Josh Gunderson

Director of Marketing & Events @ Oviedo Mall | Driving Community Engagement

Sanford, Florida, United States

About

With over 4.5 years of experience as the Director of Marketing & Events at Oviedo Mall, I focus on shaping the mall into a vibrant community hub in Central Florida. By leveraging my expertise in web content writing and team leadership, I oversee marketing initiatives that enhance foot traffic, support tenant success, and foster meaningful community connections. My approach emphasizes creating engaging public events, building strategic partnerships, and managing digital campaigns to strengthen the mall's presence across various platforms. My dedication lies in curating impactful experiences that bring people together and create lasting memories. Through collaborative efforts with local organizations, I aim to position Oviedo Mall as more than a shopping destination—transforming it into a space where connection, creativity, and community thrive.

Experience

  • Director of Marketing & Events at Oviedo Mall
    Jun 2021 - Present · 5 yrs 2 mos

    As Director of Marketing & Events for Oviedo Mall, I lead the strategy and execution of marketing initiatives that position the mall as a vibrant community hub in Central Florida. My role focuses on increasing foot traffic, supporting tenants, and creating meaningful experiences that bring people together. I oversee the planning and promotion of large-scale public events, community partnerships, and seasonal activations that drive engagement and create memorable experiences for visitors. I also manage the mall’s digital presence, brand messaging, media relations, and advertising strategies across social media, web, and traditional platforms. A key part of my work involves collaborating with local organizations, small businesses, and community leaders to develop events and initiatives that reflect the unique character of Oviedo and the surrounding area. From festivals and family-friendly programming to pop culture events and specialty markets, I focus on creating programming that encourages people to gather, explore, and return. Through creative marketing, storytelling, and community-driven programming, my goal is to help Oviedo Mall evolve beyond a traditional shopping destination and become a place where the community connects.

  • Bullying Prevention & Social Media Specialist at GUNDERSON! Productions
    Jan 2009 - Jan 2026 · 17 yrs 1 mo

    For nearly two decades, I worked at the intersection of digital culture, education, and social media, helping both young people and organizations navigate the rapidly evolving online world. I authored the books Cyberbullying: Perpetrators, Bystanders and Victims and Your Digital Life: A Teen’s Guide to the Online World, which provide practical guidance on online behavior, digital responsibility, and internet safety for students, parents, and educators. As a speaker and educator, I conducted workshops and presentations for students, parents, and educators across North America, focusing on cyberbullying prevention, digital citizenship, and the social realities of growing up online. Over the course of more than ten years, I presented at schools and community organizations in two countries, helping audiences better understand both the opportunities and challenges of digital life. Alongside my educational work, I consulted with 100+ small and mid-sized businesses to help them build effective social media strategies. My work included launching and managing social media campaigns, mentoring leadership teams on platform strategy, and training staff on best practices for content creation, engagement, and online community management. I also developed influencer marketing campaigns, negotiated partnership agreements, and managed social media accounts using tools such as Hootsuite while tracking engagement and performance metrics. By combining analytics with creative storytelling, I helped organizations strengthen their online presence and connect more effectively with their audiences.

  • Director Of Operations at Scream n' Stream
    Feb 2021 - Jul 2022 · 1 yr 6 mos

    As the Director of Operations at Scream n' Stream from February 2021 to July 2022, I oversaw and managed the operational aspects of this thrilling Halloween event. My responsibilities included payroll management, team training, policy development for safety, coordination with event site staff, and driving ticket sales through marketing efforts. I ensured accurate and timely payroll processing while fostering a culture of excellence and accountability within the operational team. By implementing comprehensive training programs, I equipped team members with the necessary skills to deliver exceptional service. Safety was a top priority, and I developed and implemented policies to maintain a secure environment. I worked closely with event site staff to coordinate seamless operations, addressing challenges efficiently. In addition, I successfully drove ticket sales through targeted marketing campaigns. By leveraging market research and collaborating with cross-functional teams, we achieved an impressive 84% growth in social media shares and a significant 47% increase in website traffic. Throughout my tenure, I prioritized exceptional customer service, promptly addressing guest inquiries and ensuring memorable experiences. As the Director of Operations, I am proud to have contributed to the success of Scream n' Stream by managing operations, enhancing safety measures, driving ticket sales, and delivering exceptional guest experiences.

  • Public Relations & Social Media Manager at Sleuths Mystery Dinner Shows
    Apr 2019 - Aug 2020 · 1 yr 5 mos

    Assisted the marketing team in developing and implementing effective social media strategies to enhance brand visibility and drive engagement. Maintained a robust social media presence across Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram platforms, ensuring consistent messaging and brand identity. Monitored the company's online presence, proactively engaging with users to strengthen customer relations and foster a positive brand image. Managed social media planning, ensuring the seamless execution of marketing strategies and effective community management. Created interactive and inventive posts aimed at building a loyal and engaged social following, resulting in increased brand awareness, consumer engagement, and website traffic. Produced original and compelling content that captured the company's unique voice and resonated with the target audience across various social media platforms. Implemented marketing and promotion tactics that yielded remarkable results, including an 84% growth in total social media shares and a notable 47% increase in website traffic from social media posts.

  • Shift Lead at Chili's
    Jan 2016 - May 2020 · 4 yrs 5 mos

    Demonstrated exceptional leadership skills as a Shift Leader, guiding and motivating team members to deliver outstanding service and exceed performance targets. Exemplified expertise as a skilled Bartender, crafting and serving a wide variety of beverages with precision and creativity, ensuring an exceptional guest experience. Excelled in the role of Training Captain, playing a pivotal role in training and onboarding new team members, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in their roles. Collaborated closely with managers to coordinate and execute strategies aimed at increasing sales, optimizing operational efficiency, and elevating the overall guest experience. Leveraged strong communication and organizational abilities to ensure seamless shift transitions, effectively coordinating staff schedules and ensuring smooth operations. Proactively kept team members informed of current promotions, menu updates, and company policies, fostering a high level of product knowledge and customer service excellence. Utilized Chili's Online Learning systems to deliver supplemental training, ensuring team members remained up-to-date with industry trends and best practices. Demonstrated a strong commitment to customer satisfaction, promptly addressing guest inquiries, resolving concerns, and going above and beyond to create memorable dining experiences.