Steven James Burks // *** Raft Island Drive . Gig Harbor . WA 98335

206-***-**** // acz46v@r.postjobfree.com

BACKGROUND //

I am a data-driven product manager responsible for ownership and execution of product and service ecosystems, with a passion for using customer data segments to best understand and represent the end user’s voice. My 15 years of digital media experience ranges from large, cross-functional organizations, to smaller start-ups, where I have successfully completed end-to-end launches for over 150 eCommerce, technology, retail, financial service, travel, automotive, and entertainment brands. As a former designer and developer, my background in user experience aids me in realizing best practices for each brand’s perspective. I believe in an empowerment-based, principle-centered operational style, leading by example. I am a consummate student of applied data, strategic differentiation, the right message, and strive to provide value through innovation, thought leadership, and measurable action.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS //

-Deep accomplishments in digital media product and service launches, with 7 years of consumer-facing mobile and cross-platform products across iOS, Android, and HTML + JavaScript; and 6 years of analytics and BI product creation and execution.

-10 years using Agile (Scrum, Kanban, XP) methodologies – to build and implement the right media measurement KPIs, often combining them with big data, tag, API, and SDK development - all to best understand and reach the right target audiences.

-Alongside these product launches includes 13 years' proficiency in process and requirement documentation, revenue accountability, product launch training, marcom coordination, key partnership development, and constant vendor tool testing and acquisition.

-Established one of the world’s first 1-to-1 targeted mobile advertising ecosystems with a closed-loop, transaction-level analytics product, via a DMP.

-Launched the first ad-funded mobile video platform in North America on Sprint, ATT, T-Mobile, and Verizon in 2007.

-Knowledgeable in strategic best practices across new media channels (mobile, online, social, email, paid and organic search), deep quantitative analysis experience combined with eCommerce products, well versed in Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, Acxiom AOS / LiveRamp, Tableau, Domo, SiSense, Hadoop, Ruby, SQL queries, time-series databases, mobile platform and advertising SDKs, CRM software, Agile software including JiRA, HP QC, Trello, Basecamp, GitHub, and others, testing software, project management software, and presentation software.

-Select clients and partners with whom I’ve worked: Discover, AmEx, Citi, Chase, Apple, Macy’s, Zenith, DDB, AKQA, Unilever, DoubleClick, DEX / Superpages, GM, Toyota, Hyundai, Intuit, 4INFO, Millennial Media, InMobi, Mojiva, Smaato, Google Mobile, Microsoft Visual Studio, Morgans Hotel Group, Discovery Channel, Warner Music, Viacom, Universal, Chuck Norris, Sir Mix-A-Lot, CNET, T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint, ATT, and many more.

WORK HISTORY //

Best Buy – Senior Product Manager – 2016-2017 Consultation

One of the world’s largest brick & mortar + e-commerce companies, focused on increasing data use and transparency to build better customer and client experiences.

-Combined multiple, disparate data sources to create BBY’s first Closed Loop measurement and reporting product for the BBY Media Network.

-Worked closely with media product marketing, sales, and CTO engineering teams to determine roadmap priorities against revenue targets for FY18.

-Responsible for deep data analysis and BI prototype creation, discovery and pricing of internal data resources for product creation and production, vendor business development for 3rd-party tool implementation, and Agile Scrum product management for a fully implemented feature at scale.

-My actions resulted in BBY's first 1:1 transactional reporting model: including attribution for 100% of planned, advertised, individual products, and their Click-Through and View-Through Conversion counterparts; demonstrating Return On Ad Spend on 100% of sold, individual ad products from display advertising across Web, Mobile Web, and App.

Elarm.com – Principal Product Manager – 2015-2016 Consultation

Powerful cloud-based, home security technology start-up, with proprietary Sensor Fusion automation, using data analysis to maximize sensor coverage and security use cases.

-Developed key product features for Sensor Fusion, including constructing models from 1st and 3rd-party data based on 100+ target demographic segments, directing user interface elements and testing customer interaction, resulting in customized data models for Elarm consumer end users.

-These models respond to input from users at both individual and aggregate levels., adjusting the recommended optimal sensor settings for individual users, and at an aggregate system level for every user.

-The system adapts and responds overall based on user input through a time-series database, and is a machine that learns over time.

-My actions resulted in Elarm’s Sensor Fusion technology feature set, the core of how users make decisions about how to secure their homes, based on their individual preferences. Users receive recommendations in the form of most likely useful settings for a wide variety of considerations (time, temperature, how many people are in a room / house, humidity, level of security desired, energy consumption desired, and many others).

Phluant Mobile – VP Data Products & Partnerships – 2014 Consultation

Leading 3rd-party agency ad server and rich media start-up, leveraging their robust Phluant ID to normalize valuable data across the mobile ecosystem.

-Designed and implemented company-wide data strategy, including a product and service layer that supports big data attribution, without having to overhaul existing server architecture and code.

-Successfully executed new product partnerships according to data strategy, and integrated new technology capabilities into Phluant’s ad server, Dojo, resulting in new revenue.

-Executed product releases via a bi-weekly Agile Sprint, in a daily Scrum environment, using Hadoop, Ruby, and Linux.

-My actions resulted in Phluant’s first individual user identification and attribution technology, called the Phluant ID. This has set the groundwork for an extensible service layer that is adaptable to multiple new product lines, and industry verticals.

Acxiom Corporation – Director Of Mobile Data & Partnerships – 2011 To 2014

Enterprise marketing database and analytics powerhouse, whose proprietary Collaborative Targeting technology and service layer helps F100 advertisers understand, reach, and measure their audiences in a significantly more effective way than other media.

-Orchestrated the world's first 1-to-1 targeted mobile advertising ecosystem, at scale, with premium inventory coverage across the US.

-Additionally, built analytics product on Tableau that gives clients ability to measure how a mobile advertisement impacted a consumer transaction.

-Defined 1st-party data sets for mobile F100 clients, and built 3rd-party segment counterparts to foster implementation across mobile carriers, mobile ad networks, and mobile technology providers, currently covering 100% of available inventory on smartphones in the US.

-Led strategy behind multi-million-dollar mobile data distribution efforts of syndicated and custom data model products, which resulted in new, 7-figure revenue for Acxiom in FY16, which has continued to make Acxiom an effective player in the mobile media space.

CDK Digital – Product Manager, Search Team – 2010 To 2011 Contract

Enterprise level digital marketing solutions for the automotive industry.

-With a team of 16 Search Specialists as my direct reports, I successfully managed the strategy behind top search engine results for over 2,500 clients in the automotive vertical.

-I managed high profile projects pertaining to product launch, search analytics platform development, key client communication and presentation, and integration of organic search products and services with paid search, social media, display advertising, and email product offerings.

-My actions resulted in significant uptick in search engine KPIs for 50% of all General Motors’ websites in the world.

ZAAZ / POSSIBLE Worldwide – Data Analyst & Social Media Strategist – 2010 Consultation

Highly regarded, full service digital ad agency known for their care in measurement and optimization – Wunderman / WPP owned.

-Successfully built and managed launch execution and user experience strategy for a variety of digital advertising campaigns, including Microsoft Visual Studio, Microsoft Mactopia, Morgans Hotel Group, and more.

-Worked closely with account, creative, and project teams to produce PRDs and analytics briefs, which transformed client needs into actionable, measurable campaign tactics. Created presentation material for clients and led client meetings.

-Successful tactics included UX data flow maps, user experience ecosystems, product team playbooks, regular performance analysis and optimization using Radian6, Adobe Site Catalyst, Google Analytics, and other proprietary tools.

-My actions resulted in the launch of successful advertising campaigns, and additional 6-figure monetary wins for the agency.

Microsoft Advertising – Product Marketing Manager, Display Advertising – 2009

The 2nd largest ad network in the world, with top blue chip advertisers and publisher clients, serving over 5B impressions / month.

-Contracted to create, manage, and maximize the go-to-market strategy for MSA’s Contextual Display product.

-Effectively crafted from scratch and presented monthly reporting of KPIs, anecdotal advertiser and publisher insight, drove business rhythm, and was responsible for the P&L of my product.

-Successfully engaged multiple stakeholders in a highly matrixed organization to produce new revenue for Category (Contextual) Ad Targeting, including large scale (billions of impressions) data analysis writing SQL queries, as well as developing compelling presentations surrounding the integration of AdCenter and AdMarket platforms; sourced from thousands of F500 MSA clients, and owned & operated inventory.

-Presented key findings, and data-backed internal promotional material to key stakeholders in the local MSA division, and to thousands of executives in MSA’s sales force.

-My actions resulted in 15% above a target of $18M for FY10.

Media Lead – VP Product Management & Distribution – 2008 To 2009

International mobile brand strategy, and consumer content publisher and distributor.

-Directed go-to-market strategy for company products, including exclusive mobile launches for Discovery Channel, MTV, Animal Planet, Maxim, more.

-Commanded Media Lead's proprietary online and mobile content product inventory, numbering in the millions, through distribution to leading affiliate networks, mobile advertising channels, and direct carrier relationships.

-Successfully implemented and optimized the company's first product cycle management and content optimization strategy. Managed a team of effective product managers and developers (15-50 flex personnel) on behalf of large brands, to build new products, and distribute them through the new product cycle.

-My actions resulted in the first online-to-mobile cross-platform brand campaigns for Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, Maxim, MTV, and more.

Versaly Entertainment – Senior Director, Product & Data Strategy – 2003 To 2008

Mobile brand management firm specializing in mobile entertainment, content aggregation, and distribution.

-Conceived, directed, and executed the first ad-funded, free mobile video platform to launch on Sprint, ATT, T-Mobile, and Verizon.

-Proactive product distribution effectiveness analysis optimization, PRD, MRD, and BRD development, creative and media briefing, and management of hundreds of white label product launches.

-Frequent regression analysis of mobile content space, leading to the development of the wireless industry's leading content acquisition strategy through discovery of mobile content target audiences, and analysis of KPIs in online and mobile spaces.

-Enabled Versaly to strongly enter merger and acquisition offers. Daily external client facing, press communication, and trade show activity. Key member of management team involved in direction of new product development, marketing materials, and niche product brand strategy.

-My actions resulted in the generation of over $5MM in early-stage revenue through the launch of key mobile advertising products.

GlycoSystem – Product Manager – 2001 To 2003

Subscription-based, first-to-market, e-commerce CRM service.

-Developed proprietary web channel management solution for the sale of network marketing leads.

-Included a suite of custom CRM tools, walking the user from signup through downline signup.

-Aligned and executed key internal product development, subscriber segmentation, and yield management, while effectively creating a web of revenue sharing technology partners.

-Multivariate, A/B, and cohort interface testing resulted in development and launch of first class tools for digital network marketers.

-My actions resulted in subsequent multi-million dollar investments from targeted infrastructure companies.

KBGA Radio – Manager Of Advertising Sales – 1998 To 2000

Widely respected, internationally reaching, independent radio station.

-Managed KBGA Radio 89.9 FM’s Underwriting Sales team. High demand, small town market that resulted in booming operation of business and financial endeavors, even while on a shrinking budget.

-Established the framework for financial self-reliance (no longer receiving monies from the University) by increasing sales and donations by implementation of new ad formats and exciting giveaways, while reducing less effective spending.

-Successfully adhered to FCC and contract law in a not-for-profit media environment.

-My actions resulted in a revenue increase of 35% YOY, and radio station ratings of four #1’s under key demographic and time-slot targets.

EDUCATION //

University Of Montana – School Of Business / School Of Music – MIS, Information Systems, Marketing, Jazz – 1998 To 2001

Edmonds College – School Of Business / School Of Music – ATA, Producing For Digital Business – 1996 To 1998

Covey Institute – Principle Centered Leadership – 1996

Klemmer & Associates – Heart Of The Samurai – 2003

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS & HONORS //

CES – Innovation Award Honoree – 2016 – http://cesweb.org/innovation.aspx#inline_content8669

OMMA – Online Media & Marketing Association – Panel Speaker

Online Advertising Professionals – Moderator

IAB – Company Moderator

MMA – Company Contributor

Illinois Institute Of Art – Graduate Showcase – Judge

Cascade – Class Of 1996 – Commencement Speaker

Honor Roll – Throughout All Education

Senior Level Roles Across 4 Companies – Managed Team Of Up To 50 Personnel

WORK EXAMPLES & RECOMMENDATIONS //

Please note my professional recommendations: https://docs.google.com/document/d/19LP3QdufNs99jP2ffY1owQai4ud5_boVVgG0iuik9ms/edit?usp=sharing

By request, this was created to showcase technology stack experience and product work:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_y-6DQax12FjK-TsLdccTWOsz2nfu3iIrfq9SL6smOU/edit?usp=sharing

Also, see the following PR and data tool I helped to build for Acxiom, that demonstrates how your data is used:

https://aboutthedata.com/

This document is my proprietary, high-level, non-technical media brief example (helps quickly unify many disparate perspectives):

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1H8qN79-5T7D7LH3cYj9y-gUJF-smGv08A-3y28oMffo/edit?usp=sharing

Here is an Agile product ownership and scrum master Q&A document, created from an interview: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EQVd3tH6kICnP3ukGH1VZwQONpCvmDxPfhj6hzY2my0/edit?usp=sharing

Please also view this link to a video of an OMMA RTB panel, during my Acxiom tenure: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/40954451

Lastly, this link will take you to a light portfolio of user story examples, technical documentation, presentations, design, and other items:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B2vBsmVgEKqGNGxSUU9yb2g0dG8

Contact this candidate