Brian Dooley

Copywriter & audio/video producer · St. Louis

I write brand voice for music and entertainment brands, then produce the videos and podcasts that carry it. Most recently, that meant seven chartered music cruises at Signature Cruise Experiences, each with its own voice.

They say his aim is true: and this time, he’s aiming for the horizon.
From
Elvis Costello announcement email, Chris Botti at Sea III, 2026

Writing

Campaign email, promotional concepts, and editorial for music cruise brands. Excerpts below; full copy available on request.

Artist announcement emails

Brand
Chris Botti at Sea III
Year
2026
Job
Sell staterooms to fans of two newly added guest artists, Boz Scaggs and Elvis Costello, each with its own promo code

Did you know that Boz Scaggs is sailing on Chris Botti at Sea III?This isn’t just a Lido Shuffle down the street; it’s a journey from sunny Los Angeles to scenic Vancouver, BC, with an overnight in San Francisco and a port visit to Victoria.

For the first time ever, Elvis Costello is performing on a cruise! And not just any cruise. Elvis is Chris Botti’s special guest when Chris Botti at Sea III docks in Victoria, BC, marking one of his rare North American appearances this year!

Each email speaks the artist’s language to his own fans: song titles woven into the pitch, then the itinerary, the lineup, the excursions, and a fan-only offer.

“Wish Book” holiday promotion

Brand
Top Shelf Country Cruise
Year
2025
Job
Sell staterooms as holiday gifts, written as a vintage mail-order catalog page for a $2,000 ornament that comes with a free stateroom

But wait… there’s a Christmas miracle!Sure, it’s a little extravagant, but your parents (or favorite people!) are worth it, aren’t they? They’ll spend the next few weeks shaking the box and guessing, and trust us, they won’t guess this!

Our most exclusive staterooms are HOTTER THAN CHESTNUTS roasting on an open fire and are going fast!

Email and web copy for an inaugural sailing, built on one joke that also does the selling.

From the Top Shelf newsletter

Brand
Top Shelf Country Cruise
Years
2025–2026
Job
Build an audience for a brand-new country cruise with artist features, destination guides, and news between sailings

Selected issues:

  • Oct 9, 2025
  • Oct 30, 2025
  • Dec 23, 2025
  • Jan 15, 2026
Read the issues

Print

Onboard souvenir programs: welcome letters, artist profiles, daily themes, and event pages for each guest’s keepsake.

Video

Promo edits, sizzle reels, social cuts, and site video for music cruise brands, plus production work for a St. Louis nonprofit theatre program.

Signature Cruise Experiences

Piece
Homepage hero video
Brand
Journey of Jazz ’27
Role
Editor
Piece
Launch sizzle reel
Brand
David Foster: The Hitman Cruise ’27
Role
Editor
Piece
Golden Mic Competition announcement
Brand
Top Shelf Country Cruise
Role
Editor
Piece
Quote ad, 9:16 social reel
Brand
The Yacht Rock Cruise
Ran
September 2026
Role
Editor
Watch on Facebook

Prison Performing Arts

Piece
Production video
Date
April 27, 2026
Role
Producer and editor
Watch on Vimeo
Piece
Audio production
Date
April 9, 2026
Role
Producer and editor
Watch on Vimeo

Audio

Podcast production from recording through mix, plus show notes and social copy.

Jazz Cruises Conversations

For
Signature Cruise Experiences
Role
Producer and editor; show notes and social copy
Listen

Amateur Tarot Pod

Years
2016–2020; since remastered and re-released
Role
Founder, producer, and marketing throughout; co-host, October 2016 to May 2019
Listen

Web

Site copy and content for the Signature Cruise Experiences portfolio, each brand in its own voice.