Sunday, May 22, 2011

Still Walking Down the Digital Path with a bit of a Different Swagger



My career has been a winding path on the digital superhighway to say the least. I began in the early 90s in interactive marketing with digital start-up agencies (I remember posting on newsgroups using 2400 baud modem - completely dating myself, aren't I?), switched to in-house with large corporations in online brand marketing, then IT project management, back online brand marketing which evolved into integrated interactive marketing and then my latest gig - social media.

Friday was my last day with H&R Block. I am no longer the Director of Social Media for the best tax company in the business. It was a very sad farewell as the people that make up the spirit of Block are some of the brightest-minded and dedicated individuals that I've come across in the corporate world. I will forever be indebted to so many of them for their support, friendship and guidance. We had an amazing two tax seasons together and I'm excited to see how Block continues to integrate social media into its core operations, marketing and communication efforts.

So where am I off to are you wondering????

I doubt it's a surprise to those of you that know me well...I'm heading to Edelman, specifically Edelman Digital as VP of Digital Strategy. I'm excited to join Dan Cornell's team and work with industry friends David Armano, Dave Fleet, and Phil Gomes and industry mentor, Rick Murray. I'm staying in Kansas City but will be traveling to Chicago frequently for work and to grab rides on David's Harley every now and again with Mrs. Armano's blessing.

It's been 15 years since I've been on the digital agency side...I'm craving it and can't wait to start down this new path. I'm really looking forward to sharing more here again about this industry and the passion I have for it.

Posted via email from zenaweist's posterous

16 comments:

Average Jane said...

Congratulations! How exciting!

TechGuyTom said...

Wow, that's exciting news! Congrats!

The Gulbransen Family said...

Congrats Zena! Glad we're not losing you here in OP. Now we're both free of the tax beast! God bless!

Unknown said...

Wonderful news and so absolutely deserved! You and the HRB team did an amazing transformation. Looking forward to hearing about your new gig!

Katja said...

Congratulations!!

Shashi Bellamkonda said...

Hi Zena.

Congratulations and wish you the best of luck as you move to your new position. Was great to watch you work and excel. I am sure the future holds more exciting news from you and I will look forward to more success to you. On my way to buy more Empire Avenue share in you ;) lol

Regards,

Shashi

Weist Family said...

Thanks for the congrats! I'm excited to get back to the agency side. I appreciate all your love and support :)

Ken Burbary said...

Congratulations Zena! Exciting news. I'm happy for you. Welcome back to the agency side of the biz!

Ken Burbary said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Lisa Sullivan said...

Bookmarked this to read later. Glad I did! I'm so excited for your new venture, Zena. H&R is gonna miss you, I'm sure but I wish you nothing but the best as you press on forward to new digital heights. Best wishes, Friend! And looking forward to those shots of you on the Harley. ;)

Unknown said...

Zena - I am WAY overdue for this, ahem ...mmm ...ahem ...

C
O
N
G
R
A
T
U
L
A
T
I
O
N
S
!

Loida.Rosario said...

Welcome to Edelman! We are so glad to have you. Loida

Unknown said...

Way to go Zena. Seems like forever ago that we were swapping ideas and dreaming about the next big thing.

Best of luck to you with all that you do!

AngiePedersen said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Just read this - congrats! I look forward to hearing more about your new projects!

jwmaldonado said...

Ummm, so so so so excited to have you!!

--Jason