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4 min read
Carey Witmer began her career in media selling ads in magazines. From there, she joined Dotdash Meredith where she led revenue growth at brands such as Better Homes & Gardens, ALLRECIPES, Parents and PEOPLE. She recently became executive vice president and chief revenue officer at a360media where she oversees sales and marketing for all brands including Us Weekly, Women’s World, First For Women and DREW.
Here Carey shares insights from her career including advice for those new to the industry, what she’s most proud of in her career and where she sees the magazine industry in a decade.
How did you choose your career?
I love magazines – the feel, the smell, the glossy photographs. There was no way anyone was going to dissuade me from a career in magazine advertising sales.
Share an initiative that is helping your company innovate?
I am currently at the midpoint of a sales and marketing team reorganization where we are moving to a “one point of contact” strategy. Each seller will be a client expert and sell everything we have in our portfolio on every platform.
What word describes your company?
AGILE
How has AAM supported your company?
AAM has always stood for trust and transparency and given credence to the medium itself.
What in your career are you most proud of?
It isn’t a particular sale or a specific job, but rather working hard and remaining loyal to the three companies and people I have worked for and with. I am also proud of the teams I have built over the years and how I have helped my team members advance and grow within the organization versus having to leave to get a promotion.
Anything about the industry that’s surprised you?
Its constant ability to reinvent itself at an increasing velocity. When I started, it was just about the physical magazine. Now it’s about a brand across many platforms, and the magazine is just one of them.
What piece of advice would you give someone starting out in your field?
Be curious about everything, find your own sense of personal integrity and stand by it every day. Be a team player who is positive and has a can-do attitude.
Where do you see the industry in 10 years?
Alive and well. The super brands like Us Weekly and First For Women will continue to thrive with the newsstand being the ultimate arbiter of success.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I love to spend time outdoors with my family enjoying the northern woods of Minnesota.
What is one goal you would like to achieve?
I want to continue building a best-in-class media and marketing team, where we achieve success by conventional metrics but also develop a team that feels inspired, challenged and thrilled to work at a360media every day.