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Jeff Deans

Director of Copy | Nelnet

Jeff Deans has over 20 years of experience in the creative side of advertising and marketing, and he currently serves as the director of copy for Nelnet. His extensive experience includes creative work in branding, advertising, digital, social, and integrated campaigns.

Deans has been with Nelnet since April 2021, initially serving as a senior writer before being promoted to director of copy in July 2023. In these roles, he has developed skills in creative writing, campaign concepting, social media marketing, video, digital marketing, copywriting, concept development, leadership, creative strategy, and email marketing.

Prior to joining Nelnet, Deans worked as a senior writer/producer at Swanson Russell from February 2012 to April 2021. There, he created award-winning work for national and international brands such as Arctic Cat, Pepsi, E-Z-GO, and Rain Bird. His skills in online advertising, television advertising, print advertising, presentation, and creative strategy were honed during his time at Swanson Russell.

Deans' background also includes teaching as an adjunct professor at Nebraska Wesleyan University from 2010 to May 2016, where he taught marketing, advertising, and presentation skills. Additionally, he served as the president of the American Advertising Federation of Lincoln from June 2013 to June 2014.

Before his tenure at Swanson Russell, Deans held positions as a copywriter at Firespring, interim marketing director/marketing specialist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, market research analyst/marketing specialist at Digital IMS, and CRM special project associate at British Telecommunications in Dublin, Ireland.

Deans holds a Master of Arts in advertising, marketing, and communication from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and communications from Nebraska Wesleyan University.