Bill Sokol Email & Phone Number

Saddle Brook, Nj, Us

Hangzhou, Cn

Top marketing executive for iconic American tool brand portfolio consisting of Arrow fastening tools, Pony/Jorgensen clamps, and Goldblatt concrete, masonry, tile, and drywall tools. Our goal is to breathe new life and energy into these mature brands and categories – transforming them through innovative approaches to consumer insights, product design, category management, and interactive communications strategies. We like to think of ourselves as a 134-year-old startup – anchored in brands that go all the way back to 1885 yet driven by thinking and strategies that are urgent, fresh and forward-looking.

Livonia, Mi, Us

Recruited to lead marketing resurgence of iconic American tool brand in consumer and professional markets amid category declines caused by collapse of residential housing construction market. ►Maintained >60% market share during period of unprecedented category turbulence.►Created a comprehensive branding program designed to generate a positive & consistent brand experience for all stakeholders. Utilized this framework to transform the Arrow brand into a highly-differentiated, leading brand with a coherent benefit platform and a compelling offering to customers. Retooled logo, packaging, merchandising, website, and brand messaging. ►Transitioned brand strategy to 100% digital, utilizing best-in-class web, SEO/SEM, content, and conversion technologies. Developed social media strategy which generated over 65,000 facebook fans in 24 months. Improved on-line brand reputation from 75% negative sentiment to 85% positive sentiment in one year. Built highest net reputation score (NRS) of any Masco business unit.►Served as key member of M&A team who sold the business to Hangzhou Great Star Industrial Co., Ltd in July, 2017.

Bp 55288 Villepinte, Roissy Cdg Cedex, Fr

As VP Global Marketing for Sperian Protection’s Respiratory Protection business, was promoted to revise brand strategy & positioning, rebuild marketing team, and lead turnaround in North American firefighting equipment sales►Reversed three-year declining sales trend in firefighting equipment business with a 4% gain in 2008 and 32% growth in 2009. Secured largest Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) tender in US history - $28M►Integrated three separate brands and product categories into one consolidated fire service brand. Built first online firefighter research panel, providing critical voice of the customer (VOC) inputs directly from the firefighting community

Bp 55288 Villepinte, Roissy Cdg Cedex, Fr

As VP Global Marketing for Sperian Protection’s Hearing Protection business, was promoted to lead post-merger integration of two formerly competitive brands into the world’s number two hearing protection portfolio►Reversed declining revenue trends to grow global sales 9% and profits 33% in first year. Reversed a nine-year declining sales trend in Europe with four years of double digit growth►Developed /launched over 25 new products, increasing new product sales from 1% to 38% of total revenues►Built new post-merger brand architecture and positioning for hearing protection portfolio; created new product line logic, visual identities, advertising, PR, web presence, and selling materials. Built and led global marketing teams in US and Europe

Bp 55288 Villepinte, Roissy Cdg Cedex, Fr

As Brand Manager, Hearing Protection, was recruited to lead hearing protection brand building, integrated marketing, and communication programs for Western Hemisphere commercial operations business unit.►Transformed failed earplug product into division’s fastest growing item; grew sales from 10,000 units to over 3 million units annually►Conducted market study of $50M US retail earplug category; used information to gain distribution at Walgreens, Eckerd, CVS and RiteAid - boosting retail sales 28% in one year

Cincinnati, Ohio, Us

As Product Manager for The Gillette Company’s Duracell brand was promoted to address erosion of leading B2B market share for Duracell Procell battery business, driven by low-price competitors.►Developed and executed strategy that delivered a 16% increase in revenues and 25% increase in profits in the first year while halting competitive share gains in key market segments. Awarded prestigious corporate award for result► Maintained market leadership for Duracell hearing aid battery portfolio by building a dominant position in US Drug channels (>70% market share)

After college, worked 5 years as a dispensing optician, making eyeglasses and fitting contact lenses in busy retail optical outlets. Later, was a Territory Sales Representative selling fashion eyewear (Optyl), newspaper display advertising (Atlanta Journal & Constitution), and promotional products (Parker Pen USA). Recruited by The Gillette Company into Gillette’s Executive Management Training Program, managing multiple marketing initiatives for Parker, PaperMate, Waterman, and Liquid Paper brands. Promoted to Product Manager for Duracell brand, led efforts to reverse declines in B2B market share and maintain leadership in consumer hearing aid battery market

Certificate, Program On Negotiation

Bachelor Of Science - Bs, Communication, Journalism, And Related Programs