Project/Brand Manager

QUALIFICATIONS PROFILE

Remarkably astute, seasoned, and tenacious professional offering more than 10 years of extensive marketing, corporate communications, and brand management experience. Show consistent record of increasing revenue, sales, and brand recognition by developing and implementing effective marketing strategies and plans. Offer high-caliber qualifications in creating corporate and product identities, generating marketing channels, and stimulating product growth. Exemplify keen expertise in penetrating and growing markets and directing organization’s business processes to improve efficiency and productivity while reducing costs and increasing customer base. Demonstrate in-depth knowledge in presentation, negotiation, closing, and follow-through, with a strong ability to build an industry presence. Successfully relate to and work with diverse people, adapt to cultures, and provide innovative solutions. Proven ability to multitask in stressful, challenging, and fast-paced environments.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

- Marketing Campaigns and Promotions - Corporate Action Plans and Development

- Unique Prospecting Techniques - New Product Launch, Branding, and Positioning

- Financial Analysis and Reporting - Outstanding Public, Community and Media Relations

- Leadership, Training, and Team Building - Budget and Time Management

- Client Needs Assessment - Persuasion, Negotiation, and Closing Expertise

- Problem Resolution and Decision Making - Superior Presentation and Communication Skills

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

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SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER / CONSULTING / DESIGN OCT 2008–PRESENT

ERMCAR, INC. - MARIETTA, GA

Provide short-term project management and consulting focusing on practical, functional, aesthetic, and affordable methods in achieving client’s goals. Utilize sales forecasting and strategic planning to ensure the sale and profitability of products while analyzing business developments and monitoring market trends. Assume responsibilities in monitoring and ensuring timely payments from clients. Build and cultivate long-term quality relationships with partners and large clients to provide total satisfaction and to generate referrals and repeat business. Organize public relations programs designed to create and maintain a favorable public image for client. Collaborate with marketing and package groups to understand project scope and to develop creative strategy.

Notable Contributions:

- Created and distributed support mailings, newsletters, and instruction assembly sheets for graphic displays and fixtures for major accounts

- Played an integral role in developing large communications systems for major accounts

- Drove extensive infrastructure changes while conferring with clients, contractors, and business partners

- Major Accounts: DeWALT, Simmons Bedding Company, Sealy, Toys "R" Us, National Infantry Museum, Atlanta Union Mission, National Vision, America's Best, Mattress Sleep Center, Ashley Furniture Home Store, and Boral Bricks

SENIOR BRAND MANAGER / CLIENT SERVICES / CREATIVE MARKETING FEB–SEP 2008

MADDEN COMMUNICATIONS, INC. - RICHMOND, VA

Directed and coordinated daily operational aspects of client relationship and partnership on the Philip Morris USA account. Administered a $40 million budget while looking for cost saving opportunities. Integrated training seminar manuals and various teaching protocols to educate personnel on the Surgeon General Guidelines and Master Settlement Agreement and its impact to the tobacco industry. Researched and developed promotional concepts and proposal details; art and keyline management; sort and ship of in-store promotional point-of-purchase.

Notable Contributions:

- Reduced project and implementation costs by 57 percent by strategically aligning store counts and sales for every geographic territory

- Redesigned and restructured product displays and fixtures resulting in lower freight and shipping costs

- Pioneered and launched the “L&M” brand line extension, including the “Virginia Slims” purse pack brand and refreshed the “Basic” brand for Philip Morris USA

- Established and implemented the “John Middleton” brand for Altria Client Services

- Innovated numerous health communications and marketing materials for Philip Morris USA supporting internal Youth Smoking Prevention (YSP) and Youth Tobacco Prevention (YTP) initiatives

- Sold the organization and sourced new internal opportunities within existing client accounts

- Major Accounts: Philip Morris USA including Basic, Parliament Virginia Slims, L&M, John Middleton, SNUS, MST, Marlboro, Puerto Rico, and Guam

SENIOR CORPORATE BUYER / PUBLIC RELATIONS / SPECIAL EVENTS SEP 2006–JAN 2008

CIRCUIT CITY STORES, INC. - RICHMOND, VA

Effectively managed key account development programs that targeted, penetrated, and launched business growth throughout the Pacific, Northwest, and Southeast regions. Instrumental in developing programs and special events appealing to the community. Led and orchestrated monthly competitive strategy meetings with senior management to address departmental issues. Facilitated regular training sessions and developed 13 newly hired associates and media assistants. Updated e-mail address book, contact list, internal database and spreadsheets, and insertion orders during transition of newspapers and communicating the pertinent correspondence to vendors. Conducted aggressive contract rate negotiations for radio and print media.

Notable Contributions:

- Cost-effectively saved $20.8 million to Circuit City’s Print Media Department through detailed restructuring and analysis of 65 vendor partners in 17 designated markets

- Designed multifunctional advertising packages that were utilized at the NAA Conference in Las Vegas

- Negotiated 65 value-added retail newspaper advertisements in launching the “firedog Across America” campaign

- Orchestrated and led all initiatives for the successful launch and implementation of Circuit City’s internal contract documentation process

- Promoted the Consumer Electronics Show (C.E.S) as a viable advertising avenue targeting viewer audiences

- Achieved the “City Star Award” from 2006 to 2008

MEMBERSHIP ASSOCIATE / FITNESS / COMMUNICATIONS DEC 2006–FEB 2008

AMERICAN FAMILY FITNESS - RICHMOND, VA

Primarily held responsible for distributing support mailings and internal documentation to notify the community of health and wellness services and activities being offered by the facility. Welcomed and greeted all members and guests and actively responded to all incoming phone calls.

Notable Contributions:

- Provided assistance to the following:

> Marketing Department team members in project work to administrative tasks

> Sales team in generating new memberships and prospects

> Recruitment and marketing manager in preparing trainings, training materials, and newsletters

> Account team with on-site execution of corporate hospitality and special events

- Honored and awarded as American Family Fitness “Friendliest Guy” in 2007

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE / MEDIA / PROMOTIONS NOV 2004–AUG 2006

INNOVATIVE MEDIA SOLUTIONS - ATLANTA, GA

Managed Pacific, Northwest, and derivative marketing communications including online, print, promotions, direct mail, and VIP visits. Carried out all aspects pertaining to print media on The Home Depot Account in order to develop productive sourcing relationships. Developed reports, processed written communication, updated contract status, developed competitive lineage, and assisted with contract rate negotiations. Actively participated in community relations programs, events, and activities to promote products and services.

Notable Contributions:

- Leveraged product awareness, market share, and company profitability by developing and implementing business strategies

- Worked with the creative agency of Ambrosi Atlanta to develop the Tony Stewart NASCAR retail newspaper advertisements for The Home Depot

- Successfully negotiated and closed client’s initiative in 13 Hispanic and Asian markets across the country

- Reduced billing discrepancies by accurately verifying all rates and quantities in account system

- Presented with “Employee of the Quarter” award in 2005 and 2006

- Major Accounts: The Home Depot, Golfsmith, and Bombay

FRONT DESK ASSOCIATE / HEALTH / WELLNESS APR 2004–JUN 2006

YMCA OF COBB COUNTY - MARIETTA, GA

Educated all members and staff of any diseases, outbreaks, or infections that were prevalent in the community by distributing health communication documents. Completed incident / accident reports for all injuries inquired on the premises. Attended and participated in appropriate weekly staff meetings and assisted in recruitment of group / individual to support YMCA’s programs. Monitored volunteer hours and recognized volunteers on birthdays and holidays.

Notable Contributions:

- Took part in writing news releases, organizing events and promotions, and contacting media with written and telephone communications

- Supported the Branch Director and management staff in a high stress, legal, and sensitive issue involving molestation and misconduct charges of a fellow employee who faced seven felony counts

MARKETING CONSULTANT / SALES / PRESENTATION JUN 2003–OCT 2004

ERMCAR, INC. - MARIETTA, GA

Worked collaboratively with project managers and principals concerning marketing endeavors, client proposals, presentations, material boards, and case history photographs. Arranged travel itineraries for presentations, scheduled appointments, and engaged in new business telemarketing. Searched prospective clients by developing publicity opportunities and effective follow-through. Interacted with customers to provide information in response to inquiries about products and services and to address and resolve complaints.

Notable Contributions:

- Conceptualized marketing strategies, business development plans, promotional activities, and product development projects for multiple clients; Explored web marketing and promotional opportunities

- Orchestrated meetings, lunches, and dinners to present company’s value and develop strong relationships

- Oversaw product-development / production process focusing on budgets, timeframes, quality, product specifications, and industry guidelines and regulations

TEAM LEAD SUPERVISOR / CUSTOMER SERVICE / RETAIL DEC 1998–NOV 2004

TARGET STORES, INC. - KENNESAW, GA

Served as a peer trainer and facilitated training to 20 employees for advanced job performance. Performed administrative duties such as screening calls and visitors, routing mail and deliveries, maintaining calendars, and interacting with consumers.

Notable Contributions:

- Originated powerful and visually appealing documents for Target Corporation to notify the general public of policies, procedures, recalls, and proper security measures

- Formulated training documents and spreadsheets for all Target Corporation personnel in store #981

- Exemplified advance skills in typing, filing, word processing, data entry, light bookkeeping, invoicing, writing / editing documents and correspondence, and setting merchandising plan-o-grams and adjacencies

ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT REPRESENTATIVE / CALL CENTER / RISK ANALYSIS DEC 2001–MAY 2003

CHASE CARD SERVICES - KENNESAW, GA

Contacted and utilized persuasive verbal skills to delinquent customers regarding their payment arrangements and assisted distressed customers concerning their Circuit City charge card accounts. Managed checklists for First North American National Bank to be utilized by the entire customer service and account management departments.

Notable Contributions:

- Increased productivity and personal collecting goals by conducting effective training to 15 employees

- Upgraded conversions from manual to computerized and integrated several software applications and programs within a company-wide network

- Received Customer Service “Top Ten” Performance Achievement Award in 2001

- Obtained the “Highest Dollars Cured” Performance Achievement Award in 2002 and 2003

EARLIER CAREER

- Store Support Manager / Customer Relations / Merchandising - Kids “R” Us, Kennesaw, GA: 1997–1998

EDUCATION

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INITIATED MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION DEGREE, Concentration in Marketing

- Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA: Aug–Oct 2008

BACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION IN MARKETING, GPA: 3.47, Concentration in Advertising and Promotions

- Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA: Aug 1999–May 2004

STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM

- Kennesaw State University; England, Scotland, and Ireland: May 2003–Jul 2003

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

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Introduction to Multimedia Certification: Sep 2003

Chase Card Services Customer Service Training Certification: Jan 2001

Chase Card Services Customer Service Reage Training Certification: Jun 2001

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

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Member, The National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS): Aug 2000–Present

Member, Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society, Incorporated: Mar 2000–Present

Member, The National Beta Club: Oct 1998–Present

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENTS

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Volunteer, MUST Ministries: Jul 2000 | Volunteer, The Salvation Army: Dec 2006 and Dec 2007

Volunteer, Susan G. Komen for the Cure: Oct 2008

COMPUTER PROFICIENCIES

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Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, Access, Outlook, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Lotus Notes, and Internet Applications

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