Christopher Parrish

Customer Service Representative, Levolor

National Sales Coordinator, Levolor

Proven Category Licensing Manager with increasing responsibility: Promoted internally from Associate Licensing Manager to Senior Licensing Manager in four years. Manage two direct reports and oversee a personal budget of $120MM in retail sales annually. Current licenses include TRANSFORMERS, MY LITTLE PONY, LITTLEST PET SHOP, MONOPOLY, SCRABBLE, GI JOE, and NERF.

• Develop key strategies and deliver action plans that drive licensing revenue, retail sales, and best in class products and themed entertainment experiences in assigned categories
• Lead the creation of line plans for every licensee and direct creative strategy to inform product development-numerous LIMA nominations
• Research, prospect, and sign strategically important licensees, including negotiation of all aspects of the Merchandise Licensing Agreement, and nurture relationships into long-term businesses with significant P&L contribution
• Design, and lead the implementation of, channel-specific strategies for assigned categories to maximize retail sell-in across all major channels of trade(dollar; value; mass; mall specialty; mid-tier; upscale, etc.)
• Research, prospect, and pitch themed-and location-based entertainment experiences, including Pop Up Shops, Trend Retail, Automated Vending, Themed Destinations, and Live Theatrical/Stage Productions to enhance value of Hasbro's brands
• Establish and nurture meaningful relationships with key constituents on Global Franchise, Global Creative, US Sales, US Marketing, Retail Development, and Customer Strategy & Marketing teams
• Establish annual business plans and budgets, and monitor on a quarterly basis.

Capable Project Manager who oversaw all aspects of branding and design projects including website creation, brand identity and market positioning, and marketing communications campaigns for a variety of clients in the tech, bio-tech, and telecom sectors as well as managing specific projects related to the City of Providence “Creative Capital” campaign (started in 2009 and continuing today).

• Assembled and managed project-specific subcontractors (copywriters, web designers, web developers, graphic artists, fulfillment companies, commercial printers, photographers, etc.) to ensure on-time and on-budget completion of assigned account responsibilities 
• Assisted company proprietor in preparing budgets, then oversaw all payroll and project-related expenses to ensure projects were completed within established time and cost parameters.
• Represented firm as client-facing contact to identify new business opportunities, trouble-shoot problems, answer billing-related queries, and develop and enforce mutually agreed Scopes of Work on project-by-project basis.

Fully responsible for all aspects of marketing communications function for nine global vertical markets including developing and implementing creative strategies in accordance with corporate, department, and channel partner goals and objectives that contributed to sales CAGR of 5% from 2002-2008.

• Spearheaded the creation and implementation of marketing communication plans
• Provided quantitative analysis of key retailer POS to inform advertising and communications strategies by major account
• Established and maintained strong business relationships with media outlets and industry opinion leaders. Routinely pitched story ideas and negotiated product reviews
• Authored two published articles in industry trade publications
• Negotiated all contracts with, and managed all activities of, outside agencies including advertising agencies, design studios, photographers, commercial printers, and exposition services to ensure on time delivery of assigned projects.
• Successfully led corporate rebranding post-acquisition by leading the establishment, implementation, and enforcement of a new brand Style Guide
• Managed 25+ high profile events including cause marketing and trade shows, and was one of two architects of the deal for the exclusive contract with the U.S. Sailing Team from 2005-2008