ANITA BLACKWOOD
** ********* *****, ********* ******
Singapore 558714
+65 9724 6685 – *****@**********.***
SENIOR MARKETING EXECUTIVE
Strategic Planning ~ Global Programs ~ Fiscal Management
Seasoned senior executive with experience in brand management, public relations, marketing communications and
events in global organizations. Direct strategic planning and execution for campaigns, product launches, trade
shows, global meetings, key customer events, and sales programs. Proven ability to develop and promote a
powerful corporate image through the design and implementation of strategies, programs, and industry
relationships. Excellent communication, presentation and collaboration skills, complemented by effective resource
and staff management expertise.
Core Competencies:
Public Relations, Brand and Event Management ~ Organizational Development ~ Teambuilding & Mentoring
Contract Development & Negotiations ~ Vendor Selection & Management
Operations Management ~ Customer Relationship Management ~ Program Analysis
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
LENOVO PTE. LTD, Singapore
Executive Director, Emerging Markets, Corporate Marketing (May 2008 - Present)
Responsible for regional management of marketing functions and personnel in ASEAN, India, Hong Kong, Taiwan,
Korea, Russia, Middle East, Africa, and Eastern Europe. This includes ensuring integrated marketing plans with
brand, communications (internal/external/CSR), demand generation, and events.
Increased marketing efficiency/expense management as per Lenovo Global Marketing Blueprint which
includes: organizational restructuring, driving to a global campaign for demand generation and agency
spend reduction.
Developed integrated marketing plans across the regions focusing on strategic markets (India and
ASEAN) as outlined by the senior leadership team. Developed standard templates for plans, budgets,
and reviews.
Worked closely with global marketing HUB in India to drive process improvement with the Asia Pacific
team. Participated in the re-engineering process drive positive metrics.
Managed the marketing on the Lenovo Asia Pacific server launch, driving the first regional lead integrated
(public relations, brand, events) program in ANZ, Japan, India and Singapore.
Lead cross-functional team on Alliance compliance and claiming process for Asia Pacific.
DELL, INC. Austin, Texas
Director, Dell Event Marketing (1998-2008)
Direct comprehensive planning, execution and analysis for a broad range of customer, internal, and sales events
and other key programs, including incentive trips, trade shows, product launches, road shows, and public relations
events. Manage a departmental staff of 35 employees and five contractors, divided among three teams: Events
Programs, Event Support & Logistics, and Executive Briefing Center. Hold additional dotted-line responsibilities for
five Event Managers in EMEA and assist others in the APJ region. Manage creative development (theme, marcom
design, website design). Accountable for audience generation, content facilitation, executive messaging and
scheduling, production, and all onsite logistics. Ensure the delivery of flawless programs that meet or exceed
expectations within strictly budgeted frameworks. Essentially accountable for presenting the face of the company at
the highest possible professional level to customers.
continued...
Source, evaluate and select third-party vendors: event management firms, production and creative
agencies, destination management companies, and other suppliers as needed. Manage these critical
relationships to ensure optimal service and timely deliverables.
Negotiate all aspects of detailed agreements, including financial matters. Maintain control of the overall
event marketing budget through control of events budgets.
Effectively managed a merger of several groups that resulted in a 40% smaller staff available to handle the
same workload. Revised and reorganized procedures and implemented new technology tools to effectively
meet ongoing global demands with no reduction in quality or service.
Redesigned the Executive Briefing Center in conjunction with Facilities and Brand Management groups and
used this experience to develop a Customer Engagement Center style guide to ensure a consistent look
and feel in customer centers worldwide. Deployed the new designs in a rolling project that has thus far
included sites in China, UK, Canada, Poland, and the U.S.
Developed a registration SuperSite that facilitates design and personalization of registration sites for each
event and provides a back-end database of customers by event.
Integrated the Technology Showcase into the Executive Briefing Center, a project incorporating both
personnel and physical resources.
Developed a survey tool to more effectively manage customer loyalty and qualitative information received
from customers attending events.
Engaged in a current effort to leverage similar events across EMEA and APJ to achieve cost savings.
IBM, Atlanta, Georgia
Senior Program Manager (1997-1998)
Managed P&L of portfolio of domestic and international conferences for a product market segment group. Held
complete fiscal accountability for the profitability of significant revenue-generating programs.
Defined and developed the business case with analysis and projections.
Oversaw a cross-functional team responsible for marketing, database, logistics and sponsorship.
ZIFFDAVIS/COMDEX FORUMS, San Mateo, California
Senior Program Manager (1996-1997)
Managed and produced large industry Internet developers conference and expo events attended by as many as
10,000 professionals. Responsibility for fiscal management and P&L of customer conferences. Recruited, hired and
managed three marketing specialists. Managed relationships with major client organizations, including Sun
Microsystems (Java Soft), Netscape and Silicon Graphics.
Planned and executed operational logistics including site planning, audiovisual production, signage, décor,
security, transportation, food and beverage, and special parties.
Managed vendor relationships and negotiated agreements.
NOVELL, INC., Provo, Utah
Global Program Manager / Global Marcom Manager (1994-1996)
Served as the corporate Marketing Communications liaison to a 15-member group of internal communications and
marketing professionals geographically dispersed across Asia Pacific and Latin America. Accountable for ensuring
consistency in all brand, corporate messages, marketing communication programs and initiatives worldwide.
Developed influential relationships with worldwide regional sales management and served as the central
source of information on all corporate marketing activities.
Skillfully managed global cross-cultural relationships in helping to develop a worldwide presence for Novell.
Planned and rolled out the Novell Consulting Partners Program in Asia Pacific.
Facilitated the globalization of the company through its marketing functions.
ANITA BLACKWOOD
PAGE 3
Event Project Manager (1989-1994)
Managed all Novell strategic corporate events, including annual technical conferences and sales events attended
by 500-5000 individuals. Other significant events included important strategic reseller conferences, OEM symposia,
and major cross-product launches. In addition, handled strategy, planning and execution for press conferences and
all events surrounding major trade shows.
Successfully managed annual programs budgeted at more than $2.0M in the aggregate, delivering high
quality events that met all strategic goals within budgeted expenditures.
EDUCATION / AFFILIATIONS
Bachelor of Science Retail Merchandising (completed 3.5 years)
BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY – Provo, UT
Member, Computer Events Managers Association (2002-Present)
Participate in meetings, conferences, and training events.
Appointed to the Technical Events Managers Steering Committee (2003), an effort involving senior
level members whose goal is to introduce quantifiable performance measurement and analysis into the
industry. (Companies represented include Intel, Microsoft, and IBM)