Tom O'Connor Email & Phone Number

Greater New York City Area

Working in conjunction with BLIP Licensing Agency in product categories of Apparel, Beauty and Accessories securing and negotiating international licensing and distribution agreements.

Greater New York City Area

Private Equity owned brand. Hired to lead International Sales and Development including both existing business and new markets.Key Accomplishments:*Changed Business model in Canadian market from Distributor model to Sales Agent model with NYDJ direct billing retailers. Adjusted prices at retail to a more competitive level and directed all Marketing activity.*Negotiated launch in Japan with a combination distribution and license contract. Launched with Pop up shops in Seibu / Sogo and Takashimaya.*Instituted Shop in Shop/ Fixture program in The Bay, Canada; El Corte Ingles, Spain, Bentalls, UK; and Inno, Belgium. Resulting in a more cohesive brand message at retail.*Coordinated the migration to a common Core Automatic Replenishment program from a disparate core product collection across territories to better manage SKU count and inventory management. *Negotiated distribution agreement for the Middle East, Israel, Turkey and Russia (including former CIS States).

Greater New York City Area, Miami, Dallas, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco

Independent contract consultant Directing all aspects of the establishment and optimization of the International Department including Sales, Marketing, Logistics and P&L, as well as Brand Strategy, Marketing Strategy and Operations. My projects include start up organizations, and small to medium sized organizations looking toward either international expansion or optimize their existing international business.Key Accomplishments:•Work with brands in excess of $200M in US sales volume expand and optimize international business by proposing and implementing a comprehensive strategy for global expansion.and plans to grow teams and distribution from 1-20 in international distributors/ partners and as much as $2M- $15M in revenues.•Develop cross functional teams comprised of Finance, Logistics, Distribution, Production and Sales to expand internationally, focusing sales and marketing strategy to maximize sales, operational efficiency and cross functional collaboration.•Identifying niche marketing opportunities and implementing strategies based on regional cultural differences•Developing partner/ strategic alliance network with emphasis on local market partnerships.Up to 20 successful contract negotiations per project increasing volume up to 90%.

Private Equity owned Turn Around/ Distressed company. Led international sales, travel retail sales and international marketing for fashion watch brands.Key Accomplishments:•Solid value added to International business resulting in being a key member of the management team which managed change.•Reduced style count of an over assorted line from over 200 sku's to 100 sku's, and established new advertising/ marketing standards to better establish the brands, resulting in a more focused assortment at retail, an increased per SKU volume which improved cost of goods, with a more cohesive brand statement.•Standardized pricing and marketing strategy to leverage brand image and provide a more cohesive global brand message. •Drove International Sales which more than doubled in total with international comp territory increases from $10M to over $16M for an increase in excess of 61%, and total business to $21M. •Spearheaded the formalization of 20 strategic partner relationships through execution of contracts and marketing contribution.•Successfully directed the development and launch of Mexx brand including product development, retail fixture development and negotiating with licensor in all aspects regarding the watch brand resulting in the smoothest launch in company history.•Directed brand management and development during the negotiations and awarding of the Ted Baker license.•Key member of a Strategic Team that evaluated and recommended strategic and organizational changes to Customer Service Department that had numerous redundancy and no clear delineation of responsibility, resulting in a streamlined and more efficient department.

Greater New York City Area

Directed international markets in both expansion of markets and existing territories in the following regions: Central and South America, China, Philippines, and select European markets. Managed Account Executives with the combined responsibility for U.S. Military, corporate outlet sales, Caribbean, Puerto Rico, Canada, and U.S. Duty Free. Managed department profitability and marketing strategy. Coordination with Legal, Credit, Finance, Logistics and Apparel International division.Key Accomplishments:•Developed profitable strategies for the marketing and sales of Liz Claiborne fragrances entering and expanding 30 key local markets in addition to travel retail.•Spearheaded the establishment of advertising/ marketing standards and determined pricing and product mixes in local markets overseas.•Drove sales and marketing plans for a $90M international volume with appointed local distributors for product, promotions and local market investments.•Negotiated and executed the launch of Liz Claiborne fragrances in Spain and Benelux through the appointment of local distributors and in concert with Liz Claiborne Europe. Negotiated official distribution in the People’s Republic of China.•Achieved organic growth 10% in sales and 15 % increase in profitability by strategically realigning markets and re-focusing investment.