Mark A. Whittaker
East McKeesport, PA
(724) 553-8428
mwhit14@gmail.com
Objective: I want to use my online marketing, writing and editing expertise to help an organization strengthen and expand relationships with existing and prospective customers.
About me: I am an experienced online marketer who has spent the last nine years working with a start-up online marketing and social media agency. Building on a career as a newspaper reporter, editor and website manager, I wore many hats with the agency. I provided SEO advice to clients, worked with pay-per-click campaigns, and edited social media content plans. I also wrote and edited blog posts; and curated our weekly email.
Skills: Writing, copywriting, blog writing, email writing, editing, search engine optimization, search engine marketing / PPC (both Google Ads & Bing), social media content creation, Facebook ads, Twitter ads, LinkedIn ads, Google Analytics, Microsoft Office tools, WordPress, project management.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• With Dream Local Digital I established and executed the search optimization aspect of the business; set style rules for creating social media content; helped build marketing plan templates; set up our original search PPC service; and used my experience as an Amazon seller to manage Amazon advertising for several clients.
• For an AIM Group client, I developed a monthly report examining the ebb and flow of online advertising for prostitution. The reports drew media attention in many parts of the country.
• In my first year as online director at the Beaver County Times, aggregate page views increased 85 percent year-over-year, and revenue increased 45 percent. We redesigned the site and standardized advertising rates. I also created a customized marketing program for a local cyber school that generated $50,000 in new revenue.
• Led a team that launched a dozen user-generated content sites using a new content management system.
• Pioneered a paid, sports-related e-mail newsletter that generated $50,000 in new revenue on about $20,000 in expenses.
• Constantly retooling work skills to adapt to the evolving Internet. In 2010, earned a master’s certificate in Internet Marketing from the University of San Francisco.
• As managing editor, helped PittsburghLIVE win the EPpy Award in 2002 for the best overall U.S. newspaper website in its circulation category.
EMPLOYMENT
Senior Marketing Strategist, Paid Ads Lead
Dream Local Digital, Rockland, Maine, Jan. 2011 – March 2020
Dream Local Digital is a social media marketing agency that serves small and medium-sized businesses. I managed as many as 50 Google Ads accounts at one time and at various times wrote search optimization evaluations, edited and wrote marketing plans and content for social media. I also wrote and edited blogs for Dream Local and for clients.
Senior Consultant
The AIM Group LLC, Altamonte Springs, Fla., March 2009 – March 2013
AIM Group is an international consultancy focusing on classified advertising and interactive media. As a senior consultant, I researched and wrote reports for clients as needed. I contributed to the Classified Intelligence Report, a clients-only publication that covers the international classified advertising industry.
Interactive Media Director
Beaver Newspapers Inc., Beaver, Pa., August 2007 – December 2008
I was responsible for day-to-day advertising, design and operation of the company’s websites, including TimesOnline.com and EllwoodCityLedger.com. Supervised a staff of up to eight. I worked with newspaper advertising, editorial, production and circulation staffs to integrate good online and interactive practices. Developed a unique marketing program for Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center and School involving video and integration with the TimesOnline.com site (It was native advertising before it was called native advertising). In the first year, aggregate page views increased 85 percent year-over-year, and revenue increased 45 percent.
Director, Online and Interactive Services, July 2004 – August 2007
Tribune-Review Publishing Co., Pittsburgh, Pa.
I was responsible for day-to-day operations of PittsburghLIVE.com and about 20 other websites for the Tribune-Review Publishing Co., excluding most editorial content. Responsibilities include supervising staff of five; project management; advertising sales; promotion and coordination of new web products and projects; and integration of web projects with print products. Worked closely with our largest advertiser to develop newsletters and a sponsored mortgage calculator. Created and delivered an online advertising training program for the print sales staff. Managed a $1.9 million annual budget.
Managing Editor, January 2000 – July 2004
PittsburghLIVE, the website of the Tribune-Review Publishing Co.
Coordinated the posting of the company’s six daily newspapers – including the Tribune-Review and the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review – and two weeklies. Managed a staff of five online editors. Responsible for communication between the website and the affiliated newspapers; supervised creation of web-only content; negotiated partnership agreements.
DEVELOPMENT
• Google Search Ads certified (current)
• Google Display Ads certified (current)
• Google Analytics certified (2018)
• Attended 2014 Content Marketing World conference
• Master’s Certificate in Online Marketing from the University of San Francisco, 2010.
• Elected to board of the Newspaper Association of America’s Digital Media Federation, 2007
• American Press Institute Seminar for Digital News Management, Reston, Va., May 2001
EDUCATION
• Temple University, Philadelphia, Pa., Bachelor of Science, Communications / Journalism
• University of San Francisco, Master’s Certificate in Internet Marketing, 2010
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
• Manager/player. Church softball team, 2005-2010
• Manager, Coach. Youth soccer and baseball, Cranberry Twp., Pa. 1995-97
• Church councilman, Hope Lutheran Church, Cranberry Twp., Pa. 1994 – 1997
• Chairman, Parish Life Committee, Hope Lutheran Church, Cranberry Twp., Pa. 1996-97
• Participant, Anti-racism Discussion Group, YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh Center for Race Relations, Pittsburgh, Pa., 1996-97