20 + Years of Sales and Marketing Experience

Christopher A. Charlton

**** ******* ■ Roeland Park, KS 66205 ■ 913-***-**** ■ **************@*******.***

Sales ~ Marketing ~ National Accounts ~ Account Management

A highly experienced Sales and Marketing professional with more than 15 years of national account experience, with 10 years in the consumer electronics industry. Demonstrated success with small companies, Fortune 100 companies, non-profit and start-up ventures. Proven ability to direct expense budgets from $5 to $30 million and generate sales from $15 to more than $100 million. Strong sales and marketing skills with deep and varied experience in:

▪ Client Services ▪ Strategic Planning ▪ Campaign Execution

▪ National Accounts ▪ Account Management ▪ Channel Marketing

▪ Communications ▪ Budget Management ▪ Leadership

Professional Experience

Sprint, Overland Park, Kansas 1998 - 2009

National Account Manager (2006 – 2009)

National account manager, responsible for sales, communications, marketing campaigns, merchandising and overall account management for national accounts and regional accounts.

• Generated over $10 million in revenue from retailers CompUSA, Home Depot and Nebraska Furniture Mart by leading team’s internally and externally to launch sales promotions.

• Increased market share from 27% to 40% in CompUSA, even during a downturn in their overall retail sales in over 200 stores by developing and launching programs directly into individual stores.

• Directed the launch of a “Proof of Concept” trial with Home Depot in New York, Los Angeles and Atlanta leading a team of individuals at Sprint corporate, the field sales force and key personnel at Home Depot.

• Developed marketing, communications and training programs that led all of Sprint’s national retailers and company owned stores, in key metrics such as customer retention and monthly revenue per subscriber.

Senior Manager, Consumer Marketing (2002 – 2006)

Responsible for the strategy, development and execution of all marketing programs on a national basis using classical marketing skills. Also, the key liaison between Consumer Marketing and senior leaders in all other departments including advertising, public relations, merchandising, sales, national accounts, operations, training, legal, and finance.

• Led the launch of all national and local marketing programs on time and on budget during a time when Sprint led the industry for 14 consecutive quarters of wireless sales growth.

• Built key relationships across all departments at Sprint including many senior level positions.

• Driving force that led the merger launch of Sprint/Nextel retail communications in more than 20,000 retail doors, such as Sprint Stores as well as key national retailers like Wal-Mart, RadioShack, Best Buy and 1000s of other local dealers.

• Identified $15 million in cost savings from the combined Sprint / Nextel retail communications budget, cutting the budget from $45 million down to $30 million in one year.

Manager, Online Sales & Marketing Communications (1998 – 2002)

Two Direct Reports: Assistant Account Manager; Marketing Coordinator

Primary contact and key liaison between Marketing Communications and the Consumer Business Unit working with senior leaders in marketing, national account sales and the field sales organization.

• Led national market launches by developing smooth relationships between consumer marketing and marketing communications and improved relations with the field sales organization that resulted in integrated campaigns that generated 30-40% year over year sales results.

• Developed the initial idea, and ultimately led the execution of the 2000 Holiday “Contingency Plan” that broke all sales records.

• Launched ecommerce marketing programs for the Web site (www.sprint.com) increasing revenue from $20 million to more than $100 million in one year.

Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), Lawrence, Kansas 1996 – 1998

A national association with over 30,000 members dedicated to enhancing the game of golf.

Senior Manager, Marketing, Publications and Creative Services (1996 – 1998)

Five Direct Reports: Editor-In-Chief, Marketing Manager (Trade Show); Marketing Manager (Advertising), Lead Graphic Designer, Production Supervisor.

• Driving force in leading the publications team to its best year ever in 1997, with over 3,500 total pages (advertising and editorial) for “Golf Course Management”.

• Led the marketing and creative teams to their best year ever in terms of the record number of attendees at the association’s annual conference and trade show, and the numerous advertising and design awards the team won.

• Instituted cost cutting measures that saved, in one year, the non-profit association over $1 million in operating expenses for the department.

• Direct interface with the Association’s Board of Director’s through the Publications Committee

KC Sports Magazine, Overland Park, Kansas 1995-1996

A local sports publication dedicated to professional, college, high school and recreational sports.

Sales Manager / Owner (1995 – 1996)

Five Direct Reports: Editor, Sales Manager, Photographer, Graphic Designer, Production Manager

• Launched Kansas City’s 1st All Sports Magazine.

• Achieved sales of $1 million for KC Sports Magazine before the first issue was published.

• Led the entire staff of free-lance writers, photographers, designers, production team and sales staff to produce this “award winning” publication.

Primedia (formerly Intertec Publishing), Overland Park, Kansas 1984 -1995

A specialty Business-to-Business and Business-to-Consumer publishing company selling to the marine, outdoor power equipment and agriculture markets.

Director of Sales & Marketing (1984 – 1995)

Four Direct Reports: Advertising & Promotions Manager, Direct Marketing Manager, Retail Sales Manager, Graphic Designer

• Developed the annual planning process to include sales, marketing, editorial and budgeting.

• Led the acquisition of a small publishing company adding $3 million in sales, increasing sales 33% and profits 50% in the first year.

• Driving force that increased annual sales 10-fold ($1.5 to $15 million) and increased net profit nearly 15-Fold ($350,000 to $5 million) from 1988 to 1995.

• Re-energized existing book lines, expanding their product life-cycle with a NEW brand look and retail promotions.

• Promoted to Director in 1990 after leading the company through the acquisition transition.

• Developed annual trade show program for various industries including IMTEC marine trade show.

Education

Master of Science, Journalism / Advertising

Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois

Bachelor of Science, Journalism / Advertising

University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas

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