A Journey From Meteorology to Weather Technology Marketing

Written by Daphne Thompson

August 14, 2024

As Wet Dog Weather’s new Marketing Director, I’m thrilled to combine my meteorology degree with my expertise in weather technology marketing. My journey from observing storms in the Texas Panhandle to leading marketing for innovative weather visualization tools has been as dynamic as the weather itself. Join me as I share how my meteorology and weather technology marketing background brought me to this unique role at Wet Dog Weather, where we’re revolutionizing how weather data is visualized.

Expanding on My Weather Technology Marketing Experience

Throughout my career, I’ve amassed extensive experience in both meteorology and weather technology marketing. My career path includes roles at the NOAA National Severe Storms Lab, NOAA National Weather Service, and various other organizations, ultimately leading to my current position at Wet Dog Weather.

Early on, my public relations and education outreach work naturally evolved into weather technology marketing when I joined Weather Decision Technologies (now DTN). There, I leveraged my expertise to create accessible content, including blog posts, newsletters, and social media campaigns, all centered around complex weather data. This was my entry point into a specialized field where I could combine my passion for meteorology with effective marketing strategies.

Launching Fontenot Freelancing

In the winter of 2023, I left a marketing position at an energy tech company, returned to my meteorology roots, and started Fontenot Freelancing in January 2024 with the intent of helping meteorology and tech companies with weather technology marketing.

During this time, Wet Dog Weather reached out for social media assistance. My work for them resulted in a 467% growth in followers within the first three months. This led to additional hours working for the company.

Over the past few months, I spearheaded the complete website migration from Squarespace to WordPress, redesigning the interface with a modern, visually compelling style. I implemented comprehensive analytics, SEO optimization, and conversion tracking to drive inbound marketing and lead generation efforts. And I designed eye-catching graphics, presentations, and visual assets, solidifying a cohesive brand experience.

Aligning with Wet Dog Weather’s Mission

Wet Dog Weather’s mission is to get weather data in front of the people who need it. While I’m not a programmer, my role in weather technology marketing is pivotal in showcasing our capabilities, mainly through compelling visual content and optimized blog posts. My efforts are helping to bridge the gap between complex weather technology and accessible, engaging content.

I also ensure that all blog posts are grammatically correct and include images that make sense for the subject matter. Occasionally, I will write a blog post too. You may have seen the one I wrote about the movie Twisters.

Future Weather Technology Marketing Plans

As marketing director, I plan to continue elevating Wet Dog Weather’s presence through strategic weather technology marketing initiatives. I recently created a Brand Guide and will launch our first newsletter, Weather Tails, in September. Subscribe to learn the latest goings-on in the company. If you attend any conferences where we have a booth, you may also see me there. And soon, I hope to have Steve, our CEO, start some webinars.

Let’s Connect

If you want to learn more about Wet Dog Weather, follow us on LinkedIn. I’m also there, and you can check out my profile for more information about my path to weather technology marketing. I look forward to connecting with you and contributing to its growth!