Michael Richman Email & Phone Number

As a self-avowed "car guy," I created a consulting firm that specializes in the automotive industry, specifically consumer research, strategic planning, brand-building and successfully introducing new products and brands to the North American marketplace. Building on my consumer electronics experience in working with companies such as AT&T, Honeywell and Westinghouse, I have worked in a contract capacity as far back as the mid-80's for car manufacturers such as Daihatsu, Hyundai/Kia and Geely/Volvo, to help them introduce their brands and products in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

With an emphasis in the consumer electronics space and the sports & entertainment industry, I work to identify brands that can be leveraged in a variety of businesses and sales channels through research and focused demographic studies. I then research potential licensing partners and negotiate licensing arrangements between a licensor and potential licensee for those brands... ultimately selling Trademark and Licensing Agreements (TMLA's) to companies best positioned to take advantage of creating product lines and growing sales through these licensed branding opportunities. I also create strategies for licensees to help them market and roll-out products and services under those brands, as well as providing assistance in product design, manufacturer resourcing, distribution, sales channels and customer support services.

Responsible for all facets of company operations, including growing company through expansion of product offerings, distribution channels and sales representation, as well as expansion to international markets. Developed and implemented new strategic and tactical company policies, including all marketing and advertising, high-level staff placement, strategic partnerships, corporate and vendor relationships. Successfully rolled out company’s first new products in eight years within four months of arrival, doubling company’s product offerings within first 12 months. Overhauled company’s branding strategy - revamping all product labeling, signage and merchandising materials. Successfully resolved U.S. and international product regulatory issues. Began aggressive market expansion, increasing retail distribution locations by over 40%. New product introductions, together with expanded distribution, contributed to more than doubling sales within my first 18 months.

A partnership between Sports and Entertainment Management Group (SEMG) and several leading international sports agencies, I served as Managing Director of an organization designed to locate and place talent into established professional leagues globally through showcase events, such as our popular Latin America and European showcases, which I launched in 2009.

Started and operated a new sports and entertainment business including acquisition, relocation and management of professional sports franchises. Developed and implemented all strategic and tactical company policies, ranging from product offerings and pricing to all marketing, advertising and media relations functions, as well as managing all front office and event operations staff, corporate partnerships and vendor relationships. Acquired first professional sports team and relocated to area in 2001. The Brevard Blue Ducks professional basketball team enjoyed seven years of operation until the league’s cessation in 2008. Opened entertainment division in 2004, successfully promoting well-known events such as the Harlem Globetrotters as well as launching own branded events series, such as "Mayhem in Melbourne," featuring WWE wrestling legends, and "A Night of Comedy," featuring comedians from NBC’s “Last Comic Standing” TV series. Launched new wrestling promotion in 2007 to expand sports/entertainment division. The new World Wrestling Association (WWA) debuted in January of 2008 with its own branded product, "Bash at the Ballpark." Expanded the WWA into smaller market segment in 2009, with new "Vengeance Live on I-95" event series. Expanded entertainment division further by offering celebrity/entertainment acts globally, through BookEntertainmentActs.com.

Charlotte, North Carolina, Us

Created and led Honeywell's Security Dealer Program - part of company's "Honeywell Your Home" initiative to sell Honeywell’s security, comfort and convenience products to consumers through a network of independent, authorized dealers.

Created and managed Sprint Authorized Dealer Program which sold high-end life safety, security/home automation systems to consumers through a nationwide network of independent dealers. Created and managed Advantage! Finance Program in partnership with Fidelity Federal Bank and MasterCard International, enabling authorized dealer network to give consumers instant credit to purchase our Sprint and other-branded security, home automation and communications products and services. Created and managed Honeywell's Authorized Dealer Program (see Honeywell).

Dallas, Tx, Us

Responsible for sales and marketing throughout United States through both inside and outside sales networks. Built a nationwide distribution and dealer network from scratch, achieving over $300,000,000 in retail security and phone system sales per year through approximately 600 independent security distributors and dealerships. Also worked with AT&T Phone Center Stores and retail partners such as SEARS, Tandy Corporation (Radio Shack) and GE Capital (GECC) on joint ventures, to bring private-labeled security and phone products, as well as affordable financing, to consumers. We were the fastest-growing business in the security industry during this time.

Responsible for growing start-up company through creating brand awareness, building a direct sales organization and targeting future acquisitions. Held total responsibility for division operations, as well as hitting revenue and profit targets for investors.

Managed outside U.S. sales force, opened up new distribution channels, instituted international sales effort. Managed one of the industry’s very first branded dealer programs – FEELSAFE. Tripled sales during my tenure, enabling company to go public. Company was later acquired by Pittway Corp (now Honeywell).

Started off as sales trainee and worked my way up to an area position, where I was responsible for accounts in New York metro territory. Also worked with National Accounts such as Honeywell, ADT and Wells Fargo as well as Authorized Distributors. Was consistently the top-dollar performer of sales force nationwide. Most noteworthy accomplishment was the re-design and management of Ademco’s New York showroom facility, which served as a forerunner to the platform utilized for the nationwide showrooms to be operated independently by ADI (Ademco Distribution, Inc.).

Mba, Marketing

Education record