MICHAEL S. AARONS

*** * ***** ***** ****

Green Valley, AZ 85614

Cell: 626-***-****

adutfc@r.postjobfree.com

Strategic Marketing, Advertising & Brand Management Executive Proven track record in client service, marketing/brand management, strategic/account planning, market intelligence, internal/external communications and vendor management. Recognized ability to facilitate, support and implement Management & Client visions through market knowledge, collaborative inter-departmental support and interpersonal skills. Unique background encompassing both corporate and ad agency environments within general market and multi-cultural arenas. Reputation for consumer-centric focus, hands-on leadership, motivating and developing staff, negotiating and integrating divergent points of view and managing change. Skilled at financial services, consumer & sports marketing, community relations, budget stewardship & strategic partnership development. Respected for passion, perspective, imagination, and energy. ACCOMPLISHMENTS

A Proactive Organizational Leader with Demonstrated Results:

• Built Marketing Departments for consumer & commercial financial institutions from ground up. Directed and led implementation of first “5 year Strategic Plans” at both organizations.

• Developed start-up strategic business and marketing plans for innovative ventures in the sports marketing, consumer packaged goods & electronics, retail pet food, entertainment, and financial services industries.

• Re-engineered decentralized corporate marketing department for nation’s largest S&L. Created sales support, customer service, branding and product management organizations, in addition to advertising, promotion, direct marketing and business development programs.

• Directed implementation of database lead generation programs that supported call center and business development efforts. Strengthened customer service resulting in increased cross-sell/customer profitability.

• Directed quantitative and qualitative market intelligence studies & life stage methodologies. Results led to new product introductions, brand repositioning, campaign development and website design.

• Built and led staffs ranging from 4 to 40. Administered budgets ranging from $2M to $50M. An Innovative and Imaginative Strategic Thinker:

• Led company-wide teams in design & implementation of comprehensive multi-cultural branding/marketing plans and training programs. Consistently exceeded goals in market penetration and customer profitability.

• Initiated national and local sponsorships and community/industry events through participation with trade associations, media, professional sports franchises, non-profit community organizations. Achieved greater market share and more cost-effective market penetration

• Designed and instituted consumer needs-based marketing, branding and communication plans. Provided sales force with integrated support programs that facilitated achievement of corporate goals. MICHAEL S. AARONS (CONT’D) PAGE TWO

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

STRATEGIC MARKETING SOLUTIONS, CEO, Brentwood, CA 2011 to 2014 Provider of cost-effective strategic consulting services for small & medium sized organizations—both private and public sector—with focus on business planning; brand development; marketing/advertising planning & execution; target identification, research & communications; and community outreach. RLR ADVERTISING & MARKETING, Pasadena, CA 2002 to 2010 Senior Vice President, Strategic Marketing & Client Services Accountable for direction, facilitation and implementation of strategic and marketing planning services, including market intelligence, branding, B2C/B2B advertising, new business development, multi-cultural marketing, public relations, training and infrastructure design. Clients include:

• First American Corp (Real Estate Services)

• Verizon Wireless

• Wachovia(Wells Fargo) Dealer Services

• Wescom Credit Union

• Los Angeles Zoo

• L.A. Care Health Plan

• Survival Insurance

• Los Angeles Dodgers

• First American Title

• Auto Club of Southern California (AAA)

• The Talon Group (Real Estate Services)

• Liverpool Department Stores (Mexico City)

• SAFECO Insurance

• Chef Merito Spices & Seasonings

MANUFACTURERS BANK, Los Angeles, CA 2000 to 2002

(acquired by Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation)

Chief Marketing Officer, Director of Marketing & Product Management Created and directed Bank’s first Marketing Department, including strategic planning, brand management, market intelligence, customer acquisition/retention/lead generation programs, sales support, internet strategy/implementation, advertising, public relations and employee communications. Member of Management

& Pricing Committees.

• Facilitated and managed implementation of Bank’s first “5 year strategic & advertising plan.”

• Led integrated product management and IT teams. Successfully developed and introduced new customer- focused deposit products and internet-based financial services. CHICAGO TITLE & TRUST (acquired by Fidelity National Financial), Chicago, IL 1997-2000 Senior Vice President, Director of Marketing & Branding Designed and led corporation’s first centralized, full service Marketing Department, including market research (customer satisfaction; internal/external needs assessment surveys); creative services; branding; Realtor & consumer-direct marketing and communications; interactive media strategy and implementation; product/employee development and communications; vendor management; promotion and event management.

• Developed and executed innovative Marketing & Branding Best Practices Study, PR handbook and employee communication plans. Generated positive media coverage and employee morale. JP MORGAN CHASE BANK (previously Great Western Bank), Chatsworth, CA 1987-1997 Senior Vice President, Marketing and Brand Management Directed strategic marketing and advertising, product development and market research, Realtor and consumer communications, event management, direct response, multi-cultural and sports marketing. Annual budget of

$50M. Staff of 40.

• Successfully re-positioned GW brand from S&L to consumer bank, including employee training and brand development, as well as initiation of Hispanic marketing and advertising programs

• Re-engineered Corporate Marketing and Brand Management Departments; consolidated retail and mortgage lending divisions to create more accountable, customer-oriented and cost-effective marketing organization.

MICHAEL S. AARONS (CONT’D) PAGE THREE

• Repositioned and launched new credit card and investment product marketing campaigns. Exceeded penetration and revenue goals by 25% in first year.

• Introduced and managed new fee generation programs. Resulted in annualized income growth of 50+%. CHIAT/DAY TBWA ADVERTISING, Venice, CA 1984-1987

Vice President, Account Director

Directed account management/planning teams for Apple Computer, Home Savings of America, and Mitsubishi Electronics. Led agency efforts to support new product introductions, including branding, market research, campaign development and tracking.

FOOTE CONE & BELDING ADVERTISING, Chicago, IL 1981-1984 Vice President, Account Director

Developed Kraft Foods advertising positioning efforts, and led creative development, media planning, promotion and market research to support new product exploration. YOUNG & RUBICAM ADVERTISING, Chicago, IL 1979-1981 Vice President, Management Supervisor

Directed agency account team for Miller Brewing Company’s new product development, including qualitative and quantitative research, branding & campaign development, testing & production. Previous Marketing & Advertising Client Service Experience at Haggar Clothing (Dallas), The Keebler Company (Chicago) & Ralston Purina (St. Louis)

COMMUNITY SERVICE

BIG BROTHERS OF GREATER LOS ANGELES 1990-2005

President & Chairman of the Board 1995-1998

Board Member and Chairman, Marketing Committee 1990-1995 LOS ANGELES COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORP, Board Member 2000-2006 CALIFORNIA SPECIAL OLYMPICS, Volunteer 1992-2004

AMERICAN DREAM COALITION, Co-Marketing Director 1994-1995 EDUCATION

BS, Marketing, California State University, Long Beach, CA MBA Studies, California State University, Long Beach, CA; Washington University, St. Louis, MO