Derek Hodges
Director of Communications, Content, & Marketing at KaTom Restaurant Supply, Inc.- Claim this Profile
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Bio
Credentials
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Google Analytics 4 Certification
Google Digital Academy (Skillshop)Jun, 2023- Nov, 2024 -
Advanced Google Analytics
GoogleDec, 2021- Nov, 2024 -
Google Analytics for Beginners
GoogleDec, 2021- Nov, 2024 -
Google Analytics for Power Users
GoogleDec, 2021- Nov, 2024 -
Google Tag Manager Fundamentals
GoogleDec, 2021- Nov, 2024 -
Introduction to Data Studio
GoogleDec, 2021- Nov, 2024 -
ServSafe Food Handler
National Restaurant AssociationMar, 2020- Nov, 2024 -
Google Analytics Individual Qualification
GoogleOct, 2017- Nov, 2024 -
AdWords Fundamentals
GoogleSep, 2017- Nov, 2024 -
Google Shopping Certification
GoogleSep, 2017- Nov, 2024 -
Certified Food Service Professional, Level 1
North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers (NAFEM)
Experience
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KaTom Restaurant Supply, Inc.
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United States
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Wholesale
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100 - 200 Employee
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Director of Communications, Content, & Marketing
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Jan 2022 - Present
• Craft communications and content strategies in consultation with vice president to optimize reach and impact• Coordinate with four managers of specialized functions to execute plans of action• Tailor KPIs to provide benchmarking for each team and set expectations for a staff of 20• Build departmental structure that improves efficiency and effectiveness• Collaborate with departments across company to pioneer new PESO messaging effort• Work with COO and internal teams to ensure optimal product mix and category structure of large ecommerce website• Through competitive analyses and by constantly staying informed on changing SEO landscape, ensure content and communications efforts meet target audiences where they are• Facilitate work of internal and external communications partners to maximize impact Show less
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Manager, Content & Communications
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Dec 2014 - Feb 2022
• Partner with leadership and marketing teams on site content, outreach emails, and social media strategy. • Contributed to substantial growth in organic and paid web traffic through partnerships with content, data, and marketing teams, ensuring website, content, and communications are useful to consumers and improve site users' experience.• Helped increase average order values.• Mentored and led team through growth from three members to current team of 14 including content writers, longform writers, and editors; managed efficiency and scaled to continue to meet company objectives.• Implemented a peer applicant review process to help stabilize the team during growth periods. • Develop content strategy leveraging audience insights; platforms include Google Analytics, Google Ads, and Moz. • Plan, craft and oversee internal and external communications strategy utilizing digital, print, television, radio, and blogs.• Ensure relevant and innovative marketing content using WordPress and proprietary content management system.• Utilize HTML5 coding and strategic partnership with development team to improve CSS.• Implemented project to review, rewrite, edit, tag, and silo an archive of more than 600 articles. • Recruit and manage partnerships with four freelance writers to complement team output.• Craft and implement plan to recategorize e-commerce site of more than 130,000 pages; designed with SEO and UX as foremost priorities. • Manage, review, and prioritize website content requests from a variety of company stakeholders. Show less
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Brand Journalist
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Aug 2012 - Dec 2014
• Initiated brand's first public relations collateral, including fact sheets, case studies, executive bios and press releases.• Mentored and guided the work of fellow writers as longform writing lead. • Prepared C-suite executives for public speaking engagements with coaching on topics and positioning. • Planned and coordinated media events involving local networks, newspapers, and stations; planning included assembly of media kits, structuring agendas, scheduling executive interviews, and providing informational tours for journalists. • Partnered with internal resources and vendor partners to support media stories and strengthen coverage.• Created and leveraged industry blog to monitor company-specific and industry-related conversations; fostered industry and product awareness. • Developed house style guide, cataloging internal variations from AP Stylebook precepts.• Built and maintained network of regional and national journalists, adding value to press releases and media events.• Developed social media content, including posts and images on outlets such as Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.• Created and edited informational articles for website, leveraging keyword research to guide content. Show less
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Social Joey
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United States
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Advertising Services
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1 - 100 Employee
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Social Media Content Creator
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Mar 2020 - Present
• Produce social media and blog content for a diverse group of clients, including banks, medical offices, and retailers. • Create concepts to be executed by staff designers. • Use content management system to submit work. • Produce shareable graphical elements using design software. • Produce social media and blog content for a diverse group of clients, including banks, medical offices, and retailers. • Create concepts to be executed by staff designers. • Use content management system to submit work. • Produce shareable graphical elements using design software.
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The Mountain Press
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Sevierville, TN
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Reporter
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Jul 2006 - Aug 2012
• Attended meetings, facilitated interviews, and completed research to accurately present 60 monthly stories. • Received 20 awards during reporting career, including three national awards as a collegiate journalist and the 2009 Malcom Law Award for Investigative Reporting from the Tennessee Associated Press. • Researched, investigated, and created content around substantial stories impacting government bodies, education, non-profits, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. • Cultivated relationships with federal, state, and local government sources. • Wrote and edited deadline reporting, enterprise packages, features, and sports for print and online publication. • Shot and edited photography with InDesign to illustrate stories. • Created and wrote weekly "Meet Your Neighbor" feature. Show less
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The Sylva Herald
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Sylva, NC
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Reporter
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Oct 2004 - Jun 2006
• Attended meetings, conducted interviews, and completed research to accurately present stories. • Covered stories for government bodies, educational institutions, and Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians reservation. • Wrote, edited and prepared community news submissions and obituaries for print and online publication. • Shot and edited photography utilizing Photoshop to accompany stories. • Conceived and wrote weekly “Jackson Neighbors” feature. • Attended meetings, conducted interviews, and completed research to accurately present stories. • Covered stories for government bodies, educational institutions, and Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians reservation. • Wrote, edited and prepared community news submissions and obituaries for print and online publication. • Shot and edited photography utilizing Photoshop to accompany stories. • Conceived and wrote weekly “Jackson Neighbors” feature.
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Education
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2019 - 2021
UNC School of Media and Journalism
Master of Arts - MA, Digital Communication -
2019 - 2021
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Master of Arts - MA, Digital Communication -
2000 - 2004
Mars Hill College
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Religion and Philosophy
Community
