Dave Whitman, Apr Email & Phone Number

Detroit Metropolitan Area

Same gig - new title

Detroit Metropolitan Area

I was brought into this newly created position to develop and implement a comprehensive and integrated strategic communications plan to advance the firm's brand identity and broaden awareness of its design innovation and thought leadership. My responsibilities include leadership of all internal and external communications for the organization.I reorganized the communications function to better define roles and responsibilities and drive the team to operate more efficiently. I have also been able to expand the team in size and geography, to better suit the evolving needs of the firm.I have also served as a key member of the leadership team that drove an award-winning brand revitalization effort, which included my role as the project lead for the development and execution of a new website for the firm.As of August 2019, my role has been expanded and I now serve as co-leader of the overall marketing/communications team for the firm, which consists of nearly 60 marketers spread across our 20 offices.

Greater Detroit Area

In this role, I was responsible for leading brand management, advertising, digital communications (customer website, intranet, email programs), corporate sponsorships, creative teams (design/multimedia) and communications planning for a Fortune 500 diversified energy company. I was recruited to DTE to develop and implement a new brand positioning strategy. This strategy served as the foundation of a new communications effort for the brand which contributed to two J.D. Power customer satisfaction awards and J.D. Power Communications measures that ranked in the top 10 among large utilities across the U.S.Additional achievements:Deployed the company’s first advertising performance tracking study. Results indicated that ads performed significantly above national norms in several measures of effectiveness.Created new brand standards which led to tighter integration of communications across all channels and business units.Drove significant improvements to brand sponsorship strategy including recruitment of a new manager, an evolved strategic approach, implementation of effectiveness research and establishment of an enterprise sponsorship database.Managed a team of 26 marketing and communications professionals.

Greater Detroit Area

OnStar (2006 – 2011)Directed the marketing plan as the agency’s account director for a leading technology brand during a period of unprecedented growth and challenges. Led a team charged with executing all communication initiatives for a complex matrix of audiences.Spearheaded the evolution of OnStar brand strategy to better reflect the full portfolio of services and to adapt to an increasingly competitive environment. Executed initiatives that led to highest level of purchase consideration and customer retention in the history of the brand.Built a significant social media presence for the OnStar brand leveraging their subscriber base of 5.5 million vehicle owners through the establishment of a Facebook presence and a dedicated content site.Achieved substantial increase in agency scope and revenue growth on the OnStar account – increased revenue by 67% and expanded agency responsibilities to include point-of-sale materials, online advertising and social media.Chevrolet Car (2004-2006)Team leader on one of the largest advertising accounts in the country. Led a team of 14 account managers charged with the strategic development and production of all marketing materials.Managed an unprecedented series of high volume and key image product launches in a 20-month period – SSR, Aveo, Corvette, Cobalt, Impala, HHR. Resulted in Chevrolet securing U.S. sales leadership for the first time since 1986.Directed Chevrolet’s return as a lead sponsor of Major League Baseball, including the implementation of a highly integrated, multimedia promotion surrounding the 2005 All-Star Game in Detroit.

Greater Detroit Area

Provided strategic and tactical leadership for numerous core Chevrolet vehicle lines through crucial phases of communications – critical high volume products (Malibu, TrailBlazer), high profile launches (SSR, Corvette), key sports marketing sponsorships (Chevy Racing). In addition to these core duties, served in other roles that contributed to the overall success of the agency (new business, pro bono accounts).

Greater Chicago Area

Managed agency field office as the key client contact during a critical period of transition to consolidate national and regional communications.

Greater Detroit Area

Served in a variety of account management roles, managing key tactical elements of various parts of the Chevrolet account:Account Supervisor - Chevrolet Car (1994-1996)Senior Account Executive - Chevrolet Truck (1992-1994)Account Executive – Geo (1991-1992)Assistant Account Executive - Chevrolet Car (1991)Account Coordinator – Chevrolet Regional Marketing (1990-1991)