Name: Andreanna Ditton
Company: MotorHead Media
Address: 909 N. Sepulveda Blvd, 11th Floor, El Segundo, CA 90245
What does your company do?
MotorHead Media is a division of Internet Brands, but it encompasses six automotive classified websites that each focus on a distinct part of the automotive marketplace. The three largest are RacingJunk.com, OldRide.com and HotRodHotline.com.
What is your position?
I am the content manager for the sites. This means that I’m the editor for HotRodHotline.com and a section of RacingJunk.com called “The Burnout,” which encompasses editorial. I manage the freelance contributions and the freelancers; write, edit, work with advertisers and sponsors to communicate about their products and services; create emailed content, such as newsletters; and direct our social media efforts to get the word out about the great stories we have on our site and the services we provide to our users.
What is the most satisfying aspect of your job?
Meeting the people involved in the automotive industry. Since the bulk of the folks I talk to are hot rodders and racers, it’s a passionate, dedicated group of people from tight-knit communities. I love their enthusiasm, I love their drive and they’re incredibly fun to be around. I like being able to provide them with an online community that meets their needs, whether it’s buying or selling a vehicle or a part, or giving them a cool story about a member of their community.
How long have you been involved with the aftermarket industry?
I’ve worked in automotive for almost 10 years. I started out working for Primedia, which then became Source Interlink Media and is now TEN. I was the managing editor for Motorcyclist magazine and Super Streetbike magazine and then came over to MotorHead Media to be the content manager here.
What brought you to the industry?
I’ve always loved cars, particularly old British convertibles and race cars. I’ve wanted a mid-’60s MGB since the first time I saw one. I started out my career writing about education, but when I fell into the automotive enthusiast world, I was hooked. The people are the selling point in all aspects of this industry!
What are some of you major professional accomplishments?
I’m very proud of the work that Motorcyclist did for its 100th anniversary celebration, and it felt like an accomplishment to be a part of that. In 2013, we launched the editorial arm of RacingJunk.com, called “The Burnout” (racingjunk.com/news). RJ celebrated 15 years in business in 2014, and launching “The Burnout” was a great way to kick off that year.
Who is your industry mentor?
I worked for Amy Diamond, who is the vice president of editorial operations at TEN, for about seven years and she really helped me shape the way I approached my career. Outside of the industry, Patricia Ecker, who shaped how I approached journalism, made me a better writer and showed me how important investing in a community was.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
“Read it out loud!” As a writer and an editor, this advice never fails me. Other than that? “Don’t ride the brakes!” Although that was more my mom hoping the car I learned to drive on would make it through my learning curve.
What would someone meeting you for the first time be surprised to learn?
I teach and perform as a belly dancer.
What is your dream car?
A ’66 Ford Bronco. I love the late ’60s-early-’70s MG, but at nearly 6-ft. tall, the Bronco is an easier car to dream about driving again.
What is your favorite pastime?
I love to cook, but more importantly, I love to eat the things my husband cooks. One of the best parts of my job is that I’ve gotten to go all over the country for automotive events, which means I get to sample local cuisine and meet people from those areas.
