EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Multi lingual business leader & entrepreneur with broad international experience, and proven success building global brands in software, cannabis and active lifestyle industries. Built craft through product, marketing and general management roles. Articulates and executes pragmatic strategies, with focus on product design and customer experience. Deploys creative marketing programs, using data to achieve continual improvement. Promotes a lean culture, applying financial acumen, and rolls up sleeves to drive growth and profitability. Leads by example, setting high standards, adopting entrepreneurial mindset, exuding positive attitude, fostering collaboration, and acting as eloquent corporate ambassador. INSEAD MBA. Bilingual in English and French, near fluent in German.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
NJD Global Partners | Ottawa, Canada 2016 - present
Advisor providing strategic guidance and go-to-market planning for mid-market B2B and B2C technology companies. Recent assignments include creation of an e-commerce solution for an established global online community of digital artists, branding and communications plan for an industrial construction company, and due diligence projects for private equity firms.
Side hustle: establishing eCommerce business for innovative products designed in-house.
HEXO Corp. | Ottawa, Canada 2018 - 2019
CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER
HEXO Corp. is a leading Canadian cannabis licensed producer, addressing the recreational adult market under the HEXO, UP and Original Stash brands, and the medical market under the Hydropothecary brand. The company operates over 1.3 million square feet of greenhouse space, with the capacity to produce 150 tonnes of market ready cannabis. HEXO has partnered with Molson Coors to develop a range of cannabis infused beverage products, and is establishing partnerships to enter other product categories, such as foods and cosmetics. HEXO is listed on the NYSE and TSX.
Developed brand positioning and segmentation strategy for brand portfolio
Created integrated consumer marketing and retail channel programs, capturing top 5 awareness ranking
Established consumer data platform (CDP) to capture and target pre-qualified prospects
Architected and launched new Original Stash value brand in record time, which sold out at retail in matter of days
Key contributor to integrated business planning process (IBP)
zazuhom inc. | Ottawa, Canada
FOUNDER & CEO 2016 - present
Start-up. Mobile solution designed to help households around the world, effortlessly capture, store and find all their home product information, while providing key product ownership insights to brand manufacturers and insurance companies. Check out zazuhom!
COREL Corp. | Ottawa, Canada
Global software company, providing graphic design, digital media and personal productivity solutions to consumers, SMB and enterprise customers. Owned by US private equity group. Reported to CEO.
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, Graphics & Productivity Software 2012 - 2015
Led $65M business unit with global P&L responsibility, driving growth and achieving 50% plus EBITDA margin
Direct responsibility for strategy, marketing (online, offline, direct, channel, social, PR, events, creative services, localization), product management, engineering (R&D), e-commerce and channel sales, customer support
Corporate brand custodian across all channels and geographies
Spearheaded digital marketing & e-commerce function, establishing strong end user relationships
Introduced highly successful hybrid desktop / cloud solution, with subscription business model (SaaS)
Emphasized customer centric approach, achieving customer satisfaction rating of 60+ NPS
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT & GENERAL MANAGER, Graphics Software 2005 - 2012
Global P&L responsibility for Graphics software products portfolio
Led turnaround of Graphics business, achieving 5 - 10% annual growth, and increasing rates of profitability
Championed user experience focus leading to increased customer satisfaction and numerous industry awards
Spearheaded corporate brand refresh exercise across all geographic regions
VICE PRESIDENT STRATEGIC MARKETING 2001 - 2005
Responsible for strategy dev't and re-organization of Graphics division following acquisition by Vector Capital
Established Product Managers as business owners and orchestrators of product success
Researched customer needs, refocused development & marketing investment, and returned to profitability in 6 mths
eCademy Ltd. | London UK
VICE PRESIDENT EMEA 1999 - 2001
Pioneering networking platform to deliver e-business courses. Start up. Reported to CEO.
Pioneering start-up networking platform for small business owners delivering bespoke e-business courses
Established on-line community of registered members; managed member relationship program. Initiated monthly member events to build community and facilitate networking
COLEMAN Europe | Brussels, Belgium
BRAND & MARKETING MANAGER EUROPE 1996 - 1999
European HQ of Coleman Corp. USA. Reported to VP Sales & Marketing.
Repositioned Coleman brand following acquisition of Camping Gaz, creating award winning campaign with TBWA
Created new $25M product category across Europe, establishing & managing network of manufacturers in China
COTT Europe / VIRGIN COLA | Paris, France
COMMERCIAL MANAGER FRANCE 1994 - 1996
Canadian beverage company specialised in white label products. Reported to VP Europe.
Established French office and developed market entry strategy for white label soft drinks
Managed account relationships with national retailers; evaluated & selected local bottlers and transport companies
Key member of Virgin Cola launch team, partnering with Monoprix, attaining 50% share in first few months
GOLA GROUP PLC | Wakefield, UK
INTERNATIONAL MARKETING DIRECTOR 1989 - 1993
New sportswear division of GOLA Footwear company. Sold to investment group in 1992.
Co-founder of new sports goods company; wrote business plan and pitched to financial backers
Grew revenue to £4.5M via sporting goods stores and mail order catalogues
Designed products and managed procurement from manufacturers in China, Taiwan and Malaysia
Identified and appointed distribution licensees in USA and South Africa
Handled marketing activities, including club & player sponsorship, advertising, sales events, product catalogues
PUMA Sports Company | London, UK
PRODUCT & MARKETING MANAGER 1984 - 1989
UK division of PUMA Sports AG with HQ in Germany.
Responsible for design, procurement, marketing and sales of bi-annual sports apparel collections
Grew revenue from £3.8M to £31.5M within 3 years
Identified and managed procurement process with manufacturers throughout Asia
Launched tennis racket collection endorsed by Boris Becker (Wimbledon Champion 1985, 1986, 1989)