Today we’d like to introduce you to Walter Bristol
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My journey into content creation started with a skateboard and a camera. Long before I was managing brands and businesses, I was out in the streets filming skate videos with my buddies for fun. At the time, I didn’t realize I was teaching myself the fundamentals of storytelling, cinematography, and how to create content that truly connects with people.
That passion for filmmaking eventually led me into the music scene, where I crossed paths with Ben Kweller. Meeting Ben was a turning point. He saw my potential and encouraged me to take my skills beyond just passion projects. For the first time, I started to see that the kind of content I was creating had real value in the industry. But it wasn’t until I met Australian artist Tom Busby that everything fell into place.
Tom was the one who introduced me to social media management. He saw how naturally I crafted engaging content and suggested I apply those skills to managing his online presence via social media. It started with me curating and growing Tom’s platforms, but before long, the demand for my work exploded. What began as a single project turned into something much bigger. I started being reached out to by different businesses in the Austin area and have been given so many opportunities to learn and grow.
In August 2024, I officially launched Bristol Media LLC, a creative marketing agency specializing in organic digital media growth, videography, and brand storytelling. I employ a unique approach called “The EPL Plan,” which stands for Ethos, Pathos, and Logos. This comprehensive plan serves as the foundation for all prospective clients, meticulously outlining how we establish their credibility, craft their narrative, and streamline their logistics to enhance the likelihood of people consuming their good or service. It is a method I really believe in and will continue to use.
Overall, In less than a year, I’ve gone from filming skate videos to running a creative agency with multiple clients and even more on the horizon. My approach has always been about authenticity, storytelling, and real engagement, and that’s what has driven Bristol Media’s rapid growth. I am so excited to see what the next four years will look like as I continue my higher education at UT Austin in the fall of 2025, all the while growing this exciting business.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I have faced many struggles along the way. Learning to take rejections as redirection and accepting the fact that I will not always be right even when I think it is a good idea. I have had stents of content not performing well which requires a complete campaign rework and working with disappointed clients.
Additionally, I have always been alone with this passion. I am looking forward to going to UT in the fall and finding some people of similar interest as so far it has been a bit of a lonely adventure. Thankfully Ben Kweller has been someone extremely kind and supportive of me through every chapter. He has always believed in me and trusted my creative intuition. Some other rocky moments have come from time management issues. I am a full time high school student and finding a balance between a real job/business like this can be relatively difficult.
Thankfully, I remain optimistic and extremely excited for the future, and this keeps me very driven.
We’ve been impressed with Bristol Media LLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Bristol Media, my business, specializes in providing creative, personalized, and cutting-edge social media content, marketing, and advertising campaigns for small business and artists alike.
We are definitely most known for our work with credible artists and public figures such as Ben Kweller, Christopher Mintzplasse, Cherub, Fishbone, Susannah Joffe, West 22nd, Robert Ellis, and the UT IFC.
However, Bristol Media is in the midst of a dive/transition into B2B marketing with tech and health companies. Overall, less artist centered work will be prevalent in the future of this business,
I am most proud of our ability to take the wants and needs of each individual business and match the aesthetic they had in mind as well as providing creative ideation of our own. Due to my business being in its adolescence, we are able to provide industry standard services for a fraction of an industry standard price. We are utilizing this developmental time to foster relationships and grow experience; this is why the lower price is beneficial for both parties.
We offer a plethora of different services depending on price and quantity of videos, but quality will never be sacrificed. It is of course the most ideal for our clients to be local to Austin for now; however, we have extensive experience working with clients across the world.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I love how Austin is a creative hub with a thriving music, film, and business scene, making it the perfect place to stay and feel inspired to pursue more and more. I have lived here my whole life so I love just about everything in Austin.
What I like least: everything is very oversaturated, making it harder for myself to stand out amongst the crowd. Plus, traffic can be a nightmare at any time of day. But thats all just superficial, this is still the most amazing city in the world.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bristolmediatx.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/walter-bristol-521033349
