Sales Manager

Kevin Simkins

**** ***** ******** **. *******, Illinois 60659

Phone: 312-***-**** (mobile)

E-mail: ************@*****.***

Executive Summary:

Over 25 years of experience as a tech and media professional, entrepreneur, innovator, senior tech manager, sales manager and advertising sales representative. 2018 Solar System Ambassador for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a proven advertising operations manager, an award winning virtual-reality (VR) expert, solutions provider, project manager, accomplished industry author and trend forecaster. Developed and managed both sales and tech teams, identified business potential, generated and converted leads. Competitive leader in the fields of Interactive 3D application simulations, collaboration tools and artificial intelligence. Extensive experience with latest Web technologies and application development tools including site monetization, display advertising, analytics, e-commerce and m-commerce solutions. Professional Experience:

10/2017 – Current

Consultant – Various Clients, Chicagoland

07/2013 - 09/2017

Ad Operations Manager – Sears Holdings Corp. (SHC) Hoffman Estates, IL.

• Awarded both “Super Star” status in May 2017 and “Rock Star” status in June 2016. The prestigious lifetime Rock Star badge is awarded to only 10 SHC associates per year who have consistently gone above and beyond in demonstrating Cultural Beliefs and driving outstanding business results. The Rock Star Award is the highest-level award given out by the Recognition Champions of the Star Awards program.

• Worked with multiple SHC teams (ex: Engineering, Tag Management, Taxonomy, Creative, Analytics, Search, etc.)

• Increased advertising revenue 3X year over year through sale of display advertising and other digital media forms.

• Managed all aspects of Ad Server and was the subject matter expert for all things campaign management/execution.

• Responsible for the day-to-day trafficking and management of digital media campaign (programmatic, direct deals, private-marketplace, open rtb exchanges, cost per click, etc.) for all SHC desktop/mobile sites (Sears, Kmart, etc.)

• Monitored and ensured all campaign and creative objectives were met. Managed client expectations and time-lines.

• Provided daily, weekly and monthly campaign/creative performance reports to both function and project managers.

• Oversaw inventory forecasting and communicated findings to internal/external management, sales teams and others.

• Provided quality assurance (QA) for all SHC websites. Trusted escalation-point for advanced troubleshooting and debugging efforts for all direct and programmatic campaigns and creative – including Google AdSense delivery.

• Kept pace with newest digital trends and technologies to enhance site performance and meet business objectives.

• Implemented solutions that increased the effectiveness and efficiencies of the Ad Ops department, including the taxonomy of the ad server, development of tools, processes, organization and reports related to job responsibilities.

• Advanced understanding of the latest digital media advancements for trafficking rich media (ex: ability to optimize HTML5), dynamic creative, mobile and video ads units. Possesses working knowledge of Flash, HTML, XML, and JavaScript. Extensive experience trafficking VAST & V-PAID video ad tags.

• Liaison to multiple internal/external teams and stakeholders to ensure seamless integration of site monetization solutions for online business units. Resource to team members in assessing ideas and direction. Facilitated site monetization concepts and initiatives from development to presentation to execution.

• Managed 3rd parties to optimize campaign performances, audience segmentations, collect data and generate reports.

• Provided quality assurance for 3rd party tags and creatives to ensure specifications and serving requirements are met.

• Excellent technical and analytical skills with strong business acumen. Exceptional problem-solving skills and abilities. Possesses the drive to work independently and the communication skills to work on a thriving team. Proven ability to accommodate evolving responsibilities and last-minute changes. Possesses forensic attention to detail and has a strong passion for working with large sets of data. Able to manage high pressure and fast paced environment. 05/2010 - 05/2013

CEO/Founder (Self-Owned Business) – VyperSim.com Chicago, IL.

• Designed, developed and deployed some of the highest quality and fidelity Interactive 3D application training simulations for investor-owned utility (oil and gas) companies. My mission was to save lives and save equipment.

• Focused on providing dynamic virtual solutions to organizations seeking to connect and train their people, prototype their products and simulate real life scenarios. Helped organizations define their needs, assess the potential of their existing tools and technologies, and create and implement virtual solutions that were scalable and accessible. Kevin Simkins Phone: 1-312-***-**** mobile E-mail: ************@*****.*** Page 2 01/2005 - 05/2010

Vice-President of Sales and Business Development – 3DInternet Inc. Chicago, IL.

• Responsible for all sales operations and efforts within the United States. Introduced innovative products and leading- edge 3D training solutions to new markets and drove them to dramatic growth.

• Established 3Dinternet as a preferred supplier and vendor of customized e-learning software, 3D training solutions and digital marketing tools for major utility (electric and gas) companies.

• Designed and implemented the company’s sales marketing campaigns for targeted industries. Authored company’s verbiage including corporate website, marketing brochures and digital promotions.

• Project Manager of many major projects, including development of creative concepts, instructional design, story- boarding, scoping of projects and client approvals. 09/2001 - 01/2005

Partner/Director of Sales – ItsAboutFinance.com “Official Chicago Stock Exchange Webcast” Chicago, IL.

• Responsible for the start-up operations of the Chicago sales office.

• Increased billing by 375% through digital advertising and sponsorship sales to financial investment companies.

• Established national territories and vertical markets.

• Created and established web-casting partnerships and alliances with Fortune 500 clientele.

• Responsibility also included generating sales through cold calling, telemarketing, referrals, networking and leads.

• Created sales presentations and marketing materials.

• Performed all aspects of daily business (ex: troubleshooting, problem solving, negotiating and closing deals). 01/2001 - 08/2001

Director of Sales (Consultant) – Call ZERO Communications, Inc. Austin, TX.

• Obtained new customers, beta-participants and focus group advertisers for Call ZERO’s first-round funded period.

• Contacted and obtained the deliverables within the targeted customer base.

• Participation and contribution for all sales-oriented challenges to the company.

• Business author of collateral material, media kits, PowerPoint presentations and company verbiage.

• Primary contact for customer base that consisted of new media clients, advertisers and advertising agencies. 08/2000 - 12/2000

Media Sales Manager – Motorola Inc. Northbrook, IL.

• Developed and managed strategic client relationships for UnWiredM.

• Built strategic alliances and partnerships within the technology, retail and service industries.

• Obtained beta-participants and advertisers for location-based text messaging and marketing to wireless devices using Third Generation (3G) Mobile Commerce technology.

• Was initial contact for customer base that consisted of new media clients, advertisers and national/local ad agencies.

• Ability to communicate and manage media sales while building and maintaining relationships at high levels.

• Authored collateral material, media kits, PowerPoint presentations and company verbiage. Additional Experience:

02/1998 - 07/2000

Senior Account Executive – CBS Radio / WUSN (US99.5 FM) Chicago, IL. 04/1996 - 01/1998

Sales Manager / Account Executive – WKZQ (94.3 FM) / WXCL (104.9 FM) Peoria, IL. 03/1995 - 03/1996

General Sales Manager – WBGE (92.3 FM) Peoria, IL. 1992-1995; 1985-1987

Account Executive, On-Air Personality – WLRZ (100.9 FM) / WAIV (103.3 FM) Peru, IL. 1991-1992

Charter Pilot – Simkins Charter Pilot Service Carbondale, IL. Kevin Simkins Phone: 1-312-***-**** mobile E-mail: ************@*****.*** Page 3 Awards and Achievements:

• Selected to serve as a 2018 Solar System Ambassador (volunteer) for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).

• First ever three-time winner of the U.S. Army's Federal Virtual Worlds Challenge (FVWC). Named the 3rd place winner in the "Artificial Intelligence Assisted Training" category in the 2011 FVWC and named a Double Winner (1st place in the "Collaboration" category and 3rd place in the "Skill Building" category) in the inaugural FVWC in 2010.

• Awarded both “Super Star” status in May 2017 and “Rock Star” status in June 2016 at Sears Holdings Corp. The prestigious lifetime Rock Star badge is awarded to only 10 SHC associates per year who have consistently gone above and beyond in demonstrating Cultural Beliefs and driving outstanding business results. The Rock Star Award is the highest-level award given out by the Recognition Champions of the Star Awards program.

• NASA Immersive Synthetic Environment Research (NISER) team member (defunct) - (Former) Head Industry Adviser

• Vice Chair for IEEE Virtual World Standard Group (P1828) and concurrently serving as its Ontology/Taxonomy Lead.

• Two-time finalist of the Chicago Innovation Awards because of my continued and sustained commitment to innovation.

• Previously served as an Electric Association Advisory Committee member for the MEA Energy Association.

• Proven subject matter expert and liaison between the virtual worlds industry and the operating utility (energy) industry. Education:

Southern Illinois University at Carbondale

Bachelor of Science

Major: Aviation Management; Minor: Aviation Flight Software and Technical skills:

Strong knowledge of the campaign life-cycle management, ad sales process, ad sever trafficking, QA, performance analytics, reporting and forecasting. Complete understanding of the digital advertising ecosystem; different ad technology stacks and how vendors interface with the online advertising ecosystem. Extensive knowledge of both the App-Nexus/OAS and Google/DoubleClick for Publishers (DFP) ad servers. Experience with MOAT, Omniture and/or other reporting tools. Interactive 3D application simulations, 3D Interactive learning solutions and marketing experiences, Education and safety training, Virtual world technologies, Virtual goods, Virtual touring, Collaboration tools, Web design and development, Content management, E-Commerce application development, Video-web casting, M-commerce, Project management, Consulting services, Development services, including experience in Internet audio/radio streaming. Extensive knowledge of Arbitron, Tapscan, Media-Audit, Scarborough and other quantitative and qualitative media sourcing providers. Proficient in and possesses software sales experience with Microsoft end-to-end solutions. Solid understanding of Microsoft desktop software (ex: Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) and Microsoft based server technologies (Windows2003/2008, Small Business Server and MS SQL server database, etc.). Solid understanding and work experience with software languages (Java, JavaScript, C, C++ and HTML).

References: Available upon request.

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