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Mark Playdon
Florence,AZ
Summary
Sales strategist with robust experience in driving revenue through innovative business development and account management. Expertise in IP technology and broadcast solutions, coupled with a successful track record of increasing sales pipelines and securing key partnerships. Committed to delivering tailored solutions that meet evolving market demands.
Overview
38
38
years of professional experience
Work History
Western Regional Sales Manager
Utah Scientific
01.2023 - 04.2023
- Work directly with top executives at all key accounts across the US.
- Sought new business opportunities and built key account list, enhancing market reach.
- Identify new market verticals and develop new business prospects.
- Create tailored sales strategies for new market verticals.
- Work directly with product development team to create new products suited to identified new market verticals.
- Produced sales forecasts and business plans for new markets and products to drive strategic growth.
- Maintained and grew sales pipeline by 1.3 million in 3 months
- Maintained sales pipeline in CRM (Salesforce), ensuring accurate tracking of opportunities.
- Provide product support and on-line product demonstrations to existing and prospective customers.
Director of Key Accounts
Digital Broadcast
11.2021 - 11.2022
- Work directly with top executives at all key accounts across the US.
- Sought new business opportunities, expanding key account list.
- Secured an additional $1.75 million in additional sales revenue in the first 6 months
- Identify new market verticals and develop new business prospects.
- Create tailored sales strategies for new market verticals.
- Developed sales forecasts and business plans for potential new markets and products.
- Work directly with product development team to create new products suited to identified new market verticals.
- Maintain sales pipeline using CRM (Salesforce).
- Provide product support and on-line product demonstrations to existing and prospective customers.
- Conducted product presentations, in person and online to all prospective customers.
Business Development Manager
Variant Systems Group
10.2019 - 11.2021
- Identified a new business opportunity in new market vertical and worked directly with industry professionals and our product development team to create a product for the new market vertical, resulting in new sales and a potential 50% overall sales revenue growth over 12 months.
- Created tailored sales strategies for new market verticals, enhancing outreach and engagement.
- Identified new market verticals and cultivated business prospects to expand market reach.
- Developed and maintained sales pipeline to track customer interactions and support sales growth.
- Conducted product presentations, in person and online to all prospective customers.
- Provide product support and on-line product demonstrations to prospective customers.
- Grew prospective customer database to over 1000 contacts.
- Imported, reviewed, and corrected the existing prospective customer database of 200 into the new CRM system.
- Researched and implemented a new CRM system for the company.
- Manage and effectively communicate with US dealer network.
- Train and assist FOR.A sales staff on all VSG Products.
- Produce sales forecasts and business potential for new markets and new products.
- Work directly with product development team to create new products suited to identified new market verticals.
- Prosect for potential new customers and convert to new business.
Director of Broadcast Sales – Western Region
JVCKENWOOD
12.2015 - 04.2019
- Negotiated exclusive long-term sales agreements for camera sales, securing significant partnerships with key Broadcast Groups.
- Developed and strengthened relationships with Broadcast Groups at executive and station levels, enhancing account loyalty and collaboration.
- Develop effective 'Key account sales plans' and strategies to grow revenue from defined accounts.
- Managed all direct account sales west of the Mississippi.
- Manage and develop sales through the Broadcast Sales Representative program involving local dealers.
- Provided specialist sales and technical support to three District Sales Managers, facilitating effective sales strategies across the territory.
- Reported to Company Vice President to ensure alignment on strategic goals.
- Speaker on multiple expert panels at News Tech and SVG conferences to discuss developments in technology and trends of the Broadcast and news industry and its movement toward IP and video streaming technologies.
Manager of IP Vertical Markets
JVCKENWOOD
09.2014 - 12.2015
- National Sales Management responsibility for all IP based products manufactured by JVC for the Security and Broadcast markets.
- Developed key account sales plans and strategies to drive revenue growth from defined accounts.
- Identified and built relationships with new product partners to strengthen JVC brand in IP space.
- Identify and attract new national Partner / Integrator accounts.
- Established partnerships with national integrator accounts to expand business opportunities.
- Provide specialist sales and technical support to 6 District Sales Manager across the US.
- Trained 'Partner / Integrator' accounts in IT infrastructure, IT security, and IT broadcast technologies.
- Collaborated with a team to identify and develop a national agreement with a manufacturer of a 'Mesh Network.'
- Trained all District Sales Managers on JVC Security Products.
Sales Manager – Southeastern Region
Keyscan Inc
02.2013 - 09.2014
- Management of Southeastern Region Sales Channels including Distribution, Dealers and Systems Integrators.
- Increased Southeastern Region monthly sales revenues by 24% in the first 6 months.
- Developed key account sales plans and strategies that increased revenue from defined accounts.
- Managed and developed partner/integrator accounts, enhancing collaborative sales efforts.
- Generate new sales leads and cultivated profitable repeat business, capturing additional market share.
- Developed the 'Sales channel' growth strategy and Territory business plan.
- Managed all direct sales in the Eastern Region.
- Identify and develop End User Vertical Markets.
- Train and Develop 'Partner / Integrator' accounts.
- Build and develop relationships with A&E firms and consultants.
- Ensured effective communication with the Company Vice President to align on sales strategies.
Sales Manager – Eastern Region
JVC Professional
Wayne, NJ
01.2012 - 01.2013
- Managed Eastern Region sales channels, including distribution, dealer, and systems integrators, to optimize performance.
- Managed all direct sales in Eastern Region.
- Increased Eastern Region Sales revenues by formulating and introducing innovative Sales Channel Partner programs.
- Increased IP Product sales by 200% in the first 6 months.
- Increased sales pipeline and project visibility by 700% in the first 12 months.
- Develop effective 'Key account sales plans' and strategies to grow revenue from defined accounts.
- Oversaw business management and development efforts with key accounts to strengthen relationships and drive growth.
- Generate new sales leads, develop profitable repeat business and win market share.
- Rationalized Eastern Region sales channel structure to effectively target National Systems Integrators from both top-down and bottom-up approaches.
- Streamlined, re-evaluated and re-focused manufacturers’ representatives.
- Generated and monitored sales forecasts and goals to align with strategic objectives.
President / CEO
Advanced Training Equipment
, SC
04.2009 - 01.2012
- Overall responsibility for product design and development, production, inventory control, sales, marketing, product support and finance.
- Successfully introduced a new product to market, taking a new company from zero to self-sustaining and profitable within 24 months.
- Transitioned sales and distribution to industry’s leading distributor, negotiating sole distribution contract with guaranteed unit sales.
- Planned and implemented sales and marketing campaign, introducing product across continental US.
- Planned and implemented strategies to improve coverage and sales through distribution channels based on a number of leading producers with their own catalogue and distribution channels.
- Designed and built a new and innovative product for the cosmetology industry.
- Developed and updated original product design and concept, achieving economies of scale and enhancing performance.
- Drafted patent applications detailing innovative product features.
- Sold the company to a major manufacturer.
Director of Sales
Fast Forward Video
, CA
04.2005 - 04.2009
- Management of Global Sales Channels.
- Managed all aspects of direct sales for both domestic and international channels.
- Increased US Domestic Sales revenues by formulating and introducing innovative Sales Channel Partner programs.
- Generate new sales leads, develop profitable repeat business and win market share.
- Developed key account sales plans and strategies to grow revenue.
- Lead two new product projects from conception to market resulting in 50% increases in sales revenues.
- Increased international sales revenue by 200%.
- Set up product distributors in key international locations to increase response times, customer confidence and sales revenues.
- Established framework for international sales channels to facilitate global market reach.
- Manage 14 Domestic Sales Representatives and internal sales coordinators.
- Manage 25 International Dealers.
- Manage International Distributors.
- Rationalized US domestic sales channel structure, enhancing effectiveness through recruitment of sales representative companies.
- Generate and continually monitor sales forecasts and goals.
- Led the planning and execution process for new product launches.
- Collected and organized new product ideas to drive innovation.
- Recruited and managed a European Sale Representative, streamlining European sales channels.
- Developed and negotiated new OEM contracts, resulting in a 50% increase in sales revenue.
- Earned promotion to Sales Director following two years of service as International Sales Director.
Business Development Manager - Western Regional
Vinten USA
Burbank, CA
01.2000 - 01.2005
- Created and developed new dealer network, expanding market reach and increasing sales opportunities.
- Managed and developed key accounts to enhance client relationships and drive revenue growth.
- Oversaw direct sales operations in high-volume environment, ensuring alignment with business objectives and customer satisfaction.
- Oversaw the Western Regional Office and service facility.
- Maintained and developed annual budgets for Western Region.
Sales and Engineering Manager - Europe, Middle East, Africa
FOR-A.
01.1993 - 01.2000
- Managed sales of systems and products, driving revenue growth across EMEA region.
- Conducted prospect identification, negotiated sales, and offered cost-effective broadcast systems solutions.
- Oversaw profitability of system proposals, ensuring alignment with financial targets.
- Negotiated purchase prices of system components with equipment manufacturers, optimizing cost structures.
- Provided weekly and monthly reports of all sales activities to Head Office in Japan.
- Based in London, England
Systems Design Engineer
FOR-A.
01.1993 - 01.2000
- Designed broadcast systems, including production studios, postproduction studios, and outside broadcast vehicles, enhancing overall production capabilities.
- Trained on CADD and VIDCADD design software, enabling effective design execution.
- Trained on operation, installation, and maintenance of various manufacturers' broadcast equipment, ensuring reliable system performance.
- London, England
Systems Installation Engineer
FOR-A.
01.1993 - 01.2000
- Executed installation and commissioning of broadcast systems across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, ensuring operational readiness.
- Managed installation crews of up to 40 staff, coordinating efforts to meet project timelines.
- Interpreted CADD and VIDCADD system designs for project implementation.
- Diagnosed faults in systems to the unit level, facilitating timely repairs and maintaining system functionality.
- Executed basic fault finding on system components to the board level to facilitate maintenance.
- London, England
Special Projects and MOD Senior Laboratory Technician
Duracell European Technical Ctr.
01.1988 - 01.1993
- Developed battery test beds for Special Projects and Ministry of Defense to evaluate performance under operational conditions.
- Communicated findings and insights to senior officials in British Ministry of Defense to inform decision-making.
- Provided recommendations on battery and military equipment design based on test results to enhance operational effectiveness.
- Conducted operations in England
Junior Technician
British Royal Air Force
01.1985 - 01.1988
- Trained to troubleshoot and repair Air Defense Radar and Weapons Guidance Systems at component level.
- Completed technical training in England, enhancing foundational skills in radar and weapon systems.
- Operated and maintained equipment for various technical tasks.
- Assisted senior technicians with complex repairs and installations.
- Conducted routine inspections to ensure equipment functionality.
Education
National Diploma - Electronics, Electro-mechanics
RAF Locking
England01-1988
A levels - Physics, Mathematics
Dubai College
Dubai, UAE01-1985
O Levels - English, Physics, Mathematics, Geography, History, Biology, Human Biology
St. Aldates College
Oxford, England01-1984
Skills
- B2B sales and marketing
- Direct Sales
- OEM Sales
- Sales Strategies
- Sales channel management
- Business Development
- Account Management
- Customer Retention
- Sales Analytics
- Sales Technology Integration
- Media Sales Strategies
- Project Management
- Marketing Campaigns
- Contract Negotiations
- Procurement
- Contact Management
- MS Office
- HubSpot
- SalesForce
- ACT
- Goldmine
- Product training
Timeline
Western Regional Sales Manager
Utah Scientific
01.2023 - 04.2023
Director of Key Accounts
Digital Broadcast
11.2021 - 11.2022
Business Development Manager
Variant Systems Group
10.2019 - 11.2021
Director of Broadcast Sales – Western Region
JVCKENWOOD
12.2015 - 04.2019
Manager of IP Vertical Markets
JVCKENWOOD
09.2014 - 12.2015
Sales Manager – Southeastern Region
Keyscan Inc
02.2013 - 09.2014
Sales Manager – Eastern Region
JVC Professional
01.2012 - 01.2013
President / CEO
Advanced Training Equipment
04.2009 - 01.2012
Director of Sales
Fast Forward Video
04.2005 - 04.2009
Business Development Manager - Western Regional
Vinten USA
01.2000 - 01.2005
Sales and Engineering Manager - Europe, Middle East, Africa
FOR-A.
01.1993 - 01.2000
Systems Design Engineer
FOR-A.
01.1993 - 01.2000
Systems Installation Engineer
FOR-A.
01.1993 - 01.2000
Special Projects and MOD Senior Laboratory Technician
Duracell European Technical Ctr.
01.1988 - 01.1993
Junior Technician
British Royal Air Force
01.1985 - 01.1988
National Diploma - Electronics, Electro-mechanics
RAF Locking
A levels - Physics, Mathematics
Dubai College
O Levels - English, Physics, Mathematics, Geography, History, Biology, Human Biology
St. Aldates College