ACADEMIC BACKGROUND
Illinois State University – Normal, IL
MBA: International Marketing
Monmouth College – Monmouth, IL
B.A.: Business Administration & Economics Double Major, Political Science Minor
MARKETING BACKGROUND
2011-Present Enova Financial (Sr. Digital Marketing Associate), Chicago, IL
Manage digital marketing channels for US P&L (search engine optimization, pay per click, affiliate marketing). Report and optimize existing marketing channels. Develop new marketing channels.
2011 Robert Bosch Tool Corporation (Online Marketing Manager), Mt. Prospect, IL
Manage and execute digital brand marketing strategy for consumer and professional tool brands of Bosch, SKIL, Dremel, Rotozip, Vermont American, LR Nelson, Gilmour and CST Berger. These brands represent industry-leading power tools, rotary tools, and accessories, as well as lawn and garden equipment brands.
• Leading the Home Depot Bosch Pro Center Integrated Marketing strategy.
• Establishing digital marketing best practices for E-mail,digital PR, social media, SEO/SEM, Usability, Conversion and Integrated Marketing for all brand websites.
• Creating an integrated trade show marketing strategy that integrates offline and online marketing strategies
• Leading website redesign projects for Bosch Web Properties
2008-2010 Vivid Ascent (Integrated Marketing Director), Chicago, IL
Directed all Integrated Marketing Initiatives for Strategics
- Concept designed first ever twitter integration for an online stock brokerage, Trademonster.com, (Video presentation). This strategy brings in 15+ new trading accounts a day according to the CEO of the company.
- Doubled the overall traffic (millions/month) of Pampered Chef in 9 months through SEO, link building, social media, e-mail, affiliate sales and viral marketing.
- Managed the rebranding/repositioning studies for Tech For Less and Trinity International University.
- Created Multiple Viral Online Product marketing concepts for Rustoleum including Virtual Countertop tool and Kitchen:Possible contest
- Built the first ever Digital Media Release website for a major American exchange (CBOE)
- Wrote the first SEO Guidelines & Personalized Candidate Portal Web Architecture plan for a global recruiting company, Hudson (Nasdaq: HHGP). Created a Local Business Listing and PPC marketing plan for their global offices in 30+ countries that increased traffic to their global offices 500%+.
- Managed the optimization and reputation management programs of the Allstate and Allstate Newsroom web properties along with social media channels (Youtube and Twitter)
- Managed Online Advertising campaign strategy, social media guidelines & SEO for the largest commodity exchange (ICE)
2007-2008 Marcel Media (SEO Engineer), Chicago IL
Managed a team of upto 25 people for over 60 SEO/SEM projects in the first Google Analytics Certified Agency in Chicago.
• Managed successful SEO/SEM, online marketing, web design, content management system implementation initiatives for major hospitals and universities such as Rush, Northshore, Children’s Memorial, DePaul, USC Cinema Dept., Roosevelt along with Fortune 500 companies such as Ryland Homes,
• Helped grow the agency from 9 people to 25 people in less than 12 months through successful training, bid management and project management success
2006-2007 LocalLaunch! SEO Specialist, Chicago IL
Managed SEO campaigns for Premium SEO department
• Planned the co-branded Hospital pages for SEO purposes for CarePages which became a great branding and SEO success.
• Substantially increased search engine traffic for major brands such as Rubloff, DexKnows.
2003-2006 Online Marketing Consultant, Chicago, IL
Independent marketing consultant for over three years successfully building and consulting web based businesses.
- Highest non-brand search traffic for local realty offices in Chicago, Dallas, Tampa, Las Vegas, and others.
- Led an SEO, viral social media & video syndication for a health information site: Steroid.com. Result: 110K+ forum members, tens of thousands of video views. Top #3 Google rank for all related competitive keywords
2000-2003 Marketing Project Manager – Web Across America, Lake Jackson, TX
A marketing project manager for A Texas based business consulting and project management company specialized in technology, import/export & product branding. Before September 11 2001, it was a major subcontractor for automation of national airports such as Phoenix, LAX, and Charlotte. After September 11, the focus of the company went towards security automation and wireless internet marketing technology services for hospitality industry. I provided marketing, business development and marketing consulting services for current and new customers. Prepare month-, quarter- and year-end performance reports and look for potential contractors for upcoming projects from various sources. Involved in project planning, bid management and marketing pitch. Executed marketing plans or all the stages of new franchising and affiliate or reseller based e-commerce marketing clients and technology product import exporters.
Client Portfolio
Out of the almost 100 past and present clients, below is a list of well known brand clients by industry include:
Insurance: Allstate
Education: DePaul, USC Cinema Dept., Roosevelt, TIU
Health: Rush, Northshore, Children’s Memorial, CarePages, Steroid.com
Professional Services: Hudson, True Partners Consulting, Nimlok
Real Estate: Ryland, American INVESCO
E-commerce: CDW, Pampered Chef, Bellydance Maternity, Swimsuitsforall, Printable Promotions
Industrial: Rustoleum, Misumi, MPE, SlipNOT,
Finance: Trading Technologies, CBOE, ICE, Ballista, Trademonster, FX Solutions, Alphametrix
LATEST SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
- Chicago Online Marketing Meetup Group (03/23/2010) Advanced SEO Link Marketing – “Mert probably forgets about SEO more in a year than I can learn.”- Rey Villar
- Thintank Live (02/23/2010) – “Mert is a headlining speaker/trainer for our events. Mert is the consummate “idea man” who blends his mastery of integrated marketing and business strategy with practical applications for real-world results.” – Mary Duquaine, Event Organizer
- Chicago Search Engine Optimization Meetup (02/10/2010) – “One of the best meetups we’ve had in a while. Thanks to Mert for leading a great discussion on link building strategies and tactics!” – Bryson Meunier, Meetup Organizer
COMPUTER SKILLS
Software
- Microsoft Office, Dreamweaver, Adobe Applications, SPSS
Analytics Applications
- Omniture, Google Analytics, Google Adwords, Microsoft adCenter
Private SEO/SEM Tools
- Click Equations, Adgooroo, Conductor, Covario, SEOMoz tools, along with others.
Web Project Management Experience with below Languages
- HTML, PHP, ASP, Ajax, Javascript, Flash, Flex, HTML
Content Management Systems
- WordPress, Drupal, Ektron, Magenta, DotNetNuke
OTHER SKILLS
Languages: English (Native), Turkish (Native), Spanish (Basic)
License:Illinois Real Estate Broker
References: Available upon request