Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Volunteering
Timeline
Generic

Sean Marks

Brighton,Michigan

Summary

Results driven business and marketing leader with significant experience in the automotive aftermarket and food and beverage consumer package goods industries. Skilled marketing professional focused on exceeding revenue goals, increasing margin enhancing volume, and brand building. Versed in all aspects of innovation and marketing communication from concept development to execution and launch. Developed online presence for brands via direct to consumer and market place channels. Partners with the entire value chain, from suppliers through customers, to grow categories. Experience with Integrated Business Planning and Stage Gate design and implementation. Direct communicator who provides clarity on business priorities.

Overview

26
26
years of professional experience

Work History

Partner (minority Investor)

eTools Developers
Grand Rapids, MI
01.2024 - Current
  • Mentor to the Operating Partner/President
  • Provide strategic guidance and focus on business development, sales and marketing
  • Contribute counsel on scaling the business, optimization of processes and building out the organization for growth

eTool Developers, founded in 2001, is a full service web development agency, specializing in the unique needs of the automotive aftermarket. eTool Developers offers custom website development, cloud based PIM data management, B2B portals and tools, eCommerce and internet marketing solutions to help grow client business and revenue.

Principal

Fountainhead One
Brighton, MI
08.2023 - Current

Fountainhead One is a focused marketing consulting firm specializing in the automotive aftermarket industry. With a deep understanding of this dynamic and ever-evolving sector, we empower businesses to navigate the complexities of this market, helping them thrive and drive success. We are committed to providing customized, data-driven strategies that boost brand visibility, enhance customer engagement, and maximize profitability for our clients.

Chief Operating Officer

Americas Most Wanted 4x4
Holly, MI
08.2022 - 07.2023
  • Responsible for accelerating AMW4x4 sales growth by leading Marketing, e-Commerce, Strategy and Business Development.
  • Oversight for Finance and Human Resources as well as lead process improvement and margin expansion initiatives.

America's Most Wanted 4x4, is known as one of America's premier true-blooded Jeep specialty shops. Whether you are looking for a Jeep to call your own, knowledge in aftermarket upgrades or experienced technicians to help you building your dream project, our team can accommodate you. From restoration projects and conversions, to custom builds like a V8 Adventure Rig sitting on locked one-ton axles, we will help you put your vision on the trail. Our highly capable team has decades of experience with Jeeps and the off-road aftermarket industry. Powered by passion, attention to detail and a flair for creativity, America's Most Wanted 4x4 has cemented itself as a leader and pioneer among Jeep builders and off-road enthusiasts.

EVP Marketing

Truck Hero
Ann Arbor, Michigan
11.2016 - 03.2022

EVP Marketing

  • Lead all Marketing activities for a $1.6B PE backed company in the truck and Jeep aftermarket industry. 3 yr revenue CAGR of +10%.
  • Built a central marketing team (40) supporting 25 truck and Jeep brands as well as the Truck Hero master brand. In sourced several marketing activities including digital advertising, content creation (video/photo), social media, public relations, influencer and event marketing.
  • Created marketing positioning for Truck Hero master brand and 11 truck and Jeep product brands. Designed portfolio brand architecture to support B2B and B2C business.
  • Developed marketing research capability and implemented consumer segmentations, brand health tracking, and category penetration studies. Implemented digital test/control methodology.
  • Developed ecommerce and DTC strategy for the company defining roles by online channel. Built internal content and digital advertising teams and capabilities.
  • Scaled brand websites to a common platform and launched direct to consumer commerce. Generated $70M in 2021 (incremental $50M over last 3 years)
  • Transitioned to selling Amazon direct and developed portfolio strategy and marketing plan. Generated $170M in 2021 (incremental $60M over last three years)
  • Led agency search process for Realtruck brand - Tombras selected.
  • Reports to CEO. Frequent interaction with Truck Hero Board of Directors and PE partners (L Catterton, CCMP & TA Associates)

VP Marketing

Kraft Foods (now Kraft Heinz Company)
Chicago, IL
02.1998 - 10.2016

Vice President, Marketing - Planters (2012 - 2016)

  • $1B brand with responsibility for P&L, strategic planning, marketing strategy, and product development
  • relocated business to Chicago after company split, contributed to new organization design, and rebuilt marketing team
  • developed framework for Planters turnaround by utilizing portfolio strategy, an expanded brand positioning, and a new consumer insight for peanuts
  • crafted the first Planters brand architecture to more clearly communicate product position and relevance for consumers resulting in a new visual design for the entire Planters portfolio
  • grew revenue 10% and increased market share by launching new marketing campaign "Harness the Power of the Peanut" and several new products in the grocery, Club and C-store channels
  • increased operating profit 71% by shifting focus to higher margin segments and implementing a commodity pricing strategy
  • awarded Kraft Brand of the Year for turnaround results
  • "Planters Nuts." Harvard Business School Case 516-004, August 2015, describes Planters turnaround story highlighting brand repositioning and marketing strategy changes

Senior Director, Shopper Marketing - Kroger (2010 - 2012)

  • responsible for $60MM marketing spend and direct selling for marketing and merchandising programs with largest grocery customer
  • introduced several analytic tools to measure shopper marketing returns; increased ROI by 1750 bps through cost reduction and smarter portfolio selection

Senior Director / Director, Marketing - Oscar Mayer (2006 - 2010)

  • business lead for several Oscar Mayer categories (Hot Dogs, Cold Cuts, Bacon - $1.8B)
  • launched reformulated beef hot dog (OM Selects) with no artificial preservatives (nitrates) to address consumer need for less processed products; superior product led to "taste test" marketing campaign; recaptured #1 share position from key competitor
  • grew Deli Fresh brand by $150MM by expanding distribution and positioning against deli counter

Senior Brand Manager / Brand Manager - Kraft Pizza Company (2000 - 2006)

  • brand lead for DiGiorno ($600MM), Tombstone ($400MM) and California Pizza Kitchen ($80MM) at different times for the Kraft Pizza business unit
  • expanded key partnerships with NCAA (media) and California Pizza Kitchen (licensing)
  • launched California Pizza Kitchen Thin Crust, the first new product for CPK not developed by the restaurant group; CPK Thin Crust was an immediate success and grew the brand +78% during the launch year
  • developed six new video executions of the famous "It's not delivery, It's DiGiorno" campaign helping to drive double digit revenue growth for three consecutive years
  • Transitioned $50MM Club business from direct store delivery (DSD) to a warehouse cross dock system to maintain distribution in a key customer

Associate Brand Manager - Kraft Cheese (1998 - 2000)

  • developed an average price gap model and defense plan limiting impact of a competitive entry into a key Kraft market

Education

MBA - General Management

Kellogg School of Management
2003

Master of Science - Nuclear Engineering

Pennsylvania State University
1992

Bachelor of Science - Mechanical Engineering

United States Naval Academy
1990

Skills

  • Business leadership
  • Portfolio management
  • Strategic pricing
  • Channel strategy
  • Analytic horsepower
  • Brand positioning
  • Innovation strategy / product development
  • Brand architecture
  • Consumer and trade insights
  • Multi-media marketing / communication
  • B2C Ecommerce
  • B2B business development

Volunteering

Advisory Board Member - Building Homes for Heroes

Veteran Support

Board Advisor - Goode Foods, Chicago IL

Since 2003, Emile Johnson & his family have been providing the public with the highest quality of canned beans and vegetables. From supplying the Chicago Public Schools with breakfast cereals to distributing International Butter cookies, the company's vision has always remained the same, NEVER GIVE UP.

Timeline

Partner (minority Investor)

eTools Developers
01.2024 - Current

Principal

Fountainhead One
08.2023 - Current

Chief Operating Officer

Americas Most Wanted 4x4
08.2022 - 07.2023

EVP Marketing

Truck Hero
11.2016 - 03.2022

VP Marketing

Kraft Foods (now Kraft Heinz Company)
02.1998 - 10.2016

MBA - General Management

Kellogg School of Management

Master of Science - Nuclear Engineering

Pennsylvania State University

Bachelor of Science - Mechanical Engineering

United States Naval Academy
Sean Marks