Chris Seper Email & Phone Number

Chicago, Illinois, United States

I lead Farm Journal's audience center of excellence, which includes print, digital and broadcast content; audience development; events; content studios; and digital product development. Farm Journal is the nation’s leading business information and media company serving the agricultural market. It serves the row crop, livestock, produce and retail sectors through branded websites, eNewsletters and apps; business magazines; live events; nationally broadcast television, radio programs and podcasts; and an array of data-driven, paid information products.At Farm Journal, no one grows alone. The team is filled with skilled journalists, technologists, sales staff, event personnel, HR managers, marketers and more. But many are also active farmers and ranchers. Farm Journal stands shoulder-to-shoulder with its audience because many of those who work there are the audience: people who actively own and operate farms that have been in their families for generations. In 2024, Farm Journal was named by Fast Company as one of the most innovative companies in the country for its mission- and data-driven approach to regenerative agriculture through its Trust in Food initiative.

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Analyze the business challenges of local media companies accepted into Medill’s Local News Accelerator and then work with one company to launch a project to grow the business.. The Accelerator is designed to help strengthen the sustainability of local news in Chicago by working directly with area news outlets on business strategies, audience development, consumer research and leadership coaching.

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Teaching in the Department of Communication in the College of Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences.

Greater Chicago Area

Advising startups on how to work with the news media, tell their own stories through digital media and content marketing, and help polish their investor pitches. MATTER is a global healthcare startup incubator, community nexus and corporate innovation accelerator headquartered in Chicago that mobilizes a community of entrepreneurs, industry innovators, scientists and clinicians committed to improving health and care for every patient.

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Working with member companies on how to leverage digital media to raise awareness with their target audiences, engage with the press, and pitch and network with investors. mHub is the Chicago-based HardTech innovation center that’s removing barriers for founders and manufacturers alike by providing access to resources including a state-of-the-art prototyping lab and micro-factory, networks of industry experts and mentors, and comprehensive business, leadership and technical training.

Greater New York City Area

Breaking Media is a network of websites, e-newsletters, events and social media channels for influential, affluent business communities. Its brands include Above the Law, MedCity News, Dealbreaker, Fashionista, Breaking Defense, Breaking Energy, and Breaking Gov.

Greater New York City Area

Integrated MedCity Media into Breaking Media after its acquisition in 2015. Supervised the healthcare vertical for Breaking Media, which included managing event, editorial, content marketing, social media and business development strategies. Also advised and contributed to business strategies across the enterprise in areas including research, events, content marketing and personnel for other Breaking Media properties. - Successfully integrated MedCity News' team and services into Breaking Media. Within months of its acquisition, MedCity News' content marketing offerings were used for Breaking Media clients focused on law and defense - Leveraged MedCity News' events, audience and content services to drive additional revenue from existing Breaking Media customers - Collaborated with Breaking Media leadership on expanded healthcare research offerings that built a deeper and stronger bond with core readers and provided a new revenue stream for the company

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Built the digital strategy that made NewsNation one of the fastest-growing digital news outlets in the country. A focus on brand differentiation, expanding to more digital platforms, and growing digital subscribers contributed to a 50% increase in brand awareness in 18 months. - Created an audience engagement strategy that included specialized content, a new YouTube strategy, launch of vertical video, new analytics dashboards, social media expansion, and personalized calls to action that led to a YOY doubling of digital subscribers (2022 and 2023). - Monthly unique web site users increased 231% YOY (June 2023). YouTube views in first-half of 2023 doubled compared to the same time in 2022.- Responsible for the digital P&L. 118% to revenue goal in 2022, 193% to revenue goal in first six months of 2023. Revenue in the first half of 2023 was 202% compared to the same time in 2022.- Launched a new connected TV strategy using artificial intelligence that customized users' experiences. Roku, Apple TV, Samsung and Amazon Fire apps passed six-figures of organic downloads in the first six months, pacing to a seven-figure sales pipeline less than a year.

Cincinnati Area, Ky

Helped create a new on-air and online content strategy to drive loyalty and modern storytelling. Changes included using new technologies to make more on-brand content, building ways to get direct consumer feedback, and centralizing resources across the company to be more efficient. Led or collaborated in consumer research that provided new insights and tactics around engaging the least loyal customers; diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives; and digital audience engagement (emphasizing data and email strategies, among other things).Directly oversaw 14 different Scripps stations in markets such as Denver, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Phoenix and San Diego focused on maximizing content quality and performance.

Cincinnati Metropolitan Area

A member of the national digital leadership team responsible for overseeing the digital strategy in Scripps’ television markets. Directly managed teams and held P&L responsibility in 16 markets with duties that included executing and evaluating digital content strategy; collaborating to create new revenue-generating products; and driving innovation on all digital platforms to increase profitability and audience. Accomplishments included:Served on a senior leadership committee that reassessed Scripps’ local mission and created a new all-platform content strategy that was implemented in 2018.Achieved double-digit year-over-year growth in 12 local media markets on KPIs that measured market penetration, social media growth and increasing the most valuable revenue-generating inventory.Collaborated to streamline systems to drive revenue, create a better user experience and increase quality journalism. Helped drive changes in areas such as sponsored social media content, audience-attraction strategies, and cross-platform (television and digital) collaborations.

Cleveland/Akron, Ohio Area

Created, raised capital for and led to exit MedCity Media, the publisher of MedCityNews.com and host of national healthcare business events. - Took a mission-driven, jobs-to-be-done approach to journalism. MedCity’s goal is to connect startups, investors and industry leaders across the country to bring life-changing innovations to market faster. The content, marketing and sales strategies were created and measured through that lens.- Revenue doubled from 2013 and 2014 through a consultative sales model relying on events, research, traditional advertising, content marketing, lead generation, social media, and more. Customers and partners included Mayo Clinic, 3M, GE Healthcare, United Healthcare, Verizon, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cleveland Clinic, Sprint and Deloitte.- Built a content-creator partnership program that added audience, revenue and awareness.

Cleveland/Akron, Ohio Area

Created and managed online medical portals serving healthcare consumers and the medical business community. Was the first journalist at The Plain Dealer to launch a blog, and received awards for reporting of business, environmental issues, technology and education news.

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Managed writers and copy editors at this Phnom Penh-based daily newspaper and was responsible for foreign news in the weekday editions.

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Covered six communities and two school districts as part of the Inquirer’s two-year correspondent program.