Development Sales
Resume:
Philip Clark
*** ****** *********, **** ***
Weehawken, New Jersey 07086
**************@*****.***
EXPERIENCE:
Independent Product Development, Retail and Branding Consultant
2007 - 2008 and 2010 - Present
Successfully created business comprised of short and long-term project
contract-work for various companies looking to create or extend a brand.
Managed multiple clients with vastly differing needs while building and
marketing a sustainable, profitable business.
Director of Gift and Stationery
2008 - 2010
Barnes & Noble - Sterling Publishing Division
New York, New York
Built $5+ million dollar wholesale business called "ecosystem." Led all
development activities associated with the brand and product-line including
creative, production, marketing, on-line, sales and operations. Also
responsible for evaluation of Sterling Publishing content partnerships for
potential gift and stationery product opportunities for sale in Barnes &
Noble stores. P&L responsibility for ecosystem and content-based gift and
stationery initiatives. Led small team of internal resources and extensive
team of external creative, product sourcing, and marketing resources.
Director of Merchandise, Home & Lifestyle
2005 - 2007
Starbucks Coffee Company
Seattle, Washington
Strategically transformed Starbuck's retail lobby business model driving
31% average store merchandise comp increase in FY 2006. Created re-
positioning plan and product strategy driving comp store sales growth,
20.5% increased gross margin, and improved customer lobby experience.
. P&L responsibility for $440 million dollar retail business comprised of
four merchandise departments. Managed team of eight.
. Responsible for serveware, gift pack, games/toys/collectibles/social
expression, and packaged food skus sold in over 7000 retail locations and
thousands of additional licensed store locations
. Drove 31% year over year average comp growth (+12% over FY06 budget
expectations). Increased gross margin by 20.5% FY05 vs. FY06.
Director, Stationery Licensing - School, Social, Memories, Calendars, Wrap,
Party 2003-2005
The Walt Disney Company
Burbank, California
Charted successful strategic marketing plan for Disney Consumer Products
licensed stationery and party goods business. Managed $225 million dollar
wholesale product category and P&L while implementing five-year strategic
plan incorporating innovative new business opportunities such as "Direct-To-
Retail" licensor/retailer partnerships and an extensive marketing viability
study of all existing Disney properties and brands as they relate to the
Stationery market category. Managed team of six.
Vice President of Marketing & Licensing
2000-2002
Statcard.com
Norwalk, Connecticut
Created new on-line / off-Line interactive toy product and brand. Member of
Statcard.com .com start-up based on smart-card enabled technology, Internet
game-development/play, and trading card play. Successfully sold new
interactive toy concept into Toys R Us retail chain.
Director Brand & Product Development - Licensing
1996-2000
Discovery Communications
New York, New York
Led Discovery Communication off-air brand licensing strategy, product
development and retail implementation for key brands and properties.
Developed and executed trade and consumer brand marketing, merchandising,
and promotional effort for Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, TLC, and The
Crocodile Hunter. This included the seamless brand integration of
Discovery's on-line sites and retail stores. Built and executed both direct-
to-retailer and to manufacturer licensing strategies and programs. Managed
team of two and multiple outside contract resources.
Buyer / Product Manager
1990-1996
Warner Bros. Studio Stores
Burbank, California
Member of very small team founding and developing Warner Bros. Studio
Stores. As part of this group, conceived of, strategically planned, and
ultimately executed retail store and brand marketing and merchandising plan
anchored by the successful Warner Bros. Studios Stores. During rapid
growth of stores, primary contributor to activities such as merchandise
direct-souring plan, store construction and development planning, real
estate strategy and evaluation, and planning and distribution control
strategy development-in addition to basic duties as Home, Gift and Seasonal
merchant. Grew to160+ stores by 1996. Managed team of three.
Executive Trainee / Assistant Buyer
1989 to 1990
May Department Stores, Robinson's Division
Los Angeles, California
Served as Men's Accessories Assistant Buyer and Upholstered Furniture
Assistant Buyer at Robinson's division of May Department Stores.
EDUCATION:
Master of Arts, Communication Management.
1987-1989
University of Southern California's Annenberg School of Communications
Los Angeles, California
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Radio, Television and Film.
1983-1987
University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music; Radio, Television
and Film Cincinnati, Ohio
Client List and Project/Consulting Experience
Avon Products and Avon Canada
. Client Contact: Janet Parks, Executive Director Avon Fashion and Home
. Prior Relationship with Janet: Direct supervisor as former VP Merchandise
at Starbucks
. Contract Assignments: Role and responsibilities have evolved dependent on
need during consulting period. Last role was with Avon Canada
performing an in-depth assessment of their Kids and Home categories and
the Canadian marketplace to create a go-forward strategy for growing
the business in the short and long-term. From November 2011 to May 2012,
my role was as acting Executive Director of the North American Jewelry,
Watch and Home businesses managing a team of 18 with. My initial role at
Avon was to create product plans for the North American Gift and Home
business. This involved competitive analysis, category trend
interpretation, sales and research evaluation, and application of all
information to specific Avon representative and consumer needs.
. Dates Retained: September 2010 to October 2012
Li & Fung Products
. Client Contact: Henry Chan, Executive Director at Li & Fung
. Prior Relationship with Henry: Key executive contact at Li & Fung for
over my 20 years of interaction with the company-beginning in 1992 with
when Li & Fung became the exclusive sourcing agent for Warner Bros.
Studios Stores.
. Contract Assignments: Home and gift product and merchandise story concept
development for key Li & Fung North American hard goods retail
customers. Includes all PD activities from initial ideation of products,
client "sell-in," and daily product development guidance and mentoring.
Also contracted to create new business relationships for Li & Fung in the
North American market.
. Dates Retained: June 2012 to Present
Things Remembered
. Client Contact: Linda Postell, SVP Merchandising
. Prior Relationship with Linda: Direct supervisor as SVP Merchandising,
Warner Bros. Studio Stores
. Contract Assignments: Product ideation, assortment planning, and
sourcing. Multiple trips to China for extensive product development
meetings. Daily buyer consultation and guidance in development of
cohesive, brand appropriate assortment of products.
. Dates Retained: August 2007 to August 2008
Barnes & Noble
. Client Contact: Bill Miller, VP Gift and Stationery for B&N
. Prior Relationship with Bill: Business contact during my tenure at
Discovery Communications
. Contract Assignments: Direct consultation with "Cafe Gift" buyer in
developing meaningful, seasonally appropriate assortment for the B&N
Cafes. Vendor interviews, selection and guidance.
. Dates Retained: February 2007 to August 2008 (when I was offered a full-
time position with Barnes & Noble owned Sterling Publishing)
Pylones USA
. Client Contact: Alan Ceppos, Owner Sarut Group/Plyones USA
. Prior Relationship with Alan: Starbucks vendor while I was Merchandise
Director at Starbucks
. Contract Assignments: Project work to help Pylones USA develop new
business opportunities including Macy's Cellar roll-out of Plyones
Shops, exclusive Sarut product for Macy's Pylones Shops, and Pylones USA
expansion to partner with airport retail developer/operator.
. Dates Retained: September 2010 to November 2010
Disney Theatrical Productions (Broadway and Travelling Stage Shows)
. Client Contact: Steve Downing, Vice President Disney Theatrical
Merchandising Worldwide
. Prior Relationship with Steve: Warner Bros Studio Stores buying and
product development colleague
. Contract Assignments: Product assortment extension for existing key
productions such as "Mary Poppins', "The Lion King", and "Beauty and
The Beast." Activities included review and evaluation of current
assortments/North America and International shows) and new product
ideation.
. Dates Retained: June 2012 to Present
Guideposts Publishing
. Client Contact: Anne Adriance, SVP New Business Development at Guideposts
. Prior Relationship with Anne: While at Warner Bros. Studio Stores, Anne,
in her position as VP Licensing at Turner Broadcasting, was a primary
business contact during Time Warner acquisition of Turner
. Contract Assignments: Provide consultation in development of new brand
business plan for wholesale distribution to retailers; participate in
development of every aspect of this plan including consumer and retail
marketing plans, operations, buying, product development, sales, and
production. Follow and advise on all aspects of business and brand
development to launch August 2011 test.
. Dates Retained: September 2010 to January 2012
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