Ray Marcano

About

Ray Marcano is an award-winning journalist, writer, editor, and digital strategist with a wealth of both traditional and digital media experience. He worked at Cox Media Group for 30 years, where he devised and implemented digital strategy for all of Cox Ohio’s 14 websites and wrote digital reader strategy (e-readers, tablets, etc.) for Cox Media Group’s digital division. As a writer and editor, he has written and edited on topics such as news, finance, B2B, long-form journalism, sports, autos, breaking news, and travel for clients like CNN and Southern Poverty Law Center. Ray is also the former National President of the Society of Professional Journalist, a two-time Pulitzer juror, and a Fulbright Fellow.

Employment

5 roles

May 2014 - Present 12 years

Writer, Editor, & Digital Strategist

Independent

Served as assignment editor/producer at CNN and senior editor for the Southern Poverty Law Center, one of the country’s top civil rights organizations.
Managed startup websites, hired and managed freelance staff, ran social media campaigns, and edited copy with an eye toward SEO keywords.
Developed business plans that resulted in a 200% YoY traffic increase and increased revenue for a startup website.
Wrote or edited topics including news, finance, B2B, long-form journalism, sports, autos, breaking news, resumes, travel, resumes, and more.
Wrote a story that was named one of the 10 best over the last 10 years at Faith and Leadership magazine.

Aug 2013 - May 2014 9 months

Senior Director, Digital Audience Growth

Cox Media Group

Oversaw a team that produced and aggregated content to drive audience across all 85 Cox Media Group properties.
Cut third party deals to maximize audience and revenue.
Implemented/trained Cox Media Group properties on decision analytic tools.

Jun 2011 - Aug 2013 2 years 2 months

Director of Digital Content & Mobile Integration

Cox Media Group

Oversaw the development of nearly five-dozen phone and tablet applications for the 17 news properties in CMG.
Selected the vendors, negotiated the contracts, navigated the various application store rules, and ensured products were delivered in a timely manner.
Followed market trends to advise the properties on digital issues and oversaw special projects as assigned.

Jan 2009 - Jun 2011 2 years 5 months

Director of Digital Strategy & Senior Manager of Strategic Initiatives

Cox Media Group

Handled responsibilities for Cox Media Group and Cox Media Group Digital.
Devised and implemented digital strategy for all of Cox Ohio’s 14 websites, including solutions for content sharing among radio, television and newspapers; analyzed products that could be used across all media; and created a plan to further cement our leadership in local breaking news.
Wrote digital reader strategy (e-readers, tablets, etc.) for Cox Media Group’s digital division, and negotiated deals with e-reader and tablet manufacturers for Cox content.

Mar 2006 - Jan 2010 3 years 10 months

Internet General Manager

Cox Ohio Publishing

Oversaw the Cox Ohio internet business, including new business, strategic planning, vendor relations, and technical development.
Accomplishments: revenue nearly doubled between 2006 and 2008; audience increased more than 50% YoY; Ohio was the only major metro in the Cox chain to post a profit in its digital operations; redesigned the main e-paper site and drew national acclaim for ease of use; technological innovations were an industry-wide leader and garnered national awards.