AUTOS AND ELECTRONICS - THE PERFECT MARRIAGE!! After years with a traditional auto company learning all the trades, ropes and truly gaining a wealth of foundation grounding in all thing Marketing and PR, Panasonic was the perfect next step. I have an insatiable desire to understand electronic device user experiences and am fascinated by the speed with which they are coming into autos, into modern city management, into everything we do and shaping how we move. This company knows the consumer, nearly 100 years of it. And like my proud history in autos, which has an illustrious heritage of its own, I have to live each day reshaping everything I knew about the business! It is now and it is not slowing down...and it has been a thrill!
A STUDENT OF THE CUSTOMER An iconic brand builder, innovative customer centric senior brand marketing leader with a track record of delivering successful business, brand building, advertising, promotional, product with leading household name brands like Chevrolet, Silverado, Tahoe, Suburban, Buick & Saturn. I look at the customer with one pass then take yet another look at a different angle.
A STUDENT OF AGILITY - THE REAL AGILITY Am working on my third Master Agility Championship. In this sport, many analogies play in my head relative to work lessons. However, it is the only sport I know where you are the Parent, the coach, the trainer, the team mate and the consolation friend. It has been my privilege to teach a little friend who does not know English how to communicate at speed and win!! #TEAMSOPHIAMACH2!!
FUTURE FORWARD Known for strategic vision/insight, business acumen, strong profit focus, and an a genuine love for the business.
CULTURE BY DESIGN Experienced with large culture integration or crafting micro cultures -- a culture by design is the key. Maria is an obsessed collaborator in the effort to achieve the highest expectations and standards in performance as a team.
MULTI-DIMENSIONAL EXPERT P& L Brand Management on high volume / high profit brands, Brand Positioning and Building Teams, Product Marketing, Advertising Campaigns, Events and Promotions, B2B via Automotive Dealers, Digital and Social Media, Test vs. Control, Coaching and Developing, Commercial business management, Multi - Agency/Resource Management.
HYBRID MARKETING TRAINED Classically trained in both traditional brand management plus specific also trained in contextual insight development for deeper / longer term anthropological research and strategy. The combination of the two approaches works exceptionally well for any brand.
DIVERSITY IS GOOD BUSINESS Global / Diversity experience and inclusion in team or brand building is always part of the thinking. Whether is it all parties at the table, diversity of talk, customer cohorts or diversity and global business opportunities, the opportunity value of diversity is always undervalued.
"When the insight between the customer, your brand and the product is aligned, that triangle is magic!"
Proudest Accomplishment
Successfully repositioned the Buick brand to customer / retail salience and profitability.
Experience Highlights
Director of Marketing, Buick for Buick Pontiac GMC Channel
Buick Brand
Director of Marketing, Chevrolet Global Marketing Operations
Chevrolet Global Brand
Director of Marketing - Chevrolet Volt Electric Car
Chevrolet Brand
Chief of Marketing - Chevrolet Trucks
Chevrolet Brand
Education Highlights
Center for creative leadership
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration, Marketing with emphasis in sociology
University of NE - Lincoln
Causes
Canine Cancer Walker & Supporter
Canine Cancer Research Fund
Volunteer
United Way Baseball Field Refurbishment
Volunteer & Team Leader
Forgotten Harvest Food Bank
Volunteer & Team Leader
Habitat for Humanity
Interests
Emerging Technology
"Love to investigate how to make life better"
Agility & Applied Corporate Agility
Competition Canine Sport and Fitness
Travel to new places!
"Stay curious about the world"
Health & Fitness
"Do a little something active everyday"
Career Timeline
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Director of Marketing: Panasonic Automotive, Panasonic Global Brand
Lead North American Panasonic Automotive Marketing, Communications (Employee, Press) Product Marketing, Technology Exhibitions, In-house design and Branding efforts for Panasonic Auto Electronic, Audio and related infotainment products with global autonomous extensions
Various operation assignments including analytics, marketing operations, training, digital, social, CRM, promotional assessment and execution, creative, field dealer contact (Atlanta based, called on dealers in Florida, Texas and Louisiana) and global Saturn brand establishment in Taiwan and Canada.
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Director of Operations for Buick Pontiac GMC, Buick Pontiac GMC Brand and Channel Network
Added channel operations to streamline processes and performance across marketing operations teams.
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Director of Marketing, Buick for Buick Pontiac GMC, Buick Brand
Led Buick brand relaunch and Enclave mid SUV launch to revitalize brand and set stage for additional future product portfolio adds.
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Director, Chevrolet Global Marketing Operations, Chevrolet Global Brand
Led global brand alignment and resource sharing / savings for Chevrolet Global across 140 countries.
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Director of Marketing - Chevrolet Volt Electric Ca, Chevrolet Brand
Led launch of first ever electric car launch through positioning, messaging, pricing, PR, customer service and promotion.
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Chief of Marketing - Chevrolet Trucks, Chevrolet Brand
Chief of marketing management, strategy and P & L to create better performance for Chevrolet's highest volume truck products: Silverado, Tahoe, Suburban, Traverse, Avalanche, Colorado. Launch aggregator for full sized pickups and SUVs.
Results
35+
Agencies managed, scoped
3
Iconic Campaigns Developed
5
Household Brands of Experience
12
New Vehicle Launches and Campaigns
125%
Exceeded Buick Enclave sales targets
$31B
Fullsize truck P&L Scope
Skills
Relationship Marketing
20+
Strategic Partnerships
20+
Mobile Marketing
8
3 Tier Mktg (Brand/Reg/Retail)
15
Sales Operations
10
Lead Generation
10
Market Segmentation
18
Pricing
6
Direct Marketing
15
Email Marketing
15
Market Research
20+
New Business Development
6
Brand Management
15
B2B
10
Customer Experience Marketing
20+
Retail Market Planning
14
Public Relations
12
Trade / Industry shows
15
CRM
8
Cross-functional Leadership
18
Marketing Management
20+
Customer Insight
20+
Brand Plans
18
Business Planning
20+
Advertising
20+
Product Launch
20+
Market Analysis
20+
Digital Marketing
15
Agency Scope & Performance
20+
Competitive Analysis
15
Marketing Strategy
20+
Automotive
20+
Integrated Marketing
20+
Questions & Answers
Personally speaking: What is the value of true Marketing in a company?
Marketing is an opportunity for any company to smooth the cyclical ups and downs of business. Marketing done well will drive the 'tip of the spear' for new product innovation, show the path for the connective tissue between the customer and your company -- even before it becomes a brand, and drive the best strategic choices for which approach in media, creative, messaging, partnerships, etc. Succinctly articulated, great marketing and positioning is simple, true to heart, emotional and fresh. It is so clear, all members in the company can repeat it.
Personally speaking: What is your ideal culture?
The ideal culture is carefully designed, well communicated to all and led by example from the top of the company. The ideal culture feels inspirational, family like, clear, accountable and drives better thinking. The ideal culture must be checked everyday through each behavior and by each person.
The results of this journey should truly get to great work and teams that organically back each other up.
Personally speaking: Are you mobile?
Yes, for the right assignment, my entire family is mobile anywhere in the US. For family reasons, mid southern states KY, TN, NC or SC is preferred but not mandatory.
Personally speaking: What is your team leadership philosophy?
My team mentorship is customized by individual and aligned to the company culture by design. I like to craft a very open micro culture within my own team. All points of view get a seat at the table including agency and partners.
I look for potential and characteristics when hiring team members who are smart, swift and strategic. Depending on the assignment, it is not always mandatory they have full job skill knowledge but if there is potential to grow them in the assignment, I will spend the time. For more seasoned folks, we will work at a distance. For more novice folks, I will spend an appropriate amount of open counseling time.
I believe in positive rewards not negative reinforcement.
Blog
Own It! Communications Arson & Firefighting
The New Age of Verbal Accountability
Accountability is a big word. Frankly, OWN It says it all better, more simply. These days we are talking about the multiple dimensions of accountability as we have many parties and projects to be accountable for.
However, what does it really mean? Do you merely take stock of what is there, an inventory management of sorts? Then what? What have you done or said to add value? To enlighted or inspire?
As a communications specialist and marketer of messages for both me and for other...
