ASHLEY L. HESTER

• Generated over $2MM in new revenue through strategic national, regional, and local partnerships for KidZania USA
• Met sales quotas.
• Assessed markets, analyzed business opportunities, created warm and cold leads through strategic and creative sales tactics
• Maximized sales assets/tools (i.e., LinkedIn Sales Navigator, Winmo, Hunter.io, industry/channel-specific lists, local chamber events, tradeshows and more) to identify leads
• Built rapport and trust through a consultative sales approach and negotiated partnership terms and contracts ensuring client and company objectives were met
• Worked alongside VP of Sales as well as across departments to create customized marketing proposals and implemented white-glove multimedia presentations
• Generated pipeline status reports through Salesforce CRM system.

• Generated over $1.2MM in new revenue through strategic national, regional, and local partnerships for TMS
• Assessed markets, analyzed business opportunities, initiated proposals, and generated new business in the form of corporate partnerships and race/non-race experiential corporate hospitality events
• Generated business leads by doing market research, cold calling, establishing appointments, and conducting white-glove multimedia presentations
• Built rapport and trust through a consultative sales approach and negotiated terms and contracts ensuring partner and company objectives were met
• Collaborated alongside VP of Sales, with other SMS-owned tracks, and across departments to create customized pitches and marketing proposals
• Generated pipeline status reports through Salesforce CRM system.
• Established and maintained highly effective relationships with clients and industry partners to drive growth.

• Lead the national cause marketing team for the world's largest breast cancer organization by managing the largest portfolio of corporate partners
• Raised over $25 million and generated more than $4MM in annual revenue through new business development as well as upsell and renewals of existing partners
• Cultivated strategic business relationships with Fortune 500 companies
• Managed and mentored a team responsible for revenue growth and worked across departments to deliver partner objectives
• Negotiated contracts and identified partnership growth opportunities with other SGK owned or partner programs
• Developed low to no-cost strategies for proactive and reactive new business
• Developed and implemented national event activations to maximize proceeds for SGK
• Gave strategic direction and created toolkits for SGK Affiliates (85+ US offices) for national cause-marketing/sponsorship initiatives
• Spokesperson for SGK to internal and external teams including speaking engagements, video shoots, industry-specific and/or partner events
• Representative advocate for SGK at nationally sponsored events
• Worked with high-net-worth individuals, athletes, entertainers, and C-level executives.

(multiple roles held – oldest to latest)

1) Account Executive, 2006 AT&T Winter Olympic Games, Torino, Italy, Nov. 2005 – March 2006

• Managed on-site events and activations for AT&T at the 2006 AT&T Winter Olympic Games.
• Organized and hosted 80+ AT&T elite sales groups and C-level executives (incl. AT&T CEO).
• Managed timelines and production of all event materials and managed all day-to-day logistics.
• Developed schedules and assisted with all VIP guest management.
• Developed and maintained strong working relationships with professionals and C-Suite decision makers.

2) Account Executive & Field Sales Manager – AT&T U-verse IPTV Product Launch, March 2006 – January 2008

• Led execution & launch of AT&T U-verse IPTV initiative in San Antonio, TX
• Acted as lead consultant for ideas and processes for In-Home U-Verse TV demonstrations.
• Hired and managed over 50 part-time Field Sales Consultants
• Lead team of 5 managers for the Dallas Market U-verse IPTV rollout and Legacy product initiatives
• Assisted and implemented universal training tool for ongoing training purposes.

3) Account Manager – AT&T, February 2008 – 2011

• Managed budgets of $175K+ for AT&T client
• Managed creation and implementation of new College Influencer on-campus program at five (5) major universities (Rutgers, Tulane, Ohio State, Southern University and DePaul).
• Hired, trained, and managed 60 student field marketers to promote and sell new AT&T mobile devices.
• Fostered client relationships to help meet local market objectives.
• Managed an Account Coordinator to assist on the program execution.
• Worked alongside internal AT&T Property Management team to help activate AT&T athletic sponsorships.
• Created budgets, renderings, and proposals for AT&T on-site marketing activations (Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals, New York Yankees, Ohio State University, Chicago Cubs, Rutgers University Athletics and more).
• Evaluated client needs and developed tailored solutions to increase positive customer ratings.

• Responsible for building and leading a book of business through prospecting, consulting, and onboarding new clients, as well as maximizing opportunities with an existing book of assigned accounts.

• Developed a comprehensive understanding of our clients’ promotional marketing business (print, wearables, signage, promotional, events, warehousing/inventory management).

• Managed largest collegiate sports-centric accounts, SMU, and TCU.

• Other large accounts included the Dallas Stars, Kendra Scott, Baylor Scott White, Children’s Hospital, 7-Eleven (HQ), On the Border (HQ), and more.

• Acted as the client’s main point of contact to provide new, creative solutions for new or on-going campaigns, and continually educate my clients on the latest industry trends as they relate to their business needs.

• Worked alongside an account management team to source and service all accounts.