Social Media and Audience Growth Lead with 11+ years of experience scaling digital audiences, leading editorial and social teams, and delivering data-driven content strategies across major publishers and brands. Proven track record building social communities with 150M+ followers and driving engagement, audience growth, organic traffic, affiliate revenue, and brand awareness across Meta, TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat, X, and emerging platforms.

Mark McGowan

Social Media and Audience Growth Lead with 11+ years of experience scaling digital audiences, leading editorial and social teams, and delivering data-driven content strategies across major publishers and brands. Proven track record building social communities with 150M+ followers and driving engagement, audience growth, organic traffic, affiliate revenue, and brand awareness across Meta, TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat, X, and emerging platforms.

Available to hire

Social Media and Audience Growth Lead with 11+ years of experience scaling digital audiences, leading editorial and social teams, and delivering data-driven content strategies across major publishers and brands. Proven track record building social communities with 150M+ followers and driving engagement, audience growth, organic traffic, affiliate revenue, and brand awareness across Meta, TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat, X, and emerging platforms.

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Work Experience

Head of Social Publishing / Lead Audience Editor at SB Media Group
September 1, 2023 - June 1, 2026
Promoted from Lead Audience Editor after leading a 221% increase in organic traffic. Led social publishing strategy across Meta, TikTok, Snapchat and YouTube, reaching 125M+ followers, increasing video views by 290% and revenue by 123%. Owned UGC sourcing strategy for video and editorial teams, building workflows and best practices for team-wide efficiency. Directed data-led audience growth and engagement strategies across multiple platforms, contributing to a 20% follower increase. Managed social teams, creative concepts, video production workflows and editorial planning. Owned content scheduling for long- and short-form video and editorial across platforms. Edited original and UGC video using Adobe Premiere Pro, and created static content using Photoshop. Implemented AI-supported content processes and workflow improvements. Drove organic traffic strategy across Google, Facebook, Flipboard and X, increasing the web team’s daily revenue by 500%. Performed daily tracking and analysis
Social Media Specialist at Hive Minded UK
December 1, 2022 - September 30, 2023
Led social media and brand distribution strategies focused on audience growth and brand awareness. Developed and executed Gen Z-targeted campaigns within the iGaming sector, driving a 102% follower increase. Converted social media followers into sign-ups by working with the commercial team to design the best possible user journey, increasing sign-ups by 52%. Managed influencers after implementing macro and micro influencer programs, providing deliverables to leverage reach for distribution and brand growth. Managed campaign budgets, paid media activity and external agencies. Analysed campaign performance and optimised content and distribution strategies.
Head of Content at P&B Social Ltd
March 1, 2020 - December 1, 2022
Developed social and editorial strategies to increase engagement, reach, traffic and monetisation. Managed Facebook communities with a combined audience exceeding 18M followers, growing from 16M. Led editorial teams producing affiliate and commercial content. Used analytics and audience insights to optimise performance and content strategy. Improved SEO processes to strengthen organic search performance, increasing monthly website visitors by 182%.
Senior Social Editor, Journalist & Writer at LADbible Group
November 1, 2015 - March 1, 2020
Progressed from Junior Writer to Senior Social Editor. Managed social communities exceeding 30M followers, delivering monthly sessions of 62,000,000+. Improved LADbible monthly sessions by 38% while contributing to the group’s total sessions growth of 73%. Led editorial teams responsible for content creation, curation and audience growth. Worked across LADbible, UNILAD, SPORTbible, GAMINGbible and TYLA/PRETTY52. Supported major campaigns including U OK M8? and cross-functional content initiatives. Collaborated with video, marketing and commercial teams to maximise audience engagement and website traffic.

Education

BA (Hons) Journalism and English Literature at Staffordshire University
January 1, 2012 - January 1, 2015
A Levels: English Language & Literature, Art & Design, Graphics, Psychology at Mosslands Sixth Form College
January 1, 2010 - January 1, 2012
BA (Hons) Journalism and English Literature at Staffordshire University
January 1, 2012 - January 1, 2015
A Levels at Mosslands Sixth Form College
January 1, 2010 - January 1, 2012

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Gaming, Professional Services