Sales Manager

GEORGE A. GESSE

*** ********* ( Itasca, Illinois 60143

(h) 630-***-**** (c) 847-***-**** ( abmmn8@r.postjobfree.com

EXECUTIVE LEVEL MANAGEMENT

Strategic Marketing ( Communications ( Brand Management

Savvy marketing specialist, strategic planner, and creative product

developer with +20 years experience impacting the visibility,

profitability, and performance of multiple products/services within diverse

fields. Expert resolution of top-level issues and creation of viable

solutions with market impact. Have demonstrated skillful targeting of

diverse audiences through design and execution of innovative marketing

campaigns, the utilization of multiple communication platforms and the

development and training of personnel. Track record of generating new

revenue streams through effective identification and pursuit of

opportunities.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE / SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE

. Product and Service Marketing . Product Champion Building/Opinion Leader

Development (KOL) .

. Product Launch, Product Placement, Development and Line Extension ( Data

Trend Analysis .

. Market Research ( Market Penetration Analysis ( Forecasting ( Strategic

Business Planner

. Marketing Plan Development, Segmentation Strategies . Budgeting .

. Product Line and Division P&L . Brand Management and Marketing Consulting

( Account Management (

( Client Relations ( Staff Development . Corporate Image and Identity .

Global Branding ( Creative Management ( . Media Relations ( PR (

Advertising and Campaign Design (Print/Electronic/Broadcast) .

. Collateral Development (Brochure/Sales/Promotional) . Copywriting (

Graphic Design (Promotion Testing .

. Web Integration . Meeting-Convention (Booth Activities and Graphics) .

Corporate Sponsorships .

. Multi-Project Management . Telemarketing . Promotion Development .

Integrated Marketing (

( Cross Functional Team Development ( Vendor-Supplier Negotiations (

. Dealer Incentives . ROI Proposals . Lead Prospecting (

. B2B, B2C and 3-Tier Distribution (Distributors, Dealers and Resellers) (

Retail ( Wholesale ( OEM (

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

TITAN COMMUNICATIONS, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina ( 2006-Present

Regional advertising agency serving the Midwest and Southeastern US. Annual

revenue $8M.

Director of Marketing and Brand Development

Collaborate with clients to develop brand strategy, marketing plans,

advertising and promotion. Utilize worldwide, domestic and local resources

for print and electronic media to proactively position and enhance client

market share. Leverage market research to set brand direction, position and

drive awareness and value.

Supervised up to 5 highly skilled professionals per project including

graphic artists, copywriters, marketing/traffic coordinators, and

production managers. Served as a consultant on specialized projects.

Partner with Account Executives and President to review important projects,

report progress and resolve challenges.

Key Accomplishments

. Launched imaging, processing and software systems for a top tier nuclear

medicine equipment remanufacturing company. Grew business 50% in 18

months.

. Created a client sales system and customer retention program for a spa

and wellness center which generated 30% consumer product sales from

existing customers and grew active customer base 20% per year.

. Increased profits by nearly $250K through expert re-launch of technical

installation and customizing materials, including dealer sales packages

to cross sell equipment and build secondary product lines.

. Developed lead generating programs and product collateral for SPSS 15.0

for Windows Software and Clementine Data Mining Tools Software for SPSS

that increased response almost 200%.

. Designed a successful marketing program for Lyle Industries, a top

manufacturer/seller of turnkey packaging machinery. Trained application

engineers in marketing tactics to improve sales effectiveness.

. To improve business while keeping a client's sales team at current

minimum, produced full line catalogs, corporate brochures and web

resources for Schlegel Automotive products for auto-body/repair shops

and automobile manufacturers.

GEORGE A. GESSE ( Page 2 ( abmmn8@r.postjobfree.com

GENERAL CHEMICAL AMERICA INC. (GC AMERICA INC.), Alsip, Illinois ( 1993-

2006

Manufacturer/seller of high quality healthcare, dental operatory and

laboratory chemical, compounds and materials. Annual revenue $76M.

Creative Manager, Advertising/Communications Manager, Marketing Services

Manager

Oversaw highly successful sales programs for the dealer/distributors to

market products to a client base of healthcare professionals. Collaborated

with European, Pacific Rim and South American divisions to oversee

marketing activities, streamline communication and data flow and anticipate

competitive activities. Directed advertising, use of promotions and general

sales and distributor/dealer support activities. Identified optimal

agencies for media placement, printing, mailing services, exhibits and PR

development.

Managed up to 6 direct reports including graphics specialists, advertising

clerks, product managers/analysts, copywriters, illustrators, marketing

services assistants, webmasters and telemarketers. Resolved field dealer

and distributor issues. Mentored and trained sales personnel in developing

territories and resource optimization. Served as liaison with vendors and

outside agencies. Represented corporation at outside functions. Authored

marketing operating budget proposal accounting for sales input and industry

trends. Chaired bi-monthly team meetings to review progress, sales results

and product roll out schedules. Oversaw expenditures to ensure budget

compliance. Established and ensured consistent corporate image throughout

all product lines, packaging, promotional materials and events. Recommended

product positioning, packaging and pricing strategy to maximize market

share. Achieved excellent P&L ratio in relation to goals, industry and

economic trends.

Key Accomplishments

. Led a group of 16 managers and associates to relaunch a 15-year-old

product by repositioning it in the market (following extensive research)

utilizing direct comparison advertising and promotion against the market

leader. Went from 150K to 1.5 Mil. in 6 months and 2.5 Mil. in 2nd year.

. Designed one of the top 3 industry sites (www.gcamerica.com) used to

develop e-newsletter subscribers, allow web-based Accredited Continuing

Education, and provide multimedia presentations on products. Also

integrated a secure dealer coop and advertising artwork dissemination

system into the site.

. In just over 5 years, rocketed total sales from $26M to $76M by

integrating programs through dealer, distributors and end users.

. Solved 3rd world "knock-off" problems by adjusting packaging, adding

barcode and origin seal. Eliminated an estimated $1 Mil. lost sales.

. Offloaded short shelf life over-production by creating a highly

effective meeting and sampling promotion utilizing a "rub-off" coupon

that saved over $250,000 in scrap and set eight meeting sales records in

a row.

. Saved $310K minimum per year in creative expenses and cut turn-around

time by building an in-house creative department.

. Prepared product/advertising briefs, proposal format and procedural

protocols to streamline and improve creative activities and trained key

account reps on the use of these tools so they could more effectively,

efficiently and expeditiously service accounts.

. Improved database marketing and reporting resulting in increased sales

leads, performance analysis and relationship marketing programs.

. Launched an average of 5 new products per year, establishing the company

as an innovative leader.

. Landed #1 market position through superior re-branding and consumer

education for an underachieved medical product by intense market

research and consumer focus groups.

. Blasted into the market with a 22% market share within 3 months of roll

out of new dental product, cosmetic composite material by developing

pier-reviewed blind prduct comparison data and having the opinion

leaders themselves evaluate the products. Achieved a record $2.5M in 2nd

quarter sales by publishing a performance test and setting up sales

presentations of a new medical product, intraoral resin cement to

regional distributor meetings.

Continued on page

GEORGE A. GESSE ( Page 3 ( abmmn8@r.postjobfree.com

ELKAY MANUFACTURING COMPANY ( 1991-1993

Marketing Services Manager, Graphics/Print Production Manager

. Developed unique sales tools to push product lines into top national

chains such as Builder's Square, Home Depot, Ace, TruValue, Menards and

Sears.

. Raised awareness of major water cooler and drinking fountain products

through improved specification sheets, dramatic sell sheets, targeted

direct mail, wholesaler marketing tools and P.O.P. materials.

. Saved an annual 30% in creative production expenses through upgrading

advertising and communications to electronic publishing and "direct-to-

film" prepress.

. Authored 2 commercials for cable network and matching dealer mailers to

strengthen market image and take advantage of #2 market position.

. Supervised 4 people including marketing coordinator, distribution

foreman, fulfillment clerk and marketing services secretary.

MIDWEST DENTAL DIVISION OF GENDEX ( 1980-1990

Marketing Communications Manager

. Raised instrument sales +50% through the implementation of an Infection

Control Awareness Program designed to support sterilized handpiece

products.

. Initiated 4 large corporate identity programs including signage,

advertising and re-packaging as business changed owners.

. Increased 40% the repair/service division through a broad-based brand

recognition and quality assurance program. Guaranteed successful

completion of repair in 2 days to eliminate threat of third party repair

service.

. Executed 5 product launches, raising +$500K within 24 months by

utilizing alternative marketing sources and team tasking concepts.

. Boosted X-ray sales 50% YOY by developing a dealer sales/training

program with a major university.

. Direct reports included technical publications group (illustrator,

technical writer and typesetter), meeting and conventions supervisor,

copywriter and marketing coordinator.

EDUCATION

. Bachelor of Arts ~ Marketing Communications and Journalism

Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, Illinois .

. Engineering Technology ~ 2 year curriculum

Triton College, River Grove, Illinois .

MARKET & INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE

Healthcare (Nuclear Imaging, X-Ray, 3D Imaging, Oral Care, Medical and

Dental Equipment, Biocompatible Materials, Wellness and Therapy Centers);

Home Improvement (Plumbing, Water Delivery, Kitchen and Bath); Automotive

(Aftermarket and OEM); Software (Data Mining and Predictive Analysis);

Telecommunications (Service Systems, Fax and Printer); Engineering

(Construction, Municipal Planning, Foundation Reinforcement); Industrial

(Machinery, Packaging Equipment and Product Manufacturing); and Hospitality

(Hotels, Restaurants and Loft Conversions). Have experience in retail,

wholesale, OEM, IT, heavy machinery and hospitality industries.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

. Supervision and Management Certificate Engineering Technology Program .

. Pneumatics, Hydraulics and Fluid Power Course Completion Certificate Air

Control Design School .

. Rockhurst University, Seminar Group Flash Attack & Designing with

Dreamweaver Workshop CE Certificates .

. Dentistry Update Course Certificate - Clinical Research Associates . CSA

Compliance Training .

. Annual HAZMAT Training . EEO Awareness Training . Quality Circle Leader

.

. ISO 9000 Certification Team Member .

SOFTWARE KNOWLEDGE

. MAC OS 8, 9 & 10. Windows 2000 and XP (Able to configure Macs and PCs) .

. Digital Video, Audio . Microsoft (Office) Word, Excel, PowerPoint,

Outlook Express

. Quark Express ( Freehand ( Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, In-Design, Adobe

Premiere ( SoundTrack (

. Acid Sound ( Macromedia/Adobe Flash (MX & 8 & CS), Dreamweaver (MX, 8 &

CS3) (

. Brio ( Notes ( Entourage ( Safari . Explorer ( Firefox .

Awards

MM&M (Medical Marketing and Media Journal) Finalist and 3rd Place Plaque

Best Product Launch Advertisement in Consumer Press, Category 2 - Sales

under 5 Billion

Award of Excellence, Division 2 Point of Purchase Materials

Printing Industry of Illinois/Indiana Association, 2005

Portfolio and References Available upon request

Contact this candidate