Ashley Brown

Surpassing internal pet toy business sales and operating income goal of $2M by driving the development, implementation, and management of strategic and tactical marketing initiatives for Learning Resources pet portfolio: Hunger For Words and Brightkins

• Supports execution of integrated marketing plan to support sales for Hunger For Words in Q3
• Launch new pet toy brand, Brightkins, in Q4 2022; introducing portfolio of 13 new SKUs and achieving sales, owning creation and execution of omnichannel marketing plan
• Leads and collaborates with cross-functional teams in development of strategic public relations programs and social media follower growth/engagement by leveraging several influencer programs to build brand awareness and expand audience reach
• Partners with creative agency to develop creative strategy and campaign for Brightkins brand, launching in Q1 2023
• Manages development of Brightkins website with key stakeholders
• Analyzes data and insights to aid in development of market-driven innovation for 2024

Managed the development and lifecycle of wall paint brands/products; executed market strategies that drive revenue, create market share and provide consumers with product solutions

• Implemented company-wide initiatives while fostering relationships with cross-functional teams to ensure steadfast of marketing programs from ideation to launch
• Instrumental in launching Rust-Oleum’s first tint-base interior wall paint brand, Zinsser SmartCoat, exclusive to Menards, generating $2M revenue growth first year
• Developed and managed omni-channel marketing support for Zinsser SmartCoat’s point of purchase communication and end user communication (Interactive Color Center including 550+ colors, consumer brochures and inspiration video content)
• Developed and led rebrand strategy for National Brand premix wall paint program
• Led several cross-functional teams through product development including formulation, packaging design, digital asset creation, scheduling, production, logistics
• Identify cost savings in new formulation; blended average $0.60, estimated $60,000/annually based on current volume
• Oversaw content creation (photo/video shoots, commercials, influencers) for SmartCoat and National Premix brand to be used online, retail and paid media
• Monitored and analyzed brand’s performance, including POS reports, profitability, distribution and trends
• Conducted market research with focus groups and external teams to gain insights on consumers needs
• Collaborated with internal color teams to research macro trends and develop color stories for wall paint platform
• Worked closely with sales to develop and execute effective promotional programs
• Led training courses on wall paint products for internal/external teams

Led execution of the product development life cycle from ideation to adoption; worked closely with Technical Design and Sales Teams to deliver standard line as well as proprietary products

• Liaison to Sales Team on product development, analyzed competitive shopping information, identified target retails, volume possibilities and provided market information across categories
• Collaborated with Sales Team, Supply Chain and Finance to develop successful brand portfolio to deliver net sales, revenue, margin and targeted profit
• Traveled to Asia to vet new suppliers, set costing structures and managed production timelines
• Worked closely with factories for sample development, and costs negotiations
• Partnered with Sales Team to establish positioning strategies by category based on key customer profiles and trends
• Develop and managed customer workflows, deliverables with Technical Design Team
• Develop and led internal product debriefing presentations with Sales Team
• Created and maintain item brief/tech pack for each item, communicates directly with suppliers on execution of product according to price point targets and customer needs
• Initiated new product platform which contributed to 20% increase in overall sales

• Achieved brand success through product knowledge by planning and coordinating 10 tasting events per month
• Develop and expand multiple accounts in beverage industry within Greater Chicagoland area

• Managed and trained wait staff
• Supervised inventory of all ticket sales
• Executed and organized meet and greets with musicians and bands
• Created atmosphere to build and maintain customer loyalty