James Toler Email & Phone Number

Orlando, Florida Area

Develop and execute key client/prospect marketing strategies that reflect a detailed understanding of client needs, focusing on targeting and promotional solutions that maximizes the client’s sales growth and ROI through profitable revenue utilizing multiple Valassis products and services. Direct local SWOT analysis to determine region’s marketing opportunities vis-à-vis the competition, market direction, category penetration, pricing, promotion and advertising strategies and tactics. Partner with RVP Sales, direct the profiling of region’s top twenty clients and develop account specific marketing plans to retain and grow our most valuable clients.Partner seamlessly with national marketing efforts to ensure national marketing programs and tools are relevant, effective and clearly aligned with regional needs. Demonstrating and reinforcing to Sales how to leverage and present the various market research studies, prospecting/targeting tools and all other available resources to attract, retain and grow profitable clients. Assisting Sales in formal presentations to active and prospective key clients where needed.

Developed and implemented all marketing promotions for U.S. retailers. Directed the strategic positioning of shopper marketing programming for the FDOC. Responsible for guiding all merchandising efforts both fresh channel and juice channel products. Negotiated all partner-based promotions with consumer packaged goods brands. Led agency on all shopper marketing efforts for the FDOC. Sold marketing programs to category directors and marketing teams at retail. Managed annual marketing budget and calendar. Responsible for monthly presentations to board of commissioners on budgeting, planning and results. • Successfully developed and launched the FDOC shopper marketing department. Sold in 28 marketing programs to major retailers across the U.S. including Wal-Mart, Safeway, Kroger, Supervalu, Ahold, and Food Lion.

Led weekly sales and strategy meetings to determine go-to-market initiatives. Responsible for the integration of all weekly timelines including item input, financial forecasts and ad production across all Marketing, Merchandising and banner stakeholders. Ensure alignment and manage the communication of the weekly Marketing and Merchandising integrated plan. Led the contextual review and quality control of advertising content relative to the sales plan. Managed the relationships and communication of information across Enterprise Marketing, Enterprise Merchandising and Banners to ensure seamless integration and execution of both local national programs and marketing vehicles serving as the primary point of contact. Established and maintained communication to effectively represent the marketing group and the enterprise with the Banners and other functional areas on the weekly plan details and event calendar. Partnered with key stakeholders in Merchandising and at Banner level to develop Period and Trimester marketing initiatives for both short and long term marketing objectives.

Developed and supervised the annual marketing and media plans for company locations. Spearheaded and directed the annual marketing and advertising calendar. Recommended corporate sales programs and identified new marketing opportunities. Provided direction for external media, creative and public relation agencies. Conducted monthly presentations to the Board of Directors on program results, forecasts and trends.

Led key strategic decisions for Brand Positioning and Market Strategy. Delivered brand strategy, including core positioning messaging, communication platform and brand guidelines. Conducted new product and private label launches and ensured the implementation of sustaining campaigns. Key member of the Delhaize USA Private Label Committee. Developed and directed the annual marketing budget and three year forecasting process. Directed key external agencies, including Creative, Media, Public Relations and Hispanic. Defined and supervised media strategy including timing, investment levels, scope and composition of media mix by audience, segment and channel. Spearheaded the consumer research process on positioning, pricing and overall consumer dynamics. Interpreted results and presented recommendations to executive team. Led weekly sales and strategy meetings with cross functional merchandising and retail ops teams to determine the weekly, “go-to-market” strategy for the circular and media, quarterly promotions, competitive blunting programs, and pricing campaigns.

Developed and supervised the annual marketing and media plans for the Perkins Eastern Division, 255 locations in 17 states, 40 DMAs. Directed account service team of 7 individuals, responsible for developing and executing media, local store marketing, creative services, and evaluating new marketing opportunities. Developed and managed the annual marketing budget. Conducted presentations to key account executives on program performance, market data and new marketing recommendations.