Sr. Brand Marketing Director

• Aug 2022 - Present

Chief Marketing Officer

• Jun 2019 - Dec 2021

Exercising my natural affinity as a creative leader, I tapped into my experience as a successful marketer with a proven history to develop corporate branding, marketing, digital advertising, and fundraising initiatives. Under my direction, a cross-functional team of skilled professionals defined key goals, objectives, and strategies to drive incremental revenue growth by executing a three-year marketing vision and implementing multi-million dollar annual marketing plans. Through collaboration and focused effort, we propelled the brand to an industry gold standard with these noteworthy accomplishments:➪Increased three-year revenue 77.6% by instituting an omnichannel storytelling programming methodology.➪Secured multi-millions of dollars in revenue by creating a national video and fundraising campaign for Bladensburg WWI Veterans Memorial. The momentum garnered by our marketing efforts inspired the construction of a monument to honor the war heroes and was featured in the Washington Post.➪Onboarded tens of thousands of new online subscribers, gained 1 million YouTube ad minutes watched and earned the company-wide innovation contest by launching a new live streaming channel (FLI Live!), including a branded mobile tour (“First Freedom Tour”).I gleaned a sense of personal pride and professional satisfaction by contributing to the success of First Liberty Institute and positively impacting communities across the United States. Collaborating with this team-inspired me to find innovative ways to make a difference in the world! Show less

Senior Director Of Marketing

• Jun 2018 - Jun 2019

Creative Director

• Dec 2017 - Jun 2018

Promotions Director

• Feb 2015 - Jul 2015

• Under my leadership, a mobile market activation team developed proposals, contracts, and partnerships with local businesses and community partners. We executed on-site event activation and promotional presence and wrote on-air promotions and public service announcements in conjunction with the business development team. Directing station social media campaigns to promote on-air guests, events, and promotions, we attained these business milestones: ➪Gained tens of thousands of dollars in non-traditional revenue by sponsoring the “An Evening with C.S. Lewis” program in partnership with the Arlington Heights Metropolis Performing Arts Center. Developed on-air and on-site promotions and personality appearances. ➪Drove in-market awareness and time-spent listening by launching 40+ branding campaigns including local conferences, leadership events, and seasonal and holiday live streams. ➪Enhanced in-market awareness and community engagement by re-branding Moody Mobile Team as “The Boom Crew” as a tie-in to morning show on-air personality Karl Klausen, including a new graphic design for the promotion vehicle. I found it both personally and professionally rewarding to contribute to the success of community organizations with philanthropic missions. I was fortunate to work with motivated and highly skilled teams of marketing professionals to bring meaningful local initiatives to life! Show less

Digital Marketing Consultant

• Jul 2013 - Mar 2014

Launching an in-house digital marketing sales unit, the team and I drove new business development in partnership with Boston-based Propel Marketing. We researched and developed a go-to-market plan, produced custom sales presentations, and led internal sales team training. Closing the largest digital contract worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, we collaborated with Propel Marketing to pitch and promote a flight school at a local university. We secured 17 new accounts in the first six months including automotive dealerships, law practices, hospitals/healthcare providers, and educational institutions, nurturing hundreds of thousands of dollars in incremental revenue. Obtaining bottom line increases by producing and facilitating a unique eight monthly digital media workshops for new local businesses, we earned the highest increase in digital marketing revenue award. Show less

Director, Client & Creative Services

• Dec 2011 - Jul 2013

Initially hired as a sales consultant and quickly earning a promotion, I wrote and produced integrated advertising programs, including on-air radio spots, website promotions, and proprietary on-site event activations. Partnering with local sales teams to craft custom media and creative materials, we researched trends, insights, and sales data to create strategic sales proposal templates. Our efforts paid off in these impressive achievements: ➪Grew hundreds of thousands of dollars in new sales revenue in the first year, a station record, by coaching and mentoring new sales team members, co-developing sales strategies and proposals, establishing creative specifications, and assisting with in-person client presentations. ➪Realized revenue increases of hundreds of thousands of dollars (over 15x) for a local client in two years by developing promotions to support breast cancer awareness. ➪Procured tens of thousands of dollars in sales revenue, winning the internal sales team’s new business contest by identifying target prospects, conducting needs analyses, and presenting strategic proposals tailored to meet specific sales and budget objectives. Show less

VP, Creative Planning

• Jan 2005 - Oct 2007

Establishing the first-ever agency services group and providing ongoing global marketing and creative support to 24+ agencies was a dream come true! Managing three employees and an annual budget of hundreds of thousands of dollars, I directed rebranding efforts, including new brand identity, communication, and website and marketing material positioning. We oversaw pitches, campaign strategy, ideation, and partner support. Continuing a successful trend of garnering multi-million dollar revenues and partnerships with national brands, we delivered business pitches to Bank of America, Unilever, Procter & Gamble, and McDonald’s. We amplified Radiate’s global reputation as premiere sports industry experts by developing a multinational strategy for McDonald’s to leverage the Olympic Games and FIFA/World Cup as platforms to promote active lifestyles. Garnering international and national media exposure for the firm, I served as the keynote speaker at an international marketing event to celebrate the 100th anniversary, including two presentations on creativity to open and close the program to 650 attendees. Show less

VP, Group Creative Director

• May 2004 - Oct 2004

In this role, I initiated and developed a new B2C vertical in Chicago, devised new business generation initiatives, planned, and executed B2B consumer events, and drafted trend articles for an online newsletter. In addition to acting as the executive speechwriter for sales meetings, I produced scripts and video content for the annual sales awards program. Enthusiastic about collaborating with national brands to boost revenue and foster brand awareness, I drove hundreds of thousands of dollars of new retainer business by engaging clients to transfer accounts to Finlandia Vodka. Capturing key themes and message points as a lead script and speech writer, I developed event programs for the Campbell’s Soup national sales meeting. Achieving favorable outcomes in a senior-level leadership role early in my career inspired me to discover and pursue my niche in the corporate marketing and creative services field. Show less

Chief Creative Officer

• Sep 2001 - Mar 2004

Established first-ever integrated marketing department at 17 year-old music, sports and lifestyle marketing agency. Expanded agency services from musical events to more traditional marketing. • Generated $2.7M in incremental revenues by securing first retainer account, Brown-Forman, through successful branding / event programs for Finlandia Vodka (on-premises bottle depletion grew ~ 719%), national live music platform for Jack Daniel’s (Live From Studio #7), launch of “SoCo Lime” for Southern Comfort, and re-branding and production of national sales team meeting and events • Achieved #4 position (as head of creative team) in PROMO’s Annual Hot 100 by recruiting, training, and managing new creative team (overall agency ranking #19, 1st in agency history). • Increased incremental annual revenue an additional $700,000 by developing new business with brands including Kodak, Coty, Brown-Forman Regional Brands, and Bayer. • Earned Reggie and PRO Awards for experiential mall-based program supporting national launch of Coty’s “My Ocean” fragrance, which sold out after launch. • Earned Event Marketer Ex Award for Kodak sponsorship of House of Blues 10th Anniversary, which increased sales by double-digits in six participating markets. Show less

VP, Group Creative Director

• Jun 2000 - Jul 2001

Managed Innovation Team for Frito Lay. Led creative development for core sponsorship platforms and product innovation launches, including NCAA Fiesta Bowl (Tostitos), NASCAR Jeff Gordon racing team (Fritos) and NFL (Ruffles). Devised and deployed initiatives to bolster agency’s creative output and reputation. Trained and supervised 5 direct reports. Managed Innovation Team for Frito Lay. Led creative development for core sponsorship platforms and product innovation launches, including NCAA Fiesta Bowl (Tostitos), NASCAR Jeff Gordon racing team (Fritos) and NFL (Ruffles). Devised and deployed initiatives to bolster agency’s creative output and reputation. Trained and supervised 5 direct reports.

GM, Executive Creative Director

• Jun 1998 - Jun 2000

Opened Chicago office for New Jersey-based agency, including hiring and supervising 8-member creative/account team. Increased revenues by $2M by winning Illinois Lottery account. Earned Gold Reggie award for Sears Back-to-School promotion featuring Christina Aguilera. Developed in-store promotions to leverage variety of entertainment and sports-based properties, including WNBA, NCAA, NASCAR, Disney. Opened Chicago office for New Jersey-based agency, including hiring and supervising 8-member creative/account team. Increased revenues by $2M by winning Illinois Lottery account. Earned Gold Reggie award for Sears Back-to-School promotion featuring Christina Aguilera. Developed in-store promotions to leverage variety of entertainment and sports-based properties, including WNBA, NCAA, NASCAR, Disney.

VP, Group Creative Director

• Jun 1995 - Mar 1998

• Joined start-up agency as first creative director (#5 employee), leading new business development, as well as day-to-day strategy and creative development for core agency clients, Coca-Cola, Anheuser-Busch, Southwestern Bell, Absolut Vodka and Sony Music • Helped agency achieve #9 national ranking in PROMO Magazine Hot 100 in 1997 and “Agency of the Year” recognition in 1998 • Directed core brand portfolio for $15M Coca-Cola account, developing national brand promotions, brand launches for PowerAde (Olympics), Diet Coke (Grammy Awards), Sprite (NBA), Barq’s (Universal Studios) and Cool for Nestea (College Campus Events). • Served on Coca-Cola Innovation Team, creating regional market tests and micro-brand launches for Citra, Surge and launch of the bottle-shaped “Coke Can” • Wrote and produced national sales and training tools, as well as strategic selling plans for local market activation of national brand portfolio • Achieved unprecedented retail sell-in for Coca-Cola’s sponsorship of ’96 Olympics Summer Games, including developing portfolio strategy, brand promotions and internal sell-in campaigns to bottler network • Created key national promotions for Anheuser-Busch, including “Michelob 100th Anniversary”, “Get Bud, Get Music” national summer promotion, national launch of “Michelob Craft Beer” program, as well a variety of local and regional on- and off-premise campaigns to leverage NCAA sports and entertainment properties for Budweiser, Bud Light and Michelob Show less

National Public Relations & Promotions Mgr.

• May 1994 - Jun 1995

Directed national on- and off-premise public relations and promotion programs for Small Batch Bourbon Collection, DeKuyper Cordials and Kamora Imported Coffee Liqeurs. - Served on intergrated marketing team for launch of new brand, "After Shock," the first brand in company history to reach 50M case sales in first year. - Toured with Master Distiller Booker Noe, directing national tasting program in conjunction with Hyatt Regency, to showcase Small Batch Bourbon Collection. Included managing "Kentucky Bourbon Circle" (KBC) loyalty program (newsletter, events, promotions). - Directed DeKuyper sponsorship of Women's Pro Ski Tour, travelling to ski resorts across the U.S. to execute on- and off-premise ski events, promotions and parties. - Won industry awards for KBC loyalty program and loyalty program for Kamora. - Pitched national and local trade and consumer media to place feature stories promoting core Beam brand portfolio. Show less

Account Supervisor

• 1992 - 1994

Developed national Youth and Family Marketing public relations and promotions programs on behalf of McDonald's, including the 26th All-American High School Band in conjunction with the Annual Grammy Awards (awarded first high school Grammy ever), Happy Meal tie-ins with the Young Astronaut Council, American Red Cross, American Library Association and more. Served as speechwriter for McDonald's executive team for Annual Worldwide Conferences and Quarterly OPNAD meeteings. Developed national Youth and Family Marketing public relations and promotions programs on behalf of McDonald's, including the 26th All-American High School Band in conjunction with the Annual Grammy Awards (awarded first high school Grammy ever), Happy Meal tie-ins with the Young Astronaut Council, American Red Cross, American Library Association and more. Served as speechwriter for McDonald's executive team for Annual Worldwide Conferences and Quarterly OPNAD meeteings.