Rick Williamson, Mba Email & Phone Number

Rochester, MN, US

Austin, MN

• Directs global communication strategies for Hormel Foods, a Fortune 500 global food company with 20,000+ team members and renowned brands worldwide.
• Leads and guides a high-performing team of 13 communications professionals, fostering their growth within an empowering environment.
• Serves as a key communications advisor to the CEO, c-suite executives, and senior leadership, providing strategic counsel, media training, and facilitating effective communication of the company’s vision to investors.
• Develops and implements strategic crisis communications plans for diverse stakeholder audiences.
• Drives proactive public relations programs through targeted media relations, executive communications, and strategic messaging.
• Engages with internal and external stakeholders to safeguard and enhance the company's positive corporate image.

• Designed and directed marketing strategies for local programs across franchise and corporate restaurant locations.
• Formulated annual marketing plans and key objectives for the bd’s system.
• Managed creative direction for advertising agency and negotiated vendor partner support.
• Analyzed and tracked ROI and sales results of marketing campaigns.
• Provided training on successful local marketing and media programs.
• Created and managed restaurant marketing budgets.

• Formulated marketing strategies for system-wide local programs.
• Developed internal communication tool "Wing TV" for disseminating crucial marketing information.
• Contributed to the formulation of annual marketing plans for Buffalo Wild Wings system.
• Supported execution of marketing plans for 235+ franchise locations nationwide.
• Communicated and presented annual marketing plans to restaurant operators.
• Directed advertising agency and managed online loyalty club e-mail provider.

• Developed comprehensive marketing campaigns for clients.
• Negotiated with advertising agencies and advertisers.

• Maintained relationships with 1,000+ clients.
• Oversaw ten key accounts and developed relationships with potential clients.
• Recommended staffing solutions to support client patient care and revenue goals.

• Negotiated salary, benefits, and hours worked for contractors
• Provided excellent, continuing customer service to employees and clients

• Instrumental in creating a sports department for KMEG, a brand new TV station in the Sioux City market and completing this task in only two months
• Built key relationships with local athletic directors, coaches, and players at high schools and colleges
• Helped build KMEG’s brand recognition by coordinating and implementing “Friday Night Flights” (helicopter coverage of high school football games)
• Sports anchor for KMEG’s most-watched newscast (Sunday 10 p.m.)
• Significantly increased weekend viewership at KMEG through implementation of a weekly highlight clip entitled “Rick’s Picks"

• Responsible for videotaping, writing, and editing the biggest sports story of the year in Bristol, TN, the 1999 Fiesta Bowl
• Implemented the first and only weekend morning sportscast in Bristol, TN

• Built key relationships with local athletic directors, coaches, and players at high schools and colleges
• Sports anchor for KMVT's weekend newscasts
• Significantly increased weekend viewership at KMVT through implementation of a weekly highlight clip entitled “Rick’s Picks”

B.S., Mass Communications

Activities and Societies: Member Sigma Nu FraternityGraduated: May 1996

Mba, Management

Graduated: August 23, 2008