Consultant

Steven E. Zibell

**** ******* ****, ****** ****, IL 60477

C: 708-***-**** H: 708-***-****

************@***.*** / Linked-in under Steven Zibell

INNOVATION AND STRATEGY/ CLINICAL RESEARCH / PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT & TESTING

A high-impact R&D professional with a strong history of leading talented teams and innovation activities to identify functional ingredients and develop new and improved products. A record of success in building clinical research programs, analyzing complex problems and delivering timely solutions. Developed major strategic projects, and directed them to completion. Especially skilled at moving new research opportunities from discovery to reality, from initial product concept and prototype testing through substantiation studies to production and launch.

Experience

Zibell Consulting Chicago, Chicago, IL. 2010 – present

Providing over 25 years of experience in the confection and health food industry with expertise in a broad range of scientific and clinical testing, project management, functional foods and product claims issues. Managed global research projects and worked with the multiple business departments of clients (Marketing, Legal, Supply Chain, etc.) to ensure a clear understanding of options and a unified message from the completed project.

• Designed and conducted clinical studies to support product development and claims in multiple functional areas.

• Developed documentation and strategy in response to Ministry of Health questions on new sugar-free products. Product benefits were accepted by the agencies based on the documented expert scientific results and endorsements.

• Developed the documentation which led to the endorsement of the client’s sugar free gum by a national dental professional society.

• Provided strategy, planning and documentation on stain removal and whitening properties of sugar-free chewing gum. Results were critical to the successful defense of product claims, and to the avoidance of advertising and packaging changes and costs.

Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company Chicago, IL 1985 – 2009

-- Director, Clinical Research & Claims Support (2005 - 2009)

• Directed clinical research for claim substantiation and provided marketing strategies for oral health-related claims for sugar-free products globally. These efforts directly contributed to a 5% increase to global sales of $5 billion.

• Directed strategy and clinical testing to obtain the endorsement of the American Dental Association for 3 brands of Wrigley US sugar free gums. These were the first gums to receive the ADA seal, which boosted US sales by approximately $11 million.

• Helped create the Wrigley Science Institute to explore new benefits of current products. Initiated relationships with leading researchers and directed more than 20 clinical studies in weight-management, stress-reduction, cognitive function and systemic health (concentrating on inflammation and the cardiovascular system). Contributed to published papers and communications to the scientific community, the dental profession and consumers related to newly discovered benefits. Results helped dramatically increase sales in the US and Asia.

• Managed the review of scientific support and creation of dossiers on each product that made health claims in the EU to preserve claims under new EU regulations. Nine dossiers were generated and submitted on time, allowing EU Marketing to continue with their claims of product benefits.

• Directed clinical testing and provided advertising input on new appetite reduction benefits for US gum which led to an increase in sales of approximately $3 million.

Steven E. Zibell – page 2 (Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, continued)

• Directed research and market strategy for substantiation of claims for non-chewing gum sugar-free confections. Results supported oral health benefits of new pastel sugar free confections, which contributed to the success of new brands in Scandinavian markets.

-- Senior Manager, Product Benefit Claims Support (2002 - 2005)

• Helped design and manage clinical studies on the effect of an additive on alertness to provide superior benefits vs. regular gum. Successful results led to a new formula that produced higher levels of attention and alertness.

• Managed studies and provided technical strategy to the Legal Department in defense of a US brand challenged by competitors. Study results and arguments successfully defended our claims, saving several hundred thousand dollars in package revision costs.

• Directed technical input on strategy and testing of new formulas for superior sensory perception in a popular brand. Tests resulted in supportable claims for superior taste vs. competition, which contributed to an increase US sales of approximately $2 million.

• Provided clinical research substantiation and marketing strategy for oral health claims of sugar free products for Asia markets, which helped to boost sales by 10%.

-- Manager, Product Ingredient Development (1995 - 2002)

• Organized review panel of independent experts to provide professional endorsement of a new whitening ingredient for gum as safe and effective. Conducted and presented studies to the expert panel, resulting in their approval of the ingredient which led to the launch of a new chewing gum.

• Provided technical support and strategy in developing the first gum to deliver 10% of the RDI for calcium in Australia. Resulted in regulatory approval and successful launch, delivering about 15% of market share.

-- Project Manager, Corporate Product Development (1991 - 1995)

• Developed new technology to control the release of high intensity sweeteners from gum, producing superior consumer perceptions. This was used in all sugar-free gums globally, increasing sales for years.

• Provided technical assessment and direction in purchasing equipment, scale-up testing and writing production specifications for several new ingredients which extended flavor and sweetness.

• Designed and launched an efficient small volume ingredient manufacturing facility for global products.

-- Assistant Manager / Research Technician (1985 - 1991)

• Led a project to sell returned over-aged gum to farmers as feed supplement. The farmers reduced their feed costs and Wrigley saved about $400,000/year on disposal expense.

Brunswick Laboratories, Chicago, IL

-- Production Supervisor (1977 - 1985)

• Increased new product formulas by 50% and converted entire vitamin and mineral tablet and capsule products to sugar-free. Expanded production volume with no efficiency loss.

Education, Patents & Affiliations

B. S. - Biology, minor Chemistry & Philosophy, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL. 1976.

Patents: More than 20 patents in the areas of encapsulation, micro-bead delivery, ingredient production, flavor & sweetness extension, anti-microbial agents, appetite control and nutritional supplements.

Affiliated with the Institute of Food Technologists, International Life Sciences Institute North America, European Organization of Caries Research, International Association of Dental Research, American Dental Association, and American Dietetic Association.

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