Kevin Whitmer, the well-known former editor of The Star-Ledger and content lead for NJ.com, has launched a digital media and strategic communications consulting firm, Whitmer Consulting, along with his wife, Regina Whitmer.
The firm, based in Plainfield, will offer services in audience development, high-impact search engine optimization performance and expert storytelling, the Whitmers said.
Kevin Whitmer, a veteran of both the print and digital world, is credited with helping NJ.com become one of the top media sites in the country, drawing more than 20 million unique visitors a month.
During his more than 25 years with The Star-Ledger and NJ.com, he helped the organization win three Pulitzer Prizes, 23 New York Emmys and major awards in news, sports and business journalism. More so, he helped the organizations transition after the economic downturn of 2007-08 forever changed the media landscape.
Whitmer, who served as vice president of content, expansion and development at NJ.com, left that role at the end of 2021. He said he is eager to take on the new project — and will use his vast experience in the industry as a guide.
“Leading an organization though crisis after crisis the past 16 years also gave me the skills and perspective to help any organization thrive in a rapidly changing digital world,” he said.
“And I don’t imagine many people have lived in real-time audience data as I have. Knowing what people read, where they read it, how to reach them — and then actually telling a story? We think that’s powerful.”
Regina Whitmer also an industry veteran with decades of experience. A former newspaper reporter and editor, she currently writes and edits for nonprofit and corporate clients.
Regina Whitmer has edited memoir and fiction books as well as corporate history books and training manuals. Together, the Whitmers have more than six decades of combined experience.
The Whitmers said the firm already is working with clients in media, health care technology and education.
(Editor’s note: Kevin Whitmer is a former colleague of many of the members of ROI-NJ.)
