Meet Anna-Karin Stockhaus

Anna-Karin Stockhaus is responsible for the web at Swedish book publisher Bonnierförlagen's marketing department, where she is in charge of content, development and maintenance for approximately half of the company's different websites. But for the next three months, she will be a digital content specialist at Bonnier Corporation in Florida under the GROW exchange program, where she will work with the web but with a different twist.

"Here in Florida, I work with content for sites that are part of the Active Interests Network and the Marine Group," says Stockhaus, 32. "It means that I republish existing print material digitally on the magazines' websites and in social media, among other things. I further develop the content, fixing photos and work with the layout, write texts and do my best to create selling copy for the various websites."

Previously, Stockhaus worked as web editor for children's book publisher Bonnier Carlsen and as Nordic web manager at DHL. In Florida, she's gotten something new to sink her teeth into.

"It's incredibly thought-provoking to work with content and a subject that, as a Swedish landlubber, I know so little about," Stockhaus says. "I've learned so much about things I never thought I'd be interested in, for example kiteboarding, which is an unbelievably tough sport! To change industries is also a challenge. Even if the written texts are key to both industries, the way of working is completely different."

The digital divisions are also organized quite differently at the two companies.

"It's cool to see such an extensive digital department," Stockhaus says. "And there is so much more web-friendly content to work with in the magazine industry. It's a bit ahead of the book industry in terms of digital, the added-value is easier to find and maybe even easier to convey, so I'm doing all I can to take it all in and be inspired."

Stockhaus says that GROW is a fantastic opportunity to get to know more companies within Bonnier.

"I like to challenge myself and GROW is primarily a challenge," Stockhaus says. "To work in another country and in another culture gives you a boost, both on the job and personally. And as a Swedish Bonnier employee, it's wonderful to be on the other side of the globe and be met at the office door by August Strindberg, Expressen and Pippi Longstocking!"