Erik Braunitzer - JDM Impressions
Working remotely, like we do at JDM, doesn’t mean being disconnected from colleagues. As part of our culture-building initiative, and to introduce the digital marketing world to our awesome team members, we regularly peel back the curtain on the lives of JDMers. This week, we’ll get to know Sr. SEO Manager Erik Braunitzer!
Name: Erik Braunitzer
Position: Sr. SEO Manager
Location: Syracuse, NY
When did you begin working at JDM?
June 15, 2026.
How did you know JDM was the right fit for you?
Culture/people. There was a lot of alignment in the role and what I wanted to do. At the same time, I felt/feel that the opportunity to sort of ‘forge my own path’ is prevalent too.
What’s your favorite part of the workday?
The morning. It’s when the brain works the best.
What’s the most gratifying part of working with your clients?
I’m an ambivert, so a multi-touch management role is ideal for me. I get to interact with people/brands (equally as important I get to embed myself into their archetype/space), maybe become an expert in something I wasn’t already familiar with, and do great work for them along the way.
In a remote company, how do you stay connected with your team?
Regular communication and meetings. Even if it’s just a ‘good morning’ or brief pontification about the weather or news.
What three words would you use to describe the JDM culture?
Empathetic, connected, transparent.
What's something you love about JDM?
Much of what I mentioned above. Again, I believe there’s an ability here to really define what I want to do long-term in the space.
Can you recall a time when JDM challenged you, and how we supported you through that time?
I’m still relatively new to JDM, but I’d say the introduction of multiple protocols/frameworks/procedures. There’s plenty of parallel from past experience but everybody does things just slightly differently. I completed a few deliverables as of recently – hopefully in a way that works for everyone here and the client.
What’s the best thing you’ve done with your unlimited PTO?
Travel. Travel. I’ve yet to do any of that yet here at JDM.
What's something you love about the marketing industry?
The ability to apply both your right and left brain. Creative and strategic thinking blend nicely with logic, introspection and analysis.
What do you think has been the most interesting change in the marketing industry or in your channel this year?
Um, AI. No question about it. Things are changing and changing quickly. I feel JDM is adapting quicker than most. Search everywhere is where it’s at. .
What digital marketing platform, technology, or skill do you see gaining the most traction in the next 1-2 years, and why?
Profound. Most people understand how to use Profound to benchmark track and measure. Not a ton are fluent at making strategic decisions and executing from the data just yet. At the same time, I feel there’s a lot of automations that can be accomplished from it.
What's something you've implemented or tested, and what was the outcome?
I made an interlinking analysis tool via Python/Collab. It accepts a keyword and a target and runs a an open source parser to crawl through said site and make semantic matches based on embeddings, title, meta, body copy etc., then looks at the best place within those matches where an interlink back to the target might make sense.
What’s a project that you’ve worked on that you’ve really enjoyed?
I’ve yet to really dive into big projects here at JDM, but I typically enjoy larger audits, whether it’s technical, a KED (Keep, edit, or kill content inventory), or maybe a really detailed IA (Information architecture) to create an ideal website content framework.
Tell us about your kids and/or furbabies!
We have two pups, Gus and Joy. Gus is an 8-year-old chocolate lab, and Joy is an 8-month-old black lab puppy. Both are American labs. Both love water and will do anything to be out in nature. Oh and they are very hungry, all the time.
