Results Proven Marketing Leader

MARK J.COSBY

**** ******** *****, *******, *****, 76226, T. 940-***-****, C. 203-***-****

***.*****@*****.***

CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS/MARKETING/BRANDING/ADVERTISING

Consumer Loyalty-Brand Management-E-Commerce-Strategic Marketing

Corporate Communications, Marketing, Branding and Advertising Leader highly successful at planning, building, and developing marketing and CRM initiatives that have delivered outstanding returns. A “hands-on” player passionate to lead, coach and mentor others; challenging them to reach their full potential. Projects a “do what it takes” attitude that brings people, organizations and teams together to produce exceptional results and ultimately winning the hearts and minds of stakeholders and employees.

• A strategic developer of corporate marketing and advertising programs that have resulted in exceptional levels of consumer trial and acceptance, resulting in bottom line profits and organizational excellence.

Go-To-Market Strategies - Customer Acquisition & Retention – Customer Win-Back Strategies

Creative Marketing Techniques - New Business Acquisition - Strategic & Tactical Business Planning

Special Events & Promotions – Consumer Research Management - Customer Support - Negotiations

Corporate Sponsorships - Sales Support - Operational Management - Process Improvements

• Launched 31 stores in new markets within a 12 month period, representing a 50% increase in corporate store count, generating the critical mass necessary to justify the purchase of broadcast TV advertising in the New York City market which, in turn, provided a significant sales boost to existing NYC stores.

• Re-launched a respected brand with over 75 years of grocery retail history in the marketplace. Reintroduced a venerable name to consumers with focus on reputation for service, value, and convenience. Rolled out new CRM initiatives, new store décor package and branded meat program.

• Selected by President to chair a multi-departmental task force of representatives that included all merchandising departments, pricing, construction, support services, store operations, logistics and consumer research, with the objective of developing a business plan that would improve performance and increase sales by 15% in 8 underperforming stores. As a result of leadership, strategic planning, remerchandising, adding specialty departments, and increasing CRM initiatives, achieved a 50% increase in sales on time and on task.

• Accelerated an established product manufacturing company from $12 million in annual sales to $20 million in just 12 months through utilization of focused marketing strategies.

• Developed aggressive web marketing campaign to drive new “unique” visitors to website. Created cutting edge corporate website with improved navigation, virtual product tours and a fully functional e-commerce area, resulting in an increase as high as 10,000 new visitors per day.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCES/CAREER HISTORY

Minyard Food Stores, Coppell Texas.........................................................................................................................................................2008

Minyard Food Stores, Inc., the only locally owned and operated grocery chain of its size in the Dallas/ Fort Worth Metroplex operates 58 supermarkets, 33 pharmacies and 13 fuel stations including 21 Minyard Food Stores, 25 Carnival Super Markets, and 12 Sack'n Save Warehouse Food Stores. For over 76 years Minyard Food Stores has built a strong reputation for quality, value, service and community involvement; supporting our customers and the neighborhoods we serve.

Director of Marketing

• Responsible for all functions of marketing department; advertising, branding, promotions, loyalty programs, traffic and sales building programs, public relations, grassroots marketing initiatives, on-line marketing, and corporate sponsorships .

• Launched company-wide Free Pre-natal Vitamin Program providing free vitamins to expectant moms for up to twelve months resulting in increased traffic, increased first time shoppers, and increased sales.

• Developed and executed loyalty program to increase shopping frequency and order size. Launched discount fuel program in all stores with fuel centers. The resulting increase in average order size has contributed to bringing the entire Minyard banner from negative to positive YTY comparative sales.

• Re-launched the respected Minyard brand to the marketplace emphasizing the 76 year history and our dedication to service, value and convenience. Introduced new CRM initiatives, new store décor package, and branded meat program.

Logical Solutions/ThinkLogical.com, Milford Connecticut................................................................................................2002 to 2008

Thinklogical is a privately held global technology developer and manufacturer of Serial & KVM switches, fiber optic extension systems, and large-scale fiber matrix switches for IT server installations. Thinklogical sells directly and through reseller and VAR channels. Some of the vertical markets include government and military, broadcast and post-production, oil and gas scientific exploration, banking and brokerage, commercial IT, and medical imaging.

Vice President of Marketing

• Recruited by former President of Lightwave Communications to develop and execute global marketing, image branding, and promotional strategies for startup Logical Solutions. Manage all corporate identity, branding, product marketing, advertising, public relations, and sales support activities both traditional and on-line.

Lightwave Communications, Milford, Connecticut.................................................................................................................1999 to 2002

Lightwave Communications was an international technology developer and manufacturer of Serial & KVM switches and fiber optic extension systems for large scale IT server installations in private & government sectors. The company sold in 2001.

Vice President of Marketing

• Primary duties consisted of directing all product marketing, advertising, public relations, and sales support activities, as well as product collateral development, trade show coordination, web development/marketing, e-commerce, and product certifications. Served as key international marketing liaison between headquarters and offices in Munich, Germany and Melbourne, Australia.

Giant Food Stores Inc/Edwards Super Food Stores, Carlisle, Pennsylvania....................................................................1995 to 1999

Giant Food, founded in 1923, serves customers in Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia under Giant, Martins, and Tops banners. In 1981, Giant became a member of the Royal Ahold international family of grocery stores. Edwards Super Food Stores merged with Giant in 1997.

Vice President of Advertising & Public Relations/Giant Food Stores Inc

• Accountable for advertising (print and electronic), CRM, marketing/sales promotions, competitive strategy, creative development, consumer affairs, public relations, consumer research, demo services, and store décor functions. Managed ad agency, 3 directors, 1 manager, and 23 production/support associates. Annual budget administered: $39 million.

• Transformed advertising from ROP to preprinted circulars and distribution method from newspaper to marriage mail during a time of sluggish sales in a group of 15 stores. As a result, sales increased by 30% in 3 months. Developed and executed Giant’s 1st weekly circular program and expanded merchandising space that provided a 500% increase in advertising discounts/allowances. This effort realized $5 million in incremental revenue in the 1st year.

Vice President of Advertising & Public Relations/Edwards Super Food Stores

• Prior to the merger with Giant Food Stores in 1997, responsible for all advertising (print and electronic), marketing/sales promotions, creative development, competitive strategy, consumer affairs, public relations, and consumer research functions. Oversaw ad agency and 22-member staff of 4 managers (advertising, consumer affairs, print media, and consumer research) and 18 production/support associates.

• Saved $2 million in annual circular paper costs by reducing dimensional size of the circular and negotiating the company’s 1st newsprint brokerage contract. Negotiated new printing contract that produced $200,000 savings per year while creating a $300,000 fund for purchase of new production equipment.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCES

Brookshire Grocery Company Tyler, Texas..............................................................................................................................1987 to 1995

Advertising Manager

• Charged with overseeing print and electronic advertising, special promotions, competitive strategy, marketing development of new store formats, creative development, store décor, and private label packaging. Managed outside ad agency. Supervised 3 coordinators (production, media, and design) and 13 production/support associates.

Safeway Stores Inc, Dallas, Texas................................................................................................................................................1973 to 1987

Advertising Supervisor

• Key duties centered on managing the planning, creation and production of print/electronic advertising, special events/promotions planning and execution, and development of promotional support for new store formats. Managed ad agency and directed a 5-member staff (1 advertising supervisor and 4 production/support associates).

EDUCATION/COURSE WORK

B.B.A., Marketing, University of Texas, Arlington, Texas

Dale Carnegie: Effective Communication and Human Relations

Cornell University: Management Distance Learning Program Effective Communication, Managing and Training People

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