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Brian Smith

Brian Smith

General Sales Manager

Whiteside Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac

Rayland, OH

General Sales Manager experienced in helping others achieve their goals

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Whiteside Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac

General Sales Manager

December 2012 — Present

Responsible for a team of 14 sales consultants, 2 sales managers & 2 F&I managers, accountable for entire selling process, training, goal setting, tracking, profitability, deal structuring, sold/unsold follow-up, merchandising, inventory, negotiating, closing, prospecting, marketing, hiring/firing, GM compliance, customer complaints/resolution and liaison between all other departments.

Started as salesman, promoted within 8 months to GSM. As GSM, profits have increased each month under my leadership. September was the single largest total profit month in the history of the company.

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Career
Career medium 05

Smith Creative Solutions

Creative Consultant

January 2012 — August 2013

• Provide creative consulting services consistent with any national level ad agency
• Developed web sites, blogs, social media, PR, media and online strategies
• Created branding, identity, promos, strategy, video, direct mail, writing, ads, billboards, photography, environmental space design & signage
• Chaired local school bond issue building campaign team of 125 volunteers, mobilized 25 community canvassing teams, created marketing materials, TV/radio spots, research, billboards, direct mail, social media, website, robo-calling, community events and was lead speaker at 8 town hall meetings

Key Success: Coordinated 150 person volunteer team, recruiting, scheduling, logistics, advertising, public relations, promos and stage design for back-to-back 2500 person events on one weekend. My efforts led to an increase of 336% in total attendance. Average attendance for the Vineyard Church was 550. This year’s event generated nearly 2400 guests at each event. Also served as main event speaker.

Career

Ziegenfelder Company

Marketing Director

November 2007 — January 2012

• Managed Budget Saver Twin Pops Brand across various channels
• Developed ads, web sites, social media, PR, events & promos
• Handled product development, sales support, licensing, community relations, outreach, giving, strategy, market & consumer research
• Created all packaging, point of purchase, illustrations, corporate communications and creative for several national brands
• Managed 8 interns, vendors and $10 million in printing of bags, boxes and corrugate

Key Success: Conducted all market research, recommended flavor profiles, designed packaging, developed all sales, marketing & POP materials for an entire line of “Monster Pops”. All 3 items were accepted by Walmart
and generated a 650,000 case increase and $9.7 million in additional sales, contributing to a 32% gross sales increase in 2011.

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Career
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E.Grace Communications

President

February 1999 — July 2006

• Founded full service ad agency with less than $1000, generated $650,000 annually, employing seven people and representing clients across the US
• Provided client presentations, creative, branding, sales, web design, strategy, marketing, product development, publishing, TV/radio production, retail space planning, signage, ad campaigns, PR and media buying
• Developed various political, educational, creative and informational campaigns

Key Success: Convenient Food Mart asked me to generate 50% increase of deli program. Generated 1067% increase in sales. Included branding, private label, space design, uniforms and signage all supported by media, in-store ads and events. Sales jumped from 3 to 35 cases per store and generated national press in C-Store News.

Career

Stirewalt & James

Creative & Operations Director

February 1995 — May 1999

• Handled key agency functions of hiring, firing, invoicing, estimating, collection, business development, scheduling, account management and computer networking
• Managed 9 person creative teams, interns & support staff in Pittsburgh and Wheeling
• Responsible for all creative, client presentations & new business development

Key Success: Developed tracking & cost control system to organize time, expenses, vendors, services and budget, saving the company thousands in un-captured hours, billings and other inefficiencies, doubling profits annually. In 1995, sales were $186K per year. By 1999, sales grew to $3 million annually.

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Career
Career medium 02

Interbrand Design Forum

Graphic Designer

October 1993 — November 1994

• Created store designs, graphic packages and branding for major national retailers
• Prepared marker renderings & drawings to showcase design vision
• Produced point of purchase displays, trade show spaces, packaging and presentations
• Managed vendor relations, material specifications and final production

Key Success: Designed logo currently in use by Papa John’s Pizza as well as all in-store graphics and interior and exterior renderings of several building variations. Other clients included: Gander Mountain, Land Rover, Cadillac, Honda, Famous Footwear, Marvel Comics, Athletes Foot, El Bee Shoes, McDonald’s Playplace, Meijer’s, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Revco and Eckerd Pharmacy.

Career

King Advertising

Associate Creative Director

May 1993 — October 1993

• Designed regional public relations, advertising and marketing campaigns.
• Handled strategy, concepts, graphics, video, photo direction, writing, event planning, print collateral, vendor relations and media.

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Career medium 01

Freelance Creative Consultant

Creative Ninja

January 1989 — May 1993

• Worked my way through college providing creative services without ever having to take a job outside my chosen field
• Developed packaging for Henri Bendel’s, T-shirts for Max&Erma’s, billboards, ads, sales presentations, posters, brochures, catalogs, stationery, newsletters, corporate identities, press releases and annual reports

Career

Columbus State Community College

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services

1991

GSW Worldwide

Pharmaceutical Marketing and Management

1992

Columbus College of Art & Design

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Advertising

1993