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Valerie Conners

Senior Managing Editor + Content Strategist | Podcast Producer at Marriott International

Professional Background

Valerie Conners is a highly accomplished and award-winning digital content strategist, creator, and podcast producer with a distinguished career spanning over 18 years. Based in the vibrant landscape of digital marketing, Valerie has carved out a niche as an expert in content creation specifically tailored to the travel industry and destination-related narratives. Her extensive experience spans various roles in content strategy, branded content, and marketing, reflecting her exceptional ability to develop robust content packages that resonate with audiences.

Through her initiative, Valerie co-founded Inbound ContentWorks, a forward-thinking marketing agency dedicated to delivering innovative content strategies and creation for businesses and brands. This venture allows Valerie to apply her profound understanding of the digital landscape to help clients thrive in an ever-evolving market. Her approach is rooted in a strategic framework that emphasizes data-driven content marketing solutions, ensuring brands maintain relevance and engagement in their respective niches.

In her previous roles, Valerie has made significant contributions to various prestigious organizations. She has served as the Senior Managing Editor and Content Strategist at Marriott Bonvoy Traveler under Marriott International, overseeing a comprehensive digital content portfolio while leveraging her expertise in SEO best practices. Her creative prowess was also evident during her tenure at Comedy Central, where she worked as the Managing Editor and Producer for the digital media arm of "The Colbert Report." Additionally, her impressive work history includes contributions to major media outlets such as the Travel Channel and Discovery Communications, where she honed her skills in digital content development and storytelling.

Education and Achievements

Valerie’s educational background is as varied and rich as her professional journey. She pursued a Master of Science in Journalism at Boston University, equipping her with the foundational skills necessary for a career in content strategy and media production. Her academic journey is complemented by studies in languages, having studied Italian at the Atrium-Istituto di Lingua Italiano and Spanish at the Malaca Instituto. Valerie holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and Writing from Loyola University Maryland, which laid the groundwork for her passion for storytelling and content creation.

In addition to her formal education, Valerie's dedication to her craft has earned her multiple accolades throughout her career, showcasing her commitment to excellence and innovation in digital content.

Skills and Expertise

Valerie Conners specializes in various domains, including content strategy, content management, SEO, website programming within a Content Management System (CMS), basic HTML, quality assurance (QA), user acceptance testing (UAT), editing, writing, and copy editing. Her proficiency in overseeing budgets and schedules while managing freelance writers demonstrates her adept organizational skills and ability to lead teams effectively.

Her extensive background in managing ad sales relations further underscores her strategic acumen in aligning content creation with marketing objectives to drive engagement and revenue for clients. Valerie's expertise ensures that her content not only captivates audiences but also serves essential business functions.

Notable Achievements

Valerie's career is distinguished by a series of notable positions that highlight her versatility and capacity to innovate within the digital content space.

  • Marriott Bonvoy Traveler: As the Senior Managing Editor and Content Strategist, she was instrumental in enhancing the brand's digital content offerings, utilizing her knowledge of SEO best practices to optimize content visibility and engagement.

  • Comedy Central: At the forefront of digital innovation, Valerie contributed significantly as the Managing Editor and Producer for "The Colbert Report," helping to shape the show's online presence.

  • Travel Channel: Valerie’s multiple roles within the Travel Channel highlight her expertise in content creation, engagement strategies, and interactive media. Her contributions as a Senior Interactive Producer and Digital Writer reinforced her reputation as a leader in the travel media landscape.

  • Freelance Work: Valerie's freelancing endeavors with notable publications like Discovery Communications and MTV Europe showcase her adaptability and creative prowess, as she tailored content to meet diverse audience needs and brand objectives.

  • Teaching Role: As a former Professor of Writing at The Institute for Education in International Media, Valerie empowered the next generation of writers and content creators, sharing her wealth of knowledge and practical experience in the field.

Valerie Conners’s remarkable career reflects her unwavering passion for digital content

Highlights

Apr 17 · linkedin

Proud to announce that three of Marriott Bonvoy Traveler's incredible projects and content marketing initiatives have been selected as finalists in this year’s Shorty Awards! 🏆

My team is keenly focused on driving business objectives through creative storytelling that engages our audience (current and future Marriott Bonvoy members!) and I'm proud to see our 2023 efforts recognized by the awards circuit, including the Shorty's, Webby's and more.

Winning is now dependent on public votes; if you're so inspired, please check out the finalists and vote, vote, vote!

The multi-award-winning About the Journey Podcast, which continues to deepen travelers' connection to place:  https://lnkd.in/ezMHkm2J

The Masked Dancers of Indonesia, from our Seeing Beyond photo essay series: https://lnkd.in/ev8wVppH

And our powerhouse Marriott Bonvoy Traveler Email Newsletter, which continues to exceed business and strategy objectives through its audience of more than 12 million members:   https://lnkd.in/e_pRznbq

It takes a village of creative all-stars to reach these achievements, including Robin Bennefield, Annie Granatstein, Chelo Segear, Kia Delgado, Kristen Brooks, our podcasting partners AT WILL MEDIA, photography partners The Luupe and our newsletter partners Data Axle.

Related Questions

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Location

New York, New York, United States