Kirk Ahlquist

Sr Director of Global Strategic Digital Marketing @Marketopia

United StatesDigital Ads ManagerMarketing Director💸 Marketing✔️ ITBusiness OwnerCRM manager👍 Sales & BizDev🧨 ConsultingProduct ManagerWeb DeveloperBI Analyst

Kirk Ahlquist is a seasoned professional in the field of digital marketing and currently serves as the Sr Director of Global Strategic Digital Marketing at Marketopia. He brings a wealth of experience and expertise in developing, implementing, and managing global marketing strategies. Prior to joining Marketopia, Ahlquist held various leadership positions in the marketing industry, honing his skills in areas such as SEO, SEM, digital advertising, and social media marketing. His ability to leverage digital platforms to drive business growth has been recognized and appreciated in the industry. Ahlquist is reputed for his strategic thinking, innovative approach, and passion for staying abreast of the latest digital marketing trends. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Marketing, further solidifying his foundation in the field.

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Network Power<100 people

Roles

💸75%

Marketing

🧨50%

Consulting

📝25%

Influencer or Blogger

Geos

🇺🇸50%

United States

🇬🇧25%

United Kingdom

🇵🇭25%

Philippines

Work Background

MarketopiaGlobal Director of Strategic Digital Marketing

Apr. 2023Pinellas Park, Florida, United States · HybridStrategic Digital Marketing Leader | Global Senior Director | Global Vice President **Seasoned leader** with 15+ years driving **exponential growth** through data-driven digital strategies and **cross-functional team leadership**. ABM at marketing agencies is my sweet spot. Proven ability to develop high-impact initiatives, leading an 8+ Global team to achieve a **42% YoY increase in SaaS MRR** and a **78% YoY rise in lead conversion**. Skilled in identifying market opportunities, forecasting trends, and building lasting client relationships. **Key Achievements:** * Led team to achieve a **42% YoY increase in SaaS MRR** through data-driven digital marketing strategies. * Implemented innovative marketing automation solutions, driving a **78% YoY rise in lead conversion**. * Oversight on high-performing paid media campaigns across Google Ads, Meta Business Suite, Bing, and LinkedIn Campaign Manager. * Championed best practices, fostering a culture of continuous learning and innovation within the team. * Strong relationship manager, ensuring brand consistency and enhancing customer experiences. **Technical Expertise:** * Excels in leading marketing automation platforms (GoHighlevel, HubSpot Certified & Salesforce). * Expert in Google Ads, SEMrush, social media management tools, and CMS platforms (WordPress, Shopify). **Keywords:** Strategic Marketing Leadership, Digital Marketing Strategy, Team Management, Client Relationships, Data-Driven Marketing, Growth Hacking, Marketing Automation, SEO/SEM, Paid Media Advertising, Content Marketing, Brand Marketing, Customer Experience

Socius MarketingDigital Marketing Strategist - Client Accounts

Aug. 2021 - Apr. 2023Remote · RemoteSpearheaded Digital Marketing Growth | Proven Leader & Strategist * Led a high-performing digital marketing team, developing and implementing data-driven strategies across SEO, PPC, social media, and other channels. * Increased client home-improvement and medical leads by overseeing PPC, SEO, and Social Media Strategists. * Delivered bespoke digital solutions for each client, exceeding sales and lead generation goals. Key Leadership Actions: * Defined strategic objectives, KPIs, and marketing metrics to drive data-driven decision-making in digital marketing campaigns. * Analyzed digital analytics to identify optimization opportunities and generate performance reports with actionable recommendations. * Liaised between clients, technical teams, and business stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring alignment on solution design and development. Developed and implemented comprehensive digital strategies across multiple channels, maximizing client ROI. * Collaborated with clients and media agencies to develop and execute paid and organic media placements achieving or exceeding client goals.

Compass GroupGeneral Manager Sales Marketing

Aug. 2018 - Aug. 2021Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida Area• Analyzed and reported consumer activities on social media, websites, and self-serve registers. • Won back annual all-campus catered event after 6 years lost increasing single event revenue by $40k, yearly • Won 24/hr. market development at client location consolidating all food service revenue streams back into Eurest – increasing revenue by $325k YOY • Continuing to improve guest satisfaction and maximizing overall financial performance through best-practice execution of brands, marketing initiatives, and catering. • Developed and utilized digital signage, content, and visual menuing.

Compass GroupRegional Marketing Director

Feb. 2014 - May. 2015Houston, TX · On-siteRegional responsibilities at Shell Oil & Gas, Intel, Conoco-Phillips, Marathon Oil, & Exxon • Implemented first-in-class digital solutions including website, social, and application development for ordering meals and full catering services from our app. This met Shell’s KPIs of retaining 50%+ employees on Campus during their dining hours. • Managed development of all graphic design, digital content, and printed collateral, including menus/menu boards, LTOs, ads, & digital signage using Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. • Support Senior Leadership with marketing and communications plans for all current/new operations initiatives. • Managed development of all graphic design, digital content, and printed collateral, including menus/menu boards, LTOs, ads, & digital signage using Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. • Developed and implemented bespoke campaigns that impacted Compass and Shell’s YOY growth projections. • Author and maintain corporate website, and social media communications for each client. • Lead, develop, train, and mentor marketing champions (6) to maximize the results of key initiatives as developed per client requirements. • Create and implement marketing strategies with regional operations and sales/CRM teams for new business and rebid presentations. Employ social media and digital marketing products. Key Achievements: ★ Ideated and implemented cutting-edge digital solutions to resolve client challenges with vendors resulting in the increase beverage and food sales by 8% YOY – for a total of $30MM

Compass GroupRetail Marketing Manager

Jan. 2013 - Jan. 2015Houston, TX / St Petersburg, FL• Drove efficient and profitable operation of a $4.3MM unit including delivery of world-class customer service, quality assurance, team leadership and development, and maintaining high team morale. • Spearheaded all marketing promotions for multiple units at $2M including marketing promo creation, implementation, and analytic tracking. • Developed and maintained websites, digital marketing promotions, and social media presence. Key Achievements: ★ Collaborated with leadership to successfully execute brand strategies, marketing initiatives, and communications to continually improve guest satisfaction and maximize financial performance Chevron portfolio-wide.

Compass GroupRegional Marketing Champion

May. 2008 - Apr. 2013Gulf States including FL, AL, GA and PR• Reporting to the Regional Vice President of Marketing for the Southern States and Puerto Rico, I Led company-wide marketing initiatives across a four-state region with over 40 units. • Managed development, thought leadership, implementation, and distribution of all company-mandated promotional, marketing, digital marketing, and re-branding initiatives ensuring compliance through visitations and inspections. • Optimized results during the development and release of sector programs and promotions, including manager guides, marketing collateral, brand initiatives, logos, brochure-ware, and training materials. Key Achievements: ★ Implemented online marketing strategy and promotions using social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest) to increase sales at Blue Cross Blue Shield, Birmingham, AL campus by 22% in first 6 months. ★ Managed vendor translation services for English to Spanish marketing materials (and digital) for units in South Florida and Puerto Rico enabling an increase of marketing reach by 16%

BluewaterVice President Digital Marketing and Strategy

Jul. 2015 - Apr. 2018Clearwater, Florida · On-site• Designed bespoke business solutions, budgets, project plans, forecasts and advertising strategies • Developed innovative digital campaign strategies and website content to engage online presence; planned, executed, and optimized digital marketing programs including SEO, paid search advertising, landing pages, email development and social media networking. • Nourished the relationships between clients and the sales team on the discovery, functional requirements, and design phases of web development and digital campaign projects. • Served as digital authority partnering with Account Leads to develop and communicate strategic approach and actionable solutions and methodologies. • Coordinated with clients, agencies, and internal resources to create paid and organic campaigns and ad placements across multiple marketing platforms including AdRoll, AdWords, Moz, Buzzsumo, SEM Rush, Spyfu, and BingAds. • Led weekly scrum meetings with development, campaign, and analytics teams across the world through Jira Atlassian software project management tool. • Set up proper analytics tracking of campaigns and gathered insights with which to optimize the sales funnels for eCommerce and B2C strategies. • Generated conversions through compelling blog posts, tweets, status updates, photos, and videos. • Key clients include Paula Deen, Hampton Direct, Blackstone Grills, MoleSafe, Fleischer & Wolf, Cerapan, Cerastone, TimeLife, Dr Amen, Ontel, Martian Watches, Bestline. Key Achievements: ★ Managed between $1.1M – $2.5M in Digital Advertising budgets in PPC, Social Media, and Amazon to an average ROAS of 425% (MER 4:1) with certain clients consistently exceeding 108% Return on Ad Spend