Justin Kawa Email & Phone Number

Grosse Pointe, Mi, Us

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Product innovation driver. I develop and implement sales and marketing programs with Kroger, Convenience/Drug, Dollar channel and Distributors at over 40k stores nationally. This requires directing sales growth, forecasting for promotions, managing inventory among licensees and retailer warehouses, finding high-volume store merchandising opportunities, designing sampling and consumer engagement programs, eCommerce investment, advertising planning and sponsorship activation.

Chicago, Illinois

Lake Bluff, Il

Report to director of marketing for estate wine portfolio. Autonomously lead daily brand marketing responsibilities for Italian wine portfolio including full management of p&l, product pricing, and marketing communications including sales tools such as educational videos, sell sheets and custom presentations for national account pitches. Responsible for agency management, consumer facing communications such as advertising for print and digital, social media content, point of sale materials for on- and- off-premise, website and blog content.

Chicago, Illinois

LStop Media specializes in content strategy and production, from broadcast and print to digital channels including websites and social media.

Chicago, Illinois

At Legacy, I developed experiential programs for both well-established, iconic spirits brands such as Absolut vodka and emerging ones like Olmeca Altos tequila and Smithworks vodka. I also lead non-spirits programs including integrated marketing for the startup mobile app called bub, the borrowing hub. This all required testing and learning various approaches for meaningful brand engagements that moved consumers toward purchase, built advocacy and drove other KPIs.I successfully directed the Oak by Absolut product launch across nine markets with on- and off-premise brand activation in coordination with exclusive trade events, all developed by Legacy ($1mm+ budget). I incorporated streamlined analytics reporting to the national Absolut Mule sampling program, where well over 100k "Swedish Mules" were distributed to consumers showcasing the various Absolut flavors ($2mm budget). I created Hispanic activation programs, bringing the Absolut vodka general market brand campaign to new multicultural audiences for the first time in several years and creating a new agency revenue stream. Absolut grew in 2016 for the first time in years and is Pernod's largest brand in the US, accounting for 30% of sales.I was also the lead on strategy and planning for Smithworks vodka, leveraging iconic country music artist Blake Shelton as face of the brand and activating sponsorship around his upcoming tour. I've also served as agency lead on all FY16 and FY17 planning with brand and trade marketing teams for Martell, Malibu, Olmeca Altos and Ricard Pastis, resulting in increased agency revenues YoY for each of those brands. Working with these brands requires close collaboration with analytics, creative, digital and production teams and a true partnership with the extensive Legacy and Pernod Ricard USA field teams. Driving integration among these agency resources enabled me to provide a unique perspective that created exciting brand activation programs for consumers and the trade.

Deerfield, Il

In-house agency lead on Beam Suntory whiskey brands. Brought discipline to the internal project management and billing process, overseeing nearly 250 assignments in less than a year. This resulted in approximately $2mm in projects that successfully stayed in-house under my direction.Managed the product master visual design and brand campaign articulation guide for Jim Beam's Make History campaign and produced the accompanying video presentation for the high-profile national sales meeting. Brought strategy and vision to the Jim Beam social media channels, managing the development of content calendars to align with business initiatives. Worked with creative leads to produce fully integrated consumer activation programs for various whiskey brands, national accounts and global travel-retail (duty free) accounts.Brand portfolio responsibilities: Integrated marketing for Jim Beam and all flavored variants such as Honey, Kentucky Fire, Maple, and Red Stag by Jim Beam. Also directed initiatives for Maker's Mark, Knob Creek, Booker's, Old Grand Dad, Old Overholt, Canadian Club, Courvoisier, 2 Gingers, Kilbeggan, Teacher's, Laphroaig, Hibiki, Yamazaki and Hakushu.

Chicago, Il

Promoted from AE to AS in first year. Grew Blue Cross Blue Shield Association's (BCBSA) account by $4mm and directed their launch of a national integrated brand advertising campaign. I sold the BCBSA "Live Fearless" campaign to 9 state-level BCBS Plans including BCBS of North Carolina, Independence Blue Cross of Philadelphia, BCBS of Minnesota, among others. The campaign began with brand affinity work developed for launch across television (8 spots), radio (2 spots), print/OOH (4 ads), flash banners (4 ads) and rich media units (in-banner video players). I also drove social media strategy (Faces of Fearless testimonials) to support the campaign launch through the October opening of health-care exchanges. Additional projects were added including Spanish language versions of the television and radio, and tv spots for Medicare-eligible audiences and a healthcare reform education tool.Lead the client relationship with Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), managing a complete integrated marketing campaign including media planning and buying ($7mm), advertising for tv, print, OOH and digital as well as online conversation monitoring, microsite development and webisode production ($2mm budget).Managed tv, print, and digital advertising for Sears, ADM, Rust-Oleum and Disney. Managed digital initiatives such as social media strategy and content development for Bud Light and internal site development for Kraft Mondelez International. Managed new business opportunities for several pitches and a pro bono video assignment for the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago's fundraising around their highly publicized $500mm+ hospital construction. Helped lead the transition of ADM, BCBSA and Sears accounts to mcgarrybowen and managed the integrated launch campaigns for those clients. Lead digital initiatives for Sears Home Appliances, Electronics, Tools, Apparel and Holidays. Worked as primary client liaison to Rust-Oleum for television, print and digital media advertising.

Chicago

Managed online and direct mail b2b loyalty marketing programs along with customer retention direct mailers on the Sprint Account. Increased the number of agency programs to support the iDen line of cellular technology.

Chicago, Il

Developed and managed local, regional, national and global integrated marketing campaigns, branding and product launches for Navistar (International Truck & Engine Corporation)..Helped launch the "Miles Ahead" brand campaign domestically and globally for retention and acquisition markets.Managed launch campaigns for the ProStar class 8 tractor domestically and PayStar class 6/7 truck globally.Developed and managed online corporate sales incentive programs.Initiated new business opportunities among sister brands of International Truck, leading to increased agency revenue.

Southfield, Michigan. Naperville, Illinois

Advanced quickly from intern to coordinator, and in my first year was promoted to a field position as an Assistant Account Executive. Brought obsessive attention to detail and process into the regional field office, quickly advancing into an Account Executive position and finally a Senior Account Executive, all in the first 3 years of my career.At CE-Retail, I worked with various members of account, creative, production, and media in the development of TV, radio, newspaper, direct mail, outdoor, POS, sweepstakes and events for various markets in the north central region of Chevrolet Local Marketing Groups (LMGs). Specifically, I managed daily operations for major markets such as Chicago, Detroit, Milwaukee and Indianapolis. I autonomously managed the Marquette LMG by directing the development and implementation of annual marketing plans and strategies (Media budget: $125k). I provided field insights and unique perspectives on agency recommendations while balancing client needs on all facets of the marketing operation for the American Revolution campaign. This all during increased sales for Chevrolet.

Bachelor Of Arts, Advertising

Activities and Societies: 1998-99 Student Manager - Men's Hockey Team Specialization in Public Relations 4 credits at American University.

High School Diploma, Business Track

Activities and Societies: Varsity Baseball. Student Senate. Pastoral Team. Golf, Football, intramural sports.