Resume

Mark Farmer

Veteran digital communications strategist, leading teams that lead organizations

  • Building high-performing teams as a digital leader and change agent.
  • Creating digital strategies and content that deliver tangible results.
  • Producing award-winning digital communications campaigns.
  • Leveraging analytics for data-driven decision-making.

Career Highlights

Expertise includes:

  • Web project management
  • User Experience (UX) Design
  • Accessibility
  • Content Strategy
  • Analytics and Reporting
  • Google Analytics & BigQuery

Experience

Metrolinx, Toronto ON

Senior Digital Communications Analyst
2022 – Present
Leading cross-functional teams and delivering digital innovations organization-wide.
  • Part of a team that combined three websites under a new design, deployed in a new CMS and Digital Asset Management System.
    • Went from planning to launch in six months.
    • Worked with 35 stakeholders to edit and reduce content by 60% in English and French.
    • 27% year-over-year increase in visitors.
    • Most Successful Digital Transformation” at CXA Awards, May 2023.
  • Leading cross-functional teams for virtual events and interactive maps. Led successful rollout of MS Webinars, including all training and support.
  • Supporting analytics and web design & development. Developing Google BigQuery for Google Analytics.

Ontario College of Teachers, Toronto ON

Senior Digital Strategist
2016 – 2022
Led digital media specialists and contractors building websites, intranets, social media, email communications and mobile applications (apps) for Canada’s largest professional regulator.
  • Created ad copy and collaterals, managed budget, set targeting and produced detailed performance reports for 2016’s #Just1Word social media advertising campaign, reaching 2.6 million Ontarians.
  • Directed redesign of annual report microsite, including new architecture, driving 300% increase in yearly visits.
  • Led app redevelopment, achieving 84% increase in users.
  • Spearheaded project to edit and update 45,000 words of English and French content on oct.ca, producing a 32% increase in visits and pageviews.
  • Led project to make 3,100 pages of PDF content accessible and compliant with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).

York University, Toronto ON

Digital Strategist
2012 – 2016
Directed institutional digital communications, content marketing and digital crisis / issue management.
  • Managed institutional social media accounts, driving growth of 127% in audience, 400% in engagement and almost 1,400% in reach for Facebook alone over two years.
  • Won international Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Gold Award for interactive social media project at spring 2015 convocation.
    • Almost 6,000 mentions, 6.1 million in potential reach and 97.5% positive sentiment.
    • #YorkUConvo trended nationally.
  • Created and executed institutional social media strategy for the CASE Circle of Excellence Gold Award-winning “Yes to York” campaign.
  • Won “Top Instagram Account” at the 2015 Canadian University & College Social Media Awards.
  • Outperformed agency cost-per-click in Facebook ads by 100%.
  • Created a cross-functional digital team of over 100 digital media practitioners.

Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto ON

Web Redesign Manager
2010 – 2012
Managed cross-functional team of internal developers / designers / producers and web development, project management and design vendors, implementing content management system and redeveloping website and online content.
  • Coordinated multiple stakeholders and led weekly strategy sessions with senior leadership, including Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
  • Championed institutional social media efforts, developing a cross-functional stakeholder team.
  • Partnered with Google, initiating museum’s participation in Google Cultural Institute.

Additional Experience

Education and Professional Development

Languages

  • Fluent in English and French