Today we’d like to introduce you to Christina Carey.
Can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today? You can include as little or as much detail as you’d like.
“Bring your whole self to the experience. Because the more we exhibit this, the more that people get to see that, the more comfortable everybody’s gonna be with it,” said Chief Marketing Officer of Netflix Bozoma Saint John.
I remember this quote every time I start a new project or job because being your true authentic self leads you down the path you’re destined to go on. I’ve been working in digital marketing for almost a decade now, with expertise in website marketing and campaign data analysis. I have a Master of Business Administration from Florida International University with a marketing specialization, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Telecommunications: Media and Society from the University of Florida (UF). I also completed a Wyncode boot camp on front-end web development that focuses on HTML, CSS, and Bootstrap, among other web development practices.
Since I was born and raised in Miami Gardens, I’ve always been fascinated by entertainment, the latest technological trends, and how they affect our world, and I’ve always had a strong interest in media and how it affects the society around us. Marketing allows me to be creative while also exercising critical thinking skills to develop engagement and customer relationships. I had no idea I was destined for a marketing career; I used to think I wanted to work in public relations, where I could help shape a company’s narrative. It wasn’t until my internship supervisor at Naylor Association Solutions told me that in marketing, you can be more creative while still helping to build a company’s narrative. During that internship, I also took a web development course, and that’s when the light bulb went off. Building websites and creating content for users is what gets my gears turning. To drive conversions, engaging traffic to a website requires consistency, strategy, and creative thinking. I enjoy the challenge and creativity involved in launching integrated marketing campaigns.
I worked at the UF Health Department of Anesthesiology after graduating, where I assisted in the redesign of their website, which included optimizing their web presence, interviewing professional anesthesiologists or medical students, and writing stories for their quarterly newsletter, Gator Works. You can read it here: https://anest.ufl.edu/files/2015/12/%5EFINAL-GatorWorks-Fall_2016.pdf one of my favorite stories I wrote features two fellows who made history by becoming the first African-Americans to complete the accredited Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesia Fellowships program at UF College of Medicine (COM) Department of Anesthesiology. It was quite rewarding for me to become a part of history and help share that story with the UF COM community.
My heart, however, was always in the entertainment industry, amongst the fast city lights. So, I moved back to Miami to work for the Miami Heat Group, where I really developed my career for 4.5 years in their Interactive Media Department, first on the mobile app team and then on the internet services team. Working for the HEAT was an exciting experience that required some rigorous yet eventful nights to ensure that the app and other heat digital properties were updated during live games, concerts, and other events that arose. I helped maintain their digital properties within the Miami Heat group, such as MiamiHeat.com, 601miami.com, AAArena.com, which was renamed and transitioned to FTXarena.com, and Heatcheckgaming.com (esports team). While maintaining these websites, I also analyzed their web traffic and discovered how well their retail or ticket campaigns performed using Adobe Analytics and Google Analytics. I created content ideas, optimized their website daily, including graphic placement, and conducted interviews with stakeholders for article pieces. A/B testing and website optimization were paramount in my career. Working with the HEAT was the best part of my job because I got to accompany players, coaches, celebrities, and other basketball operations personnel to their respective media or journalist on media days and volunteering events. Giving back to the community while working with coworkers was the most rewarding aspect.
I am now a Sr. Digital Campaigns and Website Coordinator for Mercer, a Marsh & McLennan subsidiary that specializes in assisting other organizations with health, wealth, and career benefits, among other business solutions and expert knowledge advice. I assist with A/B testing, project management, campaign analysis, and content execution for this company, to name a few responsibilities. I can flex my skill set while maintaining a growth mindset, which is something I always keep in mind when managing any occupation. A growth mindset encourages you to be open to new opportunities and to learn as you move throughout your career.
Has it been a smooth road? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
There were numerous times throughout my career and educational endeavors when I felt like I was an imposter or wanted to give up, but the desire to eliminate generational barriers kept my eyes on the prize. Being a first-generation MBA student in my family was an accomplishment not only for me but also for my entire family. It would be an understatement to say that learning how to code websites and working in some corporate environments where I was the only minority women were not challenging for me. But, as I like to say, what are you doing if you’re not uncomfortable? Life is difficult at times but that is what produces diamonds, so while corporate America or education can be challenging at times, it does not prevent me from achieving my objectives. Having great mentors and peers who understand where you’re headed in life can really help you transition through life’s journey, that’s what really keeps me grounded.
We’d love to learn more about your work. What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
I specialize in print and digital marketing which includes website development and maintenance, SEO optimization, A/B testing, content creation, campaign analysis, email marketing, social media management, paid ad management, project management, and among other projects. During my off hours, I freelance for a private therapy practice, Gabby Cares of South Florida, you can visit for more details here at GabbyCares.com. I also manage their digital, print, and social media marketing. I love to create graphics, and web pages that strategize ways to improve processes so that a business scales.
What are your plans for the future? What are you looking forward to or planning for – any big changes?
Along with my CJ Luxe Health and Beauty brand, I am working on launching my own digital marketing agency. I aim to collaborate with a radio station, Highly Unique of South Florida (www.highlyuniquesoflo.com) to promote small businesses and emerging artists. We have so much talent in South Florida, and it’s time that everyone gets their chance to shine – I want to help build that bridge.
So, a lot of fun projects are on the way; please keep an eye on my blog, Careydaway.blog. Please leave a comment and contact me if you have any questions about building your brand.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.careydaway.blog
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/careydawayblog/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christinaecarey
- Other: Beauty Brand Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cj_luxe_/
