals and identify new potential markets.
Previously, as the VP of Creative at 1871, he sets the Chicago civic institution’s strategy for brand, design, events, and marketing. His mission focuses on telling the stories of the extraordinary journeys and choices of startup founders. The work fosters community within the organization’s members and the public, as it inspires, equips, and supports innovators building our next tomorrow.
Before joining 1871, Adam was the Digital Strategy Director for the United Sciences of Chicago, a nonpartisan science advocacy organization that evolved from the 2017 Chicago March For Science. Adam has also led international marketing campaigns and strategies within a Fortune Global 500 company. He’s a talented photographer, a creative consultant, a world traveler, public speaker, and a mentor. Adam received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
An international traveler based in Chicago, in his free time Adam rebuilds motorcycles and practices mindfulness through coffee brewing. He finds joy in a good book and traveling alongside his wife, Rachel, and, of course, their Chocolate Labrador, Arwen.