Mary S. Butler

Classified Ventures, 1998 to 2004

Cars.com combines powerful inventory search tools and new-car configuration with pricing information, photo galleries, buying guides, side-by-side comparison tools, original editorial content and reviews to help millions of consumers connect with sellers each month. Cars.com is owned by Classified Ventures, a consortium of six national media companies including the Chicago Tribune, Gannett, McClatchy and Washington Post Cos.

Managing Editor, Cars.com
March 2004 to December 2004
Editorial product manager and head of consumer site content development group. Key functions included day-to-day editorial oversight, long-range editorial planning and developing homepage teaser strategy. Additional responsibilities included editorial business development and serving as company spokesperson. Was involved in two key site initiatives in 2004: Cars.com brand strategy and beyond-the-homepage site redesign.

• Worked with business development team to craft agreement for MSN Autos, which is licensing Cars.com certified pre-owned program details and financing offers; pioneered the syndication of same content repurposed for print and licensed to Baltimore Sun, Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post among other client newspapers
• Produced the first paginated-for-print Model Year Preview for affiliate newspaper clients, including the Philadelphia Inquirer
• Made frequent appearances in national media outlets in role as spokeswoman for Cars.com and as a personal finance expert. In 2004 appeared on Bloomberg News, CNN, CNNfn, the Today Show and quoted in articles in numerous print and online publications including CBSMarketWatch.com, Family Circle, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, The Wall Street Journal and WomensWallStreet.com.

Senior Editor, Cars.com
May 1999 to February 2004
Responsibilities included coordinating daily site development and production, managing editorial staff and developing editorial standards and style rules.

• Created new revenue stream in 2003 by partnering with Tribune Media Services to syndicate Cars.com editorial content for print use. Classified Cars weekly automotive elements package is now published in newspapers with a combined circulation of 5 million.
• Editorial promotion efforts contributed to five successive years of steadily increasing pageviews
• Developed Cars.com Best Bets designations and methodology

Lead Producer, Cars.com
January 1998 to May 1999
Supervised conceptualization, reporting and production of research content for site. Assigned and supervised freelancers and assistant producers. Responsible for News and Advice sections of site and assessing e-commerce vendors and products.

• Produced award-winning and engaging editorial features
• Created Cars.com editorial internship program

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