Jake Hardin
Chicago,United States
Summary
Currently working in management and sales in the Event Photography industry. Energetic business development professional driven to motivate and excite employees to reach optimum performance. Natural leader and complex problem solver. Experienced with product testing, management and development of new business opportunities.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Business Development Manager
VIP Holiday Photos
04.2022 - Current
- Produce comprehensive marketing stacks for social media and advertising campaigns across all Holiday and Newborn locations.
- Direct and collaborate with the marketing team to develop effective SMS marketing workflows.
- Collaborate with key clients to create and execute innovative marketing initiatives for holiday promotions.
- Collaborate with the Marketing and Design team to streamline and enhance the user experience on our reservation website.
- Oversee the copy and imagery, and recommend numerous UI/UX improvements on our reservation website, which went live in September 2023.
- Utilize common complaint data to enhance risk management strategies for social media and other platforms.
- Design and implement 'Santa's Village' themed Santa sets for our VIP Holiday Photos division.
- Develop and execute up-sell opportunities for customers via our reservation website and on-site purchases.
- Collaborate with external partners relevant to our client base to promote our Santa sets through cross-marketing opportunities.
Regional Manager
VIP Holiday Photos
09.2021 - 04.2022
- Manage contracted malls in Texas for all Santa and Easter Bunny sets under the division VIP Holiday Photos
- Train, Supervise, and Oversee 6 district managers, 12 location managers, and over 70 staff workers/photographers at all mall sets and hospitals contracted in Texas
Sales Development Representative
VIP Holiday Photos
02.2021 - 09.2021
- Reported to Account Managers and C-suite team and provided leads for potential contracts for our Holiday Division.
- Implemented and designed our 'Santa Village' styled Santa sets for enclosed retail spaces.
- Strategically located high-foot traffic, open-air shopping centers and passed on leads to AMs and C-suite team.
- Worked with and established relationships with numerous domestic and overseas suppliers to ensure we have the right equipment and decor for our Santa Village sets.
Product Marketing Associate
VIP Recognition
06.2019 - 10.2020
- Worked with management team to generate products and services for both our golf and recently acquired newborn photography division
- Conducted ad campaigns for product lines through means of social media and email marketing
- Coordinated with in-house developer to streamline the back-end of Welcomenewborn.com for a more user-friendly experience
- Executed product development plans with management; Planned/coordinated product rollout and promotional activities for our hole-in-one products
- Increased online visibility and drove website traffic using search engine optimization
- Worked with management team to plan and prepare for trade shows
Marketing Intern
Hart Energy
05.2018 - 08.2018
- Responsible for conducting market research on prospective clients and coordinating with service directors to help create industry insights, service newsletters and hosting webinars.
- Worked on Salesforce and Marketo for various CRM and Marketing projects
- Created social media posts using Oktopost
- Worked with management and VP of Marketing to find potential clients for our services and seminars, both locally and abroad.
Banquet
Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center
03.2017 - 08.2017
- Set up various alumni, faculty, general public, and student events
- Demonstrated genuine hospitality while greeting and establishing rapport with guests
- Monitored occupied event rooms for seating availability, service, safety, and well-being of guests
Marketing Associate
SRH Realty Group
05.2016 - 01.2017
- Coordinated art and graphic creation for social media, signage, and email marketing.
- Responsible for the overall branding of this newly established real estate group
- Created a new company website using Word Press; Created and posted on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to increase exposure
- Designed company logo, business cards, and real estate signs
Education
B.A. - Marketing
Michigan State University
05.2019
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Concordia Lutheran High School
05.2015
Skills
- Market understanding
- Lead Generation
- Strategic Partnerships
- Sales
- CRM Platforms
Current position
Business Development Manager, VIP Holiday Photos, Chicago, Illinois
Timeline
Business Development Manager
VIP Holiday Photos
04.2022 - Current
Regional Manager
VIP Holiday Photos
09.2021 - 04.2022
Sales Development Representative
VIP Holiday Photos
02.2021 - 09.2021
Product Marketing Associate
VIP Recognition
06.2019 - 10.2020
Marketing Intern
Hart Energy
05.2018 - 08.2018
Banquet
Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center
03.2017 - 08.2017
Marketing Associate
SRH Realty Group
05.2016 - 01.2017
B.A. - Marketing
Michigan State University
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Concordia Lutheran High School
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