KIM MARIE THORE
*** ********* **** • Winston Salem, NC, 27103 • cell 336-***-****• ************@*****.***
MARKETING PROFESSIONAL
Strategic Positioning/ Social Media / Public Relations /Marketing Communications
Talented, results-producing Marketing Professional with a proven record of accomplishment in planning and leading comprehensive marketing strategies in support of business goals and objectives. Expertise in directing the creation of marketing tools and steering the execution of marketing programs. Demonstrated success driving growth in targeted markets through implementation of key projects. Solid leadership skills; able to build and guide top-performing marketing teams. Adept at communicating with management, vendors, and internal departments to coordinate overall marketing efforts.
A seasoned leader that can direct an organization in the visioning of a marketing strategy, development of an economic business case and execution of an aggressive project plan. Skilled in effective sales and marketing communications, business partnership development, team building and mentoring.
Experienced in producing effective and dynamic marketing strategies in a variety of marketplaces. Adept at utilizing Social Media Marketing tools and methodologies (Twitter, Blogs, LinkedIN, Facebook, MySpace and YouTube), engaging online communities to generate exposure, opportunity and sales. Conceive and implement identity, media strategy including imaging, market penetration and pull through, logo design, brand identity, brochures and marketing materials.
Expert in creating positive relationship, developing multi-dimensional communication strategies and managing complex issues for Multinational Corporations and clients. Ability to motivate and lead the team with successful outcomes. Marketing and Communications management professional with expertise in implementing plans and evaluating outcomes in traditional and online channels.
• Strategic Market Planning • Social Media Marketing
• Marketing Collateral Development • Market Research & Analysis
• Web Development & Management • Team Building & Management
• Editorial and Writing Expertise • Public Relations Experience
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Marketing Manager
Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC
2011- present
Manage and Create all Marketing and Communications functions for University Stores Division; oversee and direct all Marketing, Communication, Advertising, Online Marketing and Social Media initiatives.
Selected Contributions:
• Conceptualized, developed and launched company’s Social Network
• Developed strategic and tactical Marketing plans and Promotional calendar
• Responsible for all graphic design for advertising, web presence, and internal communications
• Responsible for content management including but not limited to ad copy, social media, web based communications and story development
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously
SENIOR EDITOR/MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
SR. EDITOR/MARKETING AND SALES CONSULTANT
Who’s Who Illustrated, LLC/ Valacious, LLC- St. Augustine, Florida
2006-2011
Managed corporate marketing, and communications functions; overseeing all staff writers. Directed brand management, PR, media relations, corporate positioning, advertising, sales collateral, and online marketing. Lead all editorial initiatives.
Selected Contributions:
Successfully maintained and increased client base by designing and implementing strategic customer-retention projects.
Responsible for the writing and editing of profiles of business leaders, entrepreneurs and artists
Developed marketing plans for website and business generation for future magazines
Produced marketing strategies, materials and publications for ongoing development of client base
Supported Sales team members with marketing tools to increase pull through rates
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING
Piedmont Aviation Credit Union
Winston Salem, NC
2008
Led organization’s rebranding process including brand positioning, development of overall look and feel, including but not limited to, signage, collateral, web design and community presence. Developed and managed a wide range of marketing tools, including promotional materials, direct-mail pieces, and Web site content. Defined and evaluated product marketing collateral, programs, and analyses. Maintained communication with management to ensure marketing activities aligned with business goals. Provided leadership and direction to associates to guide the creation of marketing materials and ensure congruence with objectives.
Selected Contributions
Redesigned website, positioned it for greater internet exposure, served as primary consultant in user experience design aligning with corporate objectives and incorporating user interface project goals
Created and implemented thematic marketing calendar, campaigns, public relations, internet marketing and events
Developed a complete marketing program where none previously existed. Program now serves as a guide for new hires and future departmental growth for $60 million credit union
Designed and executed campaigns for CD/MM/Fixed Rate Mortgage and Auto Loan Recapture netting over 4 million in revenue in less than 3 weeks
Executed overall marketing campaign strategy, tripling 2007’s campaign initiation and netting over 13 million before close of 2nd Quarter representing 36% of annual earnings
Responsible for Event Marketing and Community Investment Planning- exceeded goal by 32%
Strategically positioned the Credit Union with press and public relations pieces
Built in-house design team and grew outsourcing program
Responsible for redesign of all key marketing materials
Corporate Development Manager/ISO Certification Director/Lead Auditor
InterAct Public Safety Systems
Winston Salem, NC
May 2006- May 2007
Simultaneously held positions as Corporate Development Manager, ISO Certification Director, Manager of Customer Care and Lead Auditor responsible for Process Redesign, CPI, Gap Analysis for leading provider of public safety incident response and management software.
Selected Contributions:
• Appointed Corporate Development Manager to oversee process improvement initiatives across all company channels.
• Assigned additional responsibility as Leader of Customer Care Team members across multiple locations. Coached and Developed team members in core values.
• Appointed as Director of ISO9000 Certification- Responsible for the development and documentation of company-wide procedures and policies to support company-wide project that netted 25M in government contracts.
• Addressed performance gaps and opportunities for improvement in procedures in all areas within the organization; recommended and executed numerous initiatives.
• Successful in attaining ISO Certification within 7 months, across four sites and multiple processes
MARKETING DIRECTOR/OWNER
FRESH Productions and Marketing
Winston-Salem, NC
2000-2008
Managed full service Marketing firm focused on idea generation, strategic marketing, public relations and mass media production, developed Social Media Website for Triad residents, responsible for all content and editing.
Selected Contributions
Conceived marketing campaigns for clients targeted to specific media channels and resources
Developed Marketing materials including but not limited to brochures, websites, business materials, brand identity and company imaging resources
Responsible for all Creative Development of direct marketing campaigns, marketing materials, promotions, and PR
Wrote and monitored blogs, web outlets and utilized viral marketing techniques
Utilized the social web including social media sites to ensure maximum exposure and R.O.I.
Produced full scale marketing and PR events from initial idea generation to campaign completion
Served as Public Relations specialist in all aspects of Client Representation
Generated publicity campaigns, brand identity, special events and media relations
VICE PRESIDENT, Consumer Real Estate/ Consumer Credit Services
Bank of America, N.A.
Charlotte, NC
1996-2006
Served as a Process Improvement Expert, Manager and Project Leader in Telephone Banking Communications and Procedure, Consumer Credit Services and Consumer Real Estate. Developed numerous teams, call centers and front line managers. Led initiatives that supported organization’s marketing and branding strategies.
Selected Contributions
Created and managed Executive Response Team, Support Line Call Center, Provisional Credit, Credit Bureau and Loan/LOC Research Divisions. Responsible for all operations, support and the ongoing development of 117 associates and managers.
Reduced complaints by 30% and reduced cycle time for OCC issue resolution by 50% in one year
Led Differentiated Services initiative across all business segments of Consumer Credit Services
Managed Consumer Credit Services Call Center, Executive Response and Office of the President teams. Responsible for influencing the productivity and workflow of 150+ employees and 10 managers
Mentored 42 Team Leaders in Leadership and Company Core Values
Led merger-related projects as well as the development and communication of new company policies in Legacy and Direct Banking environments for 7,000+ associates
EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS
Bachelor of Arts Degree, English Literature • University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, NC USA
Masters Studies, Operational Management- Marketing • University of Phoenix- Phoenix, Arizona, USA
BSI Certified Auditor • Southern Polytechnic University- Marietta, Georgia USA
AWARDS AND ADDITIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS
• Committee Member, 2011 Wake Forest University Communications Committee
Board Member, 2008-2009 The Bell Initiative, UNC-G Entrepreneurship in the Arts Program
Committee Member/Facilitator , 2008-present Piedmont Triad Partnership Program
Coordinator for Team Little Guy Micro Community Grant Fundraiser, 2007- Exceeded goal by 40%
Recipient of Bank of America National Customer Experience Annual Leadership Award achieved by top 1% of the organization
Board Director, City Arts Coalition, Greensboro, NC - 2004 – Developed marketing strategies, fund raising approaches, led team to address financial and artistic goals of City Arts
Leader for Arts Council Campaign, 2003 Bank of America – Organized presentations, enrollment for 1500+ associates
Board Member, African American Atelier 2003 - 2004 – Developed marketing plans and materials, led fundraising activities
Board Member, Arts Council Committee on Giving, 2003 – Allotted grants for 40+ Arts and Music groups
Leader, Arts and Sciences Campaign, 2000 Bank of America – Exceeded goal by 22%
Leader, Arts and Sciences Campaign, 1996 NationsBank – Achieved highest participation rate in the history of the Telephone Banking Division and exceeded goal by 42%