Vice President, Agency Principal
The Market Connection
In 1986, I launched a boutique marketing and communications agency, where I developed strategies and executed programs to drive brand awareness and growth for clients. Programs included print and broadcast advertising, sales promotions, video production, public relations, trade shows, and sales meetings. During this time, I directed significant budgets and national programs for a client roster that included: Black & Decker, Kraft General Foods, Campbell Soup, and Pillsbury/General Mills. Key wins: ■ Increased media presence 74% and grew sales three years running for Toyo Tires. Retained to improve results from public relations program. Executed creative media events, distributed press releases, and hosted press conferences. Improved media presence led to double-digit sales increases. ■ Grew Campbell’s Soup same-store sales 73%. Contracted to evaluate flat Campbell’s sales in Southern California. Discovered region was not addressing the area’s 40% Hispanic market. Conducted research and identified proper positioning and messaging for the brand. Developed and executed a comprehensive Spanish-language marketing program that included print, outdoor, radio advertising, in-store, and event promotions. ■ Designed communications strategy, elevating Black & Decker’s newly launched residential security hardware brand to 3rd largest in market. Leveraged major distribution channels, including big box home centers, hardware retailers, residential construction, and the locksmith trade to drive market share growth. ■ Re-built strong working relationship for client, Pillsbury and their customer, Albertsons. Contracted to help client in addressing growing lack of engagement from their #2 retail customer. Efforts resulted in delivering double-digit sales growth for Pillsbury.