Based in Toronto, Canada, I am an Internet professional with nine years experience in online marketing and web design. As Online Product Manager at Transcontinental Media, I help shape the strategies for the Consumer Solutions Group websites, leading a team of web editors. With a HBA from The Richard Ivey School of Business, and over 30 web design projects in my portfolio, I have developed a unique skill set which few possess: one that includes the technical side of web development, as well as the business and strategy acumen.

My specialties are interactive marketing, project management, web usability, web analytics, statistical analysis, web design (XHTML/CSS integration), graphic design, search engine optimization, email marketing, product management, online content management, online advertising, and social media. This blog will explore these topics and more, as well as the occasional unrelated miscellaneous anecdote and rambling. Enjoy!

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As Online Product Manager at Transcontinental Media, my goal is to grow traffic and revenue on the consumer websites, where I manage a team of web editors and an annual budget of almost $1 million. While the role is heavily marketing-focused, other aspects of the position include project management, business development, operations management, business analysis, and sales. Since starting as Online Product Manager in April 2008, I have:

• overseen several web development projects;
• grown organic search engine traffic;
• supported sales functions by creating new revenue opportunities;
• fostered a data-driven culture through web analytics and multivariate testing;
• contributed to the company’s social media and video strategies

Transcontinental Media is owned by Transcontinental Inc, the largest printer in Canada and sixth-largest in North America. Transcontinental Media is the country’s leading publisher of consumer magazines and second-largest community newspaper publisher. Its digital platform delivers unique content through more than 200 websites, receiving over 4.5 million Canadian unique monthly visitors, which ranks in the top 25 Internet properties in Canada (source: comScore, 2009). Some of Transcontinental Media’s websites include StyleAtHome.com, CanadianLiving.com, ElleCanada.com, TheHockeyNews.com, TVGuide.ca, and CanadianGardening.com. More information: www.transcontinentalmedia.com

ABC (Audit Bureau of Circulations) is a non-profit organization which provides credible, third party audits of magazine & newspaper readership. In 2009, ABC created the CDAC (Canadian Digital Advisory Committee) to provide insight and guidance to the ABC board or directors on the scope and purview of the emerging digital advertising marketplace and its potential impact on ABC member organizations. As one of the eight board members of CDAC, my responsibilities are to:

• Foster discussions regarding the future of digital media and how it will be bought and sold
• Provide input, guidance and expertise to the ABC board of directors
• Examine the value of cross-platform metrics to both publishers and advertisers
• Explore how digital data should be presented and reported by ABC for its various constituencies
• Review and discuss topical issues that affect buyers and sellers of digital and emerging media, including metrics and measurements, IAB standards and guidelines, panel- and server-based audience measurement sources, and ad serving measurements & auditing guidelines
• Identify emerging media that have value for advertisers and may require independent verification
• Serve as a public face for ABC’s digital initiatives in media relations and industry events

I hold a 2001 Honours Bachelor Degree in Business Administration (HBA) from one of the most respected business schools in Canada: The Richard Ivey School of Business, a part of The University of Western Ontario. Major areas of focus at Ivey were marketing, information systems, and e-commerce. While my formal university education ended in 2001, my thirst for knowledge led me to continually develop my skills and expertise further. I read at least 20 industry-related books per year, as well as following countless blogs.

After university, I took the path less traveled. While many of my classmates had taken positions in investment banking, management consulting, or consumer packaged goods marketing, I decided to work for a start-up in the music industry called Release Records, where I was brought on to lead the company’s online business. In a matter of two years, Release Records was regarded by many of its customers as the number one website in the world for electronic music DJs to buy new music. Release was nominated twice for Best Music Retailer at the WMC Awards.

While working in the music industry, I started up my own record label in 2004, Money Shot Recordings. The label released nine singles in 12” vinyl, digital download, and CD format, but in 2009 I decided to discontinue the label due to lack of time. The past releases are still available for purchase, and I continue to host Money Shot Radio, a monthly podcast and radio show (on protonradio.com).

Between 2003 and 2008, I worked part time as a project manager for dDaemon Industries Inc., a web development company specializing in small business websites.