Susan Patterson Plank

Current

• Vice President of Marketing & Digital Development and General Manager of the Iowa City Press-Citizen at The Des Moines Register / Gannett

Past

• VP / Online at The Des Moines Register / Gannett
• Director, E-Business Development at MidAmerican Energy

Education

• University of Northern Iowa

Connections

195 connections

Industry

Newspapers

Websites

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Susan Patterson Plank’s Summary

An experienced executive-level marketer with a background in digital platforms, market targeting and segmentation, advertising, research, public relations, and branding, plus significant experience in strategic planning. Experienced at exploiting new technologies to increase business value. Reputation for being a practical visionary. Recognized by others as a focused and innovative leader who is able to motivate teams and drive them to the best bottom-line decision. Known for strong analytical, problem-solving and communication skills.

Susan Patterson Plank’s Experience

• Vice President of Marketing & Digital Development and General Manager of the Iowa City Press-Citizen

  The Des Moines Register / Gannett

  (Public Company; Newspapers industry)

  March 2006 — Present (3 years 5 months)

  Develop and oversee strategic direction for The Des Moines Register. Direct strategic planning, primary and secondary research, business and consumer marketing initiatives, market analysis and oversee all digital initiatives. Act as lead company spokesperson interacting with media locally and nationally. Serve as chief marketing and digital executive.

• VP / Online

  The Des Moines Register / Gannett

  (Public Company; Internet industry)

  September 2001 — March 2006 (4 years 7 months)

  Create, manage and execute short- and long-term strategic plans for DesMoinesRegister.com and its corresponding sites. Develop and manage budgets with a focus on increasing revenues and profits. Responsible for attracting online visitors, maximizing site effectiveness and raising brand awareness and visibility. Provide leadership and guidance to 17 Gannett Midwest Group newspapers.

• Director, E-Business Development

  MidAmerican Energy

  (Public Company; 10,001 or more employees; Utilities industry)

  May 1998 — June 2001 (3 years 2 months)

  Created and managed e-business plans for all of MidAmerican, including its subsidiaries in the U.S. and U.K. Reported directly to the CIO. (2000-2001)
  
  Manager, Strategy & E-Business Develpment (2000)
  Senior Market Planner (1998-2000)
  Developed and directed market-driven strategies—determining products, pricing, and positioning—for entering electric and gas markets in deregulating states. Directed marketing plans, which included overseeing advertising, public relations, telemarketing, and direct-mail efforts. Developed and managed long-term business plans. Developed e-business acquisition strategies.
  
  Consumer Markets Program Manager (1998)
  Analyzed consumer markets based on market potential, market profiles competition. Developed strategies to increase revenues and profits. Developed products, partnerships and marketing plans. Directed telemarketing and direct-mail efforts. Led research efforts and analyzed primary research.

Susan Patterson Plank’s Education

• University of Northern Iowa

  BA , Psychology: Focused on business and organizational pyschology. , 1985 — 1988

Additional Information

Susan Patterson Plank’s Websites:

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Susan Patterson Plank’s Groups:

Board Member: Des Moines Arts Festival
Board Member: Downtown Events Group

•    Gannett - Marketing Exchange

Susan Patterson Plank’s Honors:

Selected as recipient of Gannett’s prestigious President’s Ring for outstanding performance in 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2006. Additionally named as the Online Executive of the Year in 2004 and 1st runner up in 2006.

Selected as one of fifteen inaugural students to participate in Gannett’s Leadership Academy in 2006.

Speaker at the Inland Executives Key Executives Conference, Gannett’s Media Spectrum Training for newsrooms, and the Iowa Newspaper Association Annual Conference in 2006.

Susan Patterson Plank’s Contact Settings

Interested In:

• career opportunities
• job inquiries
• expertise requests
• reference requests
• getting back in touch