Alumni Profile: Joe Truesdale ’07

Self-designed major takes Truesdale ’07 into digital marketing

Digital marketing is the focus of Joe Truesdale ’07 of Oshkosh, Wis. He graduated from Ripon College with a self-designed major in mass media management. “The major primarily consisted of courses in business, communication and independent studies with a focus on broadcasting,” he says.

As the digital marketing coordinator for Holiday Automotive in Fond du Lac, Truesdale handles the company’s websites and its social media profiles. “I work on creating content to share about our products and our people including writing articles, producing video, taking photos and evaluating what media to use to help us get the word out.”

He says his favorite part of the social media aspects of his job are how quickly things change. “There’s always a new avenue or channel to evaluate for its usefulness, and it keeps every day interesting,” Truesdale says.

At Holiday Automotive, he also works on internal communication, leading training sessions for the sales teams to help them brand themselves online, and co-hosting the company’s all-team meetings each summer where almost 300 employees are in attendance.

Truesdale believes that Ripon’s structure for education was a large factor in preparing him for his current job. “I figured I’d end up in radio forever,” he says. “Being able to cover such a wide swath of material, and having the guidance of Deano Pape and all of my educators, allowed me to be flexible and open to new ideas and roles. Without that level of flexibility, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

After Truesdale graduated from Ripon College, he worked for radio stations in Ripon and then became an on-air talent for Mountain Dog Media in Fond du Lac. “While I was at the stations, I started to build a relationship with Holiday Automotive by producing some of their ads,” Truesdale says. “After working with them for a number of months, I was offered the newly created position of digital marketing coordinator and started in March of 2011.”

Truesdale also uses his knowledge and skills to help organizations and institutions with Holiday Automotive’s public relations and marketing. “I work with the Fond du Lac Area United Way, area schools and more to help them raise funding and get the word out about their events and causes,” he says.

Communication is an important tool in his job, Truesdale says. “Holiday Automotive is different from most dealerships because of our no-hassle, simplified buying process,” he says. “In order for our guests to know about that, we need to make sure they hear about our story and why we will provide the best buying and ownership experience. Communicating that message effectively and efficiently is of utmost importance in order to help differentiate ourselves in the marketplace.”

Truesdale stays connected with Ripon College, as well. He is in his second year as the assistant coach for the Ripon College Forensic Team, alongside Deano Pape and Matt Delzer.

-Tsering Yangchen ’14
Madison, Wis.

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Posted January 8, 2014 in Alumni.

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