Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Certification
Timeline
Office Skills
Office Skills

Lacinna Arnold

Atlanta,GA

Summary

Detailed-oriented professional with 20+ years of business experience with extensive knowledge in project and account management, marketing, business development, and university teaching. In-depth knowledge of brand marketing, business management, analysis, budget management, building relationships, and working with cross-functional teams.

Overview

28
28
years of professional experience
6
6
Certificates

Work History

National Account Director – Brand Marketing and Creative (Hybrid)

Cox Enterprises
5 2023 - Current
  • Oversee strategic and tactical projects for the Cox Automotive team, serving as the primary point of contact
  • Manage client relationships and assigned account staff and oversee client satisfaction, retention, and growth
  • Write compelling creative briefs to guide the development of marketing assets and campaigns, ensuring alignment with client objectives and messaging strategies
  • Interface with high-level clients, including the Executive Leadership Team, to understand their requirements and develop accountable marketing programs to deliver business results
  • Manage account P&L from negotiating statements of work and retainers to making sure work is delivered on budget, according to the proper terms
  • Independently lead and make decisions that properly balance the needs of accounts such as those of clients, international goals, and teams
  • Support the Direct of Client Engagement and the Group Account Director with the management of the Account Team which includes providing adequate training, overseeing, and conducting performance reviews, and resolving issues/problems
  • Ensure the use of best practices and effective processes across the department and agency.

Head of Account Management

ESSENCE Ventures
06.2020 - 06.2023
  • Oversaw and managed AFROPUNK's extensive portfolio of marketing and event clients
  • Managed account managers and contract employees, while also negotiating and managing vendor partnerships
  • Developed processes and procedure and executed comprehensive account campaign plans, road maps, and timelines
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams including Marketing, Creative, Production, and Sales to meet and exceed client expectations
  • Tracked budgets and working closely with Accounting to streamline vendor invoice processing
  • Partnered with the marketing and sales team to effectively respond to brand inquiries/RFPs
  • Participated in pitch meetings, contributed to strategic planning sessions, leveraging creative ideas and solutions to foster business growth and increase agency revenues
  • Actively engaged with notable clients and personalities demonstrating ability to manage relationships with high-profile stakeholders
  • Assumed the role of Director of Festival Operations for the 2022 Miami, Minneapolis, and Brooklyn Festivals, collaborating closely with the Executive Producer to ensure successful event execution.

Director of Business Development and Client Partnerships

ESSENCE STUDIOS
  • Managed and cultivated relationships with ESSENCE Studios portfolio of clients
  • Assisted with outlining and implementing the business structure and developed processes and procedures
  • Oversaw sponsorship and partnership clients to develop and execute launch strategies
  • Developed short-term and long-term strategic plans to align with company objectives and client needs
  • Conducted comprehensive research and presented strategic initiatives to executive leadership
  • Actively participated in high-level strategy calls and events with prestigious clients and personalities demonstrating ability to manage and maintain relationships with high-profile stakeholders
  • Worked with the Essence sales team to identify opportunities to cultivate and develop corporate partnerships
  • Managed revenue and expense budgets to ensure financial objectives were met
  • Collaborated with the Essence Communications team to deliver effective marketing campaigns and media content.

Full Time Faculty Professor/Lecturer – Business Department

City University Of New York/Brooklyn College
08.2018 - 08.2020
  • Responsible for teaching undergraduate and graduate business and marketing courses
  • Prepare syllabi, homework assignments, tests, and other course materials
  • Develop lesson plans and deliver lectures to undergraduate and graduate students that are engaging and foster growth
  • Facilitate and moderate thought-provoking classroom discussions
  • Maintain regularly scheduled office hours to advise and assist students.

Adjunct Professor – Business Department

Sacred Heart University
08.2018 - 08.2020
  • Create Class syllabi within department guidelines
  • Develop and implement lesson plans that are engaging and foster growth in each student
  • Help students gain an understanding of general business and marketing principles
  • In class instruction, review and grade course work and assign grades
  • Meet with students to discuss challenges and answer questions to help them achieve academic improvement.

Business Consultant/Account Brand Director

William Grant & Sons
07.2014 - 08.2017
  • Developed digital and experiential marketing activations to increase brand awareness and drive business growth
  • Led a dedicated team of sales and account managers to penetrate the market and drive brand awareness
  • Established and nurtured relationships with on-premise accounts to facilitate brand introductions and collaborations
  • Negotiated brand/menu placements and partnerships to highlight Hendrick's Gin in prominent venues and events, strategically positioning the brand to resonate with the target demographic
  • Worked closely with the brand team on the development and launch of new brand programs as well as creating marketing materials to promote products in retail stores and bars/restaurants
  • Conceptualized and executed consumer-facing events and activations to increase brand awareness and drive growth
  • Responsible for overall brand activations including digital, marketing events, and sampling
  • Managed allocation of budgets and resources to maximize the impact of marketing efforts.

Marketing Specialist/Brand Manager – Smirnoff Global Brand Team/Innovation (2011 -2014)

Diageo North America
08.2005 - 07.2014
  • Key team member on brand innovations from ideation to launch including marketing strategy, creative development, packaging, OOH, print, digital, and experiential
  • Led commercialization for innovation projects, ensuring global compliance with Smirnoff GBT guidelines
  • Managed rollout plans, timelines, and asset approvals for global projects such as the Madonna Ltd Edition carton box, D’Face package design, and the global rollout of the Smirnoff flavors packaging redesign
  • Exposure and interaction with talent and C-Suite demonstrating ability to manage relationships with high-profile stakeholders
  • Led the creation of comprehensive toolkits ensuring consistency with brand guidelines
  • Wrote detailed briefs to guide the creation of brand assets, ensuring alignment with brand objectives
  • Created and managed timelines and brand activity calendars to coordinate marketing campaigns
  • Analyzed global brand and competitor performance to provide actionable insights for growth
  • Organized and managed brand assets through the brand assets smart library, ensuring global market accessibility and compliance with brand guidelines
  • Tracked a $20 million budget, collaborating with finance on quarterly and year-end financials and accruals.

Customer Account Manager (2008 – 2011)

Diageo North America
  • Customer Operations Lead overseeing the launch of key innovation projects such as Cîroc Flavors, Jose Cuervo renovation, Godiva Vodka, and Johnnie Walker Blue Elite through the planned 90-day pipeline
  • Managed distributor accounts in assigned markets, overseeing the processing, and tracking of orders from both our domestic and international locations to ensure timely shipment and delivery
  • Fostered strong distributor partnerships through regular collaboration calls and site visits
  • Managed delivery analysis report, allocations, product specifications, source locations, claims, airfreight shipments, and shortages/overages, and worked closely with Finance to resolve deduction issues.

Marketing Associate, Crown Royal/Baileys/Beer/TGIF (2005 – 2008)

Diageo North America
  • Coordinated experiential events and directed the design and development of on-premise marketing materials, managing event agencies and vendors
  • Notable projects included the Baileys John Legend campaign and TGIF’s cocktails summer activation, showcasing my ability to drive impactful marketing initiatives
  • Exposure and interaction with talent demonstrating ability to manage and maintain relationships with high-profile stakeholders
  • Led in-store creative for TGIF’s summer activation, enhancing brand visibility and engagement through strategic design implementation
  • Managed Crown Royal NA Consumer Care, conducting quarterly brand reviews and ensuring alignment with strategic objectives, demonstrating analytical skills and strategic thinking
  • Provided support to executive leadership, contributing to strategic initiatives, and ensuring seamless operations at the executive level.

Co-Founder/Director of Operations

Sorting Solutions
06.1999 - 07.2004
  • Leveraged Account Management experience to drive business development strategies and operational initiatives
  • Cultivated and maintained relationships with Vice Presidents and Quality Managers overseeing Ford and Chrysler accounts
  • Developed and formalized work instructions and implemented training programs for quality inspectors, supervisors, and account managers, ensuring adherence to rigorous quality standards to successfully complete each containment job
  • Oversaw day-to-day business operations with a focus on efficiency and excellence
  • Led a diverse team of 25-30 employees, fostering a collaborative and productive work environment
  • Managed budgetary responsibilities, tracking expenses, and overseeing P/L statements to optimize financial performance and drive strategic decision-making.

Senior Account Manager

The Bing Group
07.1998 - 06.1999
  • Served as primary liaison between automotive OEMs and internal teams, ensuring seamless communication and support
  • Oversaw GM account, maintaining exceptional delivery ratings and fostering strong client relationships
  • Collaborated closely with internal production scheduler to guarantee timely manufacturing and delivery of automotive components, aligning with Just-In-Time (JIT) requirements and future order projections
  • Managed order tracking and production progress
  • Utilized AS400 system to manage timelines and track orders efficiently
  • Acted as central point of contact for client communications, engaging directly with GM manufacturing plants and headquarters to address inquiries and concerns
  • Led bi-weekly meetings involving internal teams and GM counterparts to facilitate effective project management and coordinate strategies across various product launches.

Account Manager

Talon Automotive Group
05.1996 - 06.1998
  • Led TAG's account management for Chrysler Corporation, resulting in the prestigious Chrysler Pentastar Supplier award for outstanding delivery performance
  • Played a pivotal role as TAG Account Lead for Chrysler's new product launches, contributing to the successful execution of the Neon PL2000 launch
  • Actively participated in delivery rating management and attended review meetings at Chrysler headquarters showcasing commitment to client satisfaction and operational excellence
  • Managed and tracked just-in-time orders and implemented management strategies maintaining accuracy and timely delivery processes via AS400 system
  • Successfully managed container and raw material inventory as part of additional responsibilities, ensuring efficient stock management and availability to support production and client demands
  • Demonstrated versatility by serving as interim plant scheduler for approximately six months, optimizing press machine scheduling to ensure timely client deliveries
  • Ensured NAFTA compliance by completing tariff codes on all relevant documents for components being exported to Mexico and Canada
  • Leveraged QS9000 Certified Internal Auditor certification to support company efforts in achieving Q1 status, demonstrating dedication to quality standards and continuous improvement.

Education

Master of Business Administration (MBA) concentration in Marketing -

Jack Welch College of Business, Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, CT

Master of Science in Business Management and Leadership (MSc) - undefined

City University of New York, Graduate Center, New York, NY

Bachelor of Arts in Sociology - undefined

City University of New York, New York, NY

Skills

Marketing strategy

undefined

Certification

Google Project Management Certification

Timeline

Head of Account Management - ESSENCE Ventures
06.2020 - 06.2023
Full Time Faculty Professor/Lecturer – Business Department - City University Of New York/Brooklyn College
08.2018 - 08.2020
Adjunct Professor – Business Department - Sacred Heart University
08.2018 - 08.2020
Business Consultant/Account Brand Director - William Grant & Sons
07.2014 - 08.2017
Marketing Specialist/Brand Manager – Smirnoff Global Brand Team/Innovation (2011 -2014) - Diageo North America
08.2005 - 07.2014
Co-Founder/Director of Operations - Sorting Solutions
06.1999 - 07.2004
Senior Account Manager - The Bing Group
07.1998 - 06.1999
Account Manager - Talon Automotive Group
05.1996 - 06.1998
National Account Director – Brand Marketing and Creative (Hybrid) - Cox Enterprises
5 2023 - Current
Director of Business Development and Client Partnerships - ESSENCE STUDIOS
Customer Account Manager (2008 – 2011) - Diageo North America
Marketing Associate, Crown Royal/Baileys/Beer/TGIF (2005 – 2008) - Diageo North America
Jack Welch College of Business, Sacred Heart University - Master of Business Administration (MBA) concentration in Marketing,
City University of New York, Graduate Center - Master of Science in Business Management and Leadership (MSc),
City University of New York - Bachelor of Arts in Sociology,
Google Project Management Certification
Project Initiation: Starting a Successful Project
Foundations of Project Management
Agile Project Management
Project Planning: Putting It All Together
Introduction to Scrum Master Certification

Office Skills

  • Blackboard
  • Canvas
  • SAP
  • Word
  • Excel
  • PowerPoint
  • Outlook
  • AS400
  • Workfront
  • Workamajig
  • Smartsheet
  • Asana
  • Keynote
  • Social Media tools
  • Access
  • IRI
  • Euromonitor

Office Skills

  • Blackboard
  • Canvas
  • SAP
  • Word
  • Excel
  • PowerPoint
  • Outlook
  • AS400
  • Workfront
  • Workamajig
  • Smartsheet
  • Asana
  • Keynote
  • Social Media tools
  • Access
  • IRI
  • Euromonitor
Lacinna Arnold