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Susan Bussolari

Senior Manager, Communications & Training

key successes

  • Proven record of increasing responsibility in the financial services industry.
  • Developed, executed, and managed two life insurance marketing systems resulting in record sales and the department’s highest sales performance of the year.
  • Successfully led branding and launch of four marketing systems key to generating annuity, life insurance and securities sales.
  • Led major corporate rebranding, including new identity system and website, repositioning the company to capture significant market share.
  • Spearheaded complete transformation of creative team. Created and integrated new creative philosophy. Built positive and creative work environment through goal setting, employee empowerment and rewards for excellence.
  • Streamlined corporate communications through launch of web-based, responsive platform, increasing efficiency and productivity of creative, sales and marketing teams.
  • Directed, developed and promoted high-end sold out producer training events.

Awards

2013 Communicator Award of Distinction for Asset Marketing Systems Sales Symposium, Hard Rock Hotel San Diego

Certifications

CA Insurance Licensed #0G09004

Manager Certification 4.0, CD2 Leadership

Summary

Accomplished senior marketing professional with expertise in all aspects of successful marketing, recruiting tactics, corporate advertising, public relations, and training development, with an emphasis on creative marketing strategy in the financial services industry. Demonstrated ability to manage and motivate cohesive teams that achieve results. Team player recognized for taking initiative with superb oral and written communication, interpersonal and organizational skills. Strong ability to influence thinking, forge strategic alliances and meaningful relationships.

Work experience

May 2014Present

Senior Manager, Communications & Training 

Asset Marketing Systems
  • Develop and produce professional corporate training events encouraging producer engagement, education, and networking while delivering a high-quality producer experience.
  • Draft clear and persuasive copy for direct mail, video, Internet content, email blasts, and training manuals.
  • Oversee and execute all factions of training events from concept development, speaker/keynote selection, and developing speaking presentations through completion. Conceive multimedia components, agendas.
  • Draft speeches with all speakers and prepare delivery vehicles (PowerPoint, video, email).
  • Develop communications strategy and oversee Creative Team’s promotional and communications efforts.
  • Prepare and implement training budgets, expenses.
  • Acquire vendor sponsorship dollars.
  • Communicate multimedia needs with audio-visual crews and manage main stage show execution.
  • Prepare communication materials for executives, including speech writing and strategic internal and external communications.
  • Research compelling technology and training techniques to improve existing process.
Jan 2013May 2014

Manager, Marketing Systems & Initiatives 

Asset Marketing Systems
  • Ground up development and management of creative team, including continued career development planning.
  • Key member of new business development team leading creative vision for new corporate initiatives strategy sessions.
  • Managed budgets and team of artists, designers, freelancers, and contractors.
  • Interfaced between marketing, sales, operations, and producers.
  • Worked with media vendors to execute compelling recruiting advertising featuring Retirement Income and Social Security offerings via email blasts, direct mail, banner ads, web platforms.
  • Adhered to advertising compliance standards consistent with Broker Dealer and FINRA regulations.
  • Directed development of business-to-business and business-to-consumer marketing projects.
  • Led formation of creative materials and accessories and was focal point for conducting brainstorming sessions.
  • Rebranded and repackaged event and training materials while significantly reducing print budget.
  • Redesigned UI of corporate communications channel via web based interface.
  • Collaborated with creative team across web, print, branding, illustration, multi-media, video and mobile disciplines.
  • Introduced and capitalized on high quality, low budget video production to improve communication of brand and corporate offerings.
  • Directed corporate rebranding campaign, executed brand through subdivisions and executed communications strategy.
  • Launched new corporate website from concept development, copywriting, video storyboarding, core messaging and communications strategy.
Mar 2011Jan 2013

Business Development Consultant 

Asset Marketing Systems
  • Drove increased marketing campaign response rates and successful product launches through the development and execution of two life insurance sales and marketing initiatives to include copywriting, creative development, packaging, and field-testing.
  • Implemented over 100 client seminars with 40 producers nationwide to result in $20 million in life insurance business within first year of launch.
  • Managed progression of sales by reporting and tracking case studies, sales, and marketing analytics.
  • Special expertise in project management included on-time, successful broker dealer and FINRA reviews.
  • Partnered with Recruiting Manager to create direct mail and digital campaigns successfully generating over 100 new prospects.
  • Partnered with Life Department to develop and execute training platform featuring new life insurance marketing systems and product training.
May 2008Mar 2011

Business Consultant, Marketing 

Asset Marketing Systems
  • Developed and maintained meaningful relationships with over 100 producers in person and through regular phone consultation.
  • Consistently transformed the most demanding and difficult producer accounts into the most successful and productive partnerships.
  • Applied marketing and lead generating strategies for producers to increase customer acquisition, penetration and revenue.
  • Profiled producers to determine marketing needs, goals, and business opportunities.
  • Consulted on design and production of sales-driving marketing campaigns including print ads, brochures, websites, banner ads, billboards, logos, product packaging and more.
  • Analyzed regional demographics to determine marketing strategy.
  • Evaluated and analyzed marketing results.
  • Created local branding and competitive differentiation.
  • Identified marketing problems and executed solutions.
Sep 2005Apr 2008

Business Assistant 

Asset Marketing Systems
  • Created and maintained over 120 producer relationships, identifying and executing producer business needs, and communicating new business opportunities.
  • Tracked annuity and life insurance applications, interfacing with insurance carriers and producers, to ensure producers were paid without unnecessary delay.
  • Self-starter who established relationships throughout all departments within the company to fulfill producer requests.

 

Education

19931998

Bachelor of Arts, Sociology

University of Washington