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Matthew Purdon
Sr. Product Director, Creative Cloud for Enterprise & SMB - Angel Investor - Startup Executive & Advisor
Professional Background
Matthew Purdon is an exceptional executive leader renowned for his expertise in leading high-performance teams to propel business, product, and marketing strategies for both enterprise and consumer products with a strong emphasis on creativity, content, and community engagement. With a robust career spanning numerous high-impact roles, Matthew has consistently demonstrated a potent ability to navigate complex environments and foster innovation across a broad array of industries.
Throughout his career, Matthew has showcased a strong leadership presence characterized by his knack for clearly communicating a visionary perspective. This talent enables him to align cross-functional teams and business units towards the common goal of defining and launching new revenue-generating products that deliver compelling experiences. His strategic mindset is underpinned by a comprehensive approach that incorporates market analysis, creative insights, customer-centered design methodologies, and real-time analytics. This balanced approach not only fuels product iterative processes and innovation but also supports the achievement of long-term strategic revenue objectives.
Education and Achievements
Matthew Purdon's education has laid a strong foundation for his illustrious career. He completed a Bachelor of Science in Communications, focusing on Theatre and Creative Writing, from the esteemed Northwestern University. Further fueling his creative aptitude, he went on to earn a Master of Fine Arts in Fine and Studio Arts at John F. Kennedy University. His educational journey began at Walnut Hills High School, a leading institution that fostered his early passion for the arts and communication.
Emphasizing on hands-on experience and practical knowledge, Matthew has held numerous influential positions across various organizations. He formerly served as the Senior Product Director for Creative Cloud for Enterprise and SMB at Adobe, where he was instrumental in shaping product innovations that catered to diverse enterprise needs. His tenure as Senior Vice President of Product & Marketing at Livefyre saw him transforming product processes and teams, significantly accelerating development and broadening market reach.
Matthew's role as General Manager for Chegg’s enrollment services business stands out among his career highlights, where he achieved an impressive 40% year-over-year revenue growth. He has also been pivotal in launching Chegg's new revenue-generating Match+ product and integrating Zinch's Admissions product into Chegg.com, showcasing his remarkable ability to blend product integration with market needs.
Other noteworthy accomplishments include building a new SaaS social influence marketing platform, Crowdtap, which successfully generated its first $1 million in Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR). At Piczo, he designed and launched an innovative virtual economy subscription service centered around avatars, while also doubling the platform's US uniques and page views within just six months. Additionally, he played a key role in the internationalization strategy that led Hi5 to expand its user base from 18 million to an astounding 24 million uniques. Matthew has also spearheaded the implementation of significant partnerships, such as the $21 million deal between MarketWatch and AOL, showcasing his capability to foster collaborative ventures that yield substantial results.
Achievements
Matthew's journey is adorned with a plethora of achievements, reflecting his unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation. His strategic leadership and vision have transformed product landscapes and driven impactful business outcomes, making him a sought-after expert in product management and creative direction. Some of his significant achievements include:
- Transforming Livefyre’s Product Process: Revamped the product development process and team structure, leading to faster development cycles and greater market penetration.
- Achieving 40% YoY Revenue Growth at Chegg: As General Manager for Chegg’s enrollment services, Matthew drove substantial revenue growth, proving his proficiency in aligning business strategies with market demands.
- Launching the Match+ Product at Chegg: He was pivotal in bringing Chegg's new product to life, creating additional revenue streams and enhancing the user experience.
- Building Crowdtap: As Product Leader for Crowdtap, he successfully generated the first $1M in ARR, showcasing his aptitude for developing profitable SaaS solutions within the marketing domain.
- Doubling User Engagement at Piczo: His innovative strategies led to a 100% increase in US uniques and page views over a six-month period, transforming Piczo's online presence.
- International Growth Strategy for Hi5: Spearheaded significant international initiatives, increasing the active user base substantially.
- Key Partnerships Management: Implemented major technical partnerships that resulted in significant business benefits, demonstrating a strategic approach to collaborative opportunities.
Leadership Roles and Community Engagement
Matthew's commitment to community and professional development extends beyond his primary roles in the corporate sector. Notably, he served as the President of the Board of Directors at Marin Theatre Company, contributing his leadership expertise to enrich the local arts community. His role as an Angel Investor and Product Advisor underscores his dedication to nurturing emerging talents and innovative ideas across various industries.
Additionally, he has shared his knowledge and skills as an instructor at General Assembly, where he has helped shape the next generation of product managers and creative professionals. His former roles in educational settings, such as a Lecturer in Web Design at CSU East Bay, reflect his passion for fostering learning and professional growth.
In conclusion, Matthew Purdon stands out as a transformative leader with a rich blend of experience across product management, creative direction, and strategic marketing. By harnessing the power of collaboration and innovation, he continues to create meaningful, revenue-generating experiences that resonate with users and drive business success.
Achievements
Achievements
- Transforming Livefyre’s Product Process
- Achieving 40% YoY Revenue Growth at Chegg
- Launching the Match+ Product at Chegg
- Building Crowdtap
- Doubling User Engagement at Piczo
- International Growth Strategy for Hi5
- Key Partnerships Management
