Mark Fischer

Ad Age Senior Engagement Editor | Building communities, content strategy and AI tools

United States

About

Obsessed with figuring out what the future of media looks like—and building it at Ad Age. That means connecting like-minded audiences with each other and with our newsroom, launching AI agents and workflows that didn't exist six months ago, and deploying a user needs framework helping reporters across Crain think harder about what readers actually want. Passionate about finding new formats to tell stories—short form video, carousels, whatever works—because audiences aren't a monolith. In 2025, I worked across editorial, subscriptions, events and customer service to launch the Small Agency Network, which has 152 agencies and generated $165K in revenue in year one. In a past life I edited and wrote sports at the New York Post and New York Daily News. My claims to fame are interviewing Maxine the Fluffy Corgi and NHL star Nico Hischier.

Experience

  • Ad Age (Full-time · 4 yrs 9 mos)
    • Senior Engagement Editor
      Jan 2025 - Present · 1 yr 6 mos

      - Lead community strategy for Ad Age's three membership communities—Small Agency Network, The List and Next Gen Marketing—including virtual programming, IRL events, WhatsApp group management and monthly newsletters - Grew Small Agency Network from concept to 152 agencies and $165K ARR in year one - Developing the infrastructure and playbook for Crain Communications brands to launch their own paid communities - Leading deployment of a user needs editorial framework across Ad Age and other Crain properties—working with reporters and editors to shape stories around reader intent from the start - Build AI-powered workflow tools to solve specific newsroom pain points - Oversee a team of two—a social editor and community growth editor—who handle day-to-day operations

    • Web Editor
      Oct 2021 - Jan 2025 · 3 yrs 4 mos

      • Edits advertising and marketing stories using Associated Press style • Collaborates with editors, reporters and art team to ensure best story presentation • Curates Ad Age’s weekly LinkedIn newsletter with over 100K+ subscribers • Tracks Adobe Analytics to determine how to grow subscriber base • Collaborates with marketing and events teams to achieve set objectives

  • Digital sports editor/producer at New York Post
    Apr 2019 - Oct 2021 · 2 yrs 7 mos

    • Wrote, edited, fact-checked, and produced breaking news and long-form stories using WordPress • Promoted stories on social media through Social Flow • Generated 48 million page views from 2019-2021, among the most-read sports authors • Analyzed Parse.ly analytics, Google Trends, and SEO trends to drive content decisions • Assigned stories and helped manage team of sportswriters • Collaborated with various stakeholders to enhance user experience

  • Online sports editor at New York Daily News
    May 2018 - Apr 2019 · 1 yr

    • Wrote, edited and produced local and national stories • Tracked analytics using Chartbeat • Created social media graphics on Social Flow to enhance presentation of stories

  • Writer/editor at The Daily Collegian
    Aug 2014 - May 2018 · 3 yrs 10 mos

    Held many positions, including men’s ice hockey beat writer and Digital Managing Editor.

  • Sports editorial intern at New York Daily News
    May 2016 - Aug 2016 · 4 mos