Sales Manager

Joanne M. Saccomanno, M.B.a., M.A.

**** *. ***** ****** ***** Vernon Hills, IL 60061

847-***-**** **************@*********.***

*********@*********.***

PROFILE

Results-oriented, performance-driven Senior Communications Manager with M.

B. A. and diversified experience in communication strategy and

implementation with measurable outcomes. Excels at corporate

communications, internal and external communications, and issues management

in a matrixed environment. Leader committed to quality and able to motivate

high-performance team to sustain outstanding levels of productivity and

accomplish challenging goals. Recipient of numerous awards for quality and

achievement. Areas of expertise include:

Corporate Communications Integrated Marketing Campaigns

Employee Engagement/Internal Media Relations/Outreach

Communications

Executive Communications/Speechwriting Strategic Planning/Counsel

Client Management/Channel Communications Writing and Editorial Management

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Allstate Insurance Company, Northbrook, IL

The Allstate Corporation, a Fortune 100 company, is the nation's largest

publicly held personal lines insurer with $130 billion in total assets and

more than 70,000 professionals.

Senior Manager/Communications, Allstate Financial

2004 - 2009

Counseled senior leaders and business partners on strategy and

communications, including sensitive and timely communications regarding

downsizing initiatives and the effect of the economy on the company's

strategic vision. Strategized and wrote key messaging, corporate

positioning, and presentations.

Developed and executed integrated communication strategies directed to

matrixed stakeholders, both internal and external, via multiple

communication vehicles. Review and measurement of strategies determined

repositioning of communications, delineation of segmented audiences, and

alignment of business plans.

Directed a communications team that benchmarked best-in-class

communications. Spearheaded a redesign of the employee electronic

newsletter resulting in a 20% increase in readership and exceeding

expectations.

Led cross-functional teams in the development, regulatory and legal

approval, and implementation of sales incentive/promotion campaigns,

resulting in successful new product launches and increased sales production

for financial services. One regional promotion resulted in a 75% increase

in sales and another countrywide promotion resulted in a 45% lift in sales

over a current year trend.

Invigorated communications for a field force of more than 15,000 agents and

sales managers with a $2.2B national sales plan. Championed the efforts of

agent advisory committees with projects including the creation and

distribution of streaming video resulting in an 11% sales increase.

Bank One Corporation/Zurich Life, Schaumburg, IL

Zurich Financial Services Group is an insurance-based financial services

provider with a global network of subsidiaries and offices in North America

and Europe as well as in Asia Pacific, Latin America and other markets.

Senior Director, Marketing and Communications

2000 - 2004

Built a national presence in advertising and public relations supporting

marketing campaigns and major business channels. This annual media campaign

included the successful promotion of customer-facing articles, the writing

and placement of more than a dozen bylined articles and cover stories in

trade publications, and the development of advertising campaigns aligned to

marketing and business strategy.

joanne m. Saccomanno Page Two

Launched successful rebranding initiatives and led the team responsible for

redesigning corporate communications, intranet and extranet web sites,

print materials, and channel communications.

Directed the communication team and partnered with Discover Financial

Services to develop and implement communication for a joint proprietary

product. This first-time ever project included the resolution of branding

and compliance issues as well as the creation of tailored sales strategies.

Designed and executed a multi-dimensional marketing and communication

strategy to launch a new recruitment and sales campaign in the state of New

York. Penetrated this market by dramatically increasing the number of

independent sales agents, which drove application count 350% higher than

previous year and more than doubled sales in three months.

Energized new business opportunities by developing integrated, tailored

communication plans in direct and business channels. Plans outlined

strategy/tactics to increase sales production and to recruit new agents.

Deployed integrated approach to industry and distributor-sponsored

conferences. Managed all aspects of conference participation, including

theme development, special marketing materials, and media outreach.

Allstate Insurance Company, Northbrook, IL

Senior Marketing Manager, Allstate Financial .

1999 - 2000

Assistant Client Manager/Senior Communications Consultant, Corporate

Relations 1990 - 1999

Revitalized client relationships with internal clients, such as Human

Resources, Finance, and Life Insurance, by managing successful projects

such as the first-ever companywide satellite broadcast and quarterly

communication meetings for employees.

Designed and managed a practical, audience-biased strategy of communicating

to employees countrywide. Researched and wrote material for executive

presentations, board meetings, newswires, and press releases. Created

business writing guide as instructional and reference tool.

As editor of award-winning company publications, spearheaded an audit and

expense management of communications and marketing materials, resulting in

a company savings of more than $50,000 per year.

Created and implemented communication and marketing strategies to launch

new distribution channel into the financial services market. Transformed

the communication system and marketing materials to support the sales goals

of broker/dealers, key accounts, and representatives for multi-distribution

channels.

Constructed and coordinated strategic counsel and key messaging between

parent company and subsidiaries. Formulated and executed a comprehensive

communication plan for business units and for corporate clients.

Wrote and directed distribution of promotional and reference materials,

including training materials, brochures, and comprehensive tool kits, to

multi-distribution channels.

Directed corporate communication events such as kick-off meetings and

anniversary events. Led the communication team, researched historical

statistics, benchmarked similar industry events, and produced all

accompanying materials and presentations for distribution to employees.

ADVANCED EDUCATION

Master of Business Administration, Management Loyola

University, Chicago

Master of Arts, English Loyola

University, Chicago

RECOGNITION

Allstate Chairman's Award (recognizing the top 1% of Allstate employees)

Bank One Corporation Performance Award

Zurich Life Performance Award

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