Robert Gary Hotze

LinkedIn | Chicago, IL

Phone: 713.542.9999 | Email: gary.hotze@gmail.com

  • Conceive innovative content based on data and aligned with your goals. Craft content that connects with your audience and follows a timely, efficient content calendar and workflow.

  • Set goals and research your customers and audience. Find topics and channels that suit their needs and interests. Audit and analyze your existing content and identify gaps. Then, create engaging and valuable content that aligns with your audience’s intent and exceeds expectations.

  • Use the written word to reach and grow your ideal audience. Track and analyze each channel’s performance and effectiveness. Optimize and improve based on feedback and data-driven insights.

Lead Content Strategist | Media Marketing & SEO Expertise | Strong Technology Acumen


Accomplished creative writer, storyteller, and lead content strategist experienced in developing impactful marketing, editorial, advertorial, and social media content/copy for media agencies and partners in the B2B/B2C and technology industries. Proficient in analyzing market trends and successful adjacent media to better craft strategic project plans, PR communications, and social media campaigns. Proven history collaborating with C-level executives, cross-functional teams, and stakeholders to ensure timely project delivery, effective SEO optimization, and unique technology integrations. Completed a double bachelor’s degree in English and Film & Television at the University of Notre Dame, as well as an AAS in Interactive Media/Programming at Flashpoint College. Achieved HubSpot Academy Certifications in Content Marketing, SEO, and Email Marketing.

Expertise


●    Strategic Content Ideation | Enterprise Project Execution: Led the creation of the 2023 Comcast Business Cybersecurity Threat Report, analyzing 23.5B cybersecurity attacks across security customers and Fintropolis, a financial literacy program and Minecraft integration, for Big Sean, HBCU students, and Ally Bank; earned a 2022 Organizational Mission Honorable Mention for a Diversity & Inclusion Program from the PRNEWS Social Impact Awards, and a Provoke Media Global SABRE Award.

●    Trusted Business Partner | Stakeholder Collaboration: Ability to collaborate and develop trusting partnerships with Fortune 500 corporations and innovative startups, including Parkway Venture Capital, one of the world’s top VC funds, and investment companies like Lyft, Casper, and Impossible. Secured B2B technology clients such as Hitachi ID, crafting inventive content marketing blogs, whitepapers, e-books, and more.

●    SEO Subject Matter Expert: Led the SEO content team at Ally Bank, utilizing emerging technologies like MarketMuse to provide the Bank’s content practice with cluster creation and analysis, competitive content audits, keyword research, optimization, and content briefs.

●    Digital Multimedia & Marketing: Secured placements with TechCrunch, VentureBeat, and HealthCare Business Today, delivering 103K, 22K, and 1.1K impressions, respectively. Developed monthly self-built domain brand websites while writing for online publications, including Inc. and Fast Company, reaching approximately 20K and 10K impressions per article, respectively. Oversaw six-sequence content marketing email campaigns for Hitachi ID sales, raising awareness, funneling leads, and converting sales. Led marketing strategies and projects for over 500 members at the Illinois Technology Association, executing plans on digital platforms with email marketing campaigns, event websites, thought leadership, and content initiatives; routinely sold-out events, grew membership, and amplified Chicago tech-related conversation.

●    Strong Technology Acumen: Translated technical concepts such as Zero Trust, password-less authentication, privilege access management, and identity access management for Hitachi ID/Bravura Security. Highly experienced with SaaS, edge computing, SASE, AIOps, generative AI, EDR, SD-WAN, cybersecurity, ESG, and sustainability, creating content and reaching target audiences for Comcast Business.

●    Public Relations | Thought Leadership: Grew conversation around mental health and substance use disorder policy and practices through thought leadership for Sunwave Health, with notable placements in VentureBeat. Wrote digital/editorial content for a non-profit community center, promoting visibility, relevance, health and well-being, diversity, and inclusion for Chicagoland’s LGBTQ+ community.

Experience


Senior Content Strategist – Contract, Perficient | Chicago                                                                                                                                                                            May 2024 – Present

  • Design and execute forward-thinking content strategies, enhancing audience interaction through meticulous planning, creative trials, and continuous refinement.

  • Perform in-depth analysis and content evaluations of client sectors, competitor activities, and market dynamics to develop and optimize initiatives that consistently surpass KPIs and client objectives, working with clients such as Ardent Mills, GE HealthCare, and FedEx.

Lead Content Strategist & Senior Writer, Guilty Party | Chicago                                                                                                                                                                       Nov 2023 – Present

  • Craft compelling content and strategies, driving innovation and engagement through strategic planning, experimentation, and optimization.

  • Orchestrate extensive research and content audits on client industries, competitors, and market trends to design and enhance initiatives that achieve and surpass goals and KPIs for clients such as Reynolds, Presto, and Earthwise.

Lead Content Strategist | Senior Writer, Scratch Marketing + Media | Chicago

July 2022 – October 2023

  • Created diverse case studies, websites, research reports, infographics, press releases, and thought leadership, adhering to client brand guidelines and objectives to curate and achieve large-scale projects such as the 2023 Comcast Business Cybersecurity Threat Report.

  • Collaborated with a dynamic team managing multiple projects, creating integrated, cross-functional content that consistently exceeded client goals and KPIs; earned placements with TechCrunch and VentureBeat, delivering 103K and 22K impressions, respectively.

  • Partnered with a variety of B2B technology clients, from Fortune 500 corporations to innovative startups, analyzing industry trends and competition to enhance content strategies; collaborated with top VC funds and investment companies like Lyft, Casper, and Impossible to amplify brand visibility through integrated PR, content, and marketing initiatives.

Content Strategist & Copywriter, Tier One Partners | Chicago

March 2020 – May 2022

  • Developed a diverse array of blogs, video scripts, quizzes, and an interactive multimedia financial literacy program and Minecraft integration called Fintropolis for Big Sean, HBCU students, and Ally Bank; earned multiple industry awards.

  • Led the SEO content team for Ally Bank, implementing creative content strategies with emergent techniques, such as skyscraping, segmentation, personalization, cluster creation and analysis, competitive content audits, keyword research, optimization, and content briefs.

  • Managed client-side SEO, Google Analytics, keyword research, inbound marketing, email marketing, and multiple content management systems, including HubSpot, MarketMuse, and WordPress.

  • Reported directly to the VP of Content while collaborating with team members and leadership in scaling campaigns and nurturing innovative ideas; secured notable B2B technology clients such as Hitachi ID, crafting inventive content marketing blogs, whitepapers, and e-books.

Content Marketing Manager, Illinois Technology Assoc. | Chicago

September 2016 – January 2020

  • Directed creative branding, PR, and marketing strategies for over 500 members, executing email marketing, Wix event websites, and content initiatives; sold out events, grew membership, and amplified Chicago tech-related conversation through impactful thought leadership.

  • Maintained an editorial calendar, creating successful content marketing campaigns, social media, blogs, thought leadership, and white papers for preeminent Chicago technology companies such as Enova, Lantern Partners, and SAVO.

  • Constructed and distributed weekly email newsletters, digital, and social content, utilizing A/B testing and performance analysis to refine content strategies; achieved an average annual email list growth rate of 3%, a 31% open rate, and a 3.4% click-through rate.

Content Manager, Donuts Inc. | Chicago

December 2015 – September 2016

  • Developed original content and Squarespace-built, top-level domain brand websites while writing for online publications, including Inc. and Fast Company, experimenting with timing, frequency, length, and tone for channel optimization; reached 10-20k impressions per article.

  • Served as an associate producer of digital video content, managing shoots in collaboration with the production team; created, scripted, and storyboarded a video commercial for the Name.Kitchen brand, growing brand awareness and recognition.

  • Executed marketing initiatives, expanded verticals, and built websites for B2B/B2C audiences, reporting directly to the CMO; developed cross-medium campaigns, including online publications, social media, websites, and paid ads, moving leads from awareness to consideration.

Marketing Operations Specialist, Center on Halsted | Chicago

November 2014 – December 2015

  • Wrote digital and editorial content to promote relevance, health, and DEI, for Chicagoland’s LGBTQ+ community, implementing social media campaigns for events alongside the marketing team; maxed out attendance and ticket sales for the largest event two years in a row.

  • Analyzed and reported on digital content performance in editorial, social, and PR channels to improve engagement, optimize outreach, and grow community collaboration; significantly increased attention, the number of events, and event attendees.

  • Oversaw the monthly event and rental space portfolio for the organization, performing outreach, holding community meetings, and securing event partnerships with groups such as the Athletic Alliance of Chicago, The Legacy Project, and the Chicago History Museum.

Content Specialist and Developer, Arbre LLC | Chicago

September 2012 – September 2014

  • Drafted and maintained digital and social content utilizing HTML and CSS, highlighting content around bar, nightlife, real estate, and restaurants to convert readers into downloads.

  • Developed and assessed dynamic iOS applications with Objective-C and Xcode, launching the submission-ready application; engineered a “soft landing” for new city transplants, streamlining access to a better community and connections.

 

Digital Columnist, Chicago Tribune / Chicago RedEye | Chicago

May 2011 – June 2012

  • Contributed content to help launch RedEye’s inaugural digital edition, utilizing a local, younger audience tone to increase online engagement.

  • Crafted and edited weekly blogs about Boystown Chicago’s culture, events, and people with a humorous and creative flair; earned a weekly column called “Boy About Boystown,” created with a Sex and the City-esque vibe for LGBTQ+ residents of Boystown.

Editorial Associate, Modern Luxury Houston Magazine | Houston

January 2009 – May 2010

  • Drafted, pitched, and wrote editorial/advertorial columns on various topics concerning Houston living and culture, tailoring specific content to match the needs/interests of varying local and foreign audiences.

  • Wrote features for restaurant and bar guides in collaboration with the editorial team.

Education


University of Notre Dame, BA English & Film and Television | South Bend                                          

  • Double majored

  • Wrote scripts for NDtv and as a scene writer for the student newspaper, The Observer

Flashpoint College, AAS Interactive Media / Programming | Chicago                                                      

  • Concentrated on programming with a strong background in design, user interface, and input implementation

  • Developed software with emergent ways to reach mobile consumers, keeping abreast of industry trends, opportunities


Certifications

HubSpot Academy: Sales Enablement Certification, 2023 | SEO Certification, 2022 | Email Marketing Certification, 2022 | Content Marketing Certification, 2022 | Inbound Marketing Certification, 2022

Awards & Affiliations

Honorable Mention, Diversity & Inclusion, PRNEWS Social Impact Awards | Provoke Media Global SABRE Award | Eagle Scout | Former Auxiliary Board Member, Youth Outreach Services

Technology & Core Competencies

C# | Unity | HTML | CSS | WordPress | HubSpot | C/C++ | Xcode | Adobe: Photoshop, InDesign, Premiere | 3ds Max | MS Office Suite | iOS | Android | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Snapchat | Reddit | TikTok | Content Creation | CMS | User Experience | Content Delivery | Content Optimization | Strategy Development | Project Management Skills | Strategic Thinking | Verbal Communication | Time-Management Skills | Newsletter Creation | Languages: English (fluent), Spanish (limited proficiency)

Gregaryous

Gregaryous