Thomas J. Wavra
***.*****@*****.***
www.linkedin.com/in/tomwavra
SUMMARY
** ***** ** ***** *** marketing experience. Industries: Internet Marketing, Automotive,
Transportation, Print Advertising, Real Estate. 17 years direct sales of wide range of
internet products and services including Web site design, Internet marketing, Content
Management, Email Marketing, Creative Branding Strategies, Public Relations Services,
Media Buying & Placement Services, Targeted display, Social, SEO & SEM and other
Multimedia Services. E-commerce solutions, Account management with a primary focus
on retention and growth. Marketing campaign management including creative, project
management and results tracking through Google analytics. Development of many
strategic partnerships. Public presentations at various seminars and trade shows. Enjoy
the challenge of finding creative solutions in competitive environments.
WORK EXPERIENCE
ECM-Sun Media Group
ECM-Sun Media Group has 500 associates and combined 55 community based
publications reaching 700,000 homes weekly. In addition is a network of 21 local-
neighborhood news websites. ECM-Sun Media is a leader in hyper local, multimedia
news in the greater Twin Cities metro region.
Digital Sales Manager (2011 to 2014)
Primary responsibilities included mentoring and training and in person support for sales
team and management team. Cross selling digital and print. Creative services and full
account and campaign management. Campaign performance analysis and reporting
using Google analytics and call tracking. Custom proposal writing. New product
development
Independent Internet Marketing Consultant (2005 to 2011)
Providing clients with a wide range of services including Internet marketing, Web
analytics, Market research, E-mail marketing, Web site management, business
development and communications. Primary focus for the last 3 + years on education
services that include web technologies deployment and support, improving internal
communications, training, tech support and marketing. Projects included Edvisions
Charter Schools, EdTools and Content Management solutions.
Certification from The Leadership/Change Management Simulation Powered Workshop
This workshop featured a simulated leadership challenge designed for a realistic
experience. Participants actually lead a simulated real-life team through an unwanted
change.
Keep It Local.com (2003-2005)
Keep It Local is primarily an automotive site with 674 dealers. States include
Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin and Colorado.
Director of Marketing / Market Manager
Responsibilities:
• Work with the senior management team to develop company wide strategy and
vision.
• Work closely with senior management to identify and develop strategic
partnerships
• Identify and evaluate new market opportunities and product concepts.
• Work with all of our media partners on implementing all aspects of our
agreements. Managing all ad campaigns including creative
• Improve overall traffic to Keep It Local.com
• Establish any additional media relationships in all markets
• Establish new market opportunities from initial contact to launch
• Work with technical staff on all current and future enhancements and prioritize all
projects. This will include any 3rd party services, email marketing, new reporting
features, overall content etc.
• Market Manager for the Twin Cities Market. Responsibilities included Dealer
sales and customer service. Business Development Director with media partners
KARE11, KQRS (ABC Radio) and KUSA in Denver.
CarSoup.com / Cuneo Communications: 2001 to 2003
Carsoup is an interactive Web site that provides marketing services to the Auto
Industry. CarSoup serves 10 markets nationally and over 350 dealers participating.
Cuneo Communications is a full service-advertising agency.
Market Manager / Account Executive
Coordinate the execution of advertising, promotion, and publicity activities
associated with CarSoup. Solicit dealers, advertisers, and strategic alliances.
Maintain contact with existing clients to maintain relationships and enhance the
value of the program to those participating. Work with dealers to optimize the
program’s effectiveness for their dealership and make recommendations to improve
the sites performance for them.
Business Development Manager
Innuity: 1997 to 2000
Innuity had developed more than 250,000 websites, and processed more than 20
million online secure transactions. Innuity provided innovative digital solutions for
clients who desire to thrive in the New Economy. Design and implement interactive
strategies that generate return on investment.
Senior Account Executive
• Leader in new customer acquisitions, annual renewals and conversions 3
consecutive years.
• Historical high level of customer retention 85%
• Increased online traffic and revenues for nearly 100 clients
• Helped define issues and resolutions for sales and production staff
• Development of strategic alliances with The Builders Association of MN,
The Minnesota Trucking Association and the Minnesota Chamber of
Commerce
• 1st Account Executive hired by the corporation. Established many internal
processes including workflow and marketing strategy. Innuity’s outside sales
force had grown to over 200 nationally.
Star Tribune Fonahome
Marketing Representative 1994 to1997
Fonahome was the pre Internet answer to apartments.com. Clients would use
services to define best options in a very tight rental real estate rentals market.
• Sold the Fonahome database system to property owners and
management companies.
• Marketed active Fonahome properties to the general public.
• Assisted in the relocation of over 400 families in the Twin Cities Market
• Utilized strong time management skills, responsible for up to 300 active
clients at any given time.
Weekly News 1991 to 1994
Account Executive
Sold advertising, developed promotions and community networking for this local
newspaper. The readership is primarily the western suburbs of the Twin Cities with a
distribution of about 40,000.
Allied Van lines: 1982 to 1991
Grand Forks, ND (1985- 1987)
*Minneapolis, MN (1991)
My responsibilities were to manage the whole relocation process and act as a
liaison between the customer, the company and operations. This included
estimating the cost associated with the move, negotiation and finalizing of
contract terms, helping the families prepare for the move, assisting in
destination services, and coordination of company resources to complete the
relocation, claim settlements and arbitrator for all parties when disputes arise.
My clients included the U.S. Air Force, large corporations, small businesses,
families and private individuals. Relocation services were local, long distant and
International.
*Founded the Twin Cities Relocation Network in 1991. One of the first of its
kind, the network provided one solution for corporate transferees. Participants
included Norwest Bank, Counselor Reality, Chicago Title and The Star Tribune
Fonahome.
Operations Manager
1988 to 1991
Promoted to Operations Manager and transferred to Cedar Rapids, IA to open
new offices and run operations
Responsibilities:
• Hiring and training of drivers to meet US Department of
Transportation safety standards.
• Hiring and training sales and office staff
• All responsibilities of Relocation Consultant listed above
• Marketing and Public Relations
• Negotiator between company and Allied Van Lines Corporate