Get To Know: AARP’s Vice President Of Social Strategy

Tammy Gordon is the Vice President of Social Communications for AARP. Since formally launching the department in 2010, she has expanded the team to nine full-time strategists and trained hundreds of staff and volunteers across the country. During her time with AARP, Gordon has cultivated a social network audience that includes more than two million, […]

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Tammy Gordon is the Vice President of Social Communications for AARP.

Since formally launching the department in 2010, she has expanded the team to nine full-time strategists and trained hundreds of staff and volunteers across the country. During her time with AARP, Gordon has cultivated a social network audience that includes more than two million, with a reach of more than one billion annually.

This September, AARP launched a new YouTube series “Takei’s Take” starring Internet sensation and former Star Trek cast member George Takei. The first show featuring Takei offering his take on Google Glass was a huge hit, earning more than 24,000 subscribers on its first day.

Fans can follow Tammy’s team via #AARPsocial or the AARP Social Tumblr blog.

Get To Know:

Tammy Gordon

Vice President, Social Strategy @ AARP

  • Age: 41
  • HQ: Washington, DC
  • Apple or Android? Apple
  • First Job: Outback Steakhouse Hostess
  • Favorite Band: Bob Schneider
  • First Car: Nissan Pulsar

What mobile device can you not live without?

iPhone – whatever is newest.

Can we take a peek at your iPhone’s home screen?

Tammy Gordon iPhone screen

What app do you use most often for work?

Tweetbot, I’m obsessed with Twitter lists.

What social media network or website do you frequent most when you’re not working?

If my phone’s in my hand, you can bet I’m on Twitter. It’s my favorite way to consume news, meet interesting people and answer almost every question.

What’s the first thing you check on your phone in the morning?

I simultaneously hit snooze and open Twitter.

What work challenge keeps you up at night?

How to stay ahead of the status quo – I think it’s imperative that we build out social marketing, social data, social customer service, and social en Espanol in addition to “social media”.

What has been the most exciting work development this year?

Tie: When Sir Mix-a-Lot tweeted us back and being nominated for Best Facebook Campaign and Best Social Cause in the Digiday Social Media Awards.

How many miles have you traveled this year?

According to US Airways, about 24,000 (and a few more to go…).

What other career would you like to try?

In another life, I’m an artist that lives on a beach and surfs. But I’d probably still tweet.

What does your desk look like right now?

Tammy Gordon workspace

What is the last business book you read?

Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg – it was nice to see I had unknowingly done some of the same things she suggests!

Outside of your company’s efforts, what ad campaign or video caught your eye recently?

I love what Honda is doing on YouTube with real people… I mean, if a car company can make me cry in a YouTube video, I need to step up my game.

[youtube width=”560″ height=”315″]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Y7AzNj2s28&list=TLeW7FVo8-pxJoGh6j-MR3pjtE76P4iQGV[/youtube]


Opinions expressed in this article are those of the guest author and not necessarily MarTech. Staff authors are listed here.


About the author

Amy Gesenhues
Contributor
Amy Gesenhues was a senior editor for Third Door Media, covering the latest news and updates for Marketing Land, Search Engine Land and MarTech Today. From 2009 to 2012, she was an award-winning syndicated columnist for a number of daily newspapers from New York to Texas. With more than ten years of marketing management experience, she has contributed to a variety of traditional and online publications, including MarketingProfs, SoftwareCEO, and Sales and Marketing Management Magazine. Read more of Amy's articles.

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