Niche Magazine Conference Speakers
More 2012 speakers to come soon!
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Mike BannanCOOIDEA Fitness Journal Now: Mike is COO of IDEA Health & Fitness Association, the world's largest membership organization of fitness professionals. Mike's focus with IDEA is exclusively digital. IDEAfit.com contains over 5,000 articles, hundreds of streaming videos, and an online learning center. Mike increased site visitors, engagement, and conversion 300% in just two years. Past life: Mike has a broad range of experience and has led two Inc. 500 companies. 5 Key Factors to Increase Conversions |
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Arjun BasuContent DirectorSpafax Now: Arjun has been with Spafax, a leading custom content provider, since 1998 and leads content development across platforms for Spafax’s international client base. He’s a storyteller, a huge fan of print, a published author and President of Canada’s National Magazine Awards Foundation. Past Life: Arjun has worked as an editor of children’s books and was editor in chief of Air Canada in-flight enRoute, twice voted world’s best inflight magazine under his tenure. His first book of short stories, Squishy, was published in 2008. Content Marketing Kinda Rocks - A Lot! |
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Peter BlackSenior Vice President, Business DevelopmentBPA Worldwide Now: Peter Black is a 20+ year veteran of BPA Worldwide. As Sr. VP of Business Development, he oversees new business development, domestic and international sales/marketing, professional development programs, and communication activities. Past Life: Peter was a sales manager for Official Airline Guides and is a past president of the Business Marketing Association, New York Chapter. Evolution! The New World of Audience Development |
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Theresa ChangSr. VP, Media PlanningThe Buntin Group Now: Theresa Chang is Senior Vice President of Media Planning for The Buntin Group. She brings more than 20 years experience directing promotional media campaigns for companies such as British Virgin Islands, Fairmont Hotels, Tropicana, Kraft, RJR Nabisco, FILA USA and Cover Girl Cosmetics. She is two-time winner of Adweek’s Plan of the Year Award (formerly Mediaweek) for “Best Plan Under $1mm”. Past Life: Theresa joined The Buntin Group from Draftfcb in New York where she was SVP, Group Media Director managing the integrated media group on Quest Communications. Her prior agency experience includes Foote, Cone & Belding and Grey Advertising in New York and Intermark Group in Birmingham. Media Buyer Steel Cage Match |
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Kristen CounceMedia DirectorSullivan Branding Now: Kristen Counce is Media Director for at Sullivan Branding (formerly White | Thompson). Past Life: Kristen's professional experience in advertising and marketing media spans over 13 years, with buying and strategy experience in many industries including tourism, consumer packaged goods, nonprofit services and healthcare. Locally, she has directed media buying efforts for Meridian Communications, Bohan Advertising, Comcast Spotlight, ACS Advertising. Media Buyer Steel Cage Match |
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Drew DavisCo Founder & Chief Strategy OfficerTippingpoint Labs Now: As Chief Strategy Officer and Co-Founder of Tippingpoint Labs, Drew Davis has been creating and implementing digital content strategies and providing strategic consulting. Clients include Meredith, Breville, and Putnam Investments. He offers conceptual frameworks that help marketers understand and act within the digital landscape. Past Life: Prior to Tippingpoint Labs, Drew developed and marketed products for ThinkAgent Technologies, SalieMae Solutions, and The Stock Market Photo Agency and has developed content for broadcast networks. Drew also studied storytelling under some of the great masters of our age, including Jim Henson and Charles Kuralt. The Future of Digital IS Print |
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Stewart DayPublisherNashville Parent Now: As President of Day Communications, Stewart provides the management, vision, and direction for the highly acclaimed magazine, Nashville Parent. This niche publishing leader produces three other parenting magazines and four supplements. Past life: President Emeritus of the Parenting Publications of America. Stewart received the Distinguished Publisher Award from PPA in 2007. Expanding Your Brand Brainstorming! When Advertisers Need More: The New "Value Selling" Approach |
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Ryan DohrnPresidentBrain Swell Media Now: Ryan is President of Brain Swell Media, an internet consulting firm focused on developing online revenue strategies for magazine publishers. Ryan currently works with over 35 niche publications. Past Life: As General Manager for Morris Magazines Interactive managed the web strategy and online operations of 14 publications. Online Revenue |
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Will ElliottVice President of Marketing & SalesContactology Now: Will Elliott is the Vice President for Sales and Marketing at Contactology, an Email Service Provider specializing in automated sending and publishing integrations. He's a self-described media and marketing junkie who wanted to be a news anchor growing up and now reads several blogs before getting out of bed in the morning. Past Life: Prior to joining Contactology, Will worked to create unique advertising campaigns on PerezHilton.com, DailyKos and ICanHasCheezburger.com E-Marketing Expert Showdown |
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Rex HammockCEOHammock Inc. Now: Rex Hammock is founder and CEO of the custom publishing and content marketing company Hammock Inc. Hammock Inc. produces a broad range of magazines, print and email newsletters, video, online media, and digital products for corporate and association clients. He is also the Author of RexBlog, one of the first personal CEO blogs. Past Life: Rex is one of the co-founders of the Custom Content Council, now the nation's leading professional association of custom media providers. Rex has served three terms on the board of directors of American Business Media. Evolution! The New World of Audience Development |
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Carl LandauGrand PoobahNiche Media Now: He started the wildly successful "Publishers Only" Niche Magazine Conference in 2007 And the fast-growing Niche Digital Conference in 2009. Carl became famous 15 years ago for sending cats in the mail and has taught his Camp Niche ad sales seminars to over 3,000 ad sales professionals. This has given him unique insight into the needs of the small-to-medium niche publishers. Past Life: Carl Landau made millions starting and selling five niche magazines and two conferences & trade shows in both the consumer and B-to-B publishing worlds. Niche Events for Fun and Profit |
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Mike LessiterPresidentLessiter Publications Now: As president of Lessiter Publications, Inc., Mike oversees a hardworking crew responsible for 10 niche magazines, two annual events, 7 websites and 9 e-newsletters in a diverse collection of agricultural, equine health and team sports markets. He also continues as editor/publisher of the firm’s Ag Equipment Division. Past Life: Mike is a niche-publishing “lifer,” having written his first article at age 8 and two niche book titles before he was 20. Prior to joining the family business in 2003, Mike spent 12 years as editor/publisher of two metals manufacturing magazines. Niche is So Bright...We Gotta Wear Shades! |
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Dan McCarthyPartnerDeSilva+Phillips Now: Dan McCarthy is Partner at DeSilva+Phillips, a leading media investment bank. During Dan's career, he has been at the forefront of the transformation of traditional media to digital models. As CEO of Network communications, Inc., Dan spearheaded the launch of the DigitalSherpa suite of social media marketing products and transformed a traditional print publishing company into an e-driven enterprise. Past Life: Dan has served as President & CEO of PRIMEDIA Enthusiast Group, the largest publisher of consumer special interest magazines, and President of Cowles Business Media. Grow Smart, Grow Strong: Unlock Your Niche Profit Potential! |
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Tim McMullenFounder & Executive Creative DirectorRedpepper Now: Tim McMullen is the Founder and Executive Creative Director of redpepper, a nationally recognized integrated agency with offices in Atlanta and Nashville. Since 2001, Tim has fostered a culture of creativity and innovation at redpepper that has garnered national recognition and attracted such clients as Kirkland's, Deloitte, Singer and Averitt Express. He currently is a regular expert contributor to Forbes.com. redpepper was recently recognized for its work with Kirkland's for a promotion that turned its Facebook page into the 6th fastest growing Facebook site in the world. Past Life: This former professional soccer player was recently the president of the Nashville chapter of the American Advertising Federation and was named American Marketing Association's 2010 Agency Marketer of the Year. He been asked to speak numerous times locally and nationally on how the marketing landscape is changing and what the heck advertisers are suppose to do about it. He has even excepted many of those invitations. And is currently considering entering the United States Presidential race. The Great Oz of Social Media: Myths Debunked and Strategies Foretold! |
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Brad MehlVice Preident of Audience Development and ResearchPenton Now: Brad Mehl has been building digital information businesses since 1997. He is Vice President of Audience Development and Research at Penton, the largest independent B-to-B media company in the U.S, where he leads marketing for 90+ brands in 17 markets. At Penton he also runs the market research function, a growing line of business for the company. Past Life: Prior to Penton Brad was Vice President/GM of ThomasNet, where he led marketing, product development, alliances and analytics. He has also led marketing, product strategy and business development functions at two divisions of LexisNexis. Evolution! The New World of Audience Development |
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Rich MelinVice President / Engagement DirectorBOHAN Now: Rich Melin is Vice President and Engagement Director for BOHAN. He is a media expert and frequent lecturer on media strategies. Rich's media philosophy is to get more bang for a client's buck by focusing on doing things that are "media smart" instead of trying to outspend the competition. Past Life: Rich has worked with a variety of media clients, including Hilton International, Premier Cruise Lines, IKON Business Systems, and the Atlanta Olympic Games. Media Buyer Steel Cage Match |
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Nancy O'BrienConference Director & Ad Sales GuruAviation International News Now: Nancy is the Niche Magazine Conference Director and an ad sales superstar for Aviation International News. She also co-teaches the Camp Niche Ad Sales Jamboree. Past Life: She's a b-to-b publishing vet and previously worked at Petroleum Engineer, Oil & Gas Journal, and Electric Light & Power. She has been involved with aviation publications for the past 20 years. She was the publisher of Phillips Business Aviation Maintenance for 11 years. Media Buyer Steel Cage Match |
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Mike ObertSenior Vice PresidentBeckett Media Now: Mike, Senior VP of Sales for Beckett Media, manages over 120 sales reps globally. His group is responsible for over $11 million annually from advertising sales and niche distribution (dealer) sales. Beckett Media publishes over 30 magazines totaling over 22 million printed copies. Recently Beckett has launched a call center in the Philippines that has over 100 people and has been instrumental in increasing revenues. Past life: In his 10+ years with Beckett Media, Mike has also worked as Associate Publisher and Advertising Sales Manager. Sales Compensation |
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Fred ParryPublisherInside Columbia Now: Fred Parry is president and publisher of Inside Columbia, Inside Columbia’s PRIME, and Inside Columbia’s CEO. He is a branding and events wizard and in 2010 was named by Folio magazine as one of the top 40 individuals to watch in the publishing industry. Past Life: Fred founded of several mid-Missouri publications including the Columbia Business Times, Columbia Home, Jefferson City Business Times, and Jefferson City Home. He currently serves as the president of the Missouri Association of Publications and is on the board of the national City and Regional Magazine Association. Expanding Your Brand Brainstorming! |
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Atul PatelCEOOneScreen, Inc. Now: Atul Patel is CEO of OneScreen, a digital video software and services company that simplifies the landscape of the industry by enabling content owners, distributors, and advertisers to connect on a single interface and manage all aspects of their digital video presence. OneScreen’s highly integrated solution stack offers online video management, distribution, syndication, playback, and monetization. Some notable clients that currently use OneScreen's platform include Meredith, Dow Jones, Reckitt Benckiser, ScreenVision, Local.com, Clear Channel, NBC Universal and many more large and small media companies. Past Life: Atul loves product development in digital advertising – video, display, leads, and social. Prior to OneScreen, he co-founded LeadROI, a lead management software used by online lead buyers. He is also on the board of display and social advertising platform XA.net, and lead generation compliance platform LeadiD. Niche Digital Video Explosion |
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Jeff WorcesterVice President of TechnologyProximity Marketing Now: Jeff is Vice President of Technology at Proximity Marketing, an interactive marketing agency servicing over 400 B2B and consumer publishing customers. Jeff has over 13 years of email marketing experience, ranging from campaign analysis to strategic planning and implementation. Often referred to as the "data guy," his philosophy for email genius is based on testing, analytics and results. When Jeff isn’t being an email nerd he enjoys long walks on the beach, losing at poker and weeping openly at Cleveland Indians’ games. Past Life: Jeff was also a co-founder of Long Point Media, a publisher of regional based magazines and websites. E-Marketing Expert Showdown |
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Jim ZielinskiFounderZielinski Financial Advisors, LLC Now: Jim Zielinski is founder of Zielinski Financial Advisors, LLC, an independent financial consultancy. The firm's focus is on acquisitions, bank financing, profit and performance improvement, and preparing your company for sale. Past Life: Jim worked in banking and equity investing at Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. and Bankers Trust Company for over 20 years.In 1997, Jim became CFO for Hanley Wood, LLC, a business to business media company, where he was an owner, director, and executive directing the financial affairs of the company until its sale in 2005. Jim is a member of the Board of Managers of Virgo Publishing, LLC, Athletic Business Publications, and MedTech Media. Metrics that Matter: Business Management for Publishers |
