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September 1989-January 1996

Copywriter

 

Before the Internet, before Social Media, there were the Talking Yellow Pages, and the industry leader was the Donnelley Directory. First found in the Phone Book, and then later into Newspapers, the Talking Yellow pages added another dimension, by allowing readers to call a toll free, or local number and listen to audio messages and advertisements. The listener was given the opportunity to press 1 to be directly connected to the business. Our team of (36) copywriters and managers were assigned territories and phone books to manage around the country. We contacted customers for their information and specials, wrote copy, contacted the customer for approval, and then had the messages professionally recorded and digitized. These were uploaded to a database and assigned a 4 digit code for that particular phone directory.

 

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-Managed over 100 accounts in 4 states for Talking Yellow Pages

I was assigned accounts in (4) separate phone directories to write copy for advertisers in the Yellow Pages. Over time, I was given special event codes to write from the front of the directory. Areas included Denver, Baltimore, and Cleveland. I reported to one Manager, who was responsible for (8) copywriters. Work also included recording sessions with local radio and TV talent from the Philadelphia area, as we recorded the scripts and digitized them.

 

-Team Leader for Yellow Pages Television

The last (2) years of my tenure, we started creating :30 second video ads based a customers static Yellow Pages ad. I was assigned as a team leader with a staff of 2. We created ad concepts, got customer approval, and worked with a local video agency to create the ads.

 

 

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February 1996-August 1998

Account Manager

 

Educational test taking during this time was mainly performed by (2) companies-NCS and Scantron. These “bubble sheets” were used by businesses and educational institutions for consumer surveys, tests and assessments, evaluation and feedback, data compilation, time sheets, lotteries and voting, health care inventory, and more. Our facility included an open office concept with Account Managers, a design team to create the forms and booklets, and a full service printing and finishing house to print, produce and ship the forms. We worked with an outside agency for custom services like sequential numbered forms, and embossing.

 

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-Managed over 70 Education and Commercial Accounts

I was part of a team of (4) , and we were responsible for our own assigned accounts, and a working knowledge of our team's accounts in the event of their absence due to vacation or illness. Education accounts were often part of a bidding process, where we were awarded contracts for school district use of testing forms and evaluations. Commercial accounts were landed from outside sales reps, and then assigned to different teams. There were (2) managers, who were each assigned half of the account managers on the floor. Our work included calling out to follow up on and initiate new orders. We also received inbound calls from our customers for new work. We also tried to upsell customers, by adding different colors to forms, or creating additional materials. We were an ISO-9001 facility, so all we had policies and procedures to follow from start to finish. We had work orders to fill out, take to estimators for costing, and had work tickets for the art department and printing services.

 

-Supervised orders from creation, print and mailing

With the ISO-9001 process, after we received a call for an order, we filled out a work order with all specific information, and forward that to an Estimator. Upon approval from the customer, we filled out work tickets for art creation and printing services. We followed each order from the beginning of the sales process to the orders shipping to customers. This included being involved in the artwork and printing processes.

 

-Working knowledge of web offset and sheet fed printing operations

Part of our responsibilities was understanding how web fed, sheet fed and hand fed presses worked. In addition, we learned pre press operations, and finish operations such as bindery services, collating, sorting, folding and packaging.

 

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October 1998-January 2007

Marketing Director

 

This position utilized the background and skills I acquired at college for Product management, editing, communication and Public Relations skills. I was trained in the footwear industry, from product construction, distribution, retailer marketing, team building, and industry information. I gave factory tours to retailers, traveled to trade and retail shows, planned sales meetings, and annual market party, and footwear show displays, created Point of Purchase (POP) items, managed several footwear brands, was a manager to a team of (3), helped launch a new women's footwear line, and was responsible for the overall brand marketing of our core product.

 

-Handled brand marketing in retail and consumer channels

Responsible for all aspects of branding our product from the proprietary materials in our boots, the

hang tags, product packaging and labeling. For retailers, this included their In store Point of

Purchase Materials (POP), Print Catalogs, Line Sheets, promotional flyers and in store contests. For

the consumer, this included our website, mailings, and product displays at rodeo and bull riding

events. This also grew to include product photo shoots off site, and photo shoots with models to

feature our new Sonora line.

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-Managed $1.5 Million annual Marketing Budget

Double-H Boots was a division of H.H. Brown, which is owned by Berkshire Hathaway. We received an overall budget from Corporate, and I was responsible for a budget of 1.5 million annually. This budget covered our sponsorships, sales meetings, POP materials, product promotions, our annual retailer party, photo shoots, printed materials, and outside agency assistance

 

-Led a team of three in the marketing department for 3 years

After we formed the Work and Outdoor group, and added more brands, our budget increased to allow for a small staff to assist in the Marketing efforts. Over (3) years, I managed a Marketing Assistant, PR Director, and Graphic Designer. I had weekly meetings on a Monday, handed out assignments, and allowed them to work independently on less press Marketing projects. I conducted performance reviews and periodic assessments during the year.

 

-Marketing of 4 brands over 2 years in addition to Double-H Boots

During my tenure, we purchased the ACME Boot line and added this as a lower end western footwear product line. New styles were added, catalogs and POP created, and bull rider sponsorships promoted the brand. In 2003, Marketing, Customer Service and Product Development relocated and became the H.H. Brown Work and Outdoor Group. Existing work brand Carolina Shoe was added, and new private label footwear was added existing brands Browning and Beretta. I oversaw the Marketing of these brands for printed materials, POP, Trade and Retailer market shows.

 

-Planned 50K annual retailer party for 400 + guests for 8 years

The Western Shoe Association, or (WSA), had their large Western Market show in January each year. We maintained a permanent showroom all year, and hosted a private party to thank our retailers for their business the previous year. I was responsible to plan all aspects of the party-securing the location, menu selection, product giveaways, musical entertainment, layout and design, and promotions. Denver Market Party, annual planning. This party gained a reputation for being the hottest market ticket next to the Wrangler Jeans party. The format I designed was used as a model for H.H. Brown adding a Retailer Party in Las Vegas for the WSA footwear market.

 

-Maintained trademark and licensing issues for the Double-H Brand

Submitted paperwork for new registered trademarks, and trademarks. Reviewed existing competitor

trademarks to avoid duplication, or file cease and desist requests.

 

-Coordinated all aspects of major retail and consumer trade shows

In addition to Marketing at a consumer level, I participated in, and planned several retailer only

Market shows. Our company had a permanent showroom at Denver Market in Colorado. I was

responsible for preparing the room for Retailer Market shows. This included labeling and showcasing

all footwear, updating graphics, creating sales materials, planning a fashion show, and catering. Out

company participated with Corporate in the WSA show in Las Vegas twice a year. I was responsible

for product displays for up to (5) brands,and providing our sales materials for our Account Executives.

We also participated in the FFANY show in New York City, and the SHOT show in Las Vegas for

Browning and Beretta Footwear. I handled the product displays and show materials.

 

-Managed Professional Bull Rider and Country Music Sponsorships

Worked with our Event Marketing Director, who handled our Bull Rider Sponsorship with the PBR and the Bull Riders we individually sponsored. I worked with our Country Music Sponsorships, and coordinated with our PR Director to get footwear on celebrities feet for promotions

 

 

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January 2007-November 2007

Inside Sales Director

 

4 years earlier, the Marketing, Product Development, and Customer Service operations moved to Lebanon, PA inside the Historic Train Station. This became the H.H. Brown Work and Outdoor Group. A decision was made to create in Inside Sales Position to target dormant and small accounts, increase their revenue, and get on the Account Executive’s radar. I has approached to lead that position.

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-Researched and contacted potential accounts to increase customer base

I was given current account lists for each Account Executive as a starting point, and researched other companies selling footwear that had not been visited. I contacted existing customers through phone and mail to find out the reasons for low purchasing. I compiled the different reasons and created an action plan to address customer concerns.

 

-Created and utilized marketing tools for retail to consumer sales

I created sales sheets, flyers and mailers with order specials that rivaled the offers for the current Account Executives. The goal was to increase sales above the $5,000 mark so they would be on the radar of the Account Executive and handed off to them. Projects for these retailers included print catalogs, closeout flyers, sales sheets, steel toe posters, and store POP.

 

-Account Executive for 40-store retail East Coast Footwear chain

In addition to retailer accounts around the US, I was responsible for our sales at footwear chain, “Super Shoes.” This included retailer visits, POP displays, and product seminars.

 

-47% account sales increase through October 2007 vs. 2006

Previously, the lower end account sales were done when time permitted though Customer Service. Working with a daily focus and follow up, sales were increased by 47% vs. the same time over the previous year.

 

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April 2008-July 2009

Account Executive

 

Newspapers were king in the 80’s through mid 90’s, where with fewer advertising channels available, businesses called the paper to place advertising. The arrival of the internet, cable TV, print publications, and postal mailings, made the need for differentiation in advertising the difference between gaining or losing advertising dollars. I worked independently in a West Shore Territory and reported to (2) Managers.

 

-Maintained steady growth of 50+ accounts in a retail territory

I was given a Market Territory that was broken into thirds, where I received the smallest area. Major retailers, banks, and restaurants were all assigned to other Account Reps, leaving all the remaining businesses available. The main sales goal was to maintain a 10% increase year over year. This was a challenge, due to my first field sales position and the territory in general; however, I was able to achieve an increase of 8% year over year..

 

-Marketed the Patriot News as the preferred advertiser medium

Using my marketing background, I created presentation materials comparing the reach, scope, affluence of newspaper readers with features and benefits, showing advertising advantages of news print vs. television, magazine, and internet advertising.

 

 

 

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August 2009-August 2011

Branch Manager

 

The number one Credit Union in Central Pennsylvania, Members 1st has stand alone branch locations, and smaller branches inside select Giant Foods Grocery Stores. I was hired and trained to assume the Branch Manager position for a new Giant Branch location in Linglestown. This included setting up the branch, interviewing and hiring staff, creating promotions and meeting initial sales goals.

 

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-Managed a Giant Food Store branch location with a team of 6 Associates

I was responsible for the daily operations of a branch open (7) days a week. Working with an Assistant Manager, our staff processed all member transactions, handled loan documents, sold credit union products and services, maintained the on site ATM, and directed a team of (6) Associates. I reported to a Regional Manager of Branch Operations. In addition, I hired and trained new staff, gave performance reviews, addressed customer issues, and performed “aisle time”-talking to customers in Giant about our products and services.

 

-Grew branch membership 10% each year

I was also responsible for meeting the sales goals set by corporate for new credit union memberships, VISA cards, and loan documents. The goal was to achieve 10% growth each year, which we were able to achieve.

 

-Promoted Members 1st to Giant customers and the community

Through “aisle time” in the store and outside, we were able to promote our services and the convenience of banking while shopping. I also volunteered during community events for the credit union to foster goodwill in the communities where the branch locations resided.

 

 

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September 2011-Present

Office Manager/Customer Service

 

My present position is working for a Steel Rule Manufacturer, making custom dies for the printing, automotive, medical, packaging, and thermoforming industries. This is a small shop that employs 21 people. We enter, CAD, and manufacture everything onsite.

 

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-Enter all shop orders; handle emails, phone calls, afternoon shipping

Create new orders, or turn Estimates into live jobs. Create Job cards from our internal software system. Double check estimates to final files, review spec sheets for each order. Confirm each order by email or fax. Send files to customers to file approval. Send punch orders for confirmation. Follow up on customer requests. Assist with customer issues. Review daily shipping logs. Follow up with customer if dates are not met. Fill out internal forms with order status. I am the Backup for phone calls for lunch coverage or multiple calls. Email processing when our Logistics person is unavailable. A typical day may include: start on order entry, be asked to scan and email over a punch order, answer a phone call, then go back to the original order. Make follow up calls between orders, address a customer issue, update a PO with paperwork in the shop and finish the order that was started. The position requires attention to detail, while multitasking. Strong typing, computer skills and communication are needed in the position.

 

-Market our company through email and phone

When possible, we promote our company as the premier steel rule die maker for quality, turnaround and customer service. We do not have voicemail, and customers can always speak with someone knowledgeable in the process.