Head of SEO at Verve Search
January 2013 - June 2013
Tasked with developing winning SEO strategies for the agency's clients, drafting proposals for new business, liaison with new and existing customers and day-to-day supervision of staff and administration. Clients include Expedia.com, BrightSolid (FindMyPast.co.uk, GenesReunited.co.uk, etc.), Miinto.dk, CouplesResorts.co.uk, Riverford.co.uk and HotelClub.com. Consultation on all aspects of technical SEO and Content Outreach, based on my experience as a top flight Natural Search practitioner and many years' work as a print and production journalist. Speaker at SEO Conferences, including SES London 2013, and contributor to Tech Start-up meetings, training and support documentation. Still actively participating in hands-on analytics, statistics and website analysis. Advisor on aspects of usability and accessibility, and conversion optimisation. Blogger on all aspects of SEO and Content. Excel evangelist. Creator of tools. Working Knowledge of: Google Suite, LinkDex, Deep Crawl, Majestic SEO, Open Site Explorer, Web CEO, WordTracker and MS Office. Responsible to: Company CEO/Owner.
Global Director SEO at Hilton Worldwide
June 2011 - January 2013
Implementing and managing ethical SEO practice across all Hilton Brand websites in Americas, EMEA and APAC. Managing Hilton teams in all three regions. Developing natural search strategies to meet the need of the customer for the best in travel and accommodation. Reporting to senior management about the progress of Hilton SEO, changes to the search landscape affecting the brand, and championing good search practise within the company and its suppliers. Managing and developing Hilton Worldwide's relationships with organic search partners around the world including major agencies and search engines. Educating key internal stakeholders at all levels of the business in the efficacy of Natural Search and promoting its use as a major channel at property and brand level. Working Knowledge of: Google Tools, Google Webmaster, etc., WebTrends, Web CEO, Advanced Web Ranking, WordTracker and MS Office Professional. Responsible to: Vice President, Demand Generation, Hilton Worldwide.
SEO Specialist at Hilton Worldwide
August 2010 - June 2011
Researching, devising, managing and implementing Natural Search strategy for all Hilton Hotels outside of the Americas. Project leadership and agency management to implement changes in SEO practice ahead of major overhaul of Hilton websites. Consultation on best practice and innovation for new Hilton websites. Link-building. Statistical analysis of SERPs, RoI and customer outreach, using WebTrends and other programs. Social media campaign management, online PR, landing page strategy and implementation. Technical SEO documentation and training. Stakeholder education and management.
Head of Search at dgm - affiliate and search marketing
October 2009 - August 2010
Managing, analysing, benchmarking and improving SEO and other search strategies (paid and organic) for a range of Blue Chip and SME clients including Hilton Worldwide as head of a growing department at the UK's premier affiliate and search marketing company. Creating and managing content-based back-linking and search engine optimisation strategies. Developing transparent Return on Investment calculations based on published analytics and proven conversion rates. Pinpointing areas of keyword strategy to be developed on the back of existing PPC spend. Developing and producing directory and paid-link campaigns for agency clients. Managing and optimising statistical analysis, the production of client websites and co-ordinating training and staff development to client needs and specifications. Management of a highly talented and effective team of search experts to improve their efficiency in delivering winning SEO campaigns. Working with the dgm sales team to put potential clients in a purchasing frame of mind and win new business, including on-site sales presentations and consultancy. Extending the search franchise with usability and enhanced conversion advice and consultancy. Establishing and building a backlinking team working on a diverse portfolio of inbound links aimed at client sites to improve SERPs.
Partner at Scene on the Net
March 2002 - October 2009
A "just-for-fun" web development partnership -- originally meant as an informal test-bed for other projects -- has helped several small business to gain a foothold on the interweb. Scene combines the expertise of enthusiastic, tech-savvy digital media professionals with a sense of fun and a desire to push boundaries, all done at weekends and holidays. Makes us popular with our familes!
Senior SEO Specialist at Absorb Digital
May 2009 - October 2009
Analysing, benchmarking and improving SEO for a range of large and small clients. Creating and managing content-based back-linking and search engine optimisation strategies. Developed and managed successful article marketing campaign for clients including lastminute.com using content suppliers and third-party sites to improve backlinks. Pinpointed areas of keyword strategy to be developed on the back of clients' existing PPC spend. Developed and produced directory and paid-link campaigns for agency clients. Created comprehensive sitemaps for websites large and small. Managed and optimised statistical analysis of linking campaigns. Managed development of client websites along SEO-friendly principles and design. Determined site performance using Google tools and other leading analysis packages, including Omniture. Press and PR for client companies as part of reputation management and backlink generation. Relaunched, developed and maintained absorb website, built to W3C compliance and accessibility standards, including blogging and Twitter streams.
SEO Manager at SmartLiveCasino.com
May 2008 - May 2009
developing a multi-disciplinary SEO strategy for Smart TV's web site properties, including SmartLiveCasino.com; Developing original and creative strategies based on statistical results and calculated returns; Creating and managing zero-percent affiliate websites as part of a back-linking strategy; Devising and maintaining a social media marketing campaign using Facebook, MySpace, YouTube and Twitter; Directing a sustainable PPC marketing campaign through available outlets including Google Adwords and Yahoo! search advertising; Analysing website performance using market-leading platforms including (but not limited to) Google Analytics, Google Webmaster and Google Trends and deciding how best to maximise information from all available sources; Writing web-based tools as required for the production and maintenance of effective web sites; Devising and assessing analytical campaigns to highlight inherent design weaknesses/strengths using A-B Split Testing (also known as multivariate testing) including use of Google's beta Website Optimizer service; Advising in-house development team on best practice guidelines for design, analysis and monitoring; Press and PR for Smart TV Broadcasting and its associated companies as part of a wider programme of reputation management; Creating and directing a redesign of the company's website properties to incorporate the latest innovations in accessible and usable W3C standards-compliant XHTML, including direct coding of PHP and MySQL applications such as Wordpress and Drupal with an eye to maximising clicks and page views; Negotiating contracts for development and implementation of an Enterprise-Level Content Management System and the supply of regular SEO-friendly content; Advising on aspects of new site launches for Smart TV Broadcasting in other gaming-related content streams as well as other company properties.
Executive Technical Producer at Time Out
December 2007 - April 2008
Managing teams of developers across Time Out's UK media outlets -- Time Out magazine, Time Out travel guides and TimeOut.com. Liaising between Time Out staff and third-party contractors; implementing a dynamic new strategy for managing data assets; consulting on SEO, accessibility and usability standards and interface architecture for Time Out's websites; working with international partners on technical aspects of syndication and co-operation. Project management for Time Out's online and offline media streams. Training Time Out's staff in new software and production processes and writing user manuals for developed programs; Defining, developing, documenting and implementing a Content Management Strategy for the company -- at home and abroad.
SEO Manager at Barablu
October 2007 - November 2007
Turning flat-lining website into an SEO success by organic techniques, leading to an 1,800% rise in page views in just four weeks; Planned the information architecture and advised on the design of an interim rebuild for the existing unoptimised website and a completely redesigned, accessible, usable and highly-optimised tool to maximise conversion rates; Ran a comprehensive programme of A-B Split testing on key pages including sign-up, download and air-time; Planned a comprehensive, ethical backlinks campaign with proven results after less than a month: Launched comprehensive review of site features including functionality, blogging and forums; Daily blogging on Barablu.com: Worked to get Barablu.com included on a wide range of directories and indexes; Played a leading role in the adoption and implementation of a new MOSS 2007 Content Management System. Accountable to: Barablu CEO.
Global Content Editor at Regus Holdings
February 2007 - October 2007
Day-to-day management of content throughout Regus' 70 global web sites; developed fully-costed content strategy to turn Regus' international web sites into a full portal for businesspeople on the lookout for information, products and much more; Negotiated exclusive relationships with Press Association and Financial Times for relevant content streams; researched and purchased new stats and metrics packages; identified partners for SEO and Cross-Cultural Awareness; ran a six-week project to select a new Content Management System for internet, intranet and extranet; worked on PPC campaigns with outside contractors with an eye to exploiting the "Long Tail"; Revised existing content; improved keyword densities and implemented readability and accessibility standards; championed direct marketing strategy; developed CSS2 and XHTML/DHTML and associated SQL databases to W3C standards; Advised senior management on internet, new media, SEO and content. Accountable to: Regus Chief Marketing Officer.
Web Producer at TIME Magazine
July 2001 - February 2007
Day-to-day production of TIME magazine's web site for Europe, Africa and the Middle East, maintaining exacting standards of accuracy, usefulness, relevance and readability; Developing a content-delivery strategy for TIME Europe, based on statistical measurement of online properties (including the implementation, management and maintenance of Omniture and NetGenesis analytics packages. Monitoring news sources for developing stories and events of relevance to TIME.com; Overseeing and managing special web sites and new media projects for TIME.com's editorial and commercial arms; co-ordination and co-operation with TIME's worldwide new media business; General maintenance and development of standards-compliant Vignette, PHP5, CSS2 and XHTML/DHTML and associated MySQL databases; Planning, structuring and managing regional and international web campaigns for TIME magazine and its advertisers.
Producer & Project Manager at E-Motion Ltd
October 2000 - July 2001
Client-facing project planning and management, client and partner liaison, site documentation and testing, JavaScript and XHTML/CSS design, copywriting, company handbook and intranet planning, workflow and handover protocols. Project involvement included: RNLI www.rnli.org.uk (charity promotion and e-commerce site): Project and modifications management, news presentation design, initial site testing; Croner Intranet www.croner.co.uk (corporate intranet project): Project and modifications management, client training and liaison, support assistance; Nokia Orange/BTCellnet (Web and WAP-based promotional Extranets): Requirements capture, project planning and management, facilitation, initial site testing, client training and liaison; The Commonwealth Small States Trade Forums www.commonwealth.org (private discussion forums for Trade Ministers from Commonwealth states): Design, programming, management and training. Accountable to: E-Motion Directors.
Web Editor at Sunday Sun
March 1999 - October 2000
Founding editor of Sunday Sun web site (BT North East Press Awards Web site of the Year 1999), promotion, presentation and budget planning; content supervision; seconded (part-time) to New Media Department, during launch of Trinity-Mirror Group's icNewcastle portal project; integrated email and internet use into editorial process. Reported on technology news. Accountable to: Editor, Sunday Sun
Production Editor at Sunday Sun
September 1997 - March 1999
Planning and day-to-day production issues. Interdepartmental liaison with Print and Advertising departments; technical requirements and research; new technology and systems implementation; covering for Chief Sub; leading member of redesign group; member of technology panel; NC&J Ltd new media working party; intranet study, e-mail development and data strategy. Accountable to: Editor, Sunday Sun, and his deputies.
Chief Sub Editor at Sunday Sun
April 1996 - September 1997
Planning, subbing and revising pages, newspaper development and production issues; staffing and local personnel affairs (including recruitment), rotas and holiday arrangements, and shift payments; member of technology panel. Accountable to: Editor, Sunday Sun, and his deputies.
Production Editor at Western Morning News
July 1992 - April 1996
Overseeing introduction of full-page makeup; development of colour palette; planned, designed and implemented 'Tabloid' redesign; restructured WMN graphics department; introduced Health and Safety DSE procedures; cover for Chief Sub, Night Editor; implemented launch of Somerset Edition; feature writing. Courses completed include: Newspaper Colour; Advanced PhotoShop; Illustrator; Press technology; Quark Xpress; Time Management. Accountable to: Editor, WMN, and his deputies.
Cornish Chief Sub Editor at Western Morning News
August 1988 - July 1992
Responsible for production of Cornish editions of The Western Morning News
Sub Editor at Cambridge EVENING news
1986 - 1988
Advertsing Copy Writer/Dogsbody at The Western Sunday Independent
1984 - 1986
Senior Reporter at The Borehamwood Post
1984 - 1986
Independent Search Consultant at Max Brockbank
July 2013
Working on a number of different accounts large and small for Organic Search, analytics, Cross-channel optimisation, user experience and conversion improvement.
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