Sales Marketing

Professional Experience

BestSweet Inc. Mooresville,

NC

Associate Brand Manager January 2009

- Present

Special Accomplishments:

> Launched 2 line extensions, securing national distribution in Walmart

and Dollar Tree; earned over $2MM in incremental sales.

> Developed nation-wide sampling program in conjunction with Baskin

Robbins/Dunkin' Donuts stores. Program earned over 3MM media

impressions and garnered 38% sales lift.

> Designed and executed a new shipper promotional program responsive to

customers' needs. New design focused on sustainability (reducing

materials by 20%) and maximized brand equity.

Essential Responsibilities:

. Manage all aspects of national Baskin Robbins candy brand, and Bee M.D.

organic cough drop brand, sold in major retailers across the U.S.

Retailers include: Walmart, Target, Walgreens, Rite Aid, & Dollar

General

. Develop long and short-range marketing plans, new products, packaging,

advertising and sales promotion programs geared to achieve corporate

profit, volume and share objectives

. Constantly evaluate and analyze the consumer landscape of CPG confection

and cough/cold categories to discover new opportunities for brand

expansion

. Develop marketing strategies, indentify media vehicles, employ and direct

the services of advertising and media agencies, and manage campaigns to

ensure maximum value for expenditures

. Analyze and interpret market research data to identify trends and

opportunities to increase market share

. Provide thought leadership on new product development strategy and ensure

potential opportunities are grounded in consumer understanding

. Initiate line extensions and new product development objectives for

introduction in marketplace

. Develop new package design, sales collateral material, and marketing

support materials

. Review design of all branded materials in order to maintain the integrity

of the brand in a manner consistent with the position and image of the

brand

. Interact cross-functionally with the Legal, Finance, Market Research,

Sales, Operations, and Innovations Departments to create and execute

marketing brand expansion strategy

Insource Contract Services Charlotte, NC

Sales and Marketing Manager February

2005 - November 2008

Special Accomplishments:

> Instrumental in new business development through extensive marketing

initiative resulting in $3.8MM in revenue

> Designed and launched customized direct mail program, generating a 30%

response rate from new prospects (Direct Marketing Association

research suggests average response rate is 2.64%)

> Lead complete brochure development, including drafting text, selecting

images, and serving as liaison with graphic design firm through design

negotiation, providing a versatile marketing piece utilized company-

wide

Essential Responsibilities:

. Manage the development and execution of all corporate marketing,

communication and public relations efforts

. Develop and manage the company's direct marketing strategies to

effectively communicate the value proposition, improve brand awareness,

and generate qualified leads for the Business Development team

. Initiate marketing and sales programs in conjunction with Business

Development team: develop segmented direct marketing plans, prepare sales

proposals, and prospecting materials

. Develop public relations strategy including building relationships with

key media members, writing and editing news releases, and managing

editorial calendar

. Evaluate the effectiveness of marketing campaigns and recommend future

direction of sales/marketing efforts

. Manage website content and review site analytics to glean meaningful web

trends

. Coordinate quarterly and annual forecasting and provide reports for

executive management team

. Author, design and edit internal/external communication materials such

as newsletters, FAQs and brochures

. Provide support to CEO and Senior Vice President, including preparing

presentations and ghost writing

Safe-Strap Co., Inc. Fairfield, NJ

Marketing Manager July 2003 -

January 2005

Special Accomplishments:

> Successfully introduced three new product lines to market:

shopping and garment bags, belts and holsters, and Hang Under

> Served as project lead for acquisition of new tradeshow booth

resulting in 20% reduction in trade show freight charges

> Proactively identified opportunity to reduce cost of printed

marketing collateral by establishing relationship with new printing

vendor resulting in 10% savings and a significant quality improvement

Essential Responsibilities:

. Managed all aspects of 10 domestic and international tradeshows

annually, including: pre-show mailings, exhibitor registration,

logistics, booth set-up/tear-down, selling activities, lead follow-up,

and post-show analysis

. Developed positioning, branding, marketing themes and key selling points

for products

. Assisted with market research and development of strategic marketing

plans

. Developed and implemented product training for sales team and key

distributors

. Managed effective communications with sales force and international

distributors, responding to requests timely

. Maintained image, copy write and patent content management system

. Managed direct mail program comprising: writing, editing and designing

direct mail pieces to convey effective messaging; managing schedule and

logistics for large volume mailings; tracking and analyzing costs and

results

. Prepared news releases and produced media kits to introduce new

products, showcase products for industry competitions, and announce

tradeshow exhibitions

. Managed creation and development of literature for products

. Effectively managed relationships with ad agency, graphic design firm,

and printing firm

. Worked in tandem with consulting firm hired to develop and implement

customized Sales Logix database

. Planned, developed and executed Sales Logix training strategy for

multiple user groups including Sales, Marketing and Customer Service

Volunteer Experience

American Marketing Association Charlotte, NC

Vice President of Collegiate Relations October

2007 - October 2009

Special Accomplishments:

> Pioneered drive for new collegiate members and developed new

relationships with marketing faculty at area colleges and

universities benefiting the professional chapter by expanding our

resources in academia

> Orchestrated "Student Focus Month" providing a forum where

graduating marketing students were afforded the opportunity to

showcase their experiences for professional marketing recruiters-

event produced a ten-fold increase in student attendance

Responsibilities:

. Establish contact with marketing departments of area colleges and

universities and build relationships with key faculty members to foster

collegiate membership growth

. Serve as liaison between professional chapter and collegiate chapters, as

well as between the professional chapter and the collegiate chapter

departments at the AMA International Headquarters

. Provide assistance to local collegiate chapters and foster exchange of

benefits between the professional and collegiate chapters

. Lead students in efforts to establish collegiate chapters and help

students organize, develop and conduct programs

Education

Gardner-Webb University Boiling

Springs, NC

Bachelor of Arts, Communication Studies 2002

Professional Organizations

American Marketing Association - Board Member, Charlotte Chapter

National Forensic League, Debate and Speech Honor Society - Alumna

Students In Free Enterprise - Alumna

Nicole Watson

345 Mount Side Way . Fort Mill, SC 28115 - 704-***-**** -

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

Nicole Watson - 701 Highland Ave NE, # 2518, Atlanta, GA 30312 - (704)

607.5277 - ******@************.***

Contact this candidate