Todd Merker Email & Phone Number

Marietta, GA, US

United States

Responsible for global expansion of the Serta and Beautyrest brands in the mattress, top of bed, and other accessory categories. Responsible for growing the brands with existing and new mattress manufacturers.

Responsible for expansion of Aspenhome products in international markets; spearheading the company's ecommerce B2B expansion in US.

Created the strategy and spearheaded the execution of global brand extension licensing programs for the company's portfolio of brands which include Lane Home Furnishings and Jamison Bedding.

Farmingdale, New York

Managed international brand expansion and collaborating with cross-functional teamsTo drive Bedgear’s global retail presence and innovative bedding products to consumers around the world.Managed all sales, P&L, budgeting, forecasting, and training for Bedgear internationally. Providing leadership, development, and the implementation of strategic plans that.

Atlanta, GA

• Create, maintain, and grow global licensing program for various Simmons brand initiatives. Includes P&L responsibility and accountability for income growth and business results for $40MM business unit that generates.
• Expanded Simmons’ existing licensing business in Asia Pacific, Africa, Europe, Middle East, Central and South America by more than 65%.
• Launched brand in Africa, Eastern Europe, India, Middle East and Asia Pacific markets by identifying and partnering with new licensees in these territories; this resulted in an increase of royalty revenues in these.
• Developed and executed new licensed product strategies including business case creation, revenue and royalty forecasting, and product value proposition with key licensees and retail partners.
• Lead company’s global licensing strategy to insure overall brand consistency across licensed product categories.

Charlotte, NC

• Managed the strategic development and execution of the worldwide licensing program for company’s entertainment properties. Directed the creative design process for multiple product categories from concept to finished.
• Increased royalty revenues by 150% and generated retail sales of $25MM in US.
• Developed and executed sales strategies and tactics and managed the development of retail presentations through complete execution of retail programs, including marketing components, in-store signage, premiums and.
• Managed and expanded relationships with buyers, merchandise managers and senior marketing executives at leading retailers. Negotiated agreements with retailers, including exclusive product launches and bundled products.
• Executed new licensed product strategies including business case creation, revenue and royalty forecasting and product value proposition with key licensees and retail partners.

Cedar Rapids, IA

• Managed the procurement of licenses, brand building and repositioning, product development life-cycle strategies, and maintained oversight of intellectual property rights of trademarks, copyrights, and patents..
• Managed, planned and implemented new product introductions of die-cast toys and plastic ride-ons.
• Facilitated new product development, pricing, packaging and logistics for 100+ skus, including branded, private-label and distributor-labeled products marketed to retailers.
• Signed licensed product deals with Coca-Cola®, John Deere®, Ford®, General Motors®, Campbell Soup®, Disney®, Warner Brothers (Superman® & Batman®), Orange County Chopper® and others.

Atlanta, GA

• Managed national sales, marketing, and customer service activities including new product development, marketing strategies, Company's electronic procurement catalog content, manufacturing partners, and retail partners.
• Increased sales to $2MM in a highly competitive dot-com market.
• Pioneered development and launch of a unique manufacturer and retailer enrollment program realizing a 40% increase in licensed manufacturer enrollments.
• Developed and implemented catalog requirements and content review process with manufacturers, buyers, and third-party service providers.
• Spearheaded design and management of catalog boarding process for enrolled manufacturers achieving a 400% increase in catalog product offerings.
• Slashed costs 12% by renegotiating contract with transactional partner.

Alpharetta, GA

• Developed strategic marketing and distribution plans for the manufacture and wholesale distribution of licensed merchandise with annual revenues exceeding $48M. Managed all aspects of licensing, to include contract.
• Directed the creative design process for all product categories from concept to finished product, encompassing new product development, consumer materials, packaging, displays, presentations, catalogs and sell sheets.
• Led project management teams in the planning and implementation of product lifecycle for the successful Coca-Cola and Harley-Davidson brand lines. Efforts surpassed first year projections and recorded revenues of $10M.
• Managed product line producing $48M in annual revenue.
• Drove territory expansion efforts with addition of two sales reps. Within 24 months, increased sales by more than $30M and added 12 rep group organizations.

Atlanta, GA

Atlanta, GA

Atlanta, GA

Atlanta, GA