SamsoniteDirector Marketing & Sales Operations
Jan. 1996 - Dec. 1998Denver, CORecruited onto turnaround team. Restructured branding, product, pricing, advertising, promotion, research, & sales operations for a $250MM business (Samsonite, American Tourister, Lark brands). Grew shipments +5%, Gross Margin +20%, EBIT +46%. Launched $75MM in new products and first-ever global products; eliminated 300 underperforming sku’s (37%). Reorganized team and entered new channels (e.g., +$12MM from mass/clubs). Hired a new global advertising agency (TBWA\Chiat\Day), developed brand strategies, and led advertising, including the “Worldproof” campaign, a platform that endured for 8 years.