Content & Social Director

Vikaas
Shanker

Content Strategy

Social Media

Search Engine Optimization

Public Relations

About

Always fascinated by technology and the ways with which people can connect, Vikaas has made his passion for the digital sphere into a full-time career at Archer & Hound. He graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor of Science in journalism, then spent seven years working as a professional investigative journalist, making his way to California to be closer to his family. A crypto and AI enthusiast, he enjoys exploring how blockchain technology, Web3, and large language models can innovate solutions to societal issues. He loves creating campaigns that emotionally connect with audiences while performing well for search algorithms. Driven by logic and empathy, his inquisitive mindset has made him well-suited for the realm of content development, where problems and solutions are rarely simple or straightforward (and that’s the way he likes it).

On weekends, you may find Vikaas using his eye for detail to collect and restore antique violins. He carries that same meticulousness into the office, where he spends his time bringing harmony, leadership, and clarity to chaos in ways that will make our work even more impactful. He has a unique understanding of the power of compelling content, especially as it relates to research, analytics, and search rankings. Regardless of the subject matter, Vikaas uses historical data and industry trends to establish effective strategies, which means he hits the mark every time—and we love a bullseye around here.

Dog Breed

A Shrewd Schnauzer

Friendly, intelligent, astute, and observant, the Schnauzer loves to learn and loves to play. Much like Vikaas, Schnauzers can be strong-willed. Still, they are incredibly devoted to those they love, and their good-natured, quiet resilience is coveted among dog breeds (and content creators, conveniently enough).

Certifications & Awards

Vikaas is certified in Semrush SEO and Google Analytics. He was the recipient of the 2016 and 2018 George F. Gruner Awards, both first-place honors for Meritorious Public Service. In 2010, he also received a first-place SPJ National Mark of Excellence Award for editorial writing for two-year college media. In 2018, Vikaas participated in the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism Data Fellowship, where he learned large-scale data reporting and analysis. He used the skills to analyze obesity rates for every school in California, utilizing physical fitness testing data and performing regression analysis to compare against various markers, such as ethnicity and poverty levels. He also applied his data organizational skills to local investigative journalism, uncovering the obscenely high sugar content in the local school district’s lunches.

Community Involvement

Vikaas loves to be involved with his community and neighborhood, actively assisting with outreach for the local Hindu temple and previously serving as president of the board of his Homeowner’s Association. He also assisted with a Central Valley political campaign, helping to develop and implement social media and web strategies for the candidate. He continues to lend a passionate voice to many topics and current events surrounding technology, society, media, journalism, and sports.

DISC Personality

Analyzing
Coordinator

Vikaas is motivated by logic and loves following a plan to accomplish his goals. His high-C tendencies indicate a love of research and analytics, while his high S shows that he works well with a team. Even though he doesn’t often display his emotions, he is also patient and empathetic, which helps him build relationships with others.

VikaasShanker