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Greg Palese's Experience:
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International Merchandising Product Manager at Lowe's Home Improvement
January 2012 - February 2013Responsible for driving the strategic objectives of global product development to deliver new products to market. Responsibility for purchasing merchandise sourced for specific departments. Clarify product specifications, develop, critique and inspect prototypes, guide activities of the foreign sourcing offices and communicate with vendors. Drive product selection and line reviews, negotiate, prepare & execute supplier contracts. Conduct supplier capacity/capability studies; measure & manage supplier performance. Direct cross functional internal and external resources to complete the projects including, merchandising, trend, product design, marketing, branding, logistics, LG Sourcing, packaging and international vendors. o Developed strategic growth plan for Kobalt handheld and bench top power tools from concept stage through launch and subsequent 3 year product lifecycle.
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Brand Manager at Lowe's Home Improvement
July 2006 - April 2012In charge of expanding sales of Kobalt Tools, a private label tool brand, through development and launch of all available marketing methods to increase awareness and affinity for the brand. Develop category growth plans and product roadmaps in collaboration with cross-functions including product design, sourcing, and merchandising in creation of key product launches. Work with Lowe's operations in China, Mexico, Canada, and Australia. Direct $10M budget, as well as a Brand Manager and an Associate Brand Manager. o Increased sales from $200M to $500M, as well as market share boost, brand awareness rise of 20% among key Heavy DIY segment, and brand attribute ratings since 2007 brand re-launch. o Gained 260bps market share gain in core business, and 100bps overall brand share gain since 2008. o Raised sales to-date 20%, from $80M in May 2011 to $100M of key mechanics tool assortment; improved quality and added new products. o Orchestrated all marketing aspects related to Kobalt Tool sponsorship of NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson during 2 title-sponsored races; planned and directed on-site track events, press conferences, and related digital and social media action, as well as charitable events. o Conducted product line research in collaboration with Jimmie Johnson's pit crew to evaluate and improve product quality and generate new product ideas that were added to the line. o Directed creation of TV branding and DRTV campaigns by managing advertising process with agencies. o Initiated involvement with Skills USA vocational program, a national effort that outfits automotive, building, and construction labs with tools, resulting in placement of tools in these labs, thus tapping into additional market awareness raising method among Gen-Y demographic. o Handled tactical aspects of launching Valspar paint brand, a 1 year assignment managing package design, in-store signage, pubic relations, media, collateral development, and allocation of corporate media assets.
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Brand Manager at Old World Industries
August 2002 - July 2006Charged with developing marketing plans, new products, packaging, advertising, and sales promotion programs. Directed advertising and PR agencies in development and implementation of marketing programs based on short- and long-term strategies. Markets included automotive, hardware, food, drug and mass retailers, as well as distributors, military, government and service outlets. Acted as marketing and sales arm for Procter & Gamble automotive products. Worked with international manufacturing facilities in Mexico and China, and managed $2M budget for packaging, marketing, and advertising. o Increased units sold from under 200K to over 12Mand market share from
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Brand Manager at Next Generation Radio
August 2000 - July 2002Counseled brands on development of effective, targeted, integrated media marketing strategies and tactics. Specialized in tween, teen and young adult marketing. Directed clients on lifestyle and media habits of younger demos.
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Account Supervisor at Ogilvy & Mather Advertising
September 1999 - August 2000Oversaw all daily activities on three divisions of Sears Automotive Group. Managed budgets in excess of $40MM for national and spot TV and radio.
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Account Supervisor at Ammirati Puris Lintas (Chicago)
December 1997 - October 1999Managed all activities for three divisions of Ameritech. Managed budgets in excess of $10MM for regional TV, radio, out-of-home, print and direct mail.
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Account Supervisor at Arras Group
June 1995 - April 1997Supervised daily relationships for multiple accounts and conducted new business development.
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Sr. Account Executive at Earle Palmer Brown
January 1990 - February 1995Managed all integrated communications for a variety of Clients.
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Assistant Account Executive at Ketchum Communications
January 1990 - December 1990Assistant AE
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Vice-President Marketing at Klein Tools
March 2013Responsible for direction and management of the marketing and promotion of the Company's products, brand image and services, across all operating units on a global basis. Lead efforts of marketing and advertising activities and work in conjunction with product development and sales to develop business plans and strategies to attain objectives. Launched brand and secured new distribution in Australia and Brazil. Participated in New Business Development for England, France, Belgium and Germany. Led effort to upgrade translation capability in order to take advantage of new International opportunities. Developed first ever Brand Positioning, Standards & Guidelines for 156 year-old brand. Established in-house video studio to assist marketing efforts. Managed department of 12 and 3 outside agencies.