John Berka Email & Phone Number

Chicago, Illinois

Greater Chicago Area

Role ObjectiveAs a member of the executive committee, I fortified Noble through the development of a differentiated positioning, collaborative client relationships and proven prospecting protocols while heightening thought leadership across key verticals and enriching culture. Overall ResponsibilitiesResponsible to elevate best in class acumens to optimize Agency positioning, fine-tune Agency vision and goals, enhance Agency offerings, heighten Agency thought leadership across key verticals, boost Agency morale and develop aggressive new business plans.Drove organic growth among current clients within health care and higher education verticals.Created new business development processes, category thought leadership in health care and higher education exceeding expectations with credential meetings, RFPs, and business wins over three yearsAn author for multiple blogs: Higher Education topics at The Quad: https://viewsfromthequad.com and Health Care topics at The Chart: https://healthcaremarketingchart.com

Greater Chicago Area

Role Objective As one of four Founding Partners of Cows In Trees, I developed the launch marketing plan and organizational structure. I took the lead to create a vision, positioning and philosophy for an advertising agency that made purposeful impact to clients and agency associates alike creating an environment of trust, fearlessness, collaboration, curiosity and success.Overall ResponsibilitiesIdentified agency vision, positioning, name, mission, architecture. unique selling proposition and website for Cows In Trees as a new branding agency. Created overall marketing plan used by all partners to establish Cows In Trees. Built awareness across the ad agency landscape through sponsorships, exhibits and speaking at annual conferences while creating social media channels in key verticals. Grew client base through numerous new business wins in health care, higher education, food, designer clothes, sports clubs and beverages.

Greater Chicago Area

Role ObjectiveAs a member of the senior leadership team, I provided strategic direction, vision and financial stewardship for an agency which had $100mm capitalized billings and 85 associates across these industries: Food, Home & Building Products, Restaurants, Health Care, Higher Education, Financial Services, TransportationOverall ResponsibilitiesRefined agency services toolkit and new business protocols to attract additional business in areas of marketing, advertising and communications. Secured top-top relationships with 6 clients with a combined billing of $25mm. Responsible for setting forecasts and meeting/exceeding goals for topline growth, contribution margins and operating profits.

Greater Chicago Area

Role Objective As a member of the executive council, I secured current client businesses, elevate thought leadership, build morale, strengthening mentorship of associates and grow the agency through acquisition of new business Overall ResponsibilitiesManaged team of 20-30 associates to provide senior leadership across 4 clients (US & Global) across 4 verticals leveraging target insights, strategic planning, branding, and integrated communications with annual billings in excess of $20mm. Negotiated agency compensation plans for 3 clients, resulting in double-digit increases in annual revenue. Served on Task Force that elevated the positive role of the Agency for professional mentoring and interpersonal development based on an on-going employee surveys to track progress – initiatives included creating summer softball leagues, after hour gatherings, lunch and learns and quarterly agency functions spotlighting work and employees.

Greater St. Louis Area

Role ObjectiveI was recruited to bolster CPG expertise with both existing clients and new business. Key ResponsibilitiesResponsible for strategy & operations of all aspects of 9 Con Agra and Pillsbury food brands in excess of $30mm in annual billings, and managed a staff of 20 associates. Launched new products and flankers for Ralston, Pillsbury and ConAgra in excess of $10mm in annual billings. Provided proven strategies for launching new products and marketing established brands

Greater Chicago Area

Role Objective I was recruited to provide leadership / strategic focus and promote strong Client/Agency partnerships on all Kraft businesses: shelf stable, frozen food and refrigerated brands. .Key ResponsibilityIntroduced one of the first non-Kraft branded entries: Bulls-Eye BBQ sauce in the growing premium segment. I helped initiated customer research to understand the influence men had requesting spouses to purchase

Greater Chicago Area

Role Objective I provided strategic focus and promoted strong Agency/ Client partnership on all Ralston Purina brands: Children’s cereal, snack foods, pet foods. Overall ResponsibilitiesResponsible for managing 4 national brands including Cookie Crisp & Gremlins Cereal, raise Complete Dog Food, Whisker Lickins’ Cat Food

Greater Chicago Area

Clients Served Pabst Blue Ribbon & Pabst Extra Light Beer, Turtle Wax, Marshall Fields & Company

Greater Chicago Area

Clients Served3M Scotchguard, Eureka Vacuums Cleaner, Skil Power Tools, Charmglow Gas Grill, Jacobsen Lawn Mowers