STEVE SPEARS

**** *********** **

Orlando, FL ***19

727-***-****

ad3aek@r.postjobfree.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-spears-8624217/

Digital Content, Communication and Project Management

CAREER SUMMARY: Seasoned, digitally savvy writer, editor and project manager with 30 years of industry experience. Proven digital content director, award-winning writer and podcaster. Accomplished project manager who excels at swiftly bridging the gaps between clients and creative, technical and digital teams.

CORE COMPETENCIES: Digital content, content management, project management, quality control, content creation, travel content, editorial partnerships, audio editing and production, blog strategy, audience evaluation and growth, writing and reporting. Experience with Tridion, DScribe, WordPress, Arc XP, Episerver, JIRA, Confluence, Drupal.

Professional Experience

Freelance Travel Writer – Cruise Hive (Dec. 2023 to present)

Create daily content and articles for CruiseHive.com.

Follow industry trends and breaking news for all the major cruise lines and create consumer-facing content.

E-Commerce and Syndication Editor – Bonnier Corp. (Jul. 2019 to Jul. 2023)

Created content for Bonnier Corp. publications syndicated to services such as MSN, Google News, Apple News, Smart News and Flipboard.

Created and coordinated reviews of products featured on Amazon.com.

Increased Amazon revenue for Florida Travel & Life brand by 2100 percent within first nine months on the job.

Daily experience with WordPress, JIRA, Confluence.

Served as editor-in-chief of Florida Travel & Life brand (www.floridatravellife.com). Drove PVs up 328% and UVs 288% up in second quarter 2023.

Digital Producer – The Walt Disney Co. (May 2018 to Jul. 2019)

Created/maintained digital content for WDW attractions, entertainment, resorts and destinations.

Worked with Tridion/DScribe CMS, JIRA, Confluence.

Served as digital production’s point of contact on all Walt Disney World resort projects.

Projects included Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Disney’s Riviera Resort.

Marketing Partner – Entertainment Cruise Productions (Jan. 2016 to present)

Create social media and additional promotional content for The ‘80s Cruise, popular annual sailing featuring iconic artists of the decade

Produce and host all trivia events on board

Record live podcasts at sea

Creator/Host/Producer - Stuck in the '80s (Jul. 2005 to present)

Creator, host, producer and engineer of award-winning weekly podcast covering music, movies and pop culture of the 1980s with global audience of 500,000+.

Managed transition of podcast and blog from Tampa Bay Times to independent brand.

Recognized with 11 major industry awards including: Online News Association, Best Online Commentary; Eppy Award, Best Media-Affiliated Entertainment Blog; FSNE, Innovation in Driving a Digital Audience.

Successfully monetized with Patreon. Previous sponsors include HelloFresh, BarkBox and FanDuel.

Web Content Specialist – The Story of a Brand Podcast (Aug. 2021 to May 2022)

Writer and editor for podcast about e-commerce brands and the entrepreneurs, products, and customers that make up the brand.

Digital Project Manager – Bonnier Corporation (Oct. 2015 to Jan. 2018)

Launched video syndication programs across multiple brands, including creation of revenue-generating partnerships with Wibbitz and Ooyala.

Successfully led team of 10 to develop first-ever LearnWake app for iPhone, enabling Wakeboarding brand to reach new generation of mobile-centered customers.

Re-imagined Florida Travel & Life website, focusing on tourism news and trends. As editor, assigned, created and edited site relaunch in early 2017.

Daily experience with Drupal, WordPress, JIRA, Confluence.

Led stakeholders on new products, site redesigns and digital interactive features for Bonnier's Active Interest Network of brand websites: Flying, Scuba Diving, Sport Diver, Islands, Wakeboarding, Waterski, LearnWake, Yachting, Sailing World, Cruising World, Boating, Marlin, Sport Fishing, Saltwater Sportsman.

Digital Content Director – Bonnier Corporation (Nov. 2012 to Oct. 2015)

Led digital initiatives for Bonnier's Travel/Dive Groups, including Islands, Destination Weddings & Honeymoons, Florida Travel & Life, Caribbean Travel & Life, Scuba Diving and Sport Diver.

Daily experience with Drupal CMS.

Generated triple-digit growth in PVs and UVs for the travel sites. Year-over-year natural search traffic growth for one brand exceeded 500 percent in PVs and more than 300 percent in UVs. For dive websites, YOY natural search traffic increased 218 percent in UVs and 360 percent in PVs.

Online Entertainment Editor – Tampa Bay Times (Jan. 2009 to Oct. 2012)

Produced original entertainment content for largest newspaper in southeastern US.

Coordinated and executed social media coverage of entertainment news.

Managed daily production and directed growth of Things To Do entertainment portal.

Online News Editor – St. Petersburg Times (Jan. 1998 to Jan. 2009)

Business Designer and Copy Editor – St. Petersburg Times (Aug. 1996 to Jan. 1998)

Education

University of Florida, Bachelor's Degree in Journalism

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