John Vasko

Current

Digital & Social Media Strategist at Self - Employed (Self-employed)

Past

Digital Product Director at Questex Media
Group Marketing Director at Advanstar Communications
Marketing Director, Art & Beauty Groups at Advanstar Communications

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Education

Florida Atlantic University

Recommended

10 people have recommended John

Connections

205 connections

Industry

Internet

Websites

John Vasko’s Summary

* Change agent with a proven track record of digital product launches that result in double-digit revenue growth

* Team leader with proven ability to combine ideas and talent to create audience engagement and new digital revenue opportunities.

* Product launches including sites, newsletters, blogs, and communities

• Digital product branding and positioning

• Site optimization and community/social media integration

• Experience developing multi-site content management systems and third-party-hosted application integration

• Site and information design and user experience development

• Integration of new media, print, and live events

John Vasko’s Specialties:

product launches, content management system development, workflow optimization, product development, site architecture, user experience

John Vasko’s Experience

Digital & Social Media Strategist
Self - Employed (Self-employed)

(Self-Employed; Internet industry)

June 2009 — Present (7 months)

I help organizations reach their business goals by developing inbound marketing and content strategies using SEO, blogging, social media tools, and complementary traditional marketing. The goal is to attract and engage an audience with expert information unique to the organization and that can benefit the audience and attract it to the products and/or services of the organizations. I have helped organizations as diverse as media companies, SaaS software companies, associations, and local businesses.
Digital Product Director

Questex Media

(Privately Held; Publishing industry)

July 2007 — June 2009 (2 years )

*Serve as the business lead with respect to TravelAgentCentral.com and related digital products. Introduced Web 2.0/social elements to sites including blogging, ratings, comments, photo galleries, video, RSS, content sharing,etc.

* Percentage Increases in average monthly page views, visits, and new visitors by 74%, 64% and 87%.

* Launched multiple e-newsletter products and doubled opt-in subscribers in 8 month, maintaining open, click-thru, and forward rates of 40%, 10%, and 3%. Directed the development of a newsletter creation tool (functional requirements, QA testing, design, and training), saving $50k in annual expenses.

* Direct information design/site architecture, design, production, content migration, and site launch. Developed content strategies, CMS, workflow, and site taxonomy.

* Revamped ad management process, developing digital rates, impression and advertising inventory management system. Managed vendor relationships with development, edit, and design teams.
Group Marketing Director

Advanstar Communications

(Privately Held; Publishing industry)

2004 — June 2007 (3 years )

• Directed branding and sales promotion for a B-to-B publication and website called License!, increasing revenue by 20% in 2006.

• Developed new online database product called License! Finder, which increased traffic and generated leads.

• Increased site traffic 10% (www.licensemag.com) by integrating U.S. and European content, developing interactive components, and promoting online exclusives.

• Directed strategic marketing program for Licensing International Expo, a 200,000 square-foot, $10 million event that attracted 20,000 attendees annually. Generated 15% attendance growth between 2005 and 2007.

• Relaunched event website, employing incentive-based, integrated marketing campaigns that generated $800,000 in new business.

• Produced Internet radio show to educate the industry, promote the brand, and increase Web traffic by 10%.

• Hired and directed a staff of three managers, outside designers, developers, and public relations firms to facilitate event branding.
Marketing Director, Art & Beauty Groups

Advanstar Communications

(Privately Held; 1001-5000 employees; Publishing industry)

2000 — 2004 (4 years )

* Developed new revenue stream for Artexpo (the largest U.S. art trade show), bringing in 80 artists and $225,000 in revenue.

* Launched art group's first HTML e-mail newsletter, increasing event attendance by 9%.

* Created online product give-away to develop untapped market of first-time advertisers looking to launch new products.

* Directed copywriting, design, and production on all advertising and collateral material for sales promotions, media kits, and brochures.

* Conducted reader, advertiser, and attendee research to guide strategic direction.