Starting A New Chapter with GTB

Nearly 3 years ago I made a move back to Metro Detroit to take on the opportunity to be Director, Organic Search (SEO) assigned to GTB. I was a "hybrid" employee in that I worked for one WPP agency, Rockfish, but was permanently assigned to a WPP sister agency. It was, and still is, a great opportunity to go back home to the Detroit area after living in Texas most of my adult life. It's great to be closer to friends and family around Michigan. To be sure, I still miss friends and family in Texas; and, I do sometimes question my sanity for moving back north when I'm shoveling snow and thinking about warmer climes around Austin. Still, it's been great and the future looks bright.

At the end of 2017, Rockfish merged with VMLY&R. When that happened, I lost a lot of connection with my "real" employer. It wasn't due to anything in particular - and it certainly wasn't the people because VMLY&R has a great culture and everyone was most welcoming to me. But, as things evolved with the businesses, relationships with clients and my work it became apparent that the hybrid approach wasn't the best way to move forward. A change was needed, and it happened this past weekend.

Now, I am an employee of GTB. My title change, and I'm getting my paycheck from a different part of WPP, but nothing else has really changed. I'm staying in Metro Detroit and will keep doing what I've been doing for nearly 3 years now.

Here's to the next chapter!

US Search Awards Judging Panel

I'm very happy to announce that I will, once again, be a judge for the US Search Awards. This is my 3rd year on the panel and it is quite an honor to be selected to be on the panel. The US Search Awards will be presented in Las Vegas on October 9, 2019 during the week of Pubcon.

Have you considered entering? Do you have some amazing work in the area of SEO, PPC and content marketing? If you do, consider entering. Get details here: https://www.ussearchawards.com/ .

One of the great parts of being a judge is seeing the excellent work others are doing in our industry. Some of the work is quite impressive, indeed. In order to win, your project really needs to be the best of the best.

Here's a hint: The best entries are the ones that give the most details. Don't be shy and don't skimp on the numbers. If you can't share because of client confidentiality agreements, then you might not want to waste your time. But, if your clients are on board - share the great work you did on their behalf!

I'm very happy to announce that I will be presenting at the Pubcon Pro digital marketing conference in Las Vegas October 7-10, 2019.

I don't yet know what topics my presentations during the main conference will be. I do know that I will be in the Local Search Pubcon Masters Group training session with Joe Laratro on Monday, the day before the main conference begins.

I'll post an update as I get more information.

Elmer on the Business of Digital Podcast

I was very gratified to have been invited to be a guest on the Business of Digital podcast hosted by Dave Rohrer and Mat Siltala. The whole thing got started by an online conversation on LinkedIn with school friend, Steve Cernak, about potential antitrust action against Google in the US.

Steve is an antitrust attorney based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and had a great explanation of antitrust issues in the US and how Google may be a "monopoly" but not a "monopolist." There is a distinction between the two that makes a big difference in how companies are viewed from an antitrust perspective.

I invite you to listen in on the conversation over on the Business of Digital podcast website; it's informative and entertaining. You might also wish to subscribe because Mat and Dave share some great information.

Elmer's Next Speaking Event - Pubcon Pro 2018

UPDATE:
Here's a discount code you can use to get 20% off your registration if you sign up before October 1, 2018: rc-7784420. 


I am very happy to announce that I have been invited to present at Pubcon Pro Las Vegas, which will be happening October 16-18, 2018 in ... where else ... fabulous Las Vegas.

I will be presenting in 2 sessions:

• International SEO Strategy - on the panel with me will be Michael Bonfils
• Schema and Featured Snippets - with co-presenter Casey Markee

I will also be moderating 2 other sessions:

• Sustainable SEO with panelists Jake Bohall, Duane Forrester and Stephanie Wallace
• Scaling SEO to Large Sites with panelists Stephan Spencer and Chris Boggs

All 4 of these panels are going to be excellent - and well worth attending just on their own.

I have also, once again, been selected as a judge for the US Search Awards which will be presented in a special event on Wednesday evening of Pubcon week. This is the third time I've been part of the judging panel. It is not only very interesting, it's great to see some of the amazing work that's being done out there.