About Me

Hello there! I'm Brian Surdel, a professional with a decade-long immersion in the realms of Web Development and Digital Marketing. Over the years, I've navigated the entire spectrum of the digital development process, starting from initial sales to final deployment and continual optimizations. My expertise extends to deploying robust eCommerce websites, ensuring web accessibility & compatibility, and seamlessly integrating external services such as CRM platforms and AI-assisted tools/utilities into digital infrastructures. I've directed teams of adept individuals, operating seamlessly in startup environments, both within organizations and as an external resource. My pride lies in crafting top-tier digital marketing platforms of the highest quality.
My journey hasn't just been about leadership roles; I've been an active part of leadership teams while also deeply involved in the groundwork of day-to-day projects. At various junctures, I've revolutionized development processes, architecting new budgeting systems and implementing streamlined deployment practices that compete fiercely in the modern web landscape. My track record boasts not just leadership but hands-on contributions that bolster efficiency and elevate outcomes.

Information

  • Name : Brian Surdel
  • Phone : 860.916.5952
  • E-mail : mr.brian.surdel@gmail.com

Fluencies

HTML5

CSS3

JavaScript

PHP

My Skills

Web Design

Website design is the first impression that you provide to your visitors. Just like in person, they can make or break the success of continued relationships. I have personally designed and frameworked, as well as, consulted with others designers, to build successful sites. Design skills include, prowess with Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, & Google Web Designer.

UX Design & Conversion Optimization

The usability of your website is the most important piece to your presence online. All your marketing efforts will be in vain if your website can't deliver the experience your visitors expect. Continuing to follow the latest UX studies and monitoring sites allows for intelligent modifications that improve user experience. Additionally, the structure and formatting of your site can greatly influence the success of conversions. I have built and tested framework models that have been proven to maintain multimillion dollars in sales.

Web Development

Fluent in HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, jQuery, and PHP; allows me to bring to life the site design and UX planning explained in the previous boxes. This is so important because the previous planning and strategy will have been for nothing if you can't execute properly. I personally have in-depth experience with developing on CMS (content management systems), WordPress and Joomla being the primary, as well as, static site frameworks (html + css libraries).

SEO & Analytics

Often times the website's guts are ignored as all the focus is placed on the design of the website. Without proper SEO and (in turn) analytics, you are dooming your site for failure. I am fully trained and experienced with implementing on-page technical SEO (meta, schema, speed optimizations, keyword strategy, etc.) Additionally, I am certified via Google with all 3 analytics courses, including Google Analytics for Power Users. This allows me to interpret the success of websites via the collected data and make appropriate changes.

Project Management

There is no greater role in the success or failure of a website build than the Project Manager. Having a solid 4 years of Project Management in the Hospitality vertical, I can tell you all the various techniques, technologies, and teachings I have used to keep projects on track. Coordinating all the varrious moving parts of an intricate project takes great organizational skills, expert communication, and a drive to get stuff done. I am proud to say I have all three in my toolbox.

My Resume

WORK

Blue Magnet Interactive

March 2019 - Present

As Director of Design and Development I oversee our entire portfolio of independent websites. Managing a team of 3, we continue to push the department with cutting edge designs, implementing advanced analytic tracking with a dynamic suite of reporting, and integrated UX systems, to deliver a devastatingly competitive platform for our clients. Currently fascinated with deep-level compound analytic systems using software like Power BI and custom spreadsheets to discover hidden opportunities and facets of our websites.

Blue Magnet Interactive

April 2016 - March 2019

Was the lead Project Manager and decision maker at the helm of the Blue Magnet Design and Development department and made major strides in advancing the product in both quality and successfulness. Built sites that total 34 million in individual attributed revenue in one calendar year. Additionally, managed a team of 3 that continues to push the department forward. I have also been the architect of a site build evaluation system that collects varrious inputs and cost variables and compares them to time and resources dedicated, ultimately computing a internal success factor (grade) and budgetary summary.

Blue Magnet Interactive

May 2015 - April 2016

Was in charge of 20+ clients and contributing to the overall digital marketing strategy. This included a combination of: account managment, social media, SEO, website optimizations, & PPC (paid media) for varrious clients. From there I specialized in Design and Development as the company underwent a change into an agency model.

EDUCATION

Champlain College
Robert P. Stiller School of Business

October 2011 - June 2015

Nestled between the mountains of Vermont and Lake Champlain, I attended Champlain College specifically for a degree in marketing with a concentration in digital media. Also was a memeber of the marketing club from all four years.

Google Analytics Academy

December 2015 - Present

I have actively kept up and maintained my certifications from Google Analytics Acedemy which now include: Analytics, Google Analytics for Beginners, Advanced Google Analytics, Analytics for Power Users, and Adwords.

I am Available for Freelance

My Portfolio

georgetown inn westend website

Georgetown Inn Westend

Hotel at Midtown Chicago

Hotel at Midtown Chicago

Sky Room Atlanta

wedding website

Wedding Website

true music room website

True Music Room Nashville

HI Goldengateway Hotel

HI Goldengateway Hotel

burger theory website

Burger Theory Denver

popup gif

Interactive Popup

cambria website template

Cambria New Orleans

Maestro Specialty website

Maestro Specialty

callouts gif

Interactive Callout Boxes

fillmore hospitality website

Fillmore Hospitality

Brian has accomplished the impossible. He’s a brilliant and innovative Web UX Designer AND a pragmatic, collaborative and results-driven Director of Design and Development. Known for their expertise in hotel website design and content development, Brian and his team at Blue Magnet were recommended to us to build a website for our brand’s first boutique hotel. While many designers tasked with this job (not to mention with people new to the hotel industry) would have taken a distinctive ‘learn from me’ approach, Brian leveraged his keen ability to mine our brand differentiators to position our truly unique service offering -- all the while making us think we were teaching him! With Brian’s leadership, creative problem solving approach and relentless pursuit of success, the project was completed early and is already beating industry standards for web conversions. Without a doubt Brian has earned my highest recommendation.

Teresa R. Carpenter

Chief Marketing Officer at Themis Bar Review

I recently worked with Brian and Blue Magnet Interactive to build a stand alone website for Burger Theory, my hotel’s onsite restaurant. The website www.burgertheorydenver.com turned out better than I had even hoped. Brian and the whole BMI team are excellent at what they do. Brian always had great ideas and always made us feel at ease through the site building process. He made us even more excited about the site every time we spoke with him and for good reason. I can guarantee you that I will always use BMI and Brian if I ever have to build a website again. Brian knows his stuff and I would not hesitate in recommending him to anyone looking for the services he and BMI offer.

Tony Sprouse

Director of Sales & Marketing at Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Denver Tech Center ~ Centennial

I cannot say enough positive things about working with Brian while at Blue Magnet Interactive. From day one he showed his knowledge and enthusiasm for website development and he truly brought value to our team. Brian is respectful, a hard worker, and is constantly bringing new ideas forward. As I was departing BMI and passing the torch to Brian, I knew the department was in good, if not better, hands. I genuinely enjoyed my time working along side Brian and am always proud to see what his latest achievement is. What will he do next?!

Maggie Meyers

Creative Producer at CBD Marketing

My Blog Posts

web design trends

Hotel Web Design Trends and Why We Won’t Need Them Much Longer

Blue Magnet Interactive Blog

Wanted to put a fun spin on the yearly posts of upcoming web design trends. Melds a lot of actionable advice with a easy to read approach.

SSL code

What You Need to Know About HTTPS & SSL Certificates

Blue Magnet Interactive Blog

Wrote a in-depth piece outlining the intricate details of SSL Certificates and HTTPS browsing. Provided all the technical knowledge and writing to the post.

virtual reality headset

360 VR Media Implementation

Blue Magnet Interative Blog

Technical blog post that dives into a how to get started at adding and leveraging Virtual Reality to your website. Including an interactive sample. All code and content was written by me.

color design

Color Psychology: Hotel Brands’ Best Kept Secret for Boosting Web Conversion

Blue Magnet Interactive Blog

Blog post about how color choices on a website can influence how users interact with your website and brand overall.

computer with code

5 Ways Your Independent Site Can Increase Your Hotel’s Bottom Line

Blue Magnet Interactive Inforgraphic

Designed and illustrated an infographic outlining the top 5 reasons an independent hotel website can drive more revenue for hotels.

Contact Me