Data-driven Strategic Marketing Leader

Summary

Amy E Mikel, MBA
"Think. Plan. Act." This is my motto whether it is for annual planning or emerging situations. Take a step back, quickly assess and then push forward.
I am a marketing leader best known for strategic planning and innovative ideas. I help professional products and service organizations going through transformations whether it is building brand awareness, launching products, delivering lead generation and conversion, or retaining customers. Organizations hire me to plan and develop integrated marketing solutions that make customers happy and exceed company goals.

My experience as a brand and integrated marketer has included strategic planning for both equity building and sales driving efforts. I have been successful in leading the strategic vision of the organization throughout my career while always looking at results analysis to build stronger performances in the future. Developing data-driven marketing strategies started with my direct marketing background. Analysis, testing and evaluation of marketing strategies and tactics are part of the continuous improvement process necessary for transformation and innovation.

Colleagues and those in my network view me as adaptive given the variety of verticals, industries and agencies I’ve worked with. I have helped manage through growth, turnarounds and market exits. Regardless of which industry or vertical I may be working with, strategic marketing leadership remains the same. How does your product or service solve a customer’s need or problem? The customer may not even know they have that need. If you can overcome the barriers or obstacles with a persuasive, thoughtful and authentic solution, you will succeed.

How I Add Value...
I apply my energy and talents to improving company success by:
• Maintaining a clear vision and strategic objectives with a collaborative yet disciplined approach that allows subject matter experts to deliver their best.
• Determining data-driven solutions and supporting continuous improvement, including defining key metrics, product positioning, customer segmentation, consumer insights, and sales & channel effectiveness.
• Providing fluency in building new operations and continually streamlining practices within a matrixed organization or with a growing team at a small to medium sized company.
• Focusing on people by hiring, training, mentoring, coaching, supervising and developing top performers at all levels in marketing, market knowledge, regulatory compliance and creative troubleshooting.

Read more from my LinkedIn profile

Areas of Expertise:
• Team Leadership • Executive Visibility • Employee Development • Process Re-engineering • Change Management • Integrated Marketing Strategy • Brand & Content Strategy • Promotions Strategy • Communications Strategy • Product Launch & Rollout • Lead Generation + Conversion

Industry Experience:
• Consumer Package Goods • Education • Financial • Government • Manufacturing • Nonprofit • Professional Services • Telecommunications • Retail

experience   highlights   - top line

Sr. Marketing Leader who Designs & Implements Marketing Strategies to Build Brands & Increase Growth

Experience Highlights

  • Digital Marketing Director
  • Marketing & Brand Director/Director of Marketing
    consultant
  • Co-owner, Founder
    Teenhoffen (hand-made gifts)
  • Account Supervisor
    leo burnett, arc worldwide, frankel & co
  • Brand / Marketing Director (Consultant)
    mikel twins marketing
  • Senior Brand Manager
    devry university
  • Senior Marketing Manager
    devry university

Education Highlights

  • Integrated Marketing Communications Certificate Program, March 2018
    DePaul University - Charles H. Kellstadt marketing center
  • Bachelor of Science (BS), Advertising -      Summa Cum Laude
    University of Illinois URBANA/CHampaign
  • Master of Business Administration (MBA), Marketing - with Distinction June 2014
    Devry university's keller graduate school of management

volunteer/Causes

  • Member, Alpha Omicron Pi
    variety of positions in alum chapter and area association
  • Member, Junior League of Chicago
    Derby COMMITTEE CO-CHAIR, FUNDRAISER & Gazebo holiday market committee Co-CHAIR, fundraiser
  • Associate Board, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (formerly Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago)
    Marketing committee, social media leader

awards

  • 2012 PRIDE (Professional Recognition of Integrity, Dedication, and Excellence)
    Devry education group
  • 2004 Silver for Breakout Program at Kidpower
    VERB Extra Hour For Extra Action
  • 2006 Reggie Award Winner
    VERB Crossover

Results / examples

  • 6.5M
    reach
  • 2+
    industry awards
  • +30%
    sales target
  • 91%
    more likely to recommend
  • 8,138
    New students Added
  • $4M
    Savings

Skills

  • marketing automation
  • data analytics
  • social media
  • multi-channel support
  • email
  • events/experiential marketing
  • direct marketing
  • promotional marketing
  • paid, owned, earned media
  • digital media
  • advertising
  • integrated marketing

Questions & Answers

Give an example of when you felt most inspired.
I couldn't help but feel inspired while working as a brand manger for the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention's VERB, a physical activity campaign for tweens (9-13 years). That audience is a challenge - how to reach them, how to speak with them, how to keep their attention. Being strategic, creative and innovative were essential. And of course, keeping it fun! All were key components to the campaign's success with over 40 industry awards and millions of logged physical activity hours.
How would your colleagues describe you?
I have a direct quote from a colleague to share: "Amy is one of the most dependable, thorough and organized people I've ever worked with. Amy has a great combination of developing strategies while being able to develop detailed execution plans to bring those strategies to life."
What is your greatest accomplishment?
It has been the collection of leadership roles throughout my career. In fact 2016 was a year where I earned an "Exceeds" on my performance review. This was due in part to my efforts to improve competitiveness, awareness and positioning of top degree programs for DeVry University & Keller Graduate School of Management. I led cross-functional planning, development and launches of strategic marketing plans and university-wide initiatives. And I was able to translate complex situations into actionable communications and understandable concepts and tasks.

Blog

Fika: It’s More Than a Coffee Break

The past three months have brought opportunities and challenges, changes and status quo moments, joy and anxiety. Working remotely is nothing new to me. As a past consultant I know how to manage my time working from home. And I’ve had the flexibility to do so in several workplaces. Granted, working from home has never been at this level – with absolutely no in-person meetings, both for work and outside of the office.

For me, I was able to draw upon existing work relationships that I had...

Location

Chicago, IL

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