Sam Gillies

Editor and Founder

Set up in January 2015 across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, with a website launched in May 2015 as an alternative guide to Bristol.

I’m the founder, editor and creator for Best of Bristol. Focusing on interesting Bristol lists, photos and videos.

Stats:
• 1.2 million website visitors
• 6 million video views
• 500,000 likes, comments and shares
• 70,000 social media followers

Head of Digital

• Shaping, leading and delivering the SunLife digital strategy
• Leading and developing the Digital Marketing and Web Conversion team
• Own all digital channel strategies across social media, paid media, organic and new emerging channels
• Managing the Digital P&L
• Responsible for website real estate, including digital experience, design, structure and customer journey

Digital Marketing Manager

• Leading and designing SunLife’s digital marketing strategy
• Creating and executing integrated, cross-platform digital marketing campaigns across all digital media including PPC, SEO, display, paid social, organic social and GSPs
• Managing SunLife’s social media communities across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube
• Establishing digital partnerships with influencers and affiliates
• Managing the digital marketing budget
• Developing and implementing link building campaigns
• Managing and developing the digital marketing team

Social Media & SEO Manager

• Leading and designing SunLife’s social media & SEO strategy.
• Overseeing, and executing, all aspects of paid social marketing implementation, including campaign creation, tracking, optimisation & reporting.
• Executing integrated, cross-platform digital marketing campaigns across all media.
• Managing SunLife’s social media communities across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
• Establishing social media partnerships with influencers and affiliates.
• Managing the SEO & social media marketing budget.
• Developing and implementing link building campaigns.
• Managing and developing the social media & SEO team

Social Media & Content Manager

• Developed & executed engaging social media & content strategy to support the launch of a new brand and products
• Oversaw all aspects of social content, including writing and editing, video, audience engagement, social media campaigns and event promotion.
• Managed social media communities on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Vine, LinkedIn and Google Plus.
• Conducting social media listening using Radian 6 and Social Studio.
• Managed 4 agencies for social media, SEO, video, copywriting and media buying.
• Increased positive sentiment about SunLife on social media from 2.5% to 17% in 2015.
• Increased social engagement (likes, comments & shares) by 750% from 2014 to 2015.
• Increased website traffic from social media by 3270% from 2014 to 2015.
• Doubled social media community size between 2014 and 2015.
• Developed and managed outreach relationships with a variety of different bloggers & social media communities.
• Managed social media sign off process in FCA regulated sphere.

IDM Professional Diploma in Digital Marketing

Learned key skills to plan, manage and assess digital marketing campaigns, including: UX, content, finance, social media email, PPC, SEO, display, content and affiliate marketing. Equivalent to Level 6 (Bachelor’s Degree) qualification.

Digital Marketing

Social Media Strategy, Disruption and Change, Mobile, Proposition Development, Search, Display, Content, Brand Development, Customer Journey, Integrated Marketing Strategy, Data & Insight, Google Analytics.

Masters of Arts (MA): International Security

Courses include: Foreign Policy Analysis, International Security: The Contemporary Agenda, European Foreign Policy, European Security, International Terrorism, Organised Crime in Europe, Britain and Europe, International Organisations in World Politics.

Bachelor of Science (BSc): Politics with International Relations

Courses include: Transitions to Democracy, Foreign Policy Analysis, International History 1815-1991, American Politics, US Global Politics, Latin American Politics, European Political Thought, Policies & Policy Making in the EU, International Relations Theory, Conflict & Security, International Political Economy * Dissertation: “The Rise and Fall of Competitive Authoritarianism under Leonid Kuchma”