Mark A Harper

Experience

2022 - Present
Recurrent Ventures

General Manager

Leads six military digital publisher and event brands — responsible for $10M P&L military & defense portfolio. Oversees business and editorial operations for each brand property as well as performance management and implementation of budgetary, resource, and technical allocation plans. Spearheaded acquisition and integration of We Are The Mighty and Military Influencer companies.

Accomplishments:
- Leads six military digital publisher and event brands — responsible for $10M P&L military & defense portfolio
- Oversees business and editorial operations for each brand property as well as performance management and implementation of budgetary, resource, and technical allocation plans
- Spearheaded acquisition and integration of We Are The Mighty and Military Influencer companies
2014 - 2022
We Are The Mighty

President & CEO

One of the original employees for We Are The Mighty, a military-themed lifestyle brand and digital publisher founded by the former head of MTV Films. The website, YouTube and social media channels deliver content to millions of members of our extended military community each month.

Accomplishments:
- Took over as CEO in 2019 and led company from insolvency to profitability and an acquisition in 2022
- Grew the company as original hire from a team of four to 20+ FTE
- Built a sales book of $3M+ in revenue per year; managed client relations for over 100 brand partners
- Executive produced 400+ productions including social, digital series, branded videos, and an Emmy-award winning TV program
- Led the editorial, social, and video teams in creation of over 4,000 total pieces of original content
- Launched/designed strategy for social footprint — 1.5M Facebook, 110K Instagram and 185K YouTube
2012 - 2014
Audeze

Co-Founder, Chief Marketing Officer

Reported directly to the board, led a team of eight in the development and execution of all corporate marketing activities and sales partnerships. Audeze is a producer of high-end headphones and audio equipment created for the pro and high-touch consumer markets. Headphones actively used in music production by grammy-award winners including Steven Tyler, Macklemore & Lewis and Stevie Wonder.

Accomplishments:
- Executed business development effort that resulted in $4.5M investment from global music major
- Built Audeze brand from scratch — designed and led brand marketing strategy, positioning, communications, research, customer segmentation/penetration plans and product development/launch initiatives
- Led marketing campaigns which resulted in 120 published industry reviews and 16 awards
- Boosted company's web traffic 90% and social media following 370% by developing and executing targeted marketing campaigns
- Engineered online dealer portal — saved 30 man-hours/week, eliminated order inaccuracies and increased retailer purchases by 23%
- Expanded markets to include luxury, military and collegiate segments creating a year one revenue gain of 10%
- Produced 13 videos showcasing technology, ambassador interviews, tradeshow participation and manufacturing
2011 - 2012
Technicolor Animation & Gaming

Director of Marketing

Selected to help define new industry business model and lead development of film, television, commercial and videogame marketing campaigns for world leader in CG animation. Top shows produced at Technicolor are Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Kung Fu Panda, both on Nickelodeon. Responsible for pitch decks, campaign strategies and script development. Direct management of global team.

Accomplishments:
- Led the development of numerous pitch decks for EA Sports, Rockstar Games, THQ, Activision, Illumination, Nickelodeon, DreamWorks, and Blue Sky Animation
- Created and implemented partnership program with academic institutions to search for new animation properties
- Spearheaded brand initiatives for internal development properties – assisted in production of animation bibles/books.
- Produced animation reels for clients and recruiting videos / materials for potential animation candidates
2010 - 2011
Technicolor

Director of Marketing Project Management

Reported directly to CMO, led team of two in development of global marketing and brand initiatives in support of $3.5B film interactive consumer portfolio. Oversight of more than 19 projects and $2M budget.

Accomplishments:
- Produced presentations for the heads of Disney and Warner Bros, ultimately won $750M worth of post-production and packaged media services
- Managed portfolio of brands / sub-brands across multiple lines of business for both consumers and partners
- Planned and coordinated successful execution of $1.8M production at world's largest consumer electronics show
- Developed strategic industry tracking reports in support of business development – distributed weekly to senior leadership
- Drove 35% reduction in video and multimedia collateral production costs producing content in-house (some content found in portfolio below)
2008 - 2009
Paramount Pictures

Interactive Marketing Consultant

Selected for development of film marketing efforts (interactive, experiential, mockumentaries, webisodes, games, websites, and banners) for Paramount Pictures, a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment. Movie campaigns include Transformers: Dark of the Moon, Benjamin Button, Eagle Eye, Tropic Thunder, I Love You Man, G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra and Star Trek.

Accomplishments:
- Led production of a viral Transformers II campaign element resulting in more than 1.2M organic views
- Coordinated 19 affiliate website takeovers for Transformers II and G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra campaigns
- Designed and optimized Eagle Eye flash banner advertisements reaching over 23M impressions
- Co-writer and producer of G.I. Joe: The Invasion of Cobra Island viral video campaign
2001 - 2007
USAF - Combat Camera Squadron

Commander - Combat Video

Led squadron of highly trained visual information professionals who deployed to provide documentation of Department of Defense (DoD) wartime and peacetime activities. Direct management and oversight of 153 people, $3M in equipment assets, 24 multimedia productions, capture of global wartime campaigns and internationally recognized footage.

Accomplishments:
- Directed DoD imagery gathering teams and developed strategy for 2005/2006 Iraq elections; footage was broadcast over worldwide media outlets including CNN and FOX News
- Achieved $106K in annual savings and reduced loop time by 91% through design and implementation of real-time image utility solution
- Executive produced 24 interactive multimedia productions showcasing aspects of military exercises, competitions, weapons tests, contingencies, natural disasters, public relations and marketing
- Recipient of 13 medals (including combat), awarded Officer of the Year four times