Thomas Zinn
New York, NY ? 347-***-****
******@*****.***
www.linkedin.com/in/tomzinn/
SUMMARY
Motivated and results-oriented Brand Marketing Professional with a
specialty in the areas of children's media, toys and publishing. Possess an
extensive knowledge in the areas of new product development, strategic
partnerships and media relations. Demonstrate expertise in maintaining a
consistent brand relevance and direction, visual esthetic and verbal
messaging.
Efforts resulted in continuous production growth, successful project
execution and increased revenue.
SPECIAL SKILLS
Brand Marketing Business to Business Strategic Partnerships Vendor
Relations Event Management Children's Multi-Media Product Development
Retail and Field Sales Publishing Pre-school and Elementary
Education Hotel and Hospitality Reporting Analytics P&L
Contract Negotiation
WORK EXPERIENCE
MATTEL, INC. New York, NY October
2008-2014
Senior Marketing & Sales Coordinator/ Brand Manager American Girl Place
BRAND MANAGER AMERICAN GIRL HOTEL PACKAGE PROGAM
Managed and lead all facets of the National American Girl Hotel Affiliate Program.
Created and oversaw American Girl Themed Hotel packages in 65 hotels in 16 markets.
Partnered to develop all creative materials and marketing strategies through multiple
platforms.
Achieved maintenance of brand relevance, visual esthetic, verbal messaging and values
to assure consistent brand direction.
Collaborated with all major hotel chains, including Starwood, Hilton, Hyatt and
Marriott
Worked with hotel partners to develop and execute yearly marketing plans to ensure
brand compliance. Partnered with their individual hotel management, regional marketing
teams, ad agencies and PR firms.
Executed yearly hotel RFP process for all affiliates working closely with American
Girl Legal Department.
Developed, produced and rolled out new uniform American Girl lobby display standards.
Worked with manufacturing vendor and internal visual team to create fixtures and
collateral that were incorporated into participating hotels programs
Tracked hotel package nights and related themed package product inventory as well as
the Enter to Win Program, quarterly.
Worked cross channel with Store Retail Teams (Store Managers and Experience Mangers)
across all markets to review and update best practices as needed to meet the needs of
the hotels and retail markets.
Responsible for an average annual 16 % growth of this program during my tenure
16,000 American Girl Packages were sold in 2013.
MEDIA RELATIONS/CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS
Served as main point person for media/press/special guest visitors to the American
Girl Place New York Store
Oversaw multiple video shoots for such media outlets as ABC, CNN, Today Show, Good
Morning America, CBS, FOX BUSINESS and Marie Claire.
Managed execution of internal media events for new product launches for Mattel, EK
Success and American Girl.
Key liaison with project partners such as Crayola, Universal Studios, Make- A-Wish,
Grand Central Terminal and EK Success.
GROUP SALES PROGRAM
Managed Group Sales Business for the American Girl Place New York Store Caf .
Managed a team of two associates.
Responsible for booking, contracting, tracking and updating all group reservations
equaling 20 or more guests.
Proficient with Guest Bridge Reservation System.
These groups included Tour Operators, B to B Travel Groups, Girl Scout Groups.
Worked closely with NYC & CO. and the New York City Office of Tourism.
Managed and maintained Master Group Sales Calendar and spreadsheet.
Tracked reporting, analytics and P & L.
Consistent growth in business from year to year.
2013 saw Revenue of +6% to LY.
BORDERS GROUP INC. New York, NY /Dallas, TX August 2004 -
July 2008
Regional Corporate Sales Account Manager
. Responsible for developing, maintaining and driving district sales
through aggressive business, school and community outreach.
. Directly managed eight sales account representatives to exceed $1.2
Million annual sales plan.
. Developed Publisher Partnership Program, creating new revenue sources,
increased bulk sales, positively increasing Book Scan rankings, and
author bookings.
. Main corporate liaison with all major New York Publishing Houses.
. Named "Most Valuable Player-Northeast Zone" by Border Group Inc.-
2007/2008
Events Coordinator
. Oversaw all aspects of national & local author media events, from
conception, implementation to execution.
. Duties included publisher relations, security, ordering product,
managing media coverage and marketing. Events Executed: Yoko Ono, Joel
Osteen, Madeline Albright, Rosie O'Donnell and several Harry Potter
Release Parties.
SMARTZ FACTORY Dallas, TX September
1993 - August 2004
Co-Founder and Partner
Conceived and created multi-media entertainment company. Responsibilities included all
areas of concept creation, production, writing, casting, media buying, sales,
advertising, distribution and public relations.
Products include "Money Smartz" award winning video series exploring money matters for
kids. Named by The New York Times and Video Business Magazine one of the top five
videos released for kids. "Let's Move, Let's Play" an award winning movement video
series created for Kindercare and used in their 1500 facilities nationwide.
KIDS AND COMPANY Dallas, TX September 1980 - 1993
Co-Founder
. Non-profit company started as a theatrical touring group and
transformed into a producer of educational videos. Products included
"Feeling Good", multi-part series on health and nutrition; "AIDS:
Facts, Fears, Faces and Choices," a ground breaking series that
brought the only age appropriate AIDS educational video to the
elementary school market.
. Responsible for all grant writing, coordination of corporate giving,
school relations as well as administrative and creative management.
EDUCATION
Trinity University-San Antonio, TX- Graduated Summa cum Laude
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Bachelor of Arts Speech and Drama