In more than two decades as a writer and marketing consultant, Michael Clive has created programs in a wide range of print, television and interactive media. He was acknowledged as a key player in the language simplification movement of the late 70s and early 80s, and applies its key principles to Internet content today.

In 1977, at the age of 25, he was recruited by author and editorial consultant Rudolph Flesch to join the consulting staff of Siegel & Gale, where - as vice president, communications - he helped draft legislation on plain-English consumer contracts and briefed President Jimmy Carter on simplifying Federal regulations.

Clive became principal and executive creative director of writing services at Lister Butler, a New York consultancy, in 1979. He was an independent writer and consultant from 1985 until 1994, when he joined VIA-Inc. as communications principal and senior practitioner. He returned to independent writing and consulting in 2000. He has been retained by leading agencies including Young & Rubicam, Burson Marsteller, Bates Advertising, Studio Morris, Frankfurt Balkind Partners, Anspach Grossman & Portugal, Interbrand Schechter, Carbone Smolan and Associates, Belk Mignogna, and Stark Design. Currently he is one of the principles of Cognito-Branding, Inc.

mcclive@wellsley.com
212.988.5525