Robert Walker-Smith

About Robert Walker-Smith

I help media organizations grow revenue by accelerating digital adoption and effectively running go-to-market efforts.I am a revenue transformation leader with 15+ years of consistent overperformance across media, advertising, and digital platforms.I currently serve as Fractional Chief Revenue Officer for multi-market media organizations, where I own revenue strategy and execution—from GTM design and pricing discipline to forecasting, pipeline management, and enterprise deal leadership. In 2025, I delivered 166% of revenue objective by combining executive strategy with hands-on selling and sales leadership.Throughout my career, I have helped legacy and growth-stage organizations: • Accelerate digital revenue • Diversify beyond print and legacy advertising • Build modern sales organizations • Increase forecast accuracy and close rates • Win and retain six-figure advertisersCareer Highlights • 166% revenue performance (2025) • Fractional CRO for multi-market media organizations • Consistent quota achievement: 104%, 126%, 224% • 81%–89% digital revenue growth across multiple roles • Led teams of up to 25 revenue professionals • Deep sales expertise in CTV/OTT, programmatic, SEM, SEO, branded content, newsletters, sponsorships, and eventsI partner closely with CEOs, publishers, boards, and sales leaders to align revenue models, organizational design, and execution around sustainable growth. Open to CRO, VP Revenue, and senior revenue leadership conversations

Experience

1. Head of Revenue Fractional Chief Revenue Officer

   Local Media Association

   Jan 2025 — Present

   Serving as fractional Chief Revenue Officer for a portfolio of media organizations, providing direct executive partnership with publishers and CEOs to accelerate digital transformation, diversify revenue streams, and build sustainable growth models.• Drove 166% revenue performance against objective (2025) by pairing senior-level strategy with hands-on execution, personally leading direct selling efforts—including discovery, proposal development, negotiation, and closing—reactivating dormant accounts, regaining six-figure advertisers, and securing new business.• Leading go-to-market strategy, pricing discipline, product positioning, and revenue models that improved forecast accuracy, pipeline visibility, and close rates.• Shifting sales personnel from product-led selling to outcome-driven, consultative selling, shortening sales cycles, and increasing deal size through clearer value proposition and advertiser alignment.• Building and scaling sales training, compensation frameworks, and deal coaching tailored to local markets.• Advancing monetization of diversified revenue streams, including newsletters, branded content, sponsorships, and community events to ensure long-term growth and reduce reliance on legacy print models.• Designing and leading leadership-driven Smart Marketing Events (in-market and virtual) that consistently generated qualified pipeline, discovery meetings, and new revenue opportunities.

Education

• Roberts Wesleyan University

  B.S., Human Resources Management

  1994 — 1995

Skills

• Non-Profits
• Program Development
• Team Building
• Management
• Lead Generation
• Research
• Team Leadership
• Customer Retention
• Customer Service
• Proposal Writing
• Strategic Partnerships
• Public Relations
• Editing
• Organizational Development
• Coaching
• Data Analysis
• Online Marketing
• Powerpoint
• Social Networking
• Social Media Marketing
• Business Development
• Microsoft Office
• Sales
• Forecasting
• Strategic Planning
• Account Management
• Sales Management
• Grant Writing
• Leadership
• Leadership Development
• Recruiting
• Analysis
• Marketing Communications
• Event Planning
• Strategy
• Marketing
• Re-Entry
• Budgets
• Community Outreach
• Public Speaking