Steve Mulder is Senior Director of Audience Insights at NPR, where he spearheads digital analytics and insights across the organization, ensuring that NPR and public radio stations have a comprehensive understanding of audience across all digital platforms. He also launched an Analytics Service for stations that provides tailor-made measurement, reporting, and insights for the public radio system.
NPR
2011-present
Senior Director, Audience Insights
Owned audience analytics, partnering with leadership and teams to drive strategy and decision-making with actionable insights on content, product, revenue, and marketing. Oversaw digital analytics data infrastructure, reporting, analysis, storytelling, and recommendations across web, mobile apps, podcasts, smart speakers, social media, and more. Directed qualitative and quantitative research studies on consumer segmentation, new audience opportunities, and platform usage. Led NPR's organizational KPIs, launched a nationwide analytics service for NPR stations, co-chaired the IAB working group on podcast measurement, and managed a team of amazing analysts.
ISOBAR (formerly Molecular)
2003-2011
VP Experience Strategy
Directed the strategy, design, and execution of successful digital experiences for top global brands. Blended expertise in user experience strategy, customer research, interaction design, and usability to create innovative online experiences that drive results. Also led a practice focused on social media, rich interfaces, and emerging digital trends. Clients included Nokia, Fidelity, Philips, TripAdvisor, Talbots, CVS, Adidas, Finish Line, VistaPrint, PC Connection, TD Canada Trust, AIG, HumanaOne, BMW, GSN, and the Project Management Institute.
TERRA LYCOS
2001-2003
Manager, User Experience
Directed the global User Experience Group of information architects and usability researchers focused on the many sites that were part of Lycos and Terra. Developed IA standards for Terra and Lycos, established methodologies and tools, and consulted with product teams. Projects included Lycos Search, My Lycos, HotBot, Matchmaker, Wired News, and the Terra Lycos Style Guide.
RAZORFISH
1998-2001
Experience Lead
Responsible for projects across multiple clients, including 3M, Gloss.com, Estee Lauder, Chanel, Lotus, and DMNews.com. Led a team of designers, information architects, writers, and interface developers. Also served as lead Information Architect and led the creation of site features, site maps, process flows, wireframes, and functional specifications for multiple projects.
ZD UNIVERSITY
1997-1998
Senior Editor
Managed editorial content, information architecture, and design of online learning/community site (part of ZDNet).
MACMILLAN PUBLISHING
1995-1997
Product Development Specialist & Editor
Shaped overall book publishing plan in Web design and development areas for Hayden Books. Served as lead editor on numerous books.
"What Audio Insights Reveal About the Changing Media Landscape"
Media Insights and Engagement Conference (San Diego, 1/23)
"The Importance of Analytics in Decision Making"
Public Media CEO/COO Bootcamp (virtual, 4/22)
"The Power of Audio - Podcasting" (panel)
Mavericks of Media Summit (virtual, 6/21)
"How NPR Uses Data to Drive Editorial Decisions in the Newsroom"
Experiencing Data Podcast (3/21)
"The Six Types of American News Audiences: A Major Segmentation Study"
Public Radio Program Directors Association (virtual, 9/20)
"Advances in Podcast Measurement to Drive Transparency" (panel)
IAB Tech Lab: REBOOT (virtual, 9/20)
"The Zen of KPIs: Bringing Focus to Your Organization"
Public Media Development and Marketing Conference (PMDMC) (Dallas, 7/19)
"Cloning Yourself (But Not Really): How to Leverage Small Research Teams for Greatest Impact"
UXPA Boston (Boston, 5/19)
"Emerging trends in Digital Analytics" (panel)
Digital Analytics Association Boston chapter (Boston, 3/19)
"Smart Speaker Measurement with Steve Mulder from NPR"
Analytics Power Hour Podcast (2/19)
"Measuring Online Success: New KPIs for Public Media"
Public Radio Program Directors Association (Austin, 8/18)
"Audience Intelligence - Digital Analytics and Metrics That Matter"
Public Radio Program Directors Association (Washington DC, 8/17)
"Back to Basics: Analytics that Matter for Public Media"
Public Media Development and Marketing Conference (PMDMC) (San Francisco, 7/17)
"The State of the Audience: What We Know & What We Don't Know" (panel)
Public Radio Super-Regional Meeting (Pittsburgh, 10/16)
"Measuring Podcasts at NPR with Steve Mulder"
Analytics Power Hour Podcast (9/16)
"The Fine Art of Measuring Podcasts"
Podcast Movement (Chicago, 7/16)
"Steal These Ideas: Building Audience on Digital" (panel)
Public Radio Program Directors Association (Phoenix, 8/16)
"Future Audiences Research Findings" (panel)
Public Media Development and Marketing Conference (PMDMC) (Boston, 8/16)
"PubMetrics: Digital Trends That Matter for Public Media"
Public Media Development and Marketing Conference (PMDMC) (Boston, 8/16)
Public Media Development and Marketing Conference (PMDMC) (Washington DC, 9/15)
Public Media Development and Marketing Conference (PMDMC) (Denver, 7/14)
"How NPR Built an Analytics System for All of Public Radio"
eMetrics Summit (Boston, 9/15)
Digital Analytics Association Washington DC chapter (6/15)
"We Are What We Measure" (video)
Berkman Klein Center For Internet & Society, Harvard University (3/15)
NPR Digital Day (Austin, 3/13)
Public Radio News Directors Conference (Cleveland, 6/13)
"Data and Design: BFFs or Frenemies" (video)
Delight Summit (Boston, 10/14)
DUXcamp (Washington DC, 10/11)
"Data and Revenue: Tracking Digital Footprints" (panel)
Public Media Development and Marketing Conference (PMDMC) (Washington DC, 9/14)
"The Future Radio Experience"
Experience Innovation: DMI Design Leadership Conference (Boston, 11/13)
"Using News Personas for Strategy and Design"
Public Radio Program Directors Association (Atlanta, 9/13)
"Data That Matters" (panel)
Public Media Development and Marketing Conference (PMDMC) (Atlanta, 7/13)
"See the Forest AND the Trees: A Solution for GA across the Enterprise"
Google Analytics User Conference (Boston, 10/12)
"Mobile is coming! Mobile is coming! Wait, it's already here." (panelist)
Public Radio Programming Conference (Las Vegas, 9/12)
"Creating a Better Online Donation Experience: Working Collaboratively to Raise the Bar and Grow Revenue" (panelist)
Public Media Development and Marketing Conference (Seattle, 7/12)
"Real-World Tests to Optimize Online Donation"
Public Media Development and Marketing Conference (PMDMC) (Seattle, 7/12)
"Advanced Analytics: Concrete Case Studies to Improve Your Digital Effectiveness" (panelist)
Integrated Media Association Conference (Austin, 3/12)
"Know Thy User: Persona-Centered Design" (workshop)
UX Lx (User Experience Lisbon) (Lisbon, 5/11)
"Side-By-Side Marketing: How Trust Can Make or Break Social Media Marketing"
Social Media & Community 2.0 Strategies (Boston, 4/11)
"The User Is Always Right: Making Personas Work for Your Site"
Web Design World (Las Vegas, 10/10)
Web Design World (Seattle, 7/08)
Web Design World (Chicago, 5/08)
User Interface Engineering Virtual Seminar (5/07)
WebVisions (Portland, 5/07)
DigitalNow (Orlando, 4/07)
Web Design World (Boston, 12/06)
Web Builder 2.0 (Las Vegas, 12/06)
"Your Users Trust Each Other, Not You: Why and How to Implement Ratings and Reviews"
Web Design World (Las Vegas, 10/10)
Web Design World (Seattle, 7/09)
Web Design World (Boston, 12/08)
"Side-By-Side Marketing: How Trust Can Make Or Break The Customer Experience"
Forrester's Customer Experience Forum (New York, 6/09)
"Designing for Discoverability"
Web Design World (Seattle, 7/09)
Web Design World (Boston, 12/07)
Web Builder 2.0 (Las Vegas, 12/07)
"Rich Interface Design: How AJAX Changes Everything"
WebVisions (Portland, 5/09)
Web Builder 2.0 (Las Vegas, 10/08)
Web Design World (Seattle, 7/08)
Web Design World (Chicago, 5/08)
"Web 2.0 Strategy and Design" full-day workshop
UIE Web App Summit (Newport Beach 4/09)
"Personas: Beyond the Basics" (full-day workshop)
Software 2009 (Oslo, 2/09)
"Let the People Speak: How Users Are Changing the Web"
Web Builder 2.0 (Las Vegas, 10/08)
PodCamp Boston (Boston, 10/07)
American Marketing Association Digital Marketing Summit (Pittsburgh, 10/07)
Web Design World (Seattle, 7/07)
Web Design World (San Francisco, 3/07)
Web Design World (Boston, 12/06)
Web Builder 2.0 (Las Vegas, 12/06)
"AJAX and Web 2.0" full-day workshop
Higher Education Web Symposium (Philadelphia, 7/08)
"What Consumers Say About Your Brand Online"
American Marketing Association (Boston, 5/08)
"AJAX and RIAs: Moving Functionality Over to the Client"
Web App Summit (San Diego, 3/08)
"Second Life: Business Boom, Bust, or Both?"
Web Design World (Boston, 12/07)
Web Builder 2.0 (Las Vegas, 12/07)
"Making Web 2.0 Usable: An AJAX Case Study"
Web Builder 2.0 (Las Vegas, 12/07)
Web Design World (Seattle, 7/07)
Web Design World (San Francisco, 3/07)
Web Design World (Boston, 12/06)
Web Builder 2.0 (Las Vegas, 12/06)
"Making Personas Work for Your Website" (workshop)
IxDA Boston (Watertown, 11/07)
Documentation & Training East (Lowell, MA, 10/07)
"You Are Not Your User: Proven Techniques for Discovering Who Is"
Voices That Matter: Web Design Conference (San Francisco, 10/07)
"Incorporating the Social Networking Features of Web 2.0" (panel)
Endeca Discover Conference (Boston, 6/07)
"UX Research Beyond Software Design: A Comparison of Customer-Centered Research Techniques" (panel)
Boston Mini-UPA Conference (Bentley College, Waltham, MA, 5/07)
"Web 2.0 - What Is It and What Does It Mean?" (with Riccardo La Rosa)
Babson Executive Education Program (Babson College, Wellesley, MA, 5/07)
Center for Information Management Studies Workshop (Babson College, Wellesley, MA, 1/07)
"Make AJAX Work for Your Site and Your Users: A Case Study on Improving Product Selection"
AJAXWorld (Santa Clara, CA, 10/06)
"Next Generation of Web Applications" (panelist)
User Experience Week 2006 (Washington, DC, 8/06)
"Designing for Real User Behavior"
Web Design World (Seattle, 7/06)
Web Design World (San Francisco, 1/06)
Web Design World (Boston, 12/05)
"Finding Things My Way: Faceted Navigation"
Web Design World (Seattle, 7/06)
Web Design World (San Francisco, 1/06)
Web Design World (Boston, 12/05)
"The Faceted Interface: PC Connection Case Study"
Discover 2006: Endeca User Conference (Boston, 6/06)
Usability Professionals Association, Boston Chapter (Boston, 5/05)
Information Architecture Summit (Montreal, 3/05)
"Bringing More Science to Persona Creation"
Information Architecture Summit (Vancouver, 3/06)
"Personas: Making Your Users Real"
Documentation and Training Conference (10/05)
Web Design World (Seattle, 7/05)
Web Design World (San Francisco, 3/05)
Web Design World (Boston, 12/04)
Boston-IA (Waltham, MA, 9/04)
"How Users Surf: What Usability Tests Reveal"
Web Design World (Seattle, 7/05)
Web Design World (San Francisco, 3/05)
Web Design World (Boston, 12/04)
Digital Design World (Seattle, 7/04)
Digital Design World (San Francisco, 2/04)
"Improving Website Usability with Personas"
Internet Professionals 495 (Hopkinton, MA, 11/04)
"Creating Effective Web Navigation"
Digital Design World (San Francisco, 2/04)
Web Design World (Seattle, 7/03)
Web Design World (Boston, 11/02)
Web Design World (Seattle, 7/02)
"Designing Search Interfaces"
Web Design World (Seattle, 7/03)
Web Design World (Boston, 11/02)
"SVG: Vector Graphics Powered by XML"
Web2001 Conference & Exposition (San Francisco, 9/01)
"A Day in the Life of an Information Architect"
Web Design World (Seattle, 8/01)
"Getting Ready for SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics)"
Web Design World (Seattle, 8/01)
Web Design World (Atlanta, 2/01)
Web Design World (Denver, 9/00)
Web Design World (Seattle, 7/00)
Web Design 2000 (Atlanta, 2/00)
"Monkey Saw, Monkey Did: Common Practices, Best Practices and the Quest for Innovation" (panel)
Seybold Seminars (Boston, 4/01)
"Faster Web Pages: Trimming the Fat"
Web Design World (Atlanta, 2/01)
Web Design World (Denver, 9/00)
Web Design World (Seattle, 7/00)
"Intro to Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG)"
Web2000 Conference & Exposition (San Francisco, 11/00)
webDC Conference & Exposition (Washington, DC, 8/00)
webLA Conference & Exposition (Los Angeles, 5/00)
webBoston Conference & Exposition (Boston, 12/99)
"Mastering CSS (Cascading Style Sheets)"
Web Design 2000 (Atlanta, 2/00)
Web Design 99 (Denver, 9/99)
The User Is Always Right:
A Practical Guide to Creating and Using Personas for the Web
"Drop everything you're doing and read this book right away. It will change the way you create every product and service, with incredible results."
- Jared Spool
How do we ensure that our Web sites actually give users what they need? What are the best ways to understand our their goals, behaviors, and attitudes, and then turn that understanding into business results? Personas bring user research to life and make it actionable, ensuring we are making the right decisions based on the right information.
This practical guide explains how to create and use personas to make your site more successful. It takes you through each step of persona creation, including tips for conducting qualitative user research, new ways to apply quantitative research (such as surveys) to persona creation, various methods for generating persona segmentation, and proven techniques for making personas realistic. You will also learn how to use personas effectively, from directing overall business strategy and prioritizing features and content to making detailed decisions about information architecture, content, and design.
Something more recent:
"To build and engage your audience, consider these core metrics for measuring success" (Current)
Also, obsolete books!
Somerville Transportation Equity Partnership
I'm part of the leadership team of this community group fighting for better public transit in our city.
My family tree
From what strange roots does this guy spring? Enter to discover lots of Dutch and German farmers as well as some surprises.
Prospect Hill, Somerville, MA
We live halfway up the hill where the first American flag ever flew. Check it out.
History of a House
Discovering the people who have lived in our house on Stone Avenue in Somerville, Massachusetts.
My Master's thesis
Rescued from a 5 1/4 floppy, "The Reader's Story: The Original East of Eden as a Postmodern 'Fictory'" begs to be read.
Steve Mulder
steve@muldermedia.com
