Julia C. Russell
Atlanta,GA
Summary
Solutions-driven hospitality marketing professional with proven ability to develop consumer-centric strategy and build brand awareness. Highly skilled interpersonal and communication skills and experience managing matrixed organizations. Passionate about building brand excellence and impeccable customer experiences.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Ambassador
CORE - Children Of Restaurant Employees
03.2023 - Current
- Develop and amplify messaging to raise awareness and support for hospitality-focused non profit organization.
- Facilitate collaboration between different departments and volunteers within the organization to support programming and fundraising efforts.
- Leverage social media platforms to promote upcoming events and share stories of success within the organization's network of supporters.
- Enhance community relations by promoting outreach events.
Director of Corporate Partnerships
CORE - Children Of Restaurant Employees
11.2022 - 03.2023
- Developed and retained partnerships throughout the United States to financially support CORE's mission.
- Led, motivated and engaged industry executives as ambassadors to be an extension of CORE.
- Leverage print and digital marketing collateral to maximize opportunities for visibility and growth.
- Collaborated cross-functionally with organizational leadership and board of directors to guide operational strategy.
Director of Consumer & Category Insights, Business Development
The Dairy Alliance
06.2021 - 07.2022
- Monitored and analyzed consumer behavior and market trends impacting the dairy industry and provided staff and industry partners with relevant insights and recommendations for data-driven initiatives and promotions
- Developed high-performing research team by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Managed and executed comprehensive foodservice, retail, and CPG partner account strategies to support 2% dairy category sales growth goal
- Controlled strict utilization of Business Development budgets totaling more than $2 million
- Selected by CEO as an advisor for cross-functional Content Marketing Leadership Team to ensure consistent and effective messaging across all channels
Manager of Business Development
The Dairy Alliance
01.2019 - 01.2021
- Developed and maintained relationships with targeted retail and foodservice partners to build partner sales and support incremental dairy growth
- Highlights include sales of almost half a million grilled cheese sandwiches for a QSR partner and 6% fluid milk category lift for a C-Store partner
- Leveraged timely data and insights to create unique assets including research reports, presentations, and white papers
- Shared deliverables and information through all appropriate media and email channels
- Selected by CEO for strategic planning Core Team to “Insulate and Innovate” to drive incremental dairy volume/usage
- After completing cost-benefit analysis, replaced ad-hoc agency commissioned research system with in-house research capabilities portfolio, saving an average of $7000 per deliverable and improving turn-around time by 50%
- Developed innovative new business development pilot projects with key industry and research partners
- Consulted with preeminent research authorities, including DMI's Strategic Intelligence Team, Southern Dairy Research Center, Datassential, Technomic, Mintel, IRI, NPD, GlobalData, Tastewise, and multiple official State/Regional Dairy Promotion groups.
Manager of Marketing and Partner Relations
The Dairy Alliance
01.2016 - 01.2019
- Expanded foodservice program from two accounts in 2016 to 50+ in 2018 through strategic prospecting, networking, and outreach efforts
- Facilitated comprehensive organizational rebranding effort, consisting of development and implementation of a strategic plan, resulting in an increased sense of purpose and more focused mission statement
- Designed data-driven growth strategies through analysis of commissioned market and in-house research
- Managed multiple budgets: $600K+ for marketing initiatives, equipment grants, employee incentives and more
- Spearheaded special event coordination such as trade shows, fundraisers, sales training, symposiums, team building
- Selected for Culture Committee to support CEO in fostering workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Inventory, Vendor, and Product Manager
AchooAllergy.com
01.2015 - 01.2016
- Conducted comprehensive audit, developed tracking formulas, and implemented processes to improve inventory cost tracking system, decreasing man-hours by 20% and material cost by 12%
- As Executive Marketing Team member, grew digital strategy, expanded sales growth, fostered brand awareness, analyzed trends, and guided high-level decisions
- Facilitated key aspects of thorough and successful six-month transition from WordPress to Magneto e-commerce site
- Managed Cut & Sew staff and directed end-to-end development of $50K raw material inventory and production of 250 sewing facility finished goods
- Supervised warehouse staff, monitored and updated inventory levels, and determined purchasing requirements for 1200+ warehouse products
- Developed and led company-wide product and sales training programs.
Sales and Customer Support / Social Media Manager
AchooAllergy.com
01.2010 - 01.2015
- Managed call center sales team for specialty e-commerce retailer
- Built and supported branding efforts and SEO strategy through various social media outlets, including Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest
- Implemented and administered Net Promoter Score (NPS) system, increasing customer loyalty by 10%
- Doubled the company's Amazon store traffic in one month through inventory updates, effective pricing strategies, and optimal category placement resulting in sustainable sales growth for product line.
Sales and Marketing Manager
Instead of Flowers/Culinary Accents Incorporated
01.2007 - 01.2010
- Exceeded monthly sales goals through menu redesign, coupon programs, and strategic promotional initiatives.
Education
Master of Business Administration in Marketing -
Kennesaw State University
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, Concentration in Advertising, Minor in Sociology -
University of Memphis
Skills
- SEO Strategies
- Trend Forecasts
- Digital Marketing
- New Business Development
- Product Development
- Consumer & Market Insights
- B2B Partnership Building
- Positive & Purposeful Rebranding
Affiliations
- National Restaurant Association - Marketing Executives Group
- Research Chefs' Association
- Southern Foodways Alliance
- National Association of Convenience Stores
- International Food Manufacturers' Association
- Datassential ONE TABLE Panel
- Tastewise Consumer Advisory Panel
Timeline
Ambassador
CORE - Children Of Restaurant Employees
03.2023 - Current
Director of Corporate Partnerships
CORE - Children Of Restaurant Employees
11.2022 - 03.2023
Director of Consumer & Category Insights, Business Development
The Dairy Alliance
06.2021 - 07.2022
Manager of Business Development
The Dairy Alliance
01.2019 - 01.2021
Manager of Marketing and Partner Relations
The Dairy Alliance
01.2016 - 01.2019
Inventory, Vendor, and Product Manager
AchooAllergy.com
01.2015 - 01.2016
Sales and Customer Support / Social Media Manager
AchooAllergy.com
01.2010 - 01.2015
Sales and Marketing Manager
Instead of Flowers/Culinary Accents Incorporated
01.2007 - 01.2010
Master of Business Administration in Marketing -
Kennesaw State University
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, Concentration in Advertising, Minor in Sociology -
University of Memphis