KEY SKILLS
Digital distribution and marketing: owned, paid and earned including social, newsletters, OTT, SEO/SEM, notifications
Digital, video, print
and social content

​Product and project management
Improving efficiency and process to boost performance

​Strategic planning 
Data analysis
and storytelling

Team building with a focus on startup culture
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EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts in journalism, Bachelor of Arts in political science, Cum laude
​Wichita (Kan.) State University
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EXPERIENCE
2015 - present: Cox Media Group in Atlanta, Ga.

Director, Audience Engagement + Optimization
  • Develop, execute and iterate data-driven distribution, engagement and growth strategies across digital platforms for Cox Media Group — 100+ news outlets in 20 media markets reaching more than 52 million Americans weekly.
  • Direct an innovative team of experts focused on content optimization, data insights, partnerships, video, search engine optimization, newsletters, social media on more than 500 channels, push alerts, OTT and more.
  • Manage key performance indicators driving 270 million average monthly page views and 110 million average monthly sessions.
  • Deliver results: Sessions from social media up 60%; search up 1,000%; email newsletters up 1,000%;  push alerts and apps up +90%; and news aggregators up 170%.

Director, Data Analytics + Insights
  • Led a team of expert data scientists, analysts and strategists.
  • Identified trends, areas for growth opportunity and risk assessment across CMG digital, radio, TV and newspaper properties.
  • Determined data-driven digital strategies and worked to implement these strategies with key stakeholders to empower audience insights and outcomes.
  • Responsible for creating and maintaining a central reporting hub with core KPIs that go beyond page views and sessions., including improved data reporting, analytics and strategic development with artificial intelligence and machine learning.

​Director of Audience for Fans 1st Media (previously Senior Manager, Content + Audience)
  • Developed, executed and evolved distribution, engagement and growth strategies across platforms for F1M brands and new ventures including Rare Country, Clark.com, Rare, FanBuzz, Alt_driver and Hot Topics.
  • Directed an innovative Audience Team that matches winning content with owned, paid, earned and social media marketing to strategically amplify performance among valuable audiences.
  • Led initiatives in SEO/SEM, newsletters, community management, influencers, partners, paid social, native advertising, and other owned, earned and paid audience growth.
  • Managed to key performance indicators including 60 million monthly visits and a multimillion-dollar budget.
  • Built and managed a new video team and strategy for 40+ videos a month and millions of views.
  • Delivered results: Visits outside owned Facebook including SEO and newsletters up 200%; paid partners up 200%; paid social up 300%; A/B testing up 3X, leading to 200% overall performance improvement on social.


2007 - 2015:  The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Cox Media Group) in Atlanta, Ga.
Projects / Sunday Editor (previously Senior Designer)
  • ​Planned and managed the AJC’s biggest projects, special sections and breaking news coverage.
  • Collaborated with reporters, editors, photographers, designers and artists.
  • Worked closely with centralized Cox Media Group copy, design and wire desks to art direct projects.
  • Engaged departments on projects, including digital, marketing, advertising, freelancers and vendors.
  • Art directed and designed Sunday news covers and sections, editorial pages, projects and special sections.
  • Member of several redesign teams (2008 redesign, AJC 2.0 project, 2012 redesign).
  • Trained and mentored other designers.
  • Technical experience with graphics, illustrations and photography.


2005 - 2007:  Orlando Sentinel (Tribune) in Orlando, Fla.
Senior Designer                                       
  • Designed and planned Sunday and daily news and local covers, projects and special sections
  • Coordinated Local In-Depth, a weekly visual section on local news
  • Trained and mentored other designers
  • Member of several redesign teams (2006, 2007, inception of Local In-Depth)
  • Graduate of Tribune Co.’s yearlong leadership training course

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2002 - 2005: The Sun News (Knight Ridder) in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
​Copy editor, designer, wire editor       
  • Stylebook editor in charge of revisions and additions
  • Designed A1 and local sections
  • Copy editor, headline writer, wire editor, slot

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AFFILIATIONS
2006 - present: The Society for News Design
International nonprofit organization
  • Education and Training Director (coordinate training events, manage the budget)
  • Southern Regional Director (recruit and inform members, organize regional events)
  • Member of the Executive Committee
  • Best of News Design competition facilitator, judge and contest coordinator
  • Speaker and trainer for students and professionals
  • 2006 annual workshop team

Others: Online News Association, Society of Professional Journalists, Poynter Institute, Freedom Forum