Steve Carples

Strategic business/marketing consultancy focused on sparking accelerated revenue growth for clients across numerous industry segments. Assist companies in developing a shared vision and strategies for exploiting emerging market opportunities. Articulate plans to enhance brand equity, spearhead new business development and partnership initiatives, and draft business plans to raise additional capital. Past engagements include the creation of retail technology solutions for Albertsons, Simon malls, Clear Chann

Co-managed the daily operations of this 25+ person integrated communications agency, improving business protocols in preparation for future growth. Doubled revenue in Year 2000 versus prior year, and achieved 140% of profit plan. Spearheaded the agency’s new business development initiatives. Provided strategic brand consultation and ongoing key account stewardship for clients across a breadth of industries – B2C and B2B, start-up ventures and established enterprises.

Partnered with the General Manager to launch this new multi-million dollar venture and develop innovative approaches that could be applied to grow the company’s flagship business. Successfully implemented a broad array of 1-step and 2-step marketing initiatives to build trial and an ongoing franchise, leveraging Direct Mail, E-Commerce, Print, Radio and Direct Response TV. Developed all of the training and sales support tools needed to effectively roll out BackHome Foods through the core Schwan’s sales syst

Defined the organization’s evolving core service competencies and global positioning platform. Completed the company’s first ever all-inclusive marketing plan. Launched and refined an intranet to facilitate both knowledge and intellectual property sharing. Developed strategic partnerships to exploit untapped market opportunities and strengthen customer-centric solution development activities.

Developed a marketing team of five senior level professionals and 30+ other associates. Spearheaded company’s initiatives in the areas of Corporate Communications, Product Management (including market research & industry intelligence), Customer Service and New/International Business Development. During my tenure, the company’s annual revenues grew from $29MM to over $110MM, achieving the rank of the 6th fastest growing private company on the 1996 “Inc. 500” list.

Built a professional organization that developed/executed innovative rental marketing and lead generation initiatives. Consistently surpassed aggressive sales goals, growing revenue +70% to $100MM. Marketing initiatives included on-site activities at Walt Disney World, direct response programs, international and domestic origin events, member-based sales programs, collateral development, advertising, publicity, public relations, and rental marketing support.

Responsible for new product concept development, test market and rollout execution of new brand franchises targeted at expanding the company’s position within the broader snack food market. Introduced an integrated relaunch plan for 3Musketeers Bar to reverse 15 years of continuous volume declines. Exceeded profit targets by + 15%. Accountable for the strategic planning, full marketing execution, and P&L performance for Snickers Bar. Achieved highest volume and profit levels in the brand’s history.

Pursued a traditional Product Manager track, working on both the Kool-Aid and Country Time brands. Managed promotion & advertising budgets of $40-60MM, developed numerous advertising campaigns targeted at both adults and children, successfully tested an integrated relaunch plan for Country Time (achieving +50% volume growth in test market) and implemented the largest direct mail promotion in General Foods’ history. Promoted to Senior Product Manager on an accelerated timeline.