Brenda Gradek Email & Phone Number

Lexington, Ky

As an independent marketing consultant, I apply my marketing knowledge to help start-up companies get off the ground with digital marketing and lead generation. Capabilities include:- Marketing strategy and planning- Product marketing and new product introductions- Audience insights (buyer behaviors, market-sizing, go-to-market channel planning)- Web site creation and strategy- Digital marketing, including email marketing, social media planning and management, lead generation consulting

Lexington, Kentucky, United States

Carbon Design is a new agency that brings innovations to market through a unique, disruptive business model which upends traditional management consulting and marketing services. Our focus is on helping clients identify, define and solve real world marketing and business problems. We work with B2B clients to develop and execute strategies to strengthen their brand, value proposition and messaging, increase engagement and improve the impact of their marketing strategies, campaigns and assets.

Lead product marketing team and cross-functional execution of go-to-market for new products and strategic initiatives through the development, optimization, and consistent delivery of scalable processes. Content strategy lead for annual customer conference in 2019 and for deployment of over-the-top video application dedicated to video streaming content. Oversaw cross-functional readiness for key new product launches including OTT streaming platform and virtual event experience solution.

Cincinnati Area, Ky

Cincinnati, Oh

Climbed from Account Supervisor to VP, Account Director, ultimately taking on the responsibility to build gyro's high tech practice area while expanding service portfolio to include new consultative offerings such as buyer experience planning practices and content marketing.Key Achievements:Grew high tech client portfolio from one client and $2MM in agency revenue to five clients and +$4MM in agency revenue. Growth achieved through new client acquisition and organic growth with existing clients through the addition of new capabilities to meet changing marketing needs.Oversaw research, messaging and promotion for the GrowthMarketer.org, a thought leadership program partnering with Forbes and SAP to explore the making of a growth marketer. Worked with major high tech client to implement an integrated demand generation program, resulting in and increased lead conversion rate from 9.8% to 19.8% while achieving 25% higher velocity from inquiry to sales lead. Implemented digital content marketing programs for multiple clients, resulting in lead acquisition quality improvements that contributed to increased lead conversion ranging from 5PP to 15PP conversion rate shifts.Oversaw challenger strategy rebranding effort for a large IT communications company, including creative messaging, media and digital strategy. Within 6 months, the campaign increased the brand's unaided awareness from 14% to 23% among the target audience, while competitors' awareness levels remained flat.

Kansas City, Missouri Area

Assistant Brand Manager, September 2005 - April 2006Designed and implemented brand marketing discipline for newly acquired butter portfolio including Keller’s, Borden and Breakstone’s American butters and specialty European butter, Plugra. Within the first 90 days, oversaw web site launch and achieved board approval of new brand positioning and annual marketing plan that complemented trade advertising programs. After new branding and marketing programs launched, the butter portfolio achieved highest volume, profit and market share levels in the company's history. Brand Manager, April 2006 - January 2007Expanded brand management role included management of Borden and Cache Valley cheese portfolios in addition to multi-brand butter portfolio. Oversaw marketing communications programs, product development, R&D initiatives, with annual budget of $4.5MM.Oversaw multiple agency partnerships and led efforts to evaluate and select new agency partners. Launched multiple products, including line extensions and new product concepts. - Launched spreadable butter product for Kellers, Borden and Breakstone's brands.- Launched flavored shredded cheese product for Borden brand.Built business case (using Nielsen market data and competitive intelligence) for increased marketing funding and R&D investment, resulting in a rarely granted increase in YOY marketing budget from American Dairy Brands parent company.

Kansas City, Missouri Area

Developed and oversaw execution of national TV, radio and print advertising launch for Wells Blue Bunny ice cream and yogurt categories, including licensed product promotion for Weight Watchers. Managed team of internal and external online, creative, media and PR partners to deliver integrated new product introductions and brand awareness efforts.

Des Moines, Iowa Area

Developed annual business plans and DMA marketing budgets in excess of $2 million for McDonald’s Restaurants. Managed direct reports, and led cross-functional teams comprised of McDonald’s Owner/Operators, regional staff and agency teams to provide upfront strategic direction, creative implementation and communication support for local and national branded promotions. Analyzed promotion results and market trends to assist clients in making future decisions based on historical performance and current business environment.

Dallas/Fort Worth Area

Planned and executed print marketing plans for 1,300 Long John Silver’s Restaurants. Cultivated relationships with franchisees to provide superior service and understand individual marketing needs, resulting in customized print marketing plans that maximized national marketing events.

Springfield, Missouri Area

Assisted Frito-Lay National Accounts Customer Development team in developing custom programs to create new inroads for Frito-Lay products into a broader restaurant segment and strengthen vending programs. Developed and executed promotional push-through programs for commercial and noncommercial foodservice sites, executed via national distributors. Provided strategic and tactical support for rollout of new products into foodservice and vending channels.