Michael Benesch

Connecting with Consumers while Driving Brand

and Revenue Growth at Nike, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, and Nautica Los Angeles, CA

Phone: 917-***-****

Email: adzoxe@r.postjobfree.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelbenesch/

Award winning innovative global marketing executive with year-over-year success in serving consumers while driving brand awareness, demand and distinction, using a powerful blend of art and science: Specialized in delivering unprecedented growth on behalf of youth-driven, iconic premium brands – (Nike, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, and Nautica International) accomplishing the challenging task of making iconic brands bigger and cooler at the same time.

20+ years of Global/ Geo Retail Brand Marketing, Product Merchandising and Retail Leadership (Digital and Physical) creating strategy and driving business across multiple cross category functions: Marketing, Analytical Merchandising, Product Creation, Supply Chain, International Licensing and Distribution, Sales and Retail General Management with full P&L, Global Brand Management, Retail Presentation Visual Strategy.. Strong project management background managing varying levels of opportunity and timelines, running concurrently over extended periods of time. Success building, leading and working with cross functional teams to deliver objectives. With a relentless core focus on innovative consumer experiences and product, he is able to guide a brand’s development from new concept to consumer purchase: Starting with an initial concept, develop branding strategy, create rich consumer experiences in a signature environment both in-store and online, and then following it through to a selling season exceeding all global sales expectations in North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia Pacific. His understanding of international markets is enhanced by living overseas and extensive global retail travel for over two decades.

Industries: Apparel Fashion Luxury Watches Consumer Products Beauty Hospitality Lifestyle Retail Technology

American Rag Cie - General Manager, Retail & HR

Nike Inc. – Director Integrated Brand Retail - Key Strategic Retail Accounts Nike Inc. – Director Retail Product Presentation and Consumer Experience Innovation - Key Strategic Retail Accounts Ralph Lauren - General Manager - Philadelphia flagship store Victorinox AG/ Swiss Army Brands – GMM / National Director US Retail Nautica – Vice President Global Retail, Marketing, and Analytics Ralph Lauren - Regional Retail Account Manager

Calvin Klein - Regional Retail Account Manager

STRENGTHS

Global Brand Management, Development & Strategy – Omni-Channel Marketing – Omni-Channel Marketing – Consumer Engagement & Analytics – Marketing Strategy & Creative Execution – Performance Marketing – Creative Direction – Content Creation Storytelling & Distribution – Product Marketing – Digital, Social. Media, Mobile Marketing – Customer-Focused & Data-Driven Decisions – Experiential Consumer Events – Advertising & Media Strategy – Public Relations, Communication & Events – Advertising & Divisional Budgeting – Budgets over $20 M – Cross-Functional Team Leadership – Operational Excellence – Geo & International Licensing – Premier Branded Retail Environments – Luxury Resort Retail – Retail Coordinator Programs – Dynamic Public Speaker – Extensive Global Travel – Trusted Advisor to Retail CEOs & Executive Leadership Team.

Industries: Apparel Fashion Luxury Watches Consumer Products Beauty Hospitality Lifestyle Retail Technology EXPERIENCE

General Manager, Retail & HR

2022 - Present

Los Angeles, California, United States

Five Stores: AmRag Elevated Designer Collection. Curated Vintage Collection. World Denim Bar. Maison Midi European Home Collection. Vintage Clothing Store.

- American Rag Designer Collection Store contains vendor-sponsored signature boutique shops: Polo Ralph Lauren Shop (fully fixtured by PRL with updated visual maintained by their local staff), Double RL/RRL by Ralph Lauren, Levi's signature shop, Pendelton Home Collection shop, Malbon Golf shop, etc...

GLG / Gerson Lehrman Group

Global Retail Brand Consultant

2008 – Present

Los Angeles Metropolitan Area

I hold an international retail and marketing consulting role helping lead large international companies and investment firms accomplish their strategic objectives. My goal is to improve decision making and accelerate business innovation by sharing my expertise to identify perspectives on corporate retail business strategies, identify risks, global regulatory intelligence, social and corporate governance data (ESG), referencing international business practices, while contrasting geo and country economies.

- GLG is the world's insight network: We connect international decision-makers to the right business experts so they can act with the confidence that comes from true clarity and have what it takes to get ahead. Bringing powerful insight to every great professional decision. - Clients: Fortune 100 companies, private equity and venture capital firms, hedge fund and mutual fund companies, marketing firms, advertising holding companies, global banks, technology companies, global industrials, etc… Nike Inc.

Director Integrated Brand Retail - Key Strategic Retail Accounts 2009 – 2018

Portland, OR

1. Sought after by Nike senior management to lead the Brand marketing vision and key account management through premium consumer experiences to enhance our partnerships with premium Strategic Accounts in North America: Building Brand loyalty and driving profitable revenue through consumer-centric youth driven omni-channel marketing. Strategic Account portfolio represents a combined revenue of $2.5B. Managed $43M budget and oversaw 7 Nike business units, 5 territory offices and 25+ licensee partners. 2. In this role, I serve as the single voice of Nike to the retail account executives and their cross-functional retail departments, and also served as the single voice representing the retail senior executives back to Nike Corporate. (Nordstrom, Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, JCP and Kohl’s). 3. Additionally, I earned expanded accountability to also cover the Director of the Young Athletes Category Marketing role for all North American accounts (sporting goods stores and department stores - includes Dick’s Sporting Goods, Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker, Finish Line, etc.).

4. I serve as the voice for the consumer. I act as the creative driver of the marketing Brand voice and tone for all categories, brands, agencies, and licensee business units.

5. Transformed the North America marketplace creating compelling digital communications and premium retail presentations while executing distinctive Brand marketing across all channels: Driving seasonal product initiatives, new product launch, ecommerce, digital content, disrupting social media, digital analytics, POS collateral, TV, video, print, outdoor advertising, while creating meaningful consumer engagement events, and amplified digital consumer experiences. 6. I oversee and manage all aspects of 360-degree go-to-consumer campaigns, from strategic brief through execution, with internal creative teams and agency partners. I serve as the key point person for all internal, territory, and external agency teams providing direction and constant communication around all Brand/ retail/ digital/ mobile/ and consumer experience projects, ensuring clarity of action items and responsibilities. Achieved brand’s separation from competition by devising disruptive omni-channel brand marketing campaigns to enhance brand presence and increase sell-through.

7. Working effectively across the Nike matrix with key functional partners to lead the account to new consumer-centric Brand visions. Provided research data to support analytical decision making using both qualitative and quantitative methods to identify optimization within the current business while identifying new opportunities. 8. Leading financial and strategic account negotiations to support key brand and business priorities, driving internal and external marketing alignment. I work in very close partnership with the SVP of Nike sales regarding each account. I work with my Nike cross-functional and category partners to create seasonal marketing budgets of over $43M. 9. More than doubled sales volume during tenure, reinventing the under-developed Women’s business for modern customer relevance in an increasingly competitive environment, positioned business as the market leader in North America and maintained dominance in the space. Installed 30+ innovative retail shop concepts heavily supported by digital media content targeting young active female consumers in key retail locations for Nordstrom and Macy’s. (Note: Previously, Nordstrom had not done any retail environments with Nike.) 10. For the Nike Young Athletes Category: Re-set the strategic focus for the category through new mission, vision, and position. Re-defined the target consumer and launched a new brand voice through a digitally-lead offense for key product launches, leveraging key athletes and igniting major sport movements. Opened the first YA store in 2012. Drove YA sales to become the largest business category at Nike as YA revenue passed $1.0B in 2015. 11. Awarded Nike’s “Most Valuable Player/ MVP” award for Teamwork and Leadership -2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. “Just Do It” award in 2016. Examples:

“SF Women’s Marathon”, “Nordstrom Sneaker Boutiques”, “Olympics retail experiences”, “NBAAll-star”, “NYC Marathon”, “US Open”, “Chicago Marathon”, “Nike Women Training Club”, shop installs/store in store, and new store openings…” Nike Inc.

Director Retail Product Presentation and Consumer Experience Innovation - Key Strategic Retail Accounts 2009 – 2011

Portland, Oregon

Directed Nike Product Presentation and Consumer Experience Teams across North America for Nike category stores and strategic account retail partners..

1. Developed and expertly managed a high performing team of 5 Regional Managers, 40 internal Field Product Brand Marketers, and a large team of third party Retail Merchandisers covering North America and Canada with over 40,000 store visits annually. 2. Managed an annual budget of

$20M.

3. Re-structured a geographical Brand Marketing Team with a shift from an “industry-led” to “consumer-led” marketers that drove all demand creation.

4. Increased profitability and average unit retail (AUR) by implementing focused product training modules for grassroots in-store events; optimized ROI/engagement of fit clinics, pop-up retail events, and product presentations by equipping field teams with new product initiative specific POS tool-kits and innovative in-store collateral. 5. Partner with Brand Design, PR, Communications, Sports Marketing, Sales and key Retail Partners on the development of new product launches, new store openings, pop-up shops, disruptive consumer events, and updated retail concepts. 6. Ensure all consumer journey touch points from product presentation, thru visual and retail POS collateral, to disruptive retail events, thru innovative consumer experiences, are threaded with a consistent Brand voice for all accounts. 7. Develop and lead product presentation training programs for Nike teams and third-party retail product merchandising roles. Provide on-going coaching and training for US and Canada territory teams. 8. Lead the design and print of seasonal product presentation directives scaled for a broad range of Nike environments across the variety of key retail partner accounts.

9. Lead the design and print of seasonal product presentation directives scaled for a broad range of Nike environments across the variety of key retail partner accounts.

10. Developed the Nike corporate retail lab space and worked with design and merchant teams on developing product stories by fixturing, visual and overall space.

Ralph Lauren

General Manager - Philadephia RL Flagship on Rittenhouse Square 2008 – 2009

Philadelphia, PA

General Manager for this Flagship level RL store, responsible to focus on developing leadership talent, running a profitable business, and executing strategic initiatives to deliver an exceptional customer experience and exceed financial results. Success achieved through optimizing outstanding customer engagement, deliberate talent development, and increasing overall productivity while delivering the highest level of Ralph Lauren brand integrity standards. The link between the brand vision, product, and how it comes to life for the consumer. Luxury men, women, children's apparel and accessories, and full home collection. 11,888 sq ft retail, at landmark Rittenhouse Square. Full service with 3 tailors in store. Victorinox Swiss Army Brands

GMM / National Director US Retail

2006 – 2008

New York, NY

Head of retail with full P&L responsibility for all brick and mortar VSA stores (signature flagship stores and outlet stores): Buying, inventory planning, marketing/ consumer events, product presentation, staffing, etc. 1. Increased all store sales by +225% in first year. 2. Managed multiple retail store teams: Directed recruiting & training. 3. Directed the successful execution of store remodels. 4. Unique experience working with Landmark Building Commission restrictions and Historic Building Development use for new retail stores and remodels (SoHo NYC).

5. Partnership with design teams to develop new apparel product. 6. First/ singular contact for celebrity wardrobing at the Flagship store/ styling, product seeding and on-going professional relationships. Product: Luxury Apparel, Luxury Watches, Accessories, Luggage, Knives & Pocket Tools Nautica

Vice President Global Retail, Marketing, and Analytics 1995 – 2005

New York City

Led the Nautica Global Brand Marketing vision, driving profitable sales with compelling retail, innovative product presentation and visual, and disruptive consumer experiences for US, Asia Pacific, Latin America and Europe. 1. Managed 6 Nautica business units, with over 25+ licensee branded presentations in over 20+ countries. A complex business portfolio of new and established brands targeting a broad range of customer lifestyles; a distribution base comprising signature Nautica stores, major department stores, specialty and travel retailers, green grass golf clubs and resort stores. Aggressive travel schedule for both Geo and Global businesses.

2. Developed and expertly managed a high performing wholesale team of 7 Regional Managers, and 145 Field Brand Managers charged with servicing all Nautica wholesale brands. Controlled $75M capital budget and $7M expense budget. 3. US sales growth during this time period exploded from $45M to $2.0B. Successfully launched five new company divisions. Opened new signature Nautica stores, and opened over 1200+ department store shops in North America. 4. Established new innovative consumer Loyalty programs for acquisition and retention, creating traffic and conversion. 5. Additionally, I earned expanded corporate accountability to lead Asia Pacific merchandising and direct quarterly wholesale go-to market sales meetings in Hong Kong: I developed specific country product assortments and also managed product production/minimums quarterly in addition to directing Brand retail development and retail marketing for those Asia Pacific countries year-round. • I directed Retail Development and Marketing for 10 Asia Pacific countries with 225 retail locations, and 45 freestanding signature Brand stores.

• During this time period, Asia Pacific sales grew from $55M to $280M generating over $10M in royalties. Sales in Hong Kong and China grew over 400% in just 3 years.)

• Created compelling assortments for wholesale sportswear & golf lines at new “Asia size specs” specifically for 10 Asia Pacific countries.

(Improved retail sales for Asia Pacific countries by not utilizing US size specs and moving to smaller “Asia size spec models” by size.) 6. Unique experience opening new stores working within Landmark Building Commission and Historic Building retail design guidelines

(Rockefeller Center NY, Tokyo, London, Hong Kong, Seoul, Bangkok). 7. Significant celebrity relationships for retail events and product placement marketing/ celebrity wardrobing/ personal use. Events: America’s Cup sponsorship events, Nautica Malibu Triathlons, U.S. Sailing Team, Conde Nast events. Product: Fashion apparel (mens, womens, children), footwear, luxury watches, fragrance & cosmetics, luggage, home collection and all licensee businesses.

(Note: Tenure is prior to company sale to VF Corp.) EDUCATION

Eastern Washington University - Bachelor of Arts (BA) Psychology International study at Concordia University, Montreal - PQ Canada AWARDS

● June 2012 - Nike "MVP" award (Most Valuable Player for Outstanding Achievements in Leadership, Teamwork and Account Management.)

● June 2013 - Nike "MVP" award (Most Valuable Player for Outstanding Achievements in Leadership, Teamwork and Account Management.)

● June 2014 - Nike "MVP" award (Most Valuable Player) February 2004 -

● Nautica, David Chu, CEO and President Award “Recognition of lasting contribution, dedication and outstanding performance”

● June 2015 - Nike "MVP" award (Most Valuable Player for Outstanding Achievements in Leadership, Teamwork and Account Management.)

SPECIAL PROJECT

Visual Team: Paramount Pictures movie, “Thinner” by Stephen King; Spelling Films International, Paramount Pictures, 1995. (Hired to create and maintain a retail store set for the movie.)

VOLUNTEER – GUEST TEACHING

University of Oregon - Charles H. Lundquist College of Business Mentor for Masters of Science Degree Candidates - Lundquist College of Business 2016 – Present

Fashion Institute of Technology/FIT

Guest Instructor

1992 – 2005 - Volunteer duration -13 yrs

Guest lecturer: Retail Marketing, Global Marketing, Strategic Brand Marketing, Retail Analytics. Also, same role for related work at IFM in Paris (Institut Francais de la Mode): Travel to Paris to speak at international fashion conferences held at IFM, and as a guest lecturer for IFM classes.

Institut Français de la Mode

Featured Key Speaker

2000

Professional Lecturer

Featured Speaker at "IFM Fashion Summit", Institute Francais de la Mode -Paris, France:

"Comparison of Retail Formats in Europe and Asia vs. the United States" September 2000 Paramount Pictures

Visual Team: Paramount Pictures Movie "Thinner" by Stephen King. Spelling Films International. 1995 – 1995

Contracted to create the retail store environment that was the center of the story. 1995 Film released in 1996. Professional Celebrity Relationships: Brand retail & charity events- and/or product marketing. Personal appearance events or celebrity product marketing with personal styling. Celebrity Relationships (I have personal cell phone contacts for most of these individuals) Jennifer Lopez (American Rag)

Jennifer Coolidge (American Rag)

Tiki Barber (GQ & Nautica)

Lee Bailey

Kobe Bryant (Nike & FootLocker)

David Boreanaz (Nautica)

David Chokachi (Nautica)

David Chu (Nautica & People Magazine in Hong Kong) Rocco DiSpiritu (Vanity Fair &Victorinox)

Arthur Elgort (Ralph Lauren)

Boomer Esiason (Boomer Esiason Foundation & Nautica) Jennifer Garner (Nautica)

Goldie Hawn (Ralph Lauren)

Christian Houtenbos

Lebron James (Nike & FootLocker)

Calvin Klein (Calvin Klein & key retailers)

William H. Macy (Nautica)

Bonnie Pfeifer (Ralph Lauren)

Jerome Robbins

Kurt Russell (Ralph Lauren)

Seal (for Victorinox)

David Schwimmer (Victorinox)

Molly Shannon

Kathleen Turner

John Varvatos (Nautica)

Bruce Weber

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