Jonathan H. Strauss

Profile

Results-oriented manager with diverse experience across strategy, partnerships, operations, and product management. Seeking a leadership position bringing ground-breaking Internet technologies to market. Particularly interested in products and platforms involving marketplace economics.

Experience

Sr. Product Manager — Yahoo! Widgets

Yahoo!, Inc.; Sunnyvale, CA — 2006-2008

Led cross-functional team responsible for the strategy, product development, and marketing of Yahoo! Widgets, a globally-deployed multi-faceted product with millions of users and a robust ecosystem of thousands of independent developers

Grew global user base substantially by deploying two major desktop platform releases (Yahoo! Widgets 4 and 4.5) and three localized versions (Taiwan, China, and Japan)
Increased user engagement and created new revenue streams by launching all-new http://widgets.yahoo.com, including totally redesigned Widget Gallery back-end and user interface
More than doubled the number of 3rd-party Widgets in the Gallery by establishing a successful developer relations program, which generated the model for other such programs at Yahoo!
Worked with corporate PR and agencies on messaging strategy, and evangelized Yahoo! Widgets online, at conferences and trade shows, and in press interviews and partner meetings
Became a leading authority on 3rd-party developer ecosystems, advising other groups at Yahoo! and spearheading the launch of Yahoo! Mobile Widgets at CES 2008
Managed 2 direct reports, led a team of 12, and oversaw remote product development efforts in both Atlanta and Bangalore

Manager, Business Operations — Connected Life

Yahoo!, Inc.; Sunnyvale, CA — 2005-2006

Served as chief of staff to Marco Boerries, EVP of Connected Life (“CL”). Participated in all aspects of the formation and operation of the 500-person global business unit responsible for mobile, desktop, broadband, and digital home.

Deeply involved in development of business and product strategies, organizational structure, and major operating decisions for all four product groups within CL
Coordinated operations for CL senior staff and acted as a primary interface with EVP of CL
Primary CL liaison with other Yahoo! business units and corporate management
Led most cross-business unit projects and participated in all internal corporate reviews of CL products and businesses, including the annual board of directors presentation
Led CL due diligence teams for several potential M&A transactions
Participated in senior-level relationships with partners, including: Intel, Hewlett-Packard, Nokia, Motorola, AT&T, Hutchison/3, and Helio
Cross-functional lead (appointed by COO) for “Howard Nation on Yahoo!,” the most comprehensive Yahoo!-wide integrated promotion and most successful live entertainment webcast at the time (4.4M live streams)

Sr. Financial Analyst — Corporate Development

Yahoo!, Inc.; Sunnyvale, CA — 2004-2005

Initial member of newly-formed Corporate Strategy team, working very closely with senior management, business unit and product team leaders, and M&A teams to formulate proactive strategies and competitive responses.

Lead corporate competitive analysis efforts, including weekly newsletter to senior management
Prepared and participated in presentations for senior management offsites and board of directors offsite
Participated in redesigns of corporate operational dashboard and quarterly business review processes
Participated in numerous special projects, including leading early stages of Emerging Markets opportunity analysis and strategy formation

3rd Assistant Director

“The Jacket”; Glasgow, UK & Montreal, Canada — 2003-2004

Responsible for managing all on-location matters pertaining to lead actors of a $25M Warner Independent Pictures film.

Campaign Consultant

EMILY’s List; Washington, DC — 2003

Completed comprehensive CampaignCorps campaign training program, and was then assigned to a NJ Legislature race. Acted as Finance Director and speechwriter: raised and managed a $100,000 budget; prepared public remarks and press releases; and created and maintained campaign website.

Education

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA

Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics — May 2002

Additional

Two pending patent applications: “In-Page Installer” and “Managing Widgets through a Widget Dock User Interface”
Completed Yahoo!’s media training program administered by Hill & Knowlton, in preparation for interviews with Forbes and the NY Times
Avid traveller; near fluent in French; enjoy skiing, sailing, mountain biking, cooking, and photography