Instrumental is an all-in-one communications shop dedicated to empowering clients to capture the attention and loyalty they need to .
Who We Are
Instrumental was founded by Travis Nichols, a journalist, novelist, poet, and communications strategist with over twenty-plus years in advocacy and arts media.
His work has earned placements on the front page of the New York Times, the top spot on Reddit, the featured chyron on Fox & Friends, and nearly every outlet and platform in between.
He has played a key role in chronicling transformative movements in real-time and elevating the first-person stories of communities on the frontlines of global challenges.
As Director of Content Strategy at CARE.org, Travis led storytelling and content development for the award-winning News & Stories channel. Under his leadership, CARE News & Stories tripled its readership, earned international recognition for its innovative and human-centered documentation, and drew in tens of thousands of new supporters for the organization.
During his time at Greenpeace USA, Travis served as both Media Director and Communications Director, successfully landing campaign messages in The New York Times, The Washington Post, 60 Minutes, and Maddow, among many others, significantly boosting public awareness and engagement for the Arctic, Oceans, Climate, and Democracy campaigns. He also co-led communications for Jane Fonda’s weekly climate Fire Drill Fridays rallies, leading to widespread media coverage across platforms like the Today show, Good Morning America, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Ellen, and even the Oscars.
Also while at Greenpeace, Travis co-edited, with Lauren Groff and Nicole Sands, the Greenpeace Climate Visionaries Project, which featured authors such as Aimee Nezhukumatathil, Emily Raboteau, and Min Jin Lee. He also, in collaboration with activist Jonathan Butler, edited the Poetry Society of America’s Poetry & Environmental Justice collection, which brought together poets like Ada Limón, Craig Santos Perez, and Kazim Ali to explore the intersection of art and the climate crisis.Travis’s earlier tenure as Associate Editor at the Poetry Foundation saw him managing the development of award-winning digital content, including multiple podcasts and the National Magazine Award-winning Chicago Poetry Tour, which expanded the foundation's digital presence and audience engagement.
Email: instrumentalcomms@gmail.com

What We Do
Content Strategy Development:
Crafting content and communications strategies to reach target audiences and maximize engagement.
Aligning content with organizational goals to ensure effectiveness and efficiency.
Training and support:
Training in effective use of technology tools, such as project management software and AI to maximize efficiency while maintaining brand integrity.
Spokesperson and digital comms workshops for public-facing officials and platforms
Media Relations and Outreach:
Building and maintaining media relationships to secure positive coverage.
Writing press releases, op-eds, and media kits to elevate clients’ public profiles.
Email Newsletter Strategy and Implementation:
Designing and executing effective email campaigns that build brand loyalty and drive action.
Analyzing email performance metrics and optimizing strategies for improved outcomes.
Communications Consultation:
Advising organizations on lucid, effective communication strategies, both internal and external.
Conducting audits of existing communication practices and offering specific, actionable recommendations.
Storytelling and Narrative Building:
Creating human-centered, emotionally-resonant content for marketing and advocacy campaigns.
Producing press releases, newsletters, articles, and social media content that resonates with diverse audiences.
Digital Content Strategy and Implementation:
Developing comprehensive native digital strategies tailored to organizational objectives.
Creating, curating, and distributing content across digital platforms to maximize reach and engagement.
Nonprofit and Advocacy Support:
Specializing in supporting nonprofits and advocacy organizations with tailored communication solutions.
Leveraging expertise to amplify missions and drive action.