Lauren Sturman
Playa Vista
Summary
Dynamic leader in media sales with a proven track record of driving revenue growth and securing top sales rankings. Expert in P&L management and digital marketing strategy, with a natural ability to build C-suite relationships. Entrepreneurial and success-motivated, consistently exceeding targets and delivering exceptional results in advertising sales and event production.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
GROUP PUBLISHER
DM Luxury. LLC
08.2022 - Current
- Promoted and relocated in 2022 to lead the Los Angeles office, turning around a market at a 20-year revenue low.
- Drove a 38% YoY increase in local revenue in 2023, adding $500K+ in new revenue and surpassing the entire prior year’s total by Week 26; first market companywide to hit annual budget by Week 33.
- Produced the company’s most profitable tentpole event ever in 2023, delivering six-figure net profit.
- Rebuilt and restructured the sales team in 2023, implementing a performance-based compensation model and overhauling sales strategy and publication direction.
- Ranked Top 20 in overall sales and Top 10 in new business across the Modern Luxury network in 2023 and 2024.
- One of only three markets (out of 23) to exceed annual budget in 2023; first market to exceed both Q1 and Q2 budget goals in 2024.
- Exceeded national revenue budget by 10% and out-of-market revenue by 6% in 2024, generating $2.2M+ in regional and national sales outside Los Angeles.
- Grew the Los Angeles market by $200K in 2024, while managing a $5.5M+ annual revenue budget and leading a team of 10.
- Created a post-wildfire special edition in 2025 that generated $55K in new profits donated to the LAFD Association.
- Secured exclusive ownership of the Concern Foundation partnership in 2025—previously held by Los Angeles Magazine for 20+ years—supporting $2.5M in cancer-research donations.
- Led full sales strategy, content development, and event production for Angeleno’s 25th Anniversary event in 2025, generating $150K+ in profit and delivering 15M+ impressions.
GROUP PUBLISHER
DM Luxury. LLC
01.2021 - 08.2022
- Promoted to Group Publisher within 18 months, overseeing all advertising sales, marketing, and P&L for the Arizona market.
- Increased market profitability 45% YoY in the first year while growing total revenue 38% from $1.3M to $1.8M.
- Departed the market in 2022 for a promotion while pacing 19% YoY growth.
- Conceptualized and launched Modern Luxury East Valley Magazine, surpassing initial net P&L projections.
- Managed a cross-functional team of five, including sales executives, a marketing director, and an editor.
- Achieved Diamond Seller status in 2022, exceeding $1M in personal sales, and ranked Top 20 nationwide in total sales and Top 10 in new business across the entire Modern Luxury network.
- Created the digital video series “Pub Talks,” driving a 14% increase in digital revenue in 2022.
- Planned, marketed, and executed Modern Luxury signature events and major client activations, including sponsorship sales, guest list and F&B management, on-site activations, and décor execution.
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
DM Luxury. LLC
06.2019 - 12.2020
- Oversaw all advertising, sales, and marketing for Modern Luxury Interiors Scottsdale, executing a full overhaul of the publication’s direction and sales strategy.
- Developed and implemented a new business plan that eliminated unprofitable legacy practices and drove 20% YoY revenue growth.
- Helped turn the market around from a six-figure deficit in 2019 to 110% YoY revenue growth in 2020.
- Led the team in digital sales, creating new revenue streams and expanding the Interiors brand’s digital footprint.
- Sold Modern Luxury Scottsdale’s first Membership Package and became the market leader in Membership sales.
- Led the team in new business development while consistently meeting all print, editorial, and sales deadlines.
- Built strong client relationships and developed full-funnel media plans, including print, digital, lead generation, social campaigns, retargeting, and PR content.
- Planned, marketed, and executed Modern Luxury signature and client events, handling sponsorship sales, guest list management, F&B, activations, and décor.
- Managed and grew the distribution model for Modern Luxury Interiors.
PUBLISHER - PHOENIX RELOCATION GUIDE
Web Media Group
04.2017 - 06.2019
- Finished #1 sales performer nationwide in 2017 (out of 14 markets), achieving 212% of goal.
- Increased annual revenue 100% in the first year, from $142K in 2016 to $284K in 2017, with projections exceeding $300K+ for 2018.
- Boosted website traffic 33% through strategic SEO and content development.
- Oversaw full operations of the publication and digital platforms, executing a complete overhaul of print and digital content.
- Built and executed a new business plan that maximized profitability and introduced a custom publishing division to create new revenue streams.
- Secured Web Media Group’s first-ever three-year contract.
- Consistently met all print, editorial, and sales deadlines while cultivating strong client relationships that drove referrals and sustained growth.
FOUNDER / PUBLISHER
Lavish Living, Inc.
01.2013 - 05.2017
- Founded, funded and successfully launched my own media company.
- Oversaw all operations and finances, with annual revenue reaching $750k.
- Sold small and large custom publishing projects - over $150k in 2016; including California Renovation Magazine, still in circulation.
- Increased revenue 125% from year one to two. Increased an additional 40% from year two to three.
- Created a brand of ancillary products: Reside, A Lavish Publication; Blush by Lavish; Crave, a Lavish Publication.
- Six-time national finalist for WPA's Maggie Awards. Most recently for Best Lifestyles & Alternative Lifestyles for October 2016 issue and Best Editorial Layout for May 2016's, "The Art Pack".
- Launched a successful video series, executed monthly socials, monthly magazine release parties, and two profitable brand events per year; increasing event revenue by $30k in final year.
- Managed a team of 12 employees, and 10+ vendors.
- Orchestrated and directed all photo shoots.
- Built strong client relationships that fostered longevity of the publication.
DIRECTOR OF SALES
Inside Magazines Inc.
05.2011 - 06.2014
- Managed all sales and marketing of the San Joaquin Magazine's family of publications including: San Joaquin Magazine, San Joaquin Kids & Parent Magazine, San Joaquin Weddings Magazine, San Joaquin Home Magazine, Stockton Visitor's Guide; reaching over $1M in annual sales.
- Created successful sales campaigns to reach monthly sales quotas.
- Increased annual revenue by 20% within first year.
- Personally sold over $300k in advertising final year.
- Became "the face" of the brand and attended countless community networking opportunities.
- Negotiated and contracted all sponsorship opportunities.
- Oversaw business operations when Publisher moved out of state.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, CASkills
- Entrepreneurial
- Proficient in P&L Management
- Reliable and professional
- Organized
- Natural Leader
- Success Motivated
- Executive Sales Leadership
- C-Suite Relationship Management
- Digital Marketing Strategy, Programmatic, Search, Display, Video, Social
- Online Advertising Technologies
- Performance Marketing
- Data-Driven Media Planning
- Advertising sales
- Revenue generation
- Event production
- Market analysis
- Print advertising, production and distribution
Awards
- 2014, Maggie Award Finalist for Best Lifestyles & Alternative Lifestyles Publication, Lavish Living Magazine
- 2015, Maggie Award Finalist for Best Lifestyles & Alternative Lifestyles Publication, Lavish Living Magazine
- 2015, Maggie Award Finalist for Best Editorial Layout, Lavish Living Magazine
- 2015, Maggie Award Finalist for Best Single Editorial Photo, Lavish Living Magazine
- 2016, Maggie Award Finalist for Best Lifestyles & Alternative Lifestyles Publication, Lavish Living Magazine
- 2016, Maggie Award Finalist for Best Editorial Layout, Lavish Living Magazine
- 2017, Finished #1 top sales performer at Web Media Group
- 2022, Diamond Seller Recognition Exceeding $1 million in sales at Modern Luxury Media
- 2022, 'Top 20' List for total revenue sold at Modern Luxury Media
- 2022, 'Top 10' List for most new business at Modern Luxury Media
- 2023, 'Top 20' Sales performer at Modern Luxury Media
- 2023, First market to exceed annual budget at Modern Luxury Media
- 2024, 'Top 10' Sales performer of new business at Modern Luxury Media
Timeline
GROUP PUBLISHER
DM Luxury. LLC
08.2022 - Current
GROUP PUBLISHER
DM Luxury. LLC
01.2021 - 08.2022
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
DM Luxury. LLC
06.2019 - 12.2020
PUBLISHER - PHOENIX RELOCATION GUIDE
Web Media Group
04.2017 - 06.2019
FOUNDER / PUBLISHER
Lavish Living, Inc.
01.2013 - 05.2017
DIRECTOR OF SALES
Inside Magazines Inc.
05.2011 - 06.2014
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Azusa Pacific University