Marketing and Communications
Resume:
Contact
Carbondale, CO *****
****@***********.***
www.gilcosports.com
@GilbertsonSara
linkedin.com/in/saragilbertson
Skills
• Collaborative problem-solver
• Strong relationship builder
• Forward thinking manager
• Natural leader with team DNA
• Continuous learner
• Full circle communicator
Values
• Operate with integrity
• Foster connection
• Positive focus
• Cultivate the best in others
• Listen intently
SARA GILBERTSON
Seasoned Marketing Professional
Highly successful in building relationships with various constituents, managing critical problem areas, and delivering on commitments. Customer-focused and performance-driven. Seasoned management professional with verifiable success achieving business growth, revenue and profit objectives. Dynamic MBA who increased partnership revenue >150% in two years at the Denver Broncos, negotiated a $2 million sponsorship with Best Buy for National Geographic Ventures, and 2-year agreement for first-ever live NBA game broadcasts in China. Team Leadership & Motivation * Strategic Planning * New Business Development P&L Management * Executive Presentations * Communications & Marketing PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Gilco Sports & Entertainment Marketing LLC • 2000 to present Consulting firm specializing in marketing and business development through partnerships.
Founder, General Manager, Senior Consultant
Designs partnership and business development plans for organizations with marketable intellectual property and other media assets to create engaging, interactive customer experiences that build brands and deliver measurable results against multiple business objectives. Clients have included: California State Soccer Association – Developed a multi-year apparel and registration technology partnership for this public benefit corporation representing
>200,000 registered players, coaches, referees and league administrators. USA Climbing – Expanded annual 5-figure The North Face apparel sponsorship into 7-figure 4-year integrated partnership.
The St. James – Consulting multiple high-performance youth sports academies
(hockey, baseball, volleyball, swimming, golf, squash) on corporate marketing and apparel/equipment revenue-generating partnerships. We Are The Fifty – Consulting this start-up junior national golf tournament on participant recruitment, return-to-play guidelines, communications & sponsorships. World Poker Tour – Developed and sold inaugural primary table position sponsorship to Anheuser Busch.
Chicago Bears Football Club – Consultant for new stadium sponsorship program. Grand Prix of Washington – Developed and negotiated naming rights with Cadillac for this motorsports race.
National Geographic – Vice President and Consultant, Alliances for 4+ years. Pyramid Properties – Constructed multi-year gift card alliance with American Express for mall network.
Education
University of Chicago
MBA, Marketing &
International Business (1991),
Booth School of Business,
Chicago, IL
Duke University
BA, Economics (1985),
Durham, NC
Class Honors, Dean’s List
Captain, women’s volleyball
team (athletic scholarship),
All-ACC honors
Sportswriter, The Chronicle
Women’s tennis club
World Wildlife Fund, Washington DC • 2010-2015
Leading global organization in conservation and sustainability. Director, Private Sector Engagement, 2011-2015:
Project leader for high profile foreign policy and resource scarcity initiative; secured
$750,000 marketing sponsorship of the initiative; managed partnerships with Center for American Progress, Center for Naval Analyses, and sponsor’s advertising agency; developed communications and project plan for 20-person working group across four event partners and WWF steering committee.
Key leader of WWF’s engagement with business and industry, including strategic planning for conservation program areas (forests, seafood, climate, sustainable finance, water, agriculture, materials). Cultivated and negotiated corporate sustainable business relationships, closed engagements, and activated partnerships throughout WWF-US and the global WWF Network.
Managed select key transformational partnerships with targeted companies to drive adoption of sustainable business practices into core business operations. Liaison for private sector engagement team across departments, including Marketing, Development, Conservation Science, and Field Programs, to maximize conservation impact and partnership impact.
Member, Business Advisory Leadership Team for 2.5 year, organization-wide CRM development project.
Program Consultant, Coral Trade, 2010-11: Developed global retail market segmentation for coral reef wildlife, and strategy for outreach for an NGO coalition to protect reef ecosystems through reform of U.S. trade policies and practices. Initiated development of consumer-facing campaign to broaden support of the coalition and create constituent demand for Congressional action. Washington National Opera, Washington DC • 2010-11 Congressionally designated as National Opera Company performing at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts.
Director, Corporate Relations
Hired specifically to maximize corporate sponsorship of WNO’s 2011 annual fundraising gala and leverage the value of hosting the event for the first time at the Chinese embassy in Washington.
Created new marketing programs for individuals and corporations with aggressive pricing to leverage access to Chinese officials. Increased total gala revenues >100% from 2010.
PSINET, Herndon, VA • 1999
Fast-growing global Internet service provider.
Director, Marketing and Business Development
Orchestrated and created a strategically grounded marketing and business development strategy and drive asset utilization across departments. Chartered with management of $100M, 10-year stadium sponsorship marketing and naming rights agreements with NFL Baltimore Ravens. Directed development of business alliances, branding and positioning, direct marketing, sales, special events, public relations, and advertising. Denver Broncos Football Club, Englewood, CO • 1997-1998 Director, Marketing and Corporate Development
Challenged to create and implement an integrated business operations plan, with scope and priorities consistent with organizational objectives. Instituted policies and procedures to enhance staff development, customer service, and profit improvement.
Directed trademark protection and equity growth, marketing services, graphics standards program, Web site and database marketing, and direct marketing programs. Orchestrated and led corporate partnership marketing, marketing and special events, youth programs, community relations, communications, foundation management, and corporate media relations.
Executed new branding campaign in partnership with Nike. Increased corporate sponsorship revenue 150% over two seasons to more than $5M. Increased efficiency and productivity of staff by reorganizing into functional groups. Developed consumer messaging and special events and athlete appearances for legislative effort for public financing for new stadium. National Basketball Association, New York, NY • 1994-1995 Manager, Marketing & Media Group
Championed league programs and broadcasting rights in Latin America, Southeast Asia, and China. Cultivated long-term, trust-based relationships with international broadcasting enterprises.
Orchestrated 2-year negotiation with CCTV for first-ever broadcast of live regular- season games in China.
Integrated global marketing partnerships with Reebok and Coca-Cola into international NBA programming.
Career Notes: Orchestrated the negotiation and implementation of multi-year international TV distribution agreement for all NCAA championships. Additional experience in Financial Services Industry as a Foreign Exchange Trader with the former Swiss Bank Corporation, and a Foreign Exchange Trader, Money Market Loan Coordinator, and Financial Analyst with Northern Trust Company. AFFILIATIONS
Colorado Rocky Mountain School (CRMS), Carbondale, CO Parent Volunteer, Annual Family Weekend Fundraiser, 2017 to present An independent, co-ed boarding prep school, CRMS offers college-bound students experiential learning to excel individually and thoughtfully participate in their communities. Washington Episcopal School (WES), Bethesda, MD
Chair, Annual Financial Aid Benefit Auction, 2009-10 An independent, co-ed school through Grade 8, WES raises funds to support talented and economically disadvantaged students.
Battery Park Citizen’s Association (BPCA), Bethesda, MD President, 2008-11; Vice President, 2006-08
Cultivated and managed relationships with Montgomery County elected officials to secure
$2.5 million in infrastructure improvements for 90+ year old neighborhood, including new gas lines, storm drains, sewage lines, and road/curb/sidewalk reconstruction. BPCA is a non- profit special taxing district with a 24-person Governing Board. Board Service
John Austin Cheley
Foundation, 2018-21
Serving first 3-year term on
Board of Trustees whose
mission is to build kids’
confidence, competence, and
capacity through
transformative, residential
summer camp experiences.
JACF develops funding for
“camperships” for high
potential, economically
challenged youth to enjoy
one of eight American Camp
Association (ACA) accredited
extended-stay, wilderness
adventure camps across the
US. Over $5 million has been
raised to offer more than 1200
camperships.
Coaching
Lakeside Volleyball
Club, 1986-89
Organized new USVBA U18
girls volleyball club in north
suburban Chicago.
Facilitated full athletic
scholarship for an
exceptionally talented,
economically-disadvantaged
middle blocker.
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