Director, Online Community at weplay, Inc.
Indianapolis, Indiana Area
- Current
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- Director, Online Community at weplay, Inc.
- Founder, Composer and Artist at TOURIST RECORDS, LLC (Self-employed)
- Past
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- Online Community Director at THE ACTIVE NETWORK, INC.
- Freelance Internet Service and Product Consultant at VARIOUS INTERNET COMPANIES and PROFESSIONALS (Self-employed)
- Chief Community Officer at ZAADZ, INC
- Customer Relations Director & Community Manager at eteamz.com
- Aftermarket Development Manager at RITRON, INC.
- Marketing Representative at THE PRESIDENT’S CHALLENGE
- Youth Project Consultant at FINISH LINE, INC.
- Education
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- Indiana University - Bloomington, IN
- Indiana University - Bloomington, IN
- Ball State University
- Recommended
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13 people have recommended Rob - Connections
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- Industry
- Internet
- Websites
Rob Costlow’s Summary
Passionate community and customer relations director, product developer, and marketer with over ten years of relevant experience and proven ability to implement ideas into online reality.
Rob Costlow’s Specialties:
Creative and proven ability to strategically think outside the box, organize, multitask, and maintain customer relations to increase satisfaction and drive revenue.
Proficient in use of Windows compatible systems, Macintosh, Internet (blogs, podcasts, wikis, social networking, etc), HTML, FTP, Microsoft SourceSafe, Dreamweaver, CoffeeCup, Eudora, Adobe Photoshop, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook.
Rob Costlow’s Experience
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Director, Online Community
weplay, Inc.
(Privately Held; 11-50 employees; Internet industry)
December 2007 — Present (6 months)
Responsible for working with the product team to create a top-notch experience for our members and lead community and customer service initiatives. My goal is to ensure our members are provided with the easiest and most robust features and utilities on the Web. Oversee all support and service structures, ease-of-use issues, member communications, and strongly assist with improvements and the implementation of new features and services.
weplay.com is the ultimate destination for the youth sports community. Our mission is to enable and enhance the joy of sports for kids, families, coaches and fans both online and on the field. We take this mission seriously, so we built a fun, educational, informative and safe site that allows people to connect, share, learn and have fun!
To simply put it, this is just the start of a great new portal for players, parents, coaches and officials involved in U13 sports (all ages welcome). Many services and features to come. Lots of work to do. -
Founder, Composer and Artist
TOURIST RECORDS, LLC (Self-employed)
(Self-Employed; 1-10 employees; Music industry)
January 2002 — Present (6 years 5 months)
Created an independent record label (in addition to my full-time career) featuring original contemporary piano music. Developed marketing plans and distribution efforts to a network of stores (online and offline).
Key Accomplishments:
• Produced and released two solo piano albums: Sophomore Jinx and Woods of Chaos. A new album is coming summer 2008.
• Produced and released one remix EP: Return (Rob Costlow Remixed).
• Signed an Asian distribution and marketing contract with Singapore based record label, Orange Music.
• Signed a distribution and marketing contract with INgrooves, the world’s largest digital record label.
• Signed a distribution and marketing contract with Magnatune.com, the world's first Internet-era record label.
• Over 60 commercial licenses for use in TV, Web, film and video. -
Online Community Director
THE ACTIVE NETWORK, INC.
(Privately Held; 1001-5000 employees; Internet industry)
December 2005 — November 2007 (2 years)
Reported to the Senior Vice President of Consumer Media and led the online community team and initiatives for The Active Network. Oversaw customer relations (support & experience) for Active.com and eteamz.com. Set policies and procedures for communication with members. Created strategic objectives for growth and retention. Directly involved with customer retention, product management & development, content development, specs, policies, moderation, SMO, marketing, and communications with the community.
Active provides customized and self publishing websites (eteamz.com), online registration, fundraising, technology and marketing solutions, articles, videos, forums and much more for organizations, events, and participants with active lifestyles.
Key Accomplishments:
• Planned, developed and launched the new Active.com (currently in beta) for millions of registered members and customers to provide a better online experience packed with robust features. -
Freelance Internet Service and Product Consultant
VARIOUS INTERNET COMPANIES and PROFESSIONALS (Self-employed)
(Self-Employed; Myself Only; Internet industry)
June 2005 — December 2005 (7 months)
Provide advice and ideas, develop Web site design and product flow, and create customer relations and marketing solutions to increase and retain customers/members.
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Chief Community Officer
ZAADZ, INC
(Public Company; 1001-5000 employees; GAIA; Internet industry)
February 2005 — June 2005 (5 months)
Recruited as a consultant by the Founder and CEO to implement customer and community services for Zaadz.com. Organized all support and service structures, site copy and content, ease-of-use issues, client communications, and worked closely with the product development and technical teams to create and implement new ideas.
Key Accomplishments:
• Created a “wow” and world class experience for clients and led customer service initiatives.
• Led QA efforts to test and improve the Web site and product to provide clients with the easiest and most robust services.
Note: Gaiam, Inc. has since acquired Zaadz to form Gaia.com. -
Customer Relations Director & Community Manager
eteamz.com
(Privately Held; 201-500 employees; Internet industry)
April 2000 — February 2005 (4 years 11 months)
Managed and developed community and customer relations for eteamz.com (part of The Active Network - Active.com), directed the customer service team and reported directly to the Vice President of Team Sports. Responsible for the satisfaction of members and community of team and league Web sites. Actively involved in site content, policies, and updates. Managed communications, contests and affiliate program, as well as worked to implement new features, services, tutorials and improvements. Worked closely with product development and technical teams to ensure the main site and member Web sites were functioning properly and updated as necessary. Organized and provided feedback for the overall product strategy.
Key Accomplishments:
• Took eteamz.com to over 3.3 million satisfied customers worldwide.
• Maintained positive relations with members, special partners and organizations.
• Developed and managed multiple successful marketing programs. -
Aftermarket Development Manager
RITRON, INC.
(Privately Held; 51-200 employees; Consumer Electronics industry)
1998 — 1999 (1 year)
Worked directly under the Executive Vice President. Developed marketing strategies and promotions centered on customer services sales. These responsibilities included broadening distribution channels and increasing end-user awareness of new direct buying features via Web site and phone. Assisted with advertising copy and editing. Researched competitive products, customer relations and services.
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Marketing Representative
THE PRESIDENT’S CHALLENGE
(Government Agency; 11-50 employees; Health, Wellness and Fitness industry)
March 1997 — August 1998 (1 year 6 months)
The President's Challenge is a program of The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. Attended to customer relations via phone, Internet and in person. Assisted with marketing, demographic research, staff training, collections and promotional events.
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Youth Project Consultant
FINISH LINE, INC.
(Public Company; 5001-10,000 employees; FINL; Sporting Goods industry)
June 1998 — August 1998 (3 months)
Internship to develop a grass roots youth centered marketing program. Worked with the Vice President of Marketing on idea development and execution. The program mission was to recognize the achievements of high school students, academically and athletically.
Rob Costlow’s Education
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Indiana University - Bloomington, IN
MS, Sports Marketing and Management, May 1997 — August 1998
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Indiana University - Bloomington, IN
BS, Kinesiology, August 1993 — May 1996
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Ball State University
Music 1991 — 1993
I began college as a music major. Music school wasn't for me as I wanted creative freedom. I switched to another love of mine (sports and exercise) halfway through my sophomore year, which ultimately led me to my Internet adventures (sports and entertainment 24/7... how could I avoid an instrument that helps me keep up and connect with the world!?).
Additional Information
Rob Costlow’s Websites:
Rob Costlow’s Interests:
Internet, music, traveling, movies, walking, reading, golf, water & snow skiing, rollerblading
Rob Costlow’s Honors:
2006 Web Marketing Association's WebAward recipient for Online Community Standard of Excellence (Active.com).
Received the President’s Club Award for outstanding work performance at The President's Challenge (The National Youth Physical Fitness Program).
