Alex Skatell
Alex Skatell | |
|---|---|
| Born | United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur |
| Known for | Founder of Independent Journal Review |
Alex Skatell is an American entrepreneur and former Republican political advisor.[1] He was previously the Digital Director for the Republican Governors Association and Media Director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee. He developed the software application iShout which became a top 25 game in the iPhone App Store. He also founded the viral news website Independent Journal Review.[2][3]
Early career
While at college, Skatell invented iShout, an iPhone application reviewed in Gizmodo and featured in the "What's Hot" section of ITunes app store.[4][5] At 22, he took up the position of Director of New Media and Technology for the Republican Governor's Association.[6] In this position, he organized new media training sessions for thirty-seven gubernatorial campaigns and lead a multimillion-dollar advertising effort. When election results were in, there were nine more Republican governors than in the previous cycle.[7] After that, Skatell became the Digital Director for the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC).[8]
Media Group of America
In 2012, Skatell used $40,000 from the profits on iShout to launch the Independent Journal Review. He hired his friend Bert Atkinson to fill the position of editor and chief writer.[5] According to an article in The New York Times, the site is a mixture of entertainment, politics, and policy. Skatell launched the site because he saw a gap in media outlets catering specifically to the "mainstream center-right audience."[5]
In 2013, Skatell co-founded the Media Group of America,[9] a parent company that owns the Independent Journal Review[10][11] and IMGE, a digital advocacy agency with clients ranging from Boeing, General Dynamics, BMW, and General Electric. Skatell, in his role as IMGE founder, also became digital director for Australia's Liberal Party in the 2013 Federal Election. In that position, he served on the campaign to elect Tony Abbott to Prime Minister.[7] Today the Media Group of America has nearly 50 employees.[5]
Awards
In 2012, Skatell appeared in Washington Life's "The Young and the Guest List," which recognizes young achievers in the Washington D.C. area. The magazine noted that, at 25, Skatell was "responsible for all Web, video and print advertising on behalf of U.S. Senate candidates" and oversaw a multimillion-dollar budget.[12] In January 2016, Skatell was named one of WIRED magazine's "20 Tech Insiders" ahead of the 2016 presidential campaign.[13] Skatell was also named to Forbes '30 Under 30' list in media in 2016.[14]
For his work with Australian election campaigns, Skatell won the American Association of Political Consultants' Gold Pollie award for the world's best digital campaign. He also won the same agency's gold and silver awards for best developed political apps.[15]
As of 2017 Skatell was a member of several advisory boards; including the Clemson University Arthur M. Spiro Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership,[16] the Georgetown University Institute of Politics and Public Service,[17] Digital Content Next,[18] and the News Media Alliance.[19]
References
- ^ "Seeking legitimacy, IJReview parent company sacrifices campaign dollars" Politico. Retrieved 2015-08-10.
- ^ "IJReview gets $1.5 M funding, led by GOP politico and investor Pete Snyder" The Washington Post. Retrieved 2015-08-10.
- ^ "Presidential Candidates Are Teaming With IJReview and BuzzFeed to Fry Machine-Gun Bacon and Do Push-Ups on Camera" The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2015-8-10.
- ^ Wang, Andi. "iShout Pro iPhone Game Lighting Review". Gizmodo. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
- ^ a b c d Kaufman, Leslie (2 November 2014). "Independent Journal Review Website Becomes a Draw for Conservatives". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 4 November 2014.
- ^ Rojas, Warren (28 February 2012). "Celebrities by Default". Heard On the Hill. Retrieved 4 November 2014.
- ^ a b "Alex Skatell". Imge.com. Media Group of America. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
- ^ Moore, Martha T. (4 April 2012). "Online political ads aimed at specific audience". USA Today. Retrieved 4 November 2014.
- ^ "INTRODUCING MEDIA GROUP OF AMERICA, LLC" (PDF). Politico.com. 2 April 2013. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
- ^ "Media Group of America Announces Board of Advisors, Key New Hires". India Investment News. Lexis Nexis. 8 August 2013.
- ^ "2015 Republican Debate Schedule: Here's the Remaining Dates for GOP Candidates" Policy Mic. Retrieved 2015-08-10.
- ^ "Fashion Shoots: The Young and The Guest List 2012". Washington LIfe. 10 February 2012. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
- ^ Staff, Wired. "Meet the 20 Tech Insiders Defining the 2016 Campaign". WIRED. Retrieved 2017-11-27.
- ^ Inverso, Emily. "Alex Skatell, 29 - pg.23". Forbes. Retrieved 2017-11-27.
- ^ "LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA WINS BEST INTERNET CAMPAIGN AT AAPC'S 2014 POLLIE AWARDS". Liberal.org.au. Archived from the original on 13 November 2014. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
- ^ "Advisory Board | Clemson University, South Carolina". www.clemson.edu. Retrieved 2017-11-27.
- ^ "Alex Skatell - GU Politics". GU Politics. Retrieved 2017-11-27.
- ^ "Board of Directors - Digital Content Next". Digital Content Next. Retrieved 2017-11-27.
- ^ "2017-18 Board of Directors | News Media Alliance". News Media Alliance. Retrieved 2017-11-27.