Laird Farquharson

dot-com Starter Upper, Enterprising Nerd

Summary

Innovative and strategic leader with extensive experience in product management, digital strategy, and user experience design. Proven track record of launching and scaling B2C mobile applications and marketplaces. Adept at driving user acquisition, forming strategic partnerships, and managing cross-functional teams. Passionate about leveraging technology to address social issues and foster corporate growth.

Skills

Business

Strategy, negotiation, budgeting, and project implementation. Expert in collaborating with global stakeholders and vendors.

Creativity

Producing, designing, authoring, publishing, and marketing inspiring ideas. Skilled in building and designing user experiences.

Technology

Deep understanding of web technologies and mobile applications. Daily interaction with developers to build and optimize web technologies.

Technical

HTML / CSS / JavaScript, Digital Marketing, Product Strategy, UX / UI, Mobile technologies and apps, Video, Joomla, Data visualization, WordPress

Experience

Palladio Strategy Ltd

President, Innovation and Digital Strategy

2000-Present

Accomplished a 20% increase in client engagement by implementing cross-platform solutions including film & TV, social media marketing, websites, video production, and mobile consulting.

Achieved a 15% reduction in project delivery time by streamlining content design and architecture processes.

Palladio Content Inc

President

2011-2013

Increased revenue by 30% through transforming client ideas into powerful, persuasive content across multiple screens.

Improved client satisfaction by 25% by consistently delivering high-quality web and video production services.

Shaw Media

Director of Design & Emerging Platforms

April 2009 – June 2011

Launched the Global TV video streaming apps, achieving #1 in the iTunes Canada App Store for multiple weeks, by leading a cross-functional team focused on production, design, UX, and emerging platforms.

Enhanced digital presence by 250% by managing the launch of over 15 TV websites on a new enterprise CMS.

CanWest MediaWorks (now Postmedia)

Product Manager

October 2004 – April 2009

Drove a 21.5 million monthly page view increase by launching and managing classified online websites such as working.com and househunting.ca.

Achieved a 20% reduction in operational costs by conducting vendor analysis for email marketing and video streaming solutions.

Workopolis

Director of Product Management and Chief Privacy Officer

August 2000 – March 2004

Increased company revenues from $8M to over $20M and grew staff from 15 to over 50 by managing a cross-functional team and overseeing a $6M annual budget.

Improved brand affinity by 25% through new software development and enhancing privacy compliance.

InterVisual - NRG Group - Time is Money

Technical Project Manager

late 1999 – August 2000

Achieved a 30% increase in project efficiency by leading technical projects and advising major clients like Xerox and Bell.

Enhanced team performance by 20% by directing project teams in developing and deploying technology solutions.

Greyhound Canada

Marketing & Strategy Manager. Corporate Planning Analyst

1991 – 1999

Improved operational profitability by 15% by conducting route rationalization analysis and developing daily profitability statements.

Increased advertising ROI by 20% through developing and prototyping new technologies and managing advertising programs.

Website Portfolio

  • Great Place to Work Institute
  • Great Rated!
  • Great Global Community
  • Global TV
  • Global National News
  • Global Local News sites
  • Global TV iPhone / iPad App
  • HGTV
  • Food Network
  • Food Network Mobile Apps
  • Showcase
  • History Television
  • Slice
  • BBC Canada
  • Deja View
  • DIY Network Canada
  • Global Reality Channel
  • IFC
  • Movietime
  • Mystery
  • National Geographic
  • Action
  • Showcase Diva
  • TVTropolis
  • Twist TV
  • canada.com
  • working.com
  • driving.ca
  • househunting.ca
  • remembering.ca
  • celebrating.com
  • National Post
  • Victoria Times Colonist
  • The Vancouver Sun
  • The Province
  • Calgary Herald
  • Edmonton Journal
  • Regina Leader-Post
  • Saskatoon Star Phoenix
  • Windsor Star
  • Ottawa Citizen
  • Montreal Gazette
  • Infomart
  • Dose.ca
  • workopolis.com
  • Toronto Star
  • Globe and Mail
  • La Presse
  • Le Soleil
  • La Voix de L'Est
  • La Tribune
  • Le Nouvelliste
  • Le Droit
  • Le Quotidien.
  • cottinghamchildcarecentre.com
  • easternartconsultants.com
  • id-one.ca
  • irishstudies.ca
  • JamieFitzpatrick.com
  • lynnekamm.com
  • netadvertisingsolutions.com
  • palladiocontent.com
  • Pinweight.com
  • selltoronto.com
  • stockyardsboxingandfitness.com
  • twindiamond.ca
  • whatthefarq.com
  • Gray Line Sightseeing
  • Greyhound Canada
  • gtaa.com
  • ilovealuger.com
  • leons.ca
  • timeismoney.com

Education

University of Calgary 1988

Mathematics (incomplete)

Laird Farquharson — lairdf@gmail.com — 647-464-3773