Craig Burkhardt Email & Phone Number

Warwick, Rhode Island

Responsible for managing all sales activities from referrals and guest inquiries. Create and maintain excellent relationships with customers. Conduct business in a variety of traditional and non-traditional methods, such as e-mail, telephone, in person appointments. Superior communication and customer service skills. Excellent follow thru skills, can-do attitude, and ability to work in a team driven atmosphere.

Managed, developed and sold (new, existing, local and regional (business). Presentingproposals to major advertising agencies and direct business owners both small and large.Duties include: negotiating and closing sales; exceeding company budgets; revising anddeveloping scripts; interacting with project management and clients to insure smoothoperations; resolving problems/complaints; ensuring total client satisfaction.Accomplishments:· Developed, Supervised and Sold “Half-Hour Focus Driven Interest Shows” for WeekendListeners generating 20% of total revenue to overall budget year end.· Stellar Seller in Developing New Business and Implementing direct and agency Long TermAdvertising Campaigns for both small and large companies.· Leader in Developing New Business Sales for “Half-Hour Weekend Shows.

Responsible for generating new business opportunities and maintaining a existing clientbase of accounts. Duties include: generating leads through newspapers, radio, industrynetworking, magazines, television; sending information to prospective clients; followingup and setting appointments; contacting new businesses weekly; presenting new ideas toagencies and existing businesses; meeting directly with agency client weekly; conductingneeds analysis; developing and presenting proposals; negotiating and closing sales;revising scripts/spots as needed; interacting with producer, management and client toensure smooth operations; resolving problems/complaints; ensuring client satisfaction.Accomplishments:· Top 10 “Stellar Seller” out of 225 four/five years regionally.· Top 5 New Direct Business out of 225 four/five years regionally.· Leader in sports property sales to small and large companies.

Managed and directed a $5 million volume off-price, retail branded apparel branch storeduties included: interviewing, hiring, training, evaluating, supervising and developingsix department supervisors; ensuring smooth operations; maintaining inventory control;overseeing loss prevention, opening/closing of store merchandising/display, sales,customer service; budget planning and administration; analyzing customer's needs;tailoring merchandise assortment; maximizing traffic and revenue; tracking sales (localand national brand activity); communicating marketing needs to corporate headquarters;developing and implementing sales training; directing total store display layout toenhance sales through effective merchandise, mannequin presentations and promotionaldisplays; analyzing competitive shopping reports prepared by staff members.Accomplishments:· Received Certificate of Appreciation Award from the Apparel Retailers of America 1995.· Developed and implemented creative themes that maximized apparel line sales.· Developed partnering relationships with sales representatives.

Directed and oversaw all operations for a prominent men's specialty store. Dutiesincluded; interviewing, hiring, training, evaluating and supervising staff; scheduling andassigning duties; conducting daily sales meeting; overseeing sales, customer service,inventory control, receiving and verifying of merchandise, merchandising/display,advertising, promotions, loss prevention; developing and implementing sales /marketingstrategies; handling customer requests, special orders and problems/complaints; buyingentire apparel line including sportswear and accessories in New York, as Vegas, andChicago; developing and maintaining solid rapport with vendors; negotiating prices anddelivery dates; determining stock levels; establishing seasonal sales goals; creatingbrochures, direct mailers, seasonal themes, window displays.Accomplishments:· Created and developed the First Impressions Guidebook and Seminar for Dress ForSuccess, which was later featured in the Apparel Retailers of America (ARA) newsletter