Charles Russell Email & Phone Number

As the Founder and Senior Consultant at Compass Strategic Solutions, I lead sales, research, and operations initiatives to drive business outcomes for an innovative firm specializing in marketing research for the food service packaging and petroleum industries. I analyze consumer behavior and market trends, conducting qualitative and quantitative research to provide insights that support strategic decision-making. Collaborating with stakeholders, I design and implement strategies that enhance customer experiences, optimize marketing efforts, and aid in product development. My efforts help businesses understand consumer needs and maintain a competitive edge in the market..• Evaluated market risks for entry into a $1 billion expanding market for an existing packaging company, enabling more informed decision-making.• Designed and launched a $1.2 million supplier platform for the do-it-for-me (DIFM) market research initiative, streamlining processes for non-researchers and reducing headcount by one on the consumer insights team, while serving as a contracted consultant for Valvoline Global Operations.• Engaged five times by an international consulting firm to deliver marketing insights, strengthening the firm's service offerings.• Supported strategic planning and guided targeted investment decisions through market share assessments based on sales data.• Discovered $100 million in additional product revenue opportunities, contributing to brand growth strategies.

Lexington, Ky, Us

Managing consumer insights projects including global and domestic studies. Pricing, tracking, A&U, claims testing, all project types executed under contract with Compass Strategic SolutionsContract renewed twice.

Mason, Mi, Us

As the Global Consumer Insights Manager, I conducted extensive research on trends and consumer preferences, generating innovative ideas and developing testing concepts for food service, packaging, and consumer goods. I managed innovation research initiatives using Human-Centered Design methodologies, overseeing testing processes to align products with consumer needs. My role involved serving as a subject matter expert on consumer values and trends, contributing to strategic decision-making as part of the National Account Team Steering Committee.• Implemented innovative strategies valued at $500 million by establishing a trend sensing program that utilized internal and external data to uncover key insights and market opportunities, driving iterative product improvements, boosting product relevance, and increasing market share.• Identified 15 high-potential solutions projected to generate $525 million in sales for the food industry, enhancing market competitiveness and consumer satisfaction through a focused two-day ideation session.• Guided the development of a final product line expected to produce $35 million in revenue by pinpointing 12 delivery needs, leveraging jobs-to-be-done (JTBD) methodology and machine learning (ML) within a cross-functional ideation process.• Discovered three key development platforms representing a $1 billion innovation opportunity adjacent to the core product line, aimed at both consumer and B2B markets, strengthening market position and driving growth.

Richmond, Virginia, Us

In my position as Manager of Consumer and Marketplace Insights, I oversaw the brand tracker, monitoring brand health, market share, and consumer perceptions. My focus on simulated market tests provided essential insights for product performance, refining marketing approaches, and fostering data-driven decisions for product launches. I dedicated my efforts to understanding consumer behavior to support brand and product strategies effectively.• Uncovered a $252 million segment opportunity by analyzing brand equity tracking studies and detecting shifts in consumer sentiment, resulting in a new strategy for a $1.3 billion brand that enhanced market presence and consumer appeal.• Reduced pre-market testing costs by 10% and cut lead times by 8 weeks through the design, implementation, and refinement of three simulated CPG test markets, improving product testing efficiency and speeding up the launch process.

Pasadena, California, Us

As the Senior Marketing Research Manager, I directed consumer insight initiatives that supported marketing strategies for leading restaurant brands. I managed innovation efforts, concept testing, and ad testing, driving product and campaign success while supervising team members. My data-driven insights guided marketing decisions, optimizing efforts to maximize business impact.• Boosted annual sales by $1.29 billion over three years by spearheading menu innovation and culinary strategies, leveraging data insights and national research to develop targeted regional promotions.• Secured $8.6 million in additional national sales through culinary optimization and the rebranding of the value menu, strengthening the brand’s position in its top-performing category.• Delivered $10 million in extra annual promotional revenue by designing and implementing a streamlined product development process, reducing time to market by 1-3 months.• Enhanced brand engagement and sales growth through the successful promotion of innovative menu options, leading to a measurable increase in sales.

Msmr, Marketing Research

Master Of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Marketing

Bachelor Of Science - Bs, Business Administration And Management, Hospitality