Deborah Thompson Email & Phone Number

Columbus, Ohio Area

Responsible for all external stakeholder engagement activities, including media relations, community marketing and charitable programs, and government relations for the Columbus division of The Kroger Co.

Columbus, Ohio Area

• Responsible for overseeing all local marketing efforts for the Dublin and Upper Arlington locations.• Rated #1 Marketing Team Leader for Social Media and recognized with a feature article on Whole Foods’ global internal website. Developed a new approach to managing store level social media, significantly increasing engagement across all channels. • Constructed mutually beneficial partnerships with non-profits, including Greater Columbus Arts Council, WWCD-FM, Susan G. Komen Columbus, The Harmony Project, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio and Goodwill Columbus. Received $100,000 of broadcast media from WWCD-FM and a presenting sponsorship of the Columbus Arts Festival from Greater Columbus Arts Council for 5% Day donations.• Designed a local PR plan to significantly increase positive media coverage. Established strong relationships with broadcast and print media to generate live broadcasts, feature articles and ongoing, regular television news segments.• Conceived an idea for a global partnership with The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Worked with Regional and Global leadership to form a Whole Foods Project Team. Crafted and led the presentation to Warner Bros. Television and The Ellen DeGeneres Show and successfully pitched the idea to generate support from all parties.• Named a “Gold Team” member to lead support efforts for new store openings, including the launch of the Easton and Rocky River locations. Responsible for training new Marketing Team Leaders in the Mid-Atlantic West Region.• Managed a creative team of six people which has included a nominee for “Team Member of the Year” every year.• Created and implemented a plan for the Feed Four More holiday drive that was #1 for food pantry fundraising and meal donation in the Mid-Atlantic Region every year and Top Ten in the company in 2014.• Managed marketing budgets and directed all local marketing funds for the Dublin and Upper Arlington stores.

Agoura Hills, Ca

•Provide marketing consulting services.•Helped launch Trifecta’s initial concept and location, The Corner Alley in Cleveland, Ohio. •Supervised local agency and trained Marketing Director for The Corner Alley’s Grand Opening. •Constructed sponsorship with the Cleveland Cavaliers and negotiated to significantly reduce cost.

Glendale, Ca

• Developed and managed all media, promotional and sponsorship programs in 5 US markets, including Columbus, Cincinnati, Chicago, Detroit and Minneapolis. • Guided all advertising, communications, and branding efforts for the Midwest region.• Directed marketing strategy and created annual marketing plans for each location.• Orchestrated rollout of national marketing programs. • Directly supervised 5 Sales and Marketing Directors. • Managed internal marketing communications with operations staff of nearly 50 operations managers and 500 hourly employees.• Directed public relations initiatives.• Created special programming with media partners for targeted business growth.• Constructed unique opportunities for cross promotion with corporate partners.• Constructed sponsorships utilizing ROI based model with partners that included Cincinnati Reds, Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx, Minnesota Twins, Columbus Crew Soccer, Columbus Clippers, Newport Aquarium and The Ohio State University.• Launched 2 multi-million dollar venues, overseeing advertising and PR for each grand opening, including the organization and execution of multiple high-profile events. Researched new markets, forged new relationships, and devised a unique and comprehensive marketing plan tailored to each location.

Columbus, Oh

• Marketed over 200 concerts and special events a year. • Placed advertising and devised and coordinated creative promotions.• Designed and produced creative materials and displays. • Negotiated and contracted Newport Music Hall rentals. • Oversaw box office operations at special events. • Editor, writer and account executive for The Ticket magazine.

Education record

International Business