I guess you could say that digital media and I grew up together. As a kid, you could find me writing code on my Atari 400. My first professional jobs were working for software and IT Solutions companies bringing their businesses onto the web as the world moved online.
As websites became more complex, functional, and creative, I found myself leading interactive agencies where I worked on one of the first job search sites, the first interactive real estate site for Century 21 Real Estate, and a teen social influencer network for Procter & Gamble, years before Facebook.
My first real interaction with digital publishing was leading digital product development at Rodale Press, where I helped launch the Women’s Health brand, and reimagined the websites for brands like Prevention, Runner’s World, and Men’s Health. However the import and opportunity of digital media became clear to me while working with the legendary Peter Kaplan on The New York Observer. We launched a website that punched way above its weight and was the Webby Award runner-up to The New York Times for “Best Newspaper Site”.
After that, I grew several digital businesses (Mental Floss, The Week, YourTango, Shape, Radar) to multiple times their size and turned them all highly profitable. As Chief Digital Officer for American Media, I transformed the digital business, which grew from 8 million visits to over 100 million visits per month in just a few years. In 2017 I was honored to be inducted into the MIN (now Folio) Digital Hall of Fame.
A few years ago, I looked around and saw media companies across the industry struggling with the same issues and realized that my skills and experience were most valuable put to work within an array of new, developing, and transforming media businesses. So I took the leap and launched Kroski Consulting.
Nowadays, I help clients launch new products and business lines; drive growth in audience and revenue; streamline and improve digital operations; onboard new technologies and products; and navigate mergers and their subsequent integrations.
I also lead the digital business curriculum for the Columbia Publishing Course every summer, which I enjoy both as a yearly check-in on how the industry has evolved and as a chance to get reenergized about digital media possibilities over the coming years.
I’d love to hear from you if you are interested in working with me on your digital business!