Marketing Vice President
Resume:
BRETT RIDGE
**********@*****.***
BUSINESS QUALIFICATIONS SUMMARY
I am an innovative, experienced marketing & communications professional,
spokesperson, relationship builder, leader and motivator. I also possess in-
depth expertise in strategic planning, operational design, and change
management. My success has been marked by consistent growth patterns during
my tenure at each of the organizations for whom I have worked.
PROFESSIONAL MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS EXPERIENCES
*Lead all marketing and communications efforts (internal and external) for
a multi-million dollar corporation with hundreds of staff for five years as
a Vice President of Marketing & Communications.
*Created strategic marketing plans by studying market data, conducting
market research and focus groups, and consulting with the appropriate
employees and staff leaders.
*Coordinated/directed the production of successful communications programs,
marketing tools, and advocacy programs to ensure the success of the
aforementioned strategic plans.
*Collaborated directly with senior leadership of outside entities to
promote organizational and partnership efforts.
*Managed staff of varying sizes from one to 17.
*Advised senior management on communications issues (internal and
external), crisis communications, and constituent relations for 6 years.
*Solicited, created, and maintained media relationships at all levels;
local, state, and national.
*Worked with national magazine publishers to create, promote, and fulfill
nationwide educational campaigns.
*Wrote and presented speeches, programs, seminars, and workshops to groups
of up to 1,000 people.
*Wrote, produced, and directed speeches for senior management to present to
others.
*Wrote and produced award-winning (local, national and even international
awards) television and radio campaigns for multiple organizations.
*Created and produced corporate image campaigns completed with television,
radio and print ads and wrote & produced a statewide television special for
one of the campaigns.
*Introduced social media to my organization and began to proactively
utilize it to create relationships with customers, clients, constituents
and our workforce.
*Served as the Communications Representative on a strategic
merger/organizational redesign team for a merger of 4 separate incorporated
entities that brought together nearly 500 staff and created a $42 million
organization.
.
*Directed all internal and external communications about the previously
mentioned merger and lead all staff efforts in the design of the new
marketing and communications departments for the newly created entity.
*Built legislative and coalition relationships, worked with government
officials, and lead all public policy efforts for a multi-million
corporation for six years.
*Prepared, followed, and managed budgets of millions of dollars on a yearly
basis.
PROFESSIONAL MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS LEADERSHIP POSITIONS HELD
Director of Public Relations (1999-2000)
American Cancer Society, Midwest Division (Approx. 500 Employees...100,000
volunteers 42 million budget)
*The Division garnered the largest % increase in income for our
organization nationally during my tenure.
Vice President of Marketing & Public Relations (1995-1999)
American Cancer Society, Iowa Division (Approx. 100 employees...30,000
volunteers 7.5 million budget)
*Iowa Division income doubled during my first 4 years at this organization.
Director Of Public Relations & Public Affairs (1994-1995)
American Cancer Society, Iowa Division (Approx. 75 employees...20,000
volunteers 3 million budget)
*The Division promoted me to Vice President and expanded my department with
three additional staff after less than a year with this organization.
ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS POSITIONS HELD
Writer Producer (1993-1994)
Schreurs & Associates Advertising & Public Relations
*I wrote and produced campaigns that garnered seven local awards, and one
International Award, including Best Of Television from the Ad Pros of Des
Moines in 1994 and the Silver Hickey as the second best lottery campaign in
North America for 1994.
President & Radio Show Host (2004-2010)
The Hawkeye Huddle Incorporated
*I helped create, produce, direct and sell the most downloaded University
Of Iowa related program on the internet.
Freelance Radio & Television Hosting/Reporting (1990-2010)
KBGG-AM, KXNO-AM, KXLQ AM, KPSZ-AM, KJJC-FM, 98.3 WOW FM, KCJJ-AM, KXIC-AM
*I have hosted various talk shows, provided various live reports, and
provided play-by-play for several local area radio stations as well one
assignment for ABC-TV.
ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP POSITIONS HELD
Executive Director & CEO (2004-2010)
Make-A-Wish Foundation Of Iowa (Approx. 11 employees...5000
volunteers 2.7 million budget)
*During my tenure, organizational yearly income nearly doubled and the
three year average of number of kids served jumped by 50% despite
significantly rising costs. The Chapter was named one of 6 (out of 64)
Chapters of Excellence over the five year period.
President (2000-2004)
National Multiple Sclerosis Society Of Iowa (Approx. 8 employees...300
volunteers 600,000 budget)
*The Chapter rose out of $400,000 of debt to the National Office for the
first time in nearly two decades, doubled yearly income, and created the
first NMSS Community Resource Center in Iowa during my 4 year tenure.
HONORS
Des Moines Business Record 40 Under Forty (Class of 2007)
Center For Creative Leadership (Class of 2010)
Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute (Class Of 2001)
EDUCATION
University Of Iowa (Class of 1992)
Bachelor of Arts, Journalism & Mass Communications
Bachelor of Arts, Political Science
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