Marketing and Product Development Director

• Sep 2014 - Present

• Assist in the development of the three-year Strategic Plan and create marketing and branding objectives in line with that plan. • Develop and manage innovative and effective new products to support company growth and maintain the product development schedule. o Successfully launched over 40 new products as well as a new sub-brand. • Conduct detailed and thorough research and analysis of competitors’ products to anticipate trends and determine gaps in the industry for possible new products. • Create partnerships with additional distributors to increase and expand presence in marketplace. o Contributed to over 40% growth of sales through distribution channels. • Maintain budgeted product margins on all new and existing products. Find and implement manufacturing efficiency gains. Conduct ongoing analysis of current product line SKUs and pricing. • Conduct product training for customers, the sales team and distributors, both in-person and via webinars. • Develop product usage and installation instructions and maintain updated database of instructions. • Manage marketing budget, tracking project costs to control expenses. • Support sales staff by providing sales data, market trends, forecasts, account analyses and new product information. • Prepare and update product literature, price lists, flyers, guides, advertising and signage. • Effectively plan and execute all aspects of company’s trade show attendance - over 30 annually. • Update content on company websites and blogs. • Manage and report on email marketing program, advertising, social media, Google Ads and public relations. • Manage, train and mentor interns and other staff. • Prepare for and direct product photo and video shoots.

Marketing Director

• Dec 2021 - Present

Marketing Director

• Oct 2020 - Present

Leading a talented team of three marketing professionals to support our sales staff with best-in-class marketing campaigns. Leading a talented team of three marketing professionals to support our sales staff with best-in-class marketing campaigns.

Adjunct Professor

• Mar 2021 - Dec 2021

Teaching senior-level Project Management Teaching senior-level Project Management

Director Of Marketing

• Mar 2014 - Aug 2014

Lead and mentor the Marketing team while developing and implementing annual marketing plans. Negotiated contract for new website after vetting 6 web development companies within first 30 days at the company. Implemented email marketing system and strategy within the first 60 days at the company. Write descriptive product copy and press releases to announce new products and partnerships. Lead and mentor the Marketing team while developing and implementing annual marketing plans. Negotiated contract for new website after vetting 6 web development companies within first 30 days at the company. Implemented email marketing system and strategy within the first 60 days at the company. Write descriptive product copy and press releases to announce new products and partnerships.

Marketing Specialist

• Feb 2012 - Jan 2014

Conceptualized and executed integrated campaigns around core themes to generate qualified leads and grow the sales pipeline. Developed an integrated strategy and key messaging points for trade shows, managed all related logistics as well as the budget. Wrote and edited press releases, a quarterly newsletter, emails, collateral, blog posts, social media posts and website content with assistance from subject matter experts. Maintained editorial calendar and managed blogging team, including assigning topics, editing original content and posting online.

Marketing Specialist

• Aug 2007 - Feb 2012

Created, produced, tested and continuously improved email marketing efforts. Used Marketing Automation online tool [Eloqua 9] to support the Sales and Marketing teams, track website metrics and collect customer data which was used to design and develop targeted campaigns. Designed and executed creative marketing campaigns to increase brand awareness. Maintained website, including creating new graphics and pages to increase user experience and Search Engine Optimization. Assisted Marketing team members in any way to help make projects successful. Coordinated the internship program including interviewing, hiring, managing, training and reviewing. - Had nine interns complete the program since 2009. - Contributed to over 1400 hours of free labor for Benchmark Learning. In late 2009, contributed to the successful re-branding of the company to Benchmark Learning. Successfully project managed the coordination of several large educational conferences in 2009 and 2010. - Coordinated speakers and sponsors, developed marketing creative, developed event brand, managed budget and contributed to a 140% increase in gross margin from 2008 to 2009.

Merchandise Coordinator

• Jun 2005 - Aug 2007

Assisted Merchandise Manager with event coordination and vendor relations for ScrapFest, one of the largest scrapbooking events in the United States. Assisted Marketing department with coordination of in-store activities and events. Developed ideas, themes and product listings for employee and customer email campaigns and newsletters. Designed and maintained graphics, copy and web pages for online store. Successfully developed role as liaison between Archiver’s and their off-site shipping service for their online store.

Complex Coordinator

• Aug 2004 - May 2005

As a Developmental Complex Coordinator, I counseled students with behavioral issues. Some examples include assigning substance abuse classes for students caught with alcohol in the dorms, assisting Resident Assistants when confronting disruptive students and mentoring students who were having a hard time adjusting to college life.As part of this position, I helped Residents Assistants create inviting environments on their individual floors, taught them how to create effective and fun programming for their residents and conducted training on how to manage and supervise their residents.I also served as the mentor to the Nelson-Grantham-Holmquist Student Council.

Administrative Assistant

• Aug 2003 - May 2005

Assisted the staff in the Main Office of the Comstock Memorial Union with administrative tasks, including scheduling room rentals, delivering student paychecks, answering the telephone and emails, managing schedules and more.

Intern

• May 2004 - Aug 2004

Helped coordinate and execute Duluth's first ever Light the Night Walk Team Kickoff Party. Helped coordinate and execute Duluth's first ever Light the Night Walk Team Kickoff Party.