Specializing in search and online marketing, Melanie Mitchell is Director of SEO/SEM at AOL, one of the most successful internet companies in history. Melanie has over eight years of experience in web site promotion and over six years experience in search marketing for major sites across several industries including travel, local, entertainment, ecommerce, news and sports. She has managed SEO and PPC campaigns both in-house and from the agency side.

Melanie was recruited by AOL in 2004 to develop strategy, lay the foundation for success (processes, procedures, tracking technology, reporting) and manage the group tasked with growing AOL.com's business via paid and organic search as the company made the decision to move content, formerly only available via paid subscription, out on the Web for the first time in company history. She is responsible for promoting and increasing traffic to AOL.com, the 44 channels and products under AOL.com, MapQuest, AIM, Netscape and TMZ.com through paid and organic search.

Prior to AOL, Melanie worked at VeriSign/Network Solutions for over four years where she had proven success in managing direct response marketing campaigns through online, paid search, search engine optimization and strategic alliances for both Network Solutions and NameSecure.com. Melanie has also consulted for media agencies where she effectively planned, launched, tracked and managed search engine marketing campaigns for their clients that had various objectives including branding, non-transactional and transactional goals.

In addition to her online, search marketing and advertising expertise, Melanie has a strong background in project management, offline/print marketing and meeting planning having spent 5 years working for a number of non-profit agencies in the DC area planning large scale meetings and conventions.

Melanie graduated from George Mason University in Fairfax, VA with a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Marketing.