About MarketingSherpa Blog
MarketingSherpa is a research firm specializing in tracking what works in all aspects of marketing (and what does not.) So, we’re not an agency, consultancy or other vendor seeking your business. We’re not even available for private research — all our research is published for the entire MarketingSherpa community to benefit from. Our goal — to give marketers of the world the stats, inspiration, and instructions to improve their results. Our name “Sherpa” refers Admiringly to the Sherpas of Nepal who guide climbers up Mount Everest. Our goal is to be your friendly native guides who help make your tough climb toward great marketing results easier by handing you research on ‘what works.’ If you are interested in contributing to the MarketingSherpa blog, consider joining our team. Please review career opportunities here.
The MarketingSherpa Bloggers
 |
Daniel Burstein, Director of Editorial Content, MECLABS Daniel oversees all editorial content coming from the MarketingExperiments and MarketingSherpa brands while helping to shape the editorial direction for MECLABS – working with our team of reporters to dig for actionable information while serving as an advocate for the audience. Daniel is also a frequent speaker and moderator at live events and on webinars. Previously, he was the main writer powering MarketingExperiments publishing engine – from Web clinics to Research Journals to the blog. Prior to joining the team, Daniel was Vice President of MindPulse Communications – a boutique communications consultancy specializing in IT clients such as IBM, VMware and BEA Systems. Daniel has 13 years of experience in copywriting, editing, internal communications, sales enablement and field marketing communications. Blog Posts |  LinkedIn |  Twitter |
|
 |
David Kirkpatrick, Senior Reporter, MECLABS David is a reporter for MarketingSherpa and has more than 20 years of experience in business journalism, marketing and corporate communications. His published work includes newspaper, magazine and online journalism, as well as website content, full-length ghosted nonfiction, marketing content and short fiction. He served as producer for the business research horizontal at the original Office.com, regularly reporting on the world of marketing; covered a beat for D/FW TechBiz, a member of the American City Business Journals family; and he provided daily reporting for multiple LocalBusiness.com cities. David’s other media and corporate clients include: USA Today, Oxford Intelligence, GMAC, AOL, Business Development Outlook and C-Level Media, among many others. Blog Posts | LinkedIn | Twitter |
|
 |
Justin Bridegan, Senior Marketing Manager, MECLABS Justin is the senior marketing manager for MECLABS and oversees the product marketing for all conferences, events, and publications. He has over eight years of experience in marketing to the software training industry, printing industry, and marketing professionals. As one of the contributing authors of MarketingSherpa’s 2011 B2B Marketing Benchmark Report, he regularly speaks at our Summits and webinars. He specializes in creating, planning, and implementing new marketing techniques across the industry. Blog Posts | LinkedIn | Twitter |
|
 |
Paul Cheney, Editorial Analyst, MECLABS Paul helps turn raw research into easy-to-understand content for MarketingExperiments and MarketingSherpa readers. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Covenant College. Before joining the MarketingExperiments and Sherpa team, Paul wrote grant proposals and fundraising letters for a mid-size nonprofit in New Jersey. He has also worked as a freelance Internet marketing consultant and copywriter for small businesses. In his spare time, Paul enjoys reading, writing poems, and dating his wife, Callie. Blog Posts | LinkedIn | Twitter |
|
 |
Selena Blue, Reporter, MECLABS As part of Primary Research, Selena edits everything copy, from blog posts to benchmark reports to articles. Before joining MECLABS, she worked in two nonprofits, writing and editing communications, planning events and developing media databases. She also did freelance work as a copywriter. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications and a Master of Science in Integrated Marketing and Management Communications, both from Florida State University. Outside of work, Selena enjoys reading, waterskiing and volunteering. Blog Posts | LinkedIn | Twitter |
|
 |
Andrea Johnson, Editorial Manager, MECLABS As an Editorial Manager for MECLABS, Andrea Johnson develops content for both MECLABS and its Research Partners – from articles to landing pages to emails to blogs. Her goal is to give audiences actionable knowledge that will create more opportunities and revenue, and help them be more effective, productive and happier. Andrea is a journalist who has more than two decades of marketing communications and public relations experience in B2B consulting, senior living and healthcare, nonprofit, real estate, and telecommunications. Blog Posts |  LinkedIn | Twitter |
|
 |
Brian Carroll, Executive Director of Applied Research, MECLABS Brian Carroll is Executive Director of Applied Research at MECLABS and CEO of InTouch, part of the MECLABS Group. Author of the bestseller, Lead Generation for the Complex Sale (McGraw-Hill), Brian is a leading expert in lead generation and he’s profiled and regularly quoted in numerous publications. Brian also speaks to 20,000 people a year on improving sales effectiveness and lead generation strategies. He’s been profiled and regularly quoted in numerous publications such as BtoB Magazine, Selling Power, The Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur, Target Marketing, Inc. magazine, Marketing News, DM News, MarketingProfs, MarketingSherpa, Software CEO and CMO Magazine. Blog Posts | LinkedIn | Twitter |
|
 |
Courtney Eckerle, Reporter, MECLABS With a focus on inbound and email marketing, Courtney’s goal is to produce clear, interesting and actionable external content for MarketingSherpa readers. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in English Literature, Mass Communications and Film Studies from Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Ind. She has worked as a writer and sports photographer for The University of Notre Dame Observer, and was a collegiate correspondent for USA Today College prior to joining MECLABS. In her spare time, Courtney enjoys kayaking, travel, reading and photography. Blog Posts | |
|
 |
John Tackett, Editorial Analyst, MECLABS As a member of the MECLABS Editorial Content team, John helps turn raw research into easy-to-understand content for readers. Before MECLABS, John served for eight years in the U.S Army Military Police Corps as a military law enforcement instructor. John provided training to military personnel in the United States, Germany and Afghanistan. John holds his Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of North Florida, where he worked in radio broadcast production as a volunteer at Osprey radio. In his spare time, John enjoys reading, organic gardening, 5k runs and home beer brewing. |
|
 |
Jonathan Greene, Social Media Analyst, MECLABS As a social media analyst at MECLABS, Jonathan strives to unlock the hidden potential of marketing in the social sphere for MECLABS clients. As a graduate student and frequent guest lecturer on topics related to social media and e-commerce at the University of North Florida’s Coggin College of Business, Jonathan has developed a passion for communicating marketing best practices to students and business owners who can utilize them to impact their businesses. Prior to joining the MECLABS team, Jonathan was the president and owner of Ten Forty Media, a Jacksonville, Fla.-based marketing and design consultancy. He graduates with a master’s degree of Business Administration in December. Blog Posts | |
|
 |
Taylor Kennedy, Senior Research Manager, MECLABS As a senior research manager, Taylor’s day-to-day responsibilities include managing a group of research managers and analysts along with guiding major partner/project efforts. His specialties include email marketing, landing page optimization, lead generation and UX for responsive design and online testing. He has also worked on a number of projects to enhance the back-end integration of his partners and MECLABS operations. Taylor graduated from the University of Florida in August 2009, with two bachelor of arts degrees; one in Business Administration (international focus), and another in Political Science. Before working at MECLABS, he worked in the institutional financial services industry with Merrill Lynch. His other interests include surfing, running, reading and live music. |
|
 |
Emily Rogers, Research Manager, MECLABS Emily’s position requires managing more than 10 projects for a Fortune 20 wireless company. She works to make its website easier to understand by developing testing strategies to increase usability, and ultimately result in an increase in revenue. Emily also works with MECLABS to ensure its teleprospecting programs generate the highest number of leads for its clients. Emily graduated in 2011 with a BBA in Marketing and an Advanced Business Communications Certificate. She began her career with MECLABS in September 2011. |
|
 |
Tony Doty, Senior Manager of Optimization, MECLABS Tony is responsible for guiding and assisting all aspects of testing for our Research Partners. When not optimizing projects with our Partners, he is guiding other members of the team by providing key insights and training to support their professional development. Prior to MECLABS, Tony was a Product Management Consultant where he performed research to help companies optimize product offerings and marketing strategies. Tony holds a Bachelor of Science in Materials Science from the University of Minnesota and is a self-confessed data junkie. In his spare time, he enjoys playing video games with his wife Ashley, and spending quality time their dog, Barley. |
|
 |
Emily Munns, Research Analyst, MECLABS Emily is a member of the MECLABS research team, where she is responsible for assisting two research managers with Research Partnerships. One of her responsibilities includes managing a test schedule and testing implementation for a MECLABS Research Partner. Emily holds a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing and Sports Management from Saint Mary’s University-Winona. She was co-chair for her Senior Class Gift committee and a member and manager for the Saint Mary’s Dance Team. Emily enjoys going on trips with family and friends, and actively follows at least one Minnesota sport at all times. |
|
 |
John Cockburn, Senior Business Intelligence Manager, MECLABS John organizes and manages research efforts to provide competitive intelligence within a given industry to inform testing strategies for each Partner. This involves evaluating pertinent industry information, segmenting the competitive landscape, revealing competitive strengths and weaknesses and evaluating opportunities for testing. John attended Florida State University and holds a Master of Science in Demography. He’s particularly interested in the evolution of social media and mobile technology and how it will influence the means in which people interact and exchange information. In his spare time, John enjoys the outdoors and is a regular at the local boxing gym. |
|
 |
Michael Groszek, Business Intelligence Manager, MECLABS Mike began his MECLABS career in March 2012 as a member of the research team, managing multiple Research Partnerships. He recently transitioned over to his current role as a Business Intelligence Manager, where he provides competitive analysis for Research Partners in the form of product and market research. Mike is highly interested in the constantly-evolving mobile and social media marketing trends and is working to find more ways to incorporate aspects of both into our Partnerships. Prior to MECLABS, Mike attended Florida State University, where he earned his Bachelor’s of Science in Economics with minors in Biology and Chemistry. In his time away from the office, Mike enjoys going to the beach, fishing, kayaking and skiing (although he often struggles to find quality slopes in Florida). |
|
 |
Matthew Hertzman, Research Manager, MECLABS Matthew works daily with Research Partners helping with optimization strategy and test implementation. Before joining MECLABS, Matthew worked with small businesses across multiple industries helping with accounting, marketing and Web development. Matthew holds his BSBA in Finance from the University of Central Florida, where he worked in marketing for Simon Property Group. When he’s not working, he loves to read, travel and play sports. |
|
 |
Erin Hogg, Copy Editor, MECLABS Erin’s role at MECLABS involves editing everything from blog posts, articles and newsletters to marketing sends and landing page copy. Before joining MECLABS, Erin worked as the Features Editor at Illinois State University’s student-run daily newspaper, The Vidette. She earned her B.S. in Journalism and minored in Political Science at Illinois State University. In her free time, Erin enjoys cross-stitching, watching movies and playing video games. |
|
Other MarketingSherpa Team members, present and retired, and contributing partners include: Dr. Chuck Coker, Kaci Bower, Stonie Clark, Adam T. Sutton, Todd Lebo, David Meerman Scott, Bob Heyman, Jen Doyle, Brad Bortone, Zuzia Soldenhoff-Thorpe, Jeanne S. Jennings, Chris Heine, Stefan Tornquist, Anne Holland, Sean Donahue, Natalie Myers, Boris Grinkot, Tom Sather, Jay Baer and Marcus Sheridan.
