J, Walter Thompson, Chicago

Senior Partner, Group Management Director (2005-Present)

Illinois Office of Tourism, St. Louis Children’s Hospital

 

• Develop and manage the domestic and international integrated marketing programs for the Illinois Office of Tourism. This includes broadcast, print native, digital advertising and multiple client websites.  Oversee an integrated team of 20.  Manage media and multicultural agency partners.

  • Retained the business through two mandatory reviews enabling JWT to preserve a footprint in Chicago

  • Marketing efforts have contributed to four consecutive years of record breaking visitor growth, and 10 years of increases in hotel/motel tax revenues, the source of IOT’s funding

  • Earned a Mercury award in 2014 for best social media campaign and another for best television campaign in 2015 #MiniAbe

 

• Awarded the advertising account for St. Louis Children’s Hospital and Foundation in 2015. 

  • Lead the development of a new marketing strategy and campaign launching in March 2016

 

Senior Partner, Group Management Director (2002-2005)

Blockbuster, Macy’s, Kraft Foods

 

• Brought in to retain the Blockbuster business.  Led development of strategy and advertising for Blockbuster videogames and new “Game Rush” stores for 3 years.

• For two years led advertising efforts for Kraft Cheese, Miracle Whip and MAYO.  Awarded an Effie for Breakstone’s Cottage Doubles campaign repositioning it as a healthier snack alternative to yogurt.

• Pitched and won Macy’s account for JWT.  Relaunched Macy’s nationwide and oversaw the development and production of fall and Holiday campaigns.

 

Foote, Cone & Belding, Chicago

EVP, Group Management Director (May 2000 – December 2001)

New Business  

 

• Headed up the new business department, managed a staff of four, reporting to President

• Created systematic prospecting and outreach program targeting key prospects and consultants

• Achieved a 66% finals participation rate and a 40% win rate.  Wins included Boeing, ADA and Aquafina. 

 

Grant Jacoby, Chicago

Managing Partner, Director of Client Services (August 1998 – May 2000)

People Energy, HEAD Tennis, ATA

 

• Lead marketing and advertising efforts for highest billing accounts

• Repositioned Peoples Gas to Peoples Energy with new logo and “Energy for You” campaign

• Successfully introduced new “intelligence” line of tennis racquets for HEAD

 

The Leap Partnership, Chicago

Managing Partner (January 1997 – May 1998)

 

• Focused on new business at this creative start-up agency

• Successfully pitched and won Daewoo Motors regional and              national accounts

  • Managed U.S. launch for six months before it was put on hold

 

Euro RSCG Tatham, Chicago (currently Havas)

Senior Partner (October 1995 – January 1997)

Procter & Gamble; Head & Shoulders and Vidal Sassoon Haircare Brands

 

• Managed the U.S. and Canadian businesses

• Developed strategy and creative to reposition and revitalize              mature brands

• Pioneered opportunity for Vidal Sassoon Web site

 

J. Walter Thompson, Chicago

Account Executive - Senior Partner, Management Director

(January 1985 – October 1995)

The Southland Corporation/7-Eleven, Kraft, Kellogg

 

• During tenure advanced to Management Director

• Led the development all marketing and advertising efforts on 7-Eleven, including the highly acclaimed Slurpee "Brainfreeze" campaign which revitalized an American favorite and garnered a Gold Effie

• As Management Director, oversaw the development of advertising campaign on Miracle Whip which helped to stem volume declines

• As Account Supervisor, developed strategy and advertising for Kellogg cereals including All-Bran, Bran Flakes and Crispix