Product Manager

Linda Willson

Johns Creek, GA

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

KEYWORD SUMMARY

Product Management, Product Development, Alliance Management, Partnership

Management, Project Management, Marketing Manager, Sales Training, Sales

Support, Product Requirements, MBA

QUALIFICATIONS SUMMARY

Accomplished marketing professional with consistent history of achievement in

the spectrum of business-to-business services marketing. Extensive experience

as product manager, enhancing a product line and new product development from

concept to launch plan including all logistics and interface including

technology. Strong planning, analytical, product knowledge and ability to

execute complex situations with tenacity and decisiveness. Recognized for

leadership, applied learning, relationship skills and passion for product

performance and profitability.

Areas of expertise:

* Product development and management

* Alliance management

* Sales support

* Credit file and scoring education

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

EQUIFAX - Atlanta, GA 1981-2008

$1.5 billion global company selling consumer information to businesses and

consumers

Director, Product Management, February 1996-March 2008

Managed risk and compliance product lines, including development and execution

of comprehensive marketing and launch plans, creating new product

opportunities and enhancements, and translating the requirements to

technology. Overall management of relationship with partners which included

contract negotiation and compliance with contracts.

* Managed the products and relationships with multiple third parties whose

products were offered by Equifax, including Fair Isaac, which developed the

credit score. Centralized the focus on the company and became the key contact

and subject expert on Fair Isaac risk score product line at Equifax. Was key

in building the relationship resulting in new and enhanced products.

* Coordinated a project with Fair Isaac, involving technology, marketing,

legal and communications, which generated $10 million in revenue the first

year. This became a new business unit selling to consumers and was

revolutionary in offering scores and credit files to consumers and consumer

education.

* Performed all marketing functions for the Fair Isaac product line, one of

the top five products in revenue and the top third party relationship,

including product management, product development, product marketing (sales

materials) and sales training and support.

* Organized special pricing and exception pricing with third parties, for

their products sold at the company, resulting in average annual savings of 3%

of product revenue.

* Re-launched a third party scoring model developed by LexisNexis by creating

sales material, conducting sales training and participating in sales calls,

increasing revenue by 15% in a year.

* Took on additional responsibility for compliance product line to expand

watch list product to other sales channels. Created sales materials, conducted

sales training, and identified opportunities for business expansion

internationally.

* Migrated 89% of customers from older product versions, saving $150,000

annually in software support. This was the first time a migration like this

was conducted and involved tens of thousands of customers.

EQUIFAX

Product Development and Product Management positions, April 1988- January 1996

Product management responsibilities included marketing analysis, key customer

market research, revenue tracking, competitive intelligence, industry trends,

and sales and customer newsletter editor. New product development for credit

marketing industry involved developing marketing and launch plans, interfacing

with technology, creating customer and sales guides, and sales training.

* Developed and launched five new products to offer the credit marketing

industry for account management and new account solicitations.

* Editor of two newsletters, one internal communication vehicle for sales and

marketing and the other an external customer newsletter. First newsletters

for this business unit.

* Conducted first customer survey for the credit marketing division, which

lead to new products.

* Standardized product development procedures in the credit marketing

division.

EQUIFAX

Account Executive/Project Manager, July 1985- March 1988

Managed projects that delivered targeted consumer names to the direct mail

industry.

* Managed projects representing 75% of the department’s revenue.

* Responsible for entire project from obtaining specifications from sales

and customer, communicating it to technology and conducting quality

control audits prior to shipping.

* Developed procedures and simplified forms for submitting projects.

EQUIFAX

Marketing Manager, January 1981- June 1985

Held various marketing positions servicing the following industries: banking,

retail, collections, medical billing, and consumer credit marketing.

Responsibilities included marketing analysis, key customer market research,

competitive intelligence, and industry trends.

Norfolk Southern Railway – Atlanta, GA July 1975- January 1981

Senior Customer Account Auditor

Supervised a team of four Customer Account Auditors. Trained, evaluated and

monitored their work. Responsible for $8 million per month in receivables.

Identified and resolved exception situations relating to monitoring and

tracing delinquent commercial accounts.

Bank of America – Atlanta, GA April 1973- July 1975

Research Assistant

Conducted market research, developed and analyzed consumer surveys and

advertising effectiveness.

EDUCATION

M.B.A., Marketing, GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY, Atlanta, GA, 1978

B.A., Business, MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY, East Lansing, MI, 1973

COMPUTER SKILLS

Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, MS Project, Lotus Notes

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

* Member of Technology Association of Georgia

* Former member of American Marketing Association, served as Vice President

Finance, Secretary, Treasurer, AVP Arrangements, AVP Membership Development,

and Mini-course Chair

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