Kara Ross
La Mesa,CA
Summary
Growth Marketing & Strategic Partnerships Leader with 15+ years of experience building high-impact partnership programs, driving customer acquisition, and executing integrated marketing campaigns for nationally recognized consumer brands. Proven success managing agency relationships, developing scalable partner ecosystems, optimizing campaign performance through data-driven insights, and leading cross-functional initiatives across Sales, Creative, Legal, Analytics, and Brand teams. Passionate about leveraging partnerships, influencers, emerging technologies, and AI-driven marketing to accelerate business growth.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Field Marketing Manager
New Belgium Brewing
11.2019 - Current
- Lead regional growth marketing strategy across Southern California, Arizona, and the Southwest, overseeing integrated campaigns that drive consumer acquisition, retail growth, and brand performance.
- Develop and manage strategic partnerships with retailers, distributors, agencies, community organizations, and brand collaborators to expand market reach and increase customer engagement.
- Own end-to-end execution of integrated marketing campaigns, coordinating creative assets, partner communications, timelines, legal approvals, and campaign performance measurement.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with Sales, Brand, Creative, Legal, Finance, and agency partners to launch national initiatives while ensuring execution aligns with business objectives.
- Analyze campaign performance, consumer insights, and ROI metrics to optimize marketing investments and improve future program effectiveness.
- Identify new partnership opportunities and activation strategies that strengthen market penetration and drive incremental revenue.
- Manage multiple agency and vendor relationships while ensuring accountability for project timelines, deliverables, and campaign quality.
- Partner with local influencers, community organizations, and strategic partners to increase brand awareness and customer acquisition.
- Lead experiential campaigns reaching audiences of 200 to more than 400,000 consumers while consistently exceeding engagement goals.
Director of Sales & Marketing
You & Yours Distilling
San Diego, CA
02.2019 - 11.2019
- Developed strategic retail partnerships that expanded distribution throughout California and accelerated brand growth.
- Negotiated new retail opportunities with major national accounts including Whole Foods, Albertsons, Vons, Total Wine, and Cost Plus World Market.
- Increased first-quarter sales threefold through data-driven marketing strategies and partnership development.
- Built integrated sales and marketing programs that increased customer acquisition and strengthened retail performance.
Marketing Manager, Southern California
Oskar Blues Brewery
11.2013 - 11.2017
- Developed regional growth marketing strategies across Southern California, Arizona, Nevada, and Central California.
- Executed integrated marketing campaigns that increased brand awareness and drove measurable sales growth.
- Expanded market presence into new territories, increasing regional sales by 25% during the first year.
- Partnered with distributors, retailers, agencies, and community organizations to maximize campaign effectiveness.
Brand Manager
Markstein Beverage Company
San Diego, CA
10.2011 - 11.2013
- Built strategic partnerships with breweries and retailers to expand brand visibility and customer engagement.
- Developed sales incentive and marketing programs that improved partner performance and campaign execution.
- Presented marketing strategies and product launch initiatives to executive stakeholders and sales leadership.
- Coordinated annual business planning to align marketing investments with sales objectives.
Education
Bachelor of Arts -
The Art Institute of Colorado
Denver, CO06-2009
Skills
- Partnership Marketing
- Growth Marketing
- Affiliate Partnerships
- Influencer Marketing
- Strategic Partnerships
- Agency Management
- Campaign Optimization
- Performance Analytics
- Marketing Analytics
- Customer Acquisition
- Cross-functional Leadership
- Marketing Strategy
- Integrated Campaigns
- ROI & KPI Reporting
- Contract Negotiation
- Partner Development
- Brand Partnerships
- Campaign Performance
- AI Marketing Tools (ChatGPT, AI-assisted planning)
- Retail Marketing
Timeline
Senior Field Marketing Manager
New Belgium Brewing
11.2019 - Current
Director of Sales & Marketing
You & Yours Distilling
02.2019 - 11.2019
Marketing Manager, Southern California
Oskar Blues Brewery
11.2013 - 11.2017
Brand Manager
Markstein Beverage Company
10.2011 - 11.2013
Bachelor of Arts -
The Art Institute of Colorado