Richard Blakeley is a distinguished web innovator and product manager known for his profound expertise in spearheading product development teams. His extensive experience encompasses user-centered design, road mapping strategies, and cultivating a robust internal culture in various roles at multiple organizations. He has adeptly navigated the nexus of content and revenue for over a decade. Presently, Richard of New York is engaging in the fintech sector, focusing on building and scaling SaaS solutions at companies like Kresus and Laingian Pay, where he excels in cross-functional alignment and execution excellence.
With a successful background as a media executive, he has mastered online audience development and video production. At Art Binder, he was Head of Product, reporting directly to the CEO. He managed the technology, product, and client success teams, setting the strategic direction and prioritizing the company's roadmap.
His tenure as Senior Director of Product at She Knows, part of SHE Media, saw him guiding product vision, strategy, and business management. He oversaw CRM, user acquisition, influencer marketing programs, and custom advertising solutions. He led product managers, UX designers, and Agile development teams in the U.S. and EU, focusing on developing KPIs to measure product performance and stakeholder communication. Furthermore, he initiated and led the development of new automated revenue-based products and marketing programs.
Before his role at SHE Media, he worked at Time Inc., directing product development for People.com. His leadership significantly enhanced site engagement, including an 85% increase in internal recirculation and average site time. He spearheaded exploratory user studies, video initiatives, CMS migration, ad solutions, advanced analytics, and growth strategies. His efforts also boosted newsletter engagement, significantly improving open and click-through rates.
His creativity shines through founding the Internet's biggest annual event, The Debutante Ball, in 2008. This celebration of the tech community not only highlighted his innovative spirit but also raised funds for City Harvest. The event quickly became a staple, attracting Internet stars and media elites, and was featured in prominent publications like Forbes and Wired.
In addition to these achievements, he co-founded the hyper local blogger platform Neighborhood, providing tailored content for New York neighborhoods, and led a full-service internet design company, American Autotroph.
A member of the International Academy of Digital Art sand Sciences (IADAS), he serves as an Associate Judge of The Webby Awards, which celebrates excellence on the Internet.
Richard Blakeley's personal life is as fulfilling as his professional endeavors. Originally from San Francisco, he moved to New York after studying at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. He and his wife Lindsay, whom he met in 2009, were married in Beacon, New York, in 2014. They reside in New York City with their two sons and a dog. He enjoys sailing and gardening, which complement his dynamic career.