Meet Scott Brand | Digital Marketing Professional

We had the good fortune of connecting with Scott Brand and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Scott, putting aside the decision to work for yourself, what other decisions were critical to your success?
It was early in 2010 – during the Great Recession – when I decided to up my game in the burgeoning digital marketing world. After more than 20 years working in the marketing and public relations field, I transitioned into a new career in project management. When my project was successfully completed, I had to make a decision between project management or marketing communications for my next career venture. While serving as a project manager, I was involved in piloting a smartcard implementation for Miami-Dade Transit, the 15th largest transportation property in the nation, from 2008 to 2010. Upon project completion, it was recognized at the time as the fastest smartcard implementation in transit history. But despite my success as a project manager, my career was at crossroads. I had a difficult decision to make. Will I continue working in project management or return to the marketing field? I made a half of an appearance on the Dr. Phil Show (L) Despite the fact, that before making my move to project management, I knew the marketing field inside and out – a return, after an eight-year hiatus, posed a significant risk with many obstacles and challenges ahead. During my marketing respite, the profession had been transforming rapidly. And there were a host of new digital marketing disciplines quickly emerging onto the scene. As a result of the unforeseen circumstances, suddenly, I had become a dinosaur in my very own profession. My digital marketing skills were so limited, that I didn’t even know how to tweet or much less install Google Analytics on a web site. I was a real novice. But there was one intangible. I was eager to learn. I asked myself: “Am I prepared to return to work in an industry that I will basically have to start from scratch and learn the many digital marketing practices from social media to PPC? The answer was a resounding yes. How did I do it? I studied and attained certifications in the areas of Social Media, Google Analytics, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), and Internet advertising. And as an encore, I passed the highly regarded Project Management Professional (PMP) accreditation . When it was time to reopen shop for Brand Communications 2.0, because of my minimal experience, I decided to initially work for free to learn how to actually execute what I learned from the online courses. After a matter of time providing pro bono work, I was finding that my digital marketing skills were improving to the point where I began charging my customers for my services. And as of today, I have become an accomplished digital marketing professional with deep knowledge and proficient skills in many areas from SEO to Google Analytics. So, to get back to the question at large, the single most important decision that I made to contribute to my success was diving headfirst into the digital marketing industry rather than cautiously easing my way in slowly. Who was Scott Brand? Prior to project management, I was a lifelong marketing/communications manager. I started my career as a public relations intern for the Miami Heat and then held stints as a public relations manager for TracFone Wireless and the Ultimate Software Group (two iconic brands that advertise on national television including Superbowl’s). Some of my public relations accolades include placing companies in the limelight on the Today Show, Dr. Phil, and the New York Times. Who is Scott Brand now? As a digital marketing professional, I have successfully launched profitable PPC campaigns, widely improved company’s Internet visibility with SEO, thrust my clients into the forefront of social media by establishing programs and constructing virtual communities, and produced viral YouTube videos. Some eclipsing 500,000 views. And, yes, I can now #tweetlikearockstar

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a digital marketing generalist with experience in all the professional disciplines including: SEO, Content Development, Analytics, and Social Media to name a few. I am most excited about the constant changes in digital marketing and challenges it poses just to keep up with these dynamics. I got to where I am now through sheer drive combined with education by getting certifications in five digital marketing areas. It was not easy. Some days I felt I had a grasp on digital marketing and other days I felt the profession was over my head. I was able to overcome these challenges by staying in the moment and not letting a difficult day shape my perspective on how I was going to overcome the many obstacles. The lesson that I have learned is that I should never typecast myself as a person without new abilities and my performance has been translated in my success within the industry. The lesson that I learned is that it is never too late to redefine yourself in your career. I want people to know that my brand and story is a reflection on my desire to learn many business sectors in digital marketing. This distinguishes my company and capabilities to understand digital marketing with a wider lens.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take them on a tour through my home – Brickell Key Island – as well as downtown Miami from Brickell to the Central Business District. I would take my friends to Miami’s hidden gems and outlying areas including Homestead, Coconut Grove, Coral Gables, and of course Miami Beach. One of my favorite places to take friends is Sugar, A bar/restaurant on the 40th floor of Brickell City Center with expansive and breath taking views. The cultural aspects of Miami including South Beach Art Deco and Calle Ocho.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The Online Marketing Professional Certification

Website: www.brandcomtechnology.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scottbrandcommunications/
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/scottbrand
Twitter: www.twitter.com/scottbrand
Facebook: www.facebook.com/scottbrand
Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Brand+Communications&find_loc=Miami%2C+FL&ns=1
Youtube: www.youtube.comScottBrandDigitalMarketing