Ron Richards Email & Phone Number

New York, Ny, Us

Ann Arbor, Mi, Us

Co-Founder of media website and podcast network focused on the comic book industry. • Led the build of entire website from the ground up, developing a customized content management solution, recurring subscription membership system while stabilizing database needs and web hosting. • Developed editorial tools and formed team to manage and create content on a daily basis across multiple platforms to deliver written editorial content, audio podcasts and an Internet video show.• Executed audience development and marketing programs designed to increase page views and drive user participation.• Oversee business development, revenue generation and marketing efforts.

Served as department head within Marvel’s Digital Media group, directly managing up to 20 staff in NYC, LA and remote, in addition to general management of department operations and content development across multiple groups, reporting to the President of Marvel Entertainment. Overseeing overall brand management on public digital channels.Oversight included Integrated Marketing planning and scheduling across digital channels for Marvel and Marvel Studios, product management and editorial planning for Marvel.com and Marvel’s social platforms, leading organic product marketing and support for the Marvel Unlimited DTC Subscription App, collaborating with Disney+ DTC Marketing to drive audience/subscriber growth for the platform and managing communications with senior executive leadership and key stakeholders throughout the company.Highlights include:• Directly managed planning and execution of campaigns across all corners of The Walt Disney Company including Consumer Products, Theme Parks, International Marketing, Video Games, Publishing and Film/TV Releases.• Led GTM strategy and execution for the Marvel Unlimited DTC Subscription App launch and sustainment.• Conceptualized and executed partnership marketing campaigns with the NFL, NBA, MLB and MiLB.• Audience development and engagement for +275 Million followers across all active social channels.• Growth strategies delivered an increase in audience of 378% on YouTube.• Managed external platform relationships with YouTube, Apple, SiriusXM, Meta, X/Twitter, Amazon, Spotify and more.• Created and spearheaded influencer/creator activations to drive marketing priorities.• Financial management over content budgets and department P&L through collaboration with Sales and Promotions.• Editorial planning and management over multiple award-winning podcasts, social videos, mobile apps, and website.• Content planning and leadership for events, both live i.e., San Diego Comic-Con, and virtual events.

Petaluma, California, Us

+12 year run, +600 podcast episodes podcast covering all aspects of the Android mobile phone eco-system including coverage of Google, Samsung, OnePlus, Motorola and more. Served as on-air talent and consulting producer for coverage of news and announcements, application and hardware device analysis and reviews, and interviews with developers and other notable technology pundits.

New York, New York, Us

Responsibilities included defining the long-term content strategy and managing the content development team in the execution. Worked closely with the CEO and Head of Product and Operations on managing the day-to-day needs for creators and content. Growth tactics for onboarding and sustaining creators directly contributed to acquisition by Spotify.Highlights• Oversaw the ongoing content budget, ensuring all freelancers were compliant and billing accurately.• Established processes for researching and acquiring new freelance talent.• Managed staff of freelance content creators, driving editorial strategy and operations.

Dublin, Ie

Served as the Head of Marketing for a startup in the connected devices (IOT) space with an interactive cookbook mobile application. Focused on marketing strategy and business development activities for the entire company, serving as a key member of executive management and leadership team. Worked closely with CEO on a daily basis on marketing strategies and oversight of external communications.Duties Included:• Researched and prioritized Business Development contacts based on content acquisition, ranging from bloggers, influencers, celebrity chefs and large content organizations• Managed relationships with external contacts surrounding content acquisition and handle negotiation of deals, seeing them from inception to contract finalization with legal• Devised and executed marketing plans focused on customer acquisition, re-marketing and conversion, balancing Cost Per Acquisition and Cost Per App Install to maximize ROI on campaigns • Strategized and oversaw social media, direct e-mail and in-app messaging marketing campaigns• Reviewed and organized insights from marketing based analytics via multiple analytics platforms (Google Analytics, Localytics, Mobile Action)• Directly managed Public Relations agencies in the US and the UK, overseeing all PR related activities• Management of staff related to Marketing, Community and Customer Service and Content Acquisition

Portland, Oregon, Us

Recruited to manage business operations ranging from technical product management to marketing strategy to sales analysis with primary goal of increasing sales across direct, distributed and digital sales channels. Instrumental in the increase of industry market share from 7% in 2012 to 11% in 2014, directly via programs planned and executed with such titles as The Walking Dead and Saga.Marketing & Business Development Duties included:• Management of Marketing, PR and Sales teams to establish brand and product marketing messaging across all channels ranging from social media to retail strategies to live events• Defined field marketing campaigns and created support materials to aid in local retail sales.• Developed direct e-mail marketing strategy and requirements for execution.• Established and maintained key business partnerships and relationships with distribution, retail and media • Led the operational and logistics planning and marketing for convention and events, including the San Diego Comic-Con, New York Comic Con as well as the creation and execution of Image Expo• Managed application promotion with leading marketing places such as Apple Appstore and Google PlayProduct Management Duties included:• Managed a complete redesign and architecture overhaul of branded website and content management system• Directly managed third party developers of branded iOS applications and update process with Apple

Boulder, Co, Us

Served as the head of marketing and publisher relationships and a key member of the executive management team. Directly reported to the CEO on a daily basis, as well as interfaced with key board members on a monthly basis in the general guidance of the company.Duties included:• Management of all marketing activities across various applications on iOS, Android and Web, as well as social media, SEO/SEM and direct marketing• Organized and executed programs for driving audience awareness and discovery• Oversight over Public Relatoins agency and executional leadership of PR strategy• Coordinate team of Publisher Relationship Managers in the management of over 350 publishers• Sought out and established key partnerships with publishers, distribution platforms and other strategic partners

Served as a multi-disciplined lead for both Marketing and Product Management. Participated on the executive management team involving day-to-day strategic management & direction of the company and long term planning. Led technology for the company, which required working closely executive management team, as well as Production & Programming in the execution of development plans. Facilitated business development as related to generating revenue and distribution deals. Participated in oversight of content creation and programming.Marketing vertical duties included:• Direct management of marketing creative resources and PR Agency in agenda setting and execution• Brand definition and stewardship through audience development strategies and growth marketing• Strategy and execution management of marketing, social media, direct marketing, SEO, PR and live events• Developed content based marketing strategies to align with programming goalsProduct Management vertical duties included:• Direct management of team of developers and designers.• Creation & detailed documentation of strategic vision for Revision3’s product, included development of:Web, API, iOS App, RSS and user experience across devices and over 40 distribution platforms including YouTube.• Creative direction for designers of both product development and marketing materials• Organization and oversight of website content and social media content via detailed editorial calendars • Technical leadership for developers in product strategy and project management• Tracking of key metrics and analytics for analysis and reporting to Management Team & Board of Directors

Stamford, Ct, Us

Served as lead for Project Management within the Interactive Marketing. Responsibilities included management of a team of project managers as well as key on-line initiatives across all brands (Sheraton, Westin, W Hotels, St. Regis) and the Starwood Preferred Guest loyalty program , management of vendor relationships for outsourced creative. Continually worked to establish processes as well increase efficiency through documentation and workflow management. Providing Program Management for internal and external marketing efforts and rolling out time and cost saving measures for seamless integration between business, creative and technology to deploy marketing campaigns with speed to market in mind.

Responsible for managing the scheduling and budgeting, as well as day-to-day oversight and leadership, of large-scale web-application development for Fortune 100 companies. Served as an integral member of team in defining client strategy and planning, as well as client liaison. Managed internal aspects of projects, including team resource allocation, sub-team goal planning and execution. Clients included: IBM, Delta Air Lines, General Motors, Kraft Foods and Philips Electronics.

Bs, Tv/Radio & Corporate Communication

Bachelor'S Degree, Media Managment