Build what’s next.

I turn strong ideas and existing strengths into new businesses, programs, and platforms.

Builder.
Creative-commercial operator.
Player-coach.

brand – content – partnerships – events – new initiatives

Hi, I’m Matt Heidkamp.

I’ve spent my career building things: new businesses, teams, content franchises, partnerships, events, and growth programs.

Previously, I spent nearly a decade at Skift, where I founded and scaled the company’s in-house content studio into its largest revenue line, then moved into broader creative strategy and brand leadership across its media brands, research products, global conferences, and commercial partnerships. I led strategy and creative work for clients including Mastercard, Accor, Hyatt, Destination Canada, Brand USA, Visa, and Amazon Web Services.

Since 2023, I’ve worked directly with founders and leadership teams across media, travel, AI, events, and technology on positioning, go-to-market strategy, commercialization, partnerships, and new program development.

Highlights

SkiftX Creative Studio

Building a media company’s in-house content agency from concept to top revenue stream.
Meta Foundation

Designing the organizational architecture for a hybrid media nonprofit.
GuideGeek / Matador Network

Positioning an AI travel product for enterprise growth across 45+ destinations.
Global Esports Federation

Connecting competitive gaming to destination strategy and economic development.
Skift IDEA Awards

Designing travel’s most prestigious awards program from concept to industry standard.
Destination Canada

Building a multi-year content partnership to reposition Canada for international business events.
Events & Experiential

Programming and building conferences, workshops, activations, product launches, award shows, pop ups, masterclasses.
Brand Ecosystem Redesign

Unifying five media brands, an editorial toolkit, and a design system into one connected platform, on- and offline.
Event Tech & SaaS

Competitive intelligence, product marketing and go-to-market strategy for enterprise event tech and SaaS platforms.