Arabella Bowen is an accomplished digital leader and content strategist with 15 years of experience driving digital transformation and engagement for culture, travel, luxury, and hospitality brands. 

Arabella specializes in launching new digital channels, products, and franchises; creating omni-channel content that connects with consumers across print, web, newsletters, and social; leveraging data analytics to identify product and story ideas; and building and mentoring cross-functional teams. 

Professional Cred

• As Digital Content Director at AFAR, Arabella built a bicoastal team; re-architected the site; launched must-read news, series, and guides; and developed service-driven SEO stories that propelled Afar.com to the largest audience growth in its history as well as a Folio Award for Best Consumer Newsletter. 
• As Editor-in-Chief of Fodor's Travel, Arabella transitioned the legacy guidebook publisher to a digital brand that grew from 1MM to 6MM MUVs in two years; became the first travel publisher added to Google News; and earned Webbys for best travel site and apps as well as Lowell Thomas awards for online excellence and journalism. 
• As Editorial VP at ShermansTravel, Arabella executive-produced all content and launched guides, newsletters, content channels, and a Smart Luxury Travel magazine that cemented the startup's media footprint. 
• As Editor-in-Chief of IgoUgo.com, Arabella managed one of the web's first online communities and helped propel the UGC site to its only Webby Award.
• Arabella has been an on-air guest of CBS this Morning, CNN, and TODAY and a go-to media resource for insights on trends, hacks, hotels, and value destinations. She's also been a keynote speaker and panelist at dozens of conferences, including SXSW.

Consulting Work

As a digital consultant, Arabella provides strategic, data-driven tactics for content development, newsletter engagement, and organic social media growth to publishers, startups, and nonprofits, including Sotheby's, US Park Pass, Indagare, OCUS, and The Winter Show. She also advises female-led startups on branding and social strategy. 

Early Career

Arabella began her career as a journalist for dailies and alt-weeklies in Canada, covering beats from arts and design to technology and business. She was also a City Columnist for the Montreal Gazette in her twenties. One story was cited by William Safire as the first published usage of “my coordinates" as a new way to say "my contact information."  

Arabella has since written about emerging destinations, arts and design, and outdoor adventure for multiple outlets, including The New York Times, Christie's, and AFAR. 

Volunteer Work

Arabella helps U.S. Green Card holders complete their citizenship applications with CUNY Citizenship Now!; is a certified Poll Worker with the NY Board of Elections; stocks shelves at Housing Works; and serves on her co-op board.

Final Bits

Originally from Toronto, Arabella holds an M.A. in Media Studies with a specialization in rhetoric from Montréal's Concordia University. She moved to Manhattan in 2001 and now lives in Greenwich Village with her husband, Tyler Cole. She still gets asked for her travel recommendations and has started compiling a travel ‘black book’.  

Say hello@arabellabowen.com