The Virtual Stamp Club has learned that the American Philatelic Society — the biggest stamp collecting organization in the U.S. — has chosen Thomas Loebig (pronounced “LO-big”) for Chief Content Officer. As such, he will be the editor of both American Philatelist and the American Philatelic Literature Review, as well as in charge of APS’ online outreach efforts.
Loebig and his wife live in State College, Pa., so having a CCO onsite won’t be the issue it was with his predecessors, although APS executive director Scott English tells VSC that was not a major consideration. He held a similar position at Accuweather, which is headquartered in State College.
He begins June 25th, which is during APS’ Summer Seminar. He also will attend APS StampShow in Omaha.
[press release]
American Philatelic Society Names New Chief Content Officer
BELLEFONTE, PA, June 5, 2019 – Today, the American Philatelic Society announced Thomas R. Loebig as its next Chief Content Officer. Loebig, an experienced digital media and broadcasting executive, most recently served as Vice President, Digital Media Content and Operations of AccuWeather.
The APS conducted a national search for a Chief Content Officer to serve as editor of the two award-winning journals of stamp collecting, The American Philatelist and the Philatelic Literature Review, the flagship publication of the American Philatelic Research Library. In addition, the Chief Content Officer will be responsible for leading the growth of digital content offered to members and non-members alike through the organization’s website, stamps.org.
“We’re incredibly fortunate to be so close to Penn State University and great corporate citizens like AccuWeather to draw new talent,” said Scott English, Executive Director of the Society, “Tom brings experienced leadership in the digital content field and will help lead the APS and the hobby to serving 21st century stamp collectors.
Loebig, a collector in his youth, has recently reignited his collecting interests and joined the APS. “I am excited to join stamp collecting’s preeminent organization, as an executive and member. Stamps have deep historical significance and are beautiful pieces of American art. I look forward to engaging our current members and introducing future members with amazing content that advances and promote the hobby.”
While with AccuWeather, Loebig successfully led the effort to increase web traffic through relevant news and video content, increasing time spent on the website and more than doubling the social media referral traffic within three months. “Our recently-adopted strategic plan emphasizes development of more relevant, shareable, and timely content for the hobby and we believe Tom will be a critical link in moving ahead,” said English.
Loebig served as news director for several television stations from Altoona, PA, Cincinnati, OH, Pittsburgh, PA, and Asheville, NC. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from Penn State University. Loebig resides in State College, PA and will work from the APS headquarters in Bellefonte.
In the past six months, the APS has launched the virtual library, housing nearly 2,000 journals of philately dating back to 1887 and the online learning portal, Collecting and Connecting Central Academy (C3a).
Loebig will join [the APS Staff] on June 25, 2019, during the APS annual Summer Seminar. Loebig will be part of the APS team in Omaha, Nebraska for the joint StampShow/National Topical Stamp Show put on by the APS and the American Topical Association on August 1-4, 2019 at the CHI Health Center Omaha Convention Center.
We expect to expand this article as we get more information —VSC.
