MARA L. VILLANUEVA-HERAS
**** ********* ******, *********, ** 17603 • 717-***-**** Mobile • **********@*****.***
MARKETING • BRANDING • INNOVATION
Passionate marketing executive experienced in branding and marketing strategies for B-to-C and B-to-B environments
Extroverted, genuine, approachable and innovative strategic thinker able to synthesize insights and information to drive strategy
A decisive collaborator with proven success in building strong teams and relationships
An effective communicator who seeks positive resolution to problems through active listening, integrity and cooperation
CORE COMPETENCIES
Strategic Planning
Innovation Processes
Team Building
Brand Management
Product Pipeline Development
Communications
Marketing Communications
Brand Positioning
Integrated Marketing
Product Launch
Home & Building Products
Marketing Strategy
Voice of Customer/Consumer Insights/Market Research
Product Launch Development & Execution
Start-up & Corporate Environments
MARKETING LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE
SAINT-GOBAIN CERTAINTEED CORPORATION-Malvern, PA 2015-Present
Multi-billion dollar global leader in the design and manufacture of building materials
Vice-President of Corporate Marketing
Responsible for developing and executing an integrated marketing strategy that includes consumer and trade public relations, digital marketing, lead generation, lead nurturing and advertising.
Redefine and develop the corporate marketing group to best serve the businesses and drive centers of excellence within the organization
Manage a team of 30 that includes branding, messaging, digital marketing including multiple social media properties; lead generation, acquisition, nurturing and marketing automation; management of a corporate loyalty/rebate program as well as PR, event management and corporate communications
Implement marketing automation platform and support the development of a team to execute strategies and campaigns to generate, nurture and convert leads
Develop a strategy for marketing to the downstream consumers helping the company evolve from a B-to-B focused organization to one that succeeds in the B-to-C arena as well
Develop and Implement a B-to-C strategy including executing consumer research and segmentation, brand health tracking, journey maps and tactical plans
Identify an agency and develop new creative platform to execute the strategy
ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIES-Lancaster, PA 2011-2015
Multi-billion dollar global leader in the design and manufacture of floor and ceiling products
Vice-President of Marketing, Armstrong Residential Floor Products
Responsible for developing and executing an integrated marketing strategy that includes consumer and trade advertising, public relations, digital marketing, product and channel marketing and merchandising with a $20M+ budget. Serve as a member of the residential leadership team participating in the development of Long Range Plans and Annual Operating Plans
Developed the strategic components of channel, customer and consumer focused marketing plans
Managed a marketing team of 25 that developed all positioning, messaging, collateral, POP, merchandising and displays for multiple major brands and product categories
Championed and collaborated on enterprise wide re-branding and positioning initiative
Global Marketing Council, Women’s Initiative Network & Diversity & Inclusion Committee
MASCO RETAIL CABINET GROUP/MASCO CABINETRY-Middlefield, OH 2007-2011
One of the nation’s largest cabinetry manufacturers including the KraftMaid Brand
Managing Director of Marketing
Set strategic direction and managed marketing activities including branding, advertising, public relations, interactive/digital marketing, market research, product marketing and training within a $20MM budget. Served as a member of the executive team and steering committee, reporting directly to the President, and participated in the development of Long Range Plans, Annual Operating Plans and the Leadership Agenda.
Built a marketing team of 25 from an initial team of 6, including a strong product marketing team that developed all messaging, collateral, POP, selection centers, merchandising and displays for more than 7 brands and product lines
Analyzed and synthesized research that led to initiating the re-branding of retail showrooms including Lowe’s, The Home Depot and independent dealers via POP/Displays, literature and signage reinforcing the brand, simplifying the selection process and driving consumers through the purchase funnel
Pioneered development of a breakthrough campaign elevating brand perception and purchase intent
Leveraged content and key social media influencers to reach consumers
Led and directed advertising, PR and digital marketing agencies and initiatives that drove (better than industry average) leads and sales in the midst of a down economy and industry
WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION- Benton Harbor, MI 2001-2007
Multi-billion dollar global manufacturer and marketer of home appliances
oSenior Manager Trade Marketing –KitchenAid Brand
Developed and implemented trade strategies specifically designed to maximize KA growth and SG&A investments with key trade partners and led design and execution of all KA displays for retail, trade show, buy fairs and other events
Implemented programs with specific accounts leading to 20% + Y-O-Y increases in volume and revenue
Initiated complete redesign of KA training process and collateral materials
Developed a new channel-specific tiered training strategy currently completing development phase and beginning implementation
Led ccOPEX experiments designed to enhance in-store experience and influence store sales associate
Implemented measures to quantify value of in-store display programming
Directed spend of over $3M in channel marketing funds toward building KA brand and sales in support of specific trade customers and managed $5M launch support budget
Modified highly successful trade show display to create new retail displays creating an innovative Ready-to-Assemble design with lighting that minimizes shipping costs and enhances product on the floor
oInnovation Consultant-KitchenAid Brand
Managed the development and health of the KitchenAid refrigeration category innovation pipeline (including new product, service and marketing ideas) and represented the needs of the KitchenAid brand consumer target on global category opportunity teams in order to drive brand’s innovation revenue.
Managed the process of cross-functional focused and creative ideation in order to drive customer-focused innovation
Included the use of the Whirlpool Innovation tools and other creative processes
Part of the pilot team that implemented the concept testing process to place greater discipline around selecting which products to pursue. Included development, writing and testing of
concepts
North American lead of a global product project including market research, product development, test sell development and implementation, positioning and launch planning
Drove increased refrigeration revenue based in innovation vs. standard model line updates
Supported the corporation as a certified I-Mentor and trained facilitator both within brand and category, as well as throughout the organization
oBrand Manager, New Business Development-Whirlpool Brand
Responsible for the launch and market development of the Whirlpool Family Studio (a new room concept and 3 new products) from concept through launch (completed in a record one year) including budget and financial results.
Successfully launched the concept in the Contract channel (builders, architects and designers) with feedback from sales force indicating that launch was extremely well designed and executed
Drove the pursuit of new channel opportunities for Family Studio products
Directed the design and execution of all promotional and collateral materials, advertising, web, public relations and pricing strategies
Effectively garnered extensive positive press coverage and product placements
Featured speaker on the concept at both the 2003 IBS and KBIS industry shows
KOZYHOME.COM, INC., Chicago, IL
Online furniture and accessories retailer
oDirector of Design
Managed design services and implementation of design projects (including show houses, model homes, photo shoots, etc), directed activities related to design consultation for customers including customer service support, and developed business-to-business opportunities with Designer, Builder, and Realtor communities
Developed navigation, design and content for Design Studio component of the website
Planned and developed the community portion of the website including the authorship and management of content and events for both the magazine and newsletter
Assisted in print catalog development and presentation as well as product presentation on the site including monitoring and maintaining product database
Analyzed, sourced and selected new suppliers for furniture, home accessories, lighting and soft goods and assisted in product assortment, pricing and development of discount strategies
F.W. DODGE (A Division of the McGraw-Hill Companies), Chicago, IL
Provider of project news, plans, specs & analysis services for construction professionals
oRegional Marketing Manager: Central Region
Managed direct mail and telemarketing campaigns consistently achieving response rates over 3 times the industry standard
Managed regional advertising in industry/trade publications and directories as well as in proprietary print and electronic services
Initiated and marketed promotional events including product seminars, regional trade shows and association events
Coordinated with sales management and trade organizations to implement alliance/partnership agreements increasing revenue
SCM DEVELOPMENT, Indianapolis, IN
Residential real estate development firm
oDirector of Marketing
Surpassed traffic and sales goals set by leadership
Analyzed market research data in order to identify future growth opportunities as well as establish the platform and positioning for new communities
Initiated and implemented corporate marketing and public relations strategy including new logo, print campaign and collateral materials resulting in increased public and industry awareness
Earned 8 industry MAME (Major Achievement in Marketing Excellence) awards for community advertising, signage and collateral materials
Completed all courses necessary to achieve MIRM (Member of Residential Marketing within NAHB-National Association of Home Builders) status and earned Real Estate Salesperson License for the State of Indiana
ELI LILLY & COMPANY Chicago, IL
Leading pharmaceutical products manufacturer
oCorporate Sales & Marketing Associate: Sales Rotation
BROWNING DESIGN, Indianapolis, IN
Full-service residential and contract interior design firm
oSenior Interior Designer/Manager and Business Manager
EDUCATION
THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN - Ann Arbor, MI
Master of Business Administration
Emphases in Marketing and Corporate Strategy
Recipient of Consortium for Graduate Study in Management Fellowship
BUTLER UNIVERSITY - Indianapolis, IN
Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design
3.9/4.0 GPA
Dean’s List, Mortar Board, Kappa Omicron Phi
Alpha Chi Omega Sorority
Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity
ADDITIONAL TRAINING:
ccOPEX Black Belt (Six Sigma) Training
Innovation training achieved Certified I-Mentor status (Whirlpool Corporation)