Kelley Damore ─ Overseeing content strategy and tying it into the overall brand picture that attracts, converts, and retains customers...
June 2, 2021 • 3 Minute Read
Kelley Damore
Chief Content Officer
TechTarget
Are you looking for a leader to oversee your content strategy and tie it into the overall brand picture that attracts, converts, and retains customers? We know the person—Kelley Damore!
Kelley Damore is TechTarget’s Chief Content Officer (CCO) and oversees its editorial strategy of more than 140 technology sites supporting 120 editors worldwide. As the CCO, she works closely with the executive team and spearheads data-driven editorial initiatives to help grow and support the business.
Please meet this IT Wondrous Woman™, Kelley Damore!
Our 10 Questions for this IT Wondrous Woman.
Fun Facts
1. What’s the one thing about you that your business colleagues don’t know about you?
I am obsessed with interior decorating and am constantly updating my house. I would work as a stager for open houses or a DIY blogger if I didn’t have a full-time job.
2. Before the pandemic, how many air miles/KMs did you flying annually?
I travel very little in my current role. In previous role, I would estimate 50,000 miles. It isn’t too bad.
3. What is the most adventurous food you have eaten and what city/location did you eat it?
Jellyfish in Taiwan many years ago.
Your Career
4. What are the top two experiences, achievements or failures that shaped your journey as a successful leader?
- Leading a news team during September 11th. We were headquartered in NY and had 1.5 days to create our weekly issue amid the shock and loss. Despite the situation, everyone rose to the occasion and produced their best work. It was very inspiring to lead a team, see them come together and create something I am still incredibly proud of.
- Leading a creative team at a large international development non-profit. I was able to quickly discern that I had a highly skilled and passionate team who wasn’t being managed properly or inspired to reach their potential. I jumped in and we accomplished more in two years than they had accomplished in the prior 5 to 10 years. This was my success. My failure was I could not convince the organization to move more quickly.
5. Did you have a mentor in the early part of your career and, if so, what is the biggest lesson you learned from your mentor or influencer?
Never let them see you sweat. You can be feeling stressed, upset or discouraged but you need to exude confidence and optimism to keep the staff going. Complain when you get home!
Walking In Your Shoes
6. What is one piece of business or career advice you would give to your younger self?
Create balance. You are not your job. I did not learn this in my 20’s but was able to realize it in my early 30’s and believe I am happier as a result.
7. As a leader, how do you remain a resource for people early in their careers?
I mentor at my company and work with high schoolers looking to apply to college. I will also speak about my experiences on panels.
Today’s Business Environment
8. What is the most interesting project you have worked on in the last few years?
I love fixing problems and managing people through change. I completely blew up a large editorial organization and made many significant organizational and process changes. While I love change, it is hard for most people. The key is to communicate the whys and clearly outline the expectations.
9. What skills are you currently developing or refining (in yourself) that will make you a more successful leader in the digital economy?
I need to delve into social media more as well as understand the new platforms where the younger audience is.
10. What is your greatest business challenge today?
Search engines are a blessing and a curse. For publishers, it is a balancing act of creating good content people want and are searching for and getting that content in front of a reader who would find it useful.
