Early Entry Deadline is Friday, October 25th ENTER NOW
Judges Spotlight December 21, 2022

Wesley Bonner – Senior Vice President, Marketing & Audience Development at BDG

Webby Award winner BDG is one of today’s leading global media companies, and as their Senior Vice President of Marketing & Audience Development, Wesley Bonner is leading the charge when it comes to crafting successful marketing campaigns. Bonner is also a new executive judge for The Webbys. We sat down with him to discuss upcoming internet trends and what work he is excited to see at this year’s Webby Awards.

For those who don’t know, tell us a little about your background.

I’m currently the Senior Vice President of Marketing & Audience Development at BDG, overseeing all social media strategy, email marketing, & audience growth. Before Elite Daily’s acquisition by Bustle, I served as Elite Daily’s General Manager overseeing social media strategy, partnerships, and distribution.

Before Elite Daily, I was the Director of Content Operations at Condé Nast. My team supported the entire portfolio in digital content strategy and distribution.

What particular expertise are you bringing to the Academy?

I enjoy building robust marketing campaigns that tap as many mediums as possible, from events to social, video, or written content. And how to continue to create those multi-platform experiences that feel fresh. 

What are you most looking forward to about reviewing this year’s Webby Awards entries?

I love seeing the innovation that comes out of the media industry. My team is constantly asked to ideate “the next big thing,” and it’s always so inspiring to see how other teams accomplish that each year.

What creative work on the Internet has recently inspired you, and why? (It can be a campaign, experience, film, social series, etc.)

One of my team members (Leo Rocha, Senior Social Strategist for Mic) recently co-wrote and produced Keep the Cameras Rolling: The Pedro Zamora Way, which was selected by over a dozen 2022 film festivals, including the St. Louis International Film Festival, Outfest, and more. It takes a deep dive into the life of Real World star and AIDS activist Pedro Zamora, who insisted his fight with HIV be documented and shared to help fight prejudice in the media.

What emerging technology or trend do you think will have the greatest impact on the creative industry?

I think we’ll see a big trend of tapping Creators as Talent this year, especially in a landscape where the short-form vertical video is of the highest demand.

One of the benefits of entering the Webby Awards is getting to have your work seen by industry experts like Bonner. To give your work the exposure it deserves, make sure to enter the 27th Annual Webby Awards! 
Click here to learn more about our categories and how to enter.
Drag