My Marketing Journey
All the Details
For as long as I can remember, I loved to write and design. I was the person who would be excited when a paper was assigned in school! Throughout elementary school and high school, I pursued opportunities to write or design from ceramics to screen printing.
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After completing my A.A. degree with a 3.5 GPA from Moraine Valley Community College, I chose to pursue Journalism at Columbia College Chicago. During the first semester, I realized that I enjoyed the discussions on advertising and marketing more than the writing. Seeing Marketing as an opportunity to bring writing and design together, I researched this subject and met with the head of the Marketing Communications Department. The next semester, I became a Marketing Communications major and two years later, earned my B.A. degree with a 3.77 GPA. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Columbia College Chicago and, if it weren’t for the expense, would have stayed another semester or year to take more classes!
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During my time in high school and college, I was fortunate to have worked at the same restaurant (Colorado Steakhouse) for seven years. After my college graduation, the general manager provided an opportunity for me to put my new B.A. degree in marketing to use! I became the Regional Marketing Manager for Colorado Steakhouse! I locally marketed the restaurant for the next year before securing a position as the Marketing and Sales Assistant with Bravo Restaurants, Inc. A year after joining Bravo Restaurants, Inc., I was promoted to the Director of Marketing.
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In my role as the Director of Marketing for Bravo Restaurants, Inc. (corporate office for The Original Gino’s East of Chicago, Edwardo’s Natural Pizza, and Ed Debevic’s), I worked closely with the company president, Sales, and Operations to build awareness and increase revenue for each restaurant location. This was done through my development and execution of the marketing plans (including marketing strategies, promotion schedules, and budgets). In this position, I also wrote press releases and managed the design, production, and copy editing of all marketing and advertising materials. In addition, I hired and oversaw the Marketing and Sales Assistant and all aspects of the Marketing Department.
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After Bravo Restaurants, Inc., marketing led me to the American Dental Association (ADA). When I was the Coordinator, Standards for the ADA, I increased overall awareness of the Standards Department, three standards committees and documents available for purchase through printed materials, an online e-catalog, public relations, trade show representation, and meeting presentations. I also designed and managed marketing projects, promotional pieces, public relations, department documents, and committee documents for use in the dental profession, standards committees, and the public.
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From the ADA, I became the Marketing Manager/Provider for Angels in Care. In this position, I created and updated marketing materials for home-based childcare, including completing a competitive analysis each year. I also promoted this business through word-of-mouth, e-mail, internet, and distribution of information packets to increase overall awareness.
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As the Marketing Coordinator for Horseshoe Marketing (my next marketing stop after the ADA), I created e-blast campaigns in Constant Contact to generate event excitement or promote offers. I also worked with designers to create promotional materials, including digital ads, posters, flyers, and print ads, along with updating client pages in Facebook.
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After Horseshoe Marketing, I secured a position as the Director of Marketing for Motorized Window Treatments (MWT) where I designed all material for direct mail, print advertising, and electronic advertising. I also created e-blasts to promote events, products or ideas and sent them out through Constant Contact. Public Relations and web site design (through GoDaddy) were also parts of my position. Over the years, I also handled social media, online promotional sites, invoices, and scheduling.
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Having a personal interest in Amazon, I often wondered how Amazon functioned from a business/vendor perspective. I decided to pursue this interest and was able to secure a position in Ecommerce as a Trade Marketing Specialist for Sage Tree LLC (Division of Advantage Solutions). After a three-month training period, I monitored, managed, and merchandised online products for a variety of clients. This included updating existing online content and images to maximize search results (SEO), developing content for new items, uploading new items, and preparing/uploading new images. Developing and uploading enhanced content (A+ Pages for Amazon), creating/managing brand stores (through Amazon Marketing Services), and providing online forecasting analysis/reporting.
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After Sage Tree, I became a Marketing Consultant for JH Marketing Consulting. In this position, I provided marketing, design and/or Ecommerce advice and support to clients on a project to project basis. Some of my past accomplishments in this position include: Created e-mail blasts and social media posts (Facebook and Instagram) to promote QVC event for consumer product company. Completed Amazon process for new consumer product company. (Assisted in creation of seller central account, completed brand registry, created listing content, created infographics, uploaded images, created listing, created A+ Pages, and created brand store.) Redesigned landing pages for premier online resource for government and military events worldwide. Resolved e-mail/calendar/website issues for start-up company. Designed marketing pieces/social media graphics for national association.
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In my current position as an Amazon Account Manager at Awesome Dynamic, I determine client needs per project and work with a strategist/specialist to layout steps to complete and manage projects from start to finish, including delegating tasks to team members and ensuring deadlines are met in the time allotted. I also provide professional communication to clients and internal teams on project status. Uncovering and implementing effective strategizes to efficiently utilize client time and increase profitability is an ongoing pursuit while maneuvering through Amazon Vendor Central and Amazon Seller Central! Above all, I ensure clients receive an awesome experience by exceeding expectations!
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In these positions, I explored and successfully applied a variety a marketing tactics that raised an overall awareness, while increasing revenue!
I am thankful for all of these opportunities and look forward to the future.
Please feel free to reach out at janet_hagen2003@yahoo.com with any questions, comments or great thoughts!
I hope you enjoy exploring my work! :-)