KEY SKILLS
Digital distribution 
and marketing: owned, paid and earned in social, newsletters, SEO/SEM, push alerts, OTT and CTV
Workflow, efficiency 
and process to boost performance

Strategic planning
Product and project management 

Content creation and optimization
 
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
2021 - present: American City Business Journals
Senior Director, Audience Growth
  • Oversees all externally facing digital content marketing and audience growth initiatives that introduce new users to The Business Journals — more than 50 digital products in 46 markets across the nation reaching 17 million business leaders each month.
  • Manages a team of experts tasked with driving qualified users to ACBJ platforms across 3rd party digital assets, syndication partnerships, newsletters, search, push alerts and social media to build loyalty and paid subscribers.
  • Leverages analytics and in-depth research to build revenue-focused content, audience and membership strategies across the company.

2015 - 2021: Cox Media Group
Director, Audience Engagement & Optimization
  • Developed, executed and iterated 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.
  • Directed 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.
  • Managed key performance indicators driving 270 million average monthly page views and 110 million average monthly sessions.
  • Delivered results: In 2020, sessions from social media went up +20%; search up +80%; newsletters up +93%; push alerts up +25%; and news aggregators up +1,000%. Partnership revenue went up more than +1,000%.

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 industry leading Audience Team to match 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.

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2007 - 2015:  The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Cox Media Group)
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) 
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 Myrtle Beach Sun News (Knight Ridder) 
​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