CHRIS CRAVEN

Charlotte, NC 704-***-**** ad4c7r@r.postjobfree.com linkedin.com/in/chriscraven

PROFILE

Management-level marketing professional who innovates creative branding, activation, promotions, and event solutions that move retail sales and delight the target audience. 10+ years of marketing success. MBA in Sports Management and Certificate in Social Media. Ability to structure and drive integrated brand marketing and activation campaigns, execute best-in-class branded programs, and conceptualize traditional, digital, and social campaigns from start to finish. Deeply understand sponsorship landscape. Experience with properties including the NFL, NASCAR, NBA, MLL, and NCAA member institutions. Collaborative approach when partnering with clients and stakeholders. Energized by positive, team-oriented work environment.

EXPERIENCE

Product Connections Charlotte, NC June 2021 to Present Business Development Manager: Responsible for creating and sustaining client satisfaction by assisting in the development of business plans and owning clients’ execution strategies with the retailers they are assigned. Drives client growth across brands through a comprehensive and deep knowledge of the retailer’s operation and merchandising strategies and through unparalleled insight, effective selling, and execution, item distribution, promotional strategy and innovation.

Owns the development and maintenance of strong relationships with both Clients and Customers within a given geographic region, including a complete understanding of their goals and objectives.

Present targeted strategic client plans to build effective and efficient brand promotion strategies and strengthen brand activation based on customer knowledge.

Responsible for ongoing Client Team communication, engaging in proactive, ongoing communications to provide status, opportunities, manage expectations, and needs associated with achievement of Client’s Business plan. CCM Charlotte, NC 2015 to Present

Marketing, Business Development & Event Management Professional: Participating in event management, fund development, and marketing for non-profit and charitable organizations on volunteer basis, including alma mater Appalachian State University, the American Red Cross, Holly'z Hope, and Charlotte Sports + Business. Recently worked with 2017 PGA Championship, YMCA, National Collegiate Consultants, and Carolina Panthers.

Serve as Leadership Board Member for Lake Norman Alumni Chapter of Appalachian State University, to engage, inform, and build affinity among local alumni and foster long-term goodwill toward the university.

Conduct event management, fund development, and community and alumni relations for the Board.

Contributed to "IBackApp" day that raises awareness of the university. All chapters collaboratively raised $181K from 2,500 donors in 1 day.

Founding member of Mount Mourne School's Athletic Booster Club, planning and organizing fundraising events. Partnered with Carolina Panthers and raised $12K by staffing concession stands for 8 games Integrated Brand Marketing

Marketing Management

Sponsorship Activation

Sports Marketing

Grassroots Marketing

Event Management

Brand Development

Creative Marketing Strategy

Experiential Marketing

Relationship Marketing

Strategic Partnerships

Product Marketing

Trade Show Strategy

Coaching & Mentoring

CHRIS CRAVEN

Charlotte, NC 704-***-**** ad4c7r@r.postjobfree.com linkedin.com/in/chriscraven Page 2 PRICE DAVIS, LLC Charlotte, NC Jul 2014 to Aug 2015 Territory Sales & Marketing Manager: Managed NC and SC markets, serving as manufacturer’s representative for Henny Penny. Scope involved calling on restaurants, grocery store chains, healthcare facilities, colleges, country clubs, hotels and resorts. Developed and grew local wholesale and equipment dealer relationships.

Captured #1 sales ranking in non-convenience store sector, by solidifying relationships with restaurants and food service management groups through traditional sales techniques, direct marketing, and partner relations.

Optimized wholesale and equipment dealer business, by slashing inventory, tightening customer relations, and maximizing efficiency of distribution network.

G&G OUTFITTERS Concord, NC Jan 2012 to Mar 2013

Southeast Regional Marketing Manager: Innovated branded marketing and merchandising solutions for collegiate and professional sports teams: NFL, NHL, NBA, MLL, and IMG College. Structured retail and promotional strategy, and consulted with corporate partnership sales, community relations, and premium suite sales.

Skyrocketed new business 350% by aggressively soliciting RFPs for cost analysis, building marketing proposals, negotiating contracts, and servicing clients.

Captured 50+ new accounts for licensed sports group division, structuring promotional claims ranging from $1K-

$350K.

SYNERGISTIC TECHNOLOGIES, INC. Charlotte, NC Jan 2011 to Jan 2012 Sales Representative: Conducted sales for this start-up, which specialized in distribution of stem cell, spine surgical, pain management, and related surgical products. Managed greater Charlotte, NC market. CATAWBA BREWING CO. Morganton, NC Aug 2009 to Sep 2010 Director, Marketing & Business Development: Joined this craft brewery to launch marketing plan for top 25 greater Charlotte and Lake Norman markets, which involved marketing, new business development, branding, merchandising, and event management.

Generated 60 new accounts the 1st 6 months, and achieved 95% retention rate.

Cultivated partnerships with 3 philanthropic organizations, increasing brand awareness and product recognition through their community events.

Rapidly built social media presence on Facebook and Twitter. LANTHEUS MEDICAL IMAGING Atlanta, GA Feb 2001 to Jun 2009 Sr. Cardiovascular Territory Manager: Drove new business development for this pioneer in field of medical imaging. Lantheus specialized in range of imaging agents and products illuminating the heart, brain, lungs and other organs.

Captured 80% market share, among the highest nationwide, well-exceeding 55% national average, by educating clients and driving user adoption.

Distinguished on honor role for delivering 6th highest sales performance nationwide, generating 139% above quota.

CHRIS CRAVEN

Charlotte, NC 704-***-**** ad4c7r@r.postjobfree.com linkedin.com/in/chriscraven Page 3 ACTION SPORTS IMAGE (NOW MOTORSPORTS AUTHENTICS) Concord, NC Feb 2001 to Jan 2001 Division Director, Wholesale Specialty: Led licensed product sales. Directed independent sales force that ranked #1 in the industry, with 80%+ market share.

CAPITOL NETWORKS Raleigh-Durham, NC Jun 1997 to Jan 2000 Radio Affiliate Marketing Representative: Built and maintained NFL’s and NASCAR’s largest networks, while managing Carolina Panthers (100+ affiliates) and Performance Racing Network (350). Generated $500K in new revenue by selling on-air programming for news, agricultural, and sports radio networks. EDUCATION

MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (MBA), Sports Management Robert Morris University Coraopolis, PA BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (BS), BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, Marketing Appalachian State University Boone, NC

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