Christopher B. Burns                                                                                                            P.O. Box 92207

(585) 234-3524 / christopher@c-burns.com                                                        Rochester, New York 14692-0207

 

 

STRATEGIC MARKETING, BRAND & PRODUCT MANAGEMENT LEADER

 

Strategic business leader with strong teambuilding, communications and presentation skills, plus an MBA in Marketing. Proven ability to translate complex product and/or service concepts into profitable, measurable market opportunities. Innovative and versatile. Experienced leader in both high-growth and established businesses. Exceptional writer and public speaker across a variety of media and presentation forums. Recognized influencer, visionary and thought-leader; analytical and creative problem-solver.

 

CORE SKILLS

 

·         Advertising & Promotion

·         Communications & Media Affairs

·         Marketing Strategy, B2B & B2C

·         Project Management

·         Special Events Planning / Execution

·         Branding & Positioning

·         Competitive Analysis

·         New Product Development

·         Public Relations & Outreach

·         Teambuilding / Partner Development

·         Budgeting / P&L Management

·         Market Research

·         Opportunity Assessment

·         Social Media / New Media

·         Strategic Planning

 

 


PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

           

Executive Marketing Consultant                                                                                                                                                2007 – Present

 

Repeated success establishing branding, positioning & messaging for early-stage and/or established product & services firms, resulting in dramatically-accelerated market awareness, entry and traction. Author of comprehensive marketing plans, eye-catching sales collaterals, and attention-getting communications copy.

 

·         Successfully develop and execute profitable marketing strategies for small & emerging companies

·         Lead key media strategy and media outreach activities for leadership-level visibility as quickly as possible

 

 

ITT Corporation – Geospatial Services Division (formerly Space Systems)                                           Rochester, New York

Community Relations Manager                                                                                                                                                                    2009

 

Recruited by Space Systems Division’s Director of Communications to independently plan and lead key regional media activities to raise awareness of ITT-SSD to leadership levels in multiple U.S. markets.

 

·         Planned and directed high-visibility media events while creating and nurturing relationships with key media partners. Raised non-financial media coverage by 200% in three months.

·         Authored and disseminated internal employee communications briefs at the regional and divisional level, led development of high-impact collaterals, press releases and media advisories to support divisional growth goals, significantly raising employee morale.

 

 

Marketing Director, ANGEL Services                                                                                                                                           2008 – 2009

 

High-profile marketing leadership position for a tech-based, energy-industry start-up residing within a global, Fortune 500 defense contractor (ITT). Recruited by ANGEL Services’ Director / CEO to plan and lead the strategic planning, development and execution of all marketing & communications activities. Successfully systematized all marketing activities for the business; developed a comprehensive marketing plan within six months, repositioned and executed award-winning print & electronic advertising within eight months. Led new-market-development efforts, building and executing marketing plans, strategies, and tactics for both existing and new, adjacent markets, including securing buy-in from top leadership.

 

·         Designed and implemented $450,000 integrated marketing budget for optimal results, leading to leadership awareness and consideration levels for ANGEL Services despite the challenges of introducing a high-tech service solution to the conservative, low-tech oil & gas energy industry.

·         Optimized internal resources and directed external vendors, leading to intensified marketing impact and over $225,000 annual marketing cost savings.

·         Created team camaraderie and rallied a diverse group of 30 professionals around key marketing achievements.

 

High Tech Rochester (HTR) – Lennox Tech Enterprise Center (TEC)                                                                    Rochester, New York  

Marketing & Programs Director                                                                                                                                                      2005 –2007

Client Marketing Manager                                                                                                                                               2000 –2005

 

Revitalized and led the marketing & programmatic activities of a business incubator serving high-technology, start-up and early-stage companies in the Rochester, NY area. Achieved leadership organizational awareness and event visibility within the local business community, transforming overall marketing of HTR across two disparate operating divisions. Provided marketing strategy leadership and drove product development and innovation within high-growth entrepreneurial ventures as interim Marketing Director for over two dozen early-stage and emerging technology product and service firms.

 

·         Led marketing, public relations, advertising and promotion for HTR’s entrepreneurial services, programs and events, resulting in unmatched business-community awareness levels.

·         Advised CEOs, CFOs, other key executives and investors across a wide range of strategic marketing, business planning and corporate development activities.

·         Created and executed communications strategies for the new product development activities of dozens of early-stage companies, leading to profitable company and revenue growth.

 

 

 

EDUCATION & ACADEMIC HONORS

               

William E. Simon Graduate School of Business Administration                                                                              Rochester, New York

Master of Business Administration                                                                                                                                                 

Concentrations: Brand Management, Marketing, Entrepreneurship

Merit Scholarship Recipient; Graduating GPA 3.6

       

University of Rochester                                                                                                                                                     Rochester, New York

Bachelor of Arts, Political Science & Philosophy;                                                                                                                            

Graduated Magna Cum Laude, GPA 3.8; Elected to Phi Beta Kappa, Iota Chapter

 

 

 

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

               

Webster Ridge Runners (www.websterridgerunners.com)                                                                                           Webster, New York

Public Relations Director                                                                                                                                                            2009—Present

 

Raised media coverage and community visibility to 300% of club’s 2009-2010 goals, leading and integrating all internal and external communications & public relations activities for a 750-member, Western NY-based snowmobiling club.

 

·         Developed core strategy and marshaled regional media, branding and electronic marketing for leading visibility

 

 

Rochester Young Professionals (RYP)  (www.r-y-p.org)                                                                                             Rochester, New York

Founder & Brand Manager                                                                                                                                                              2002—2008

 

Identified unmet community need, then founded, led and grew Rochester’s premiere social and professional networking organization for early-career professionals, while developing and grooming other visionary YP community leaders. Independently planned and directed a team of 10 volunteer activity leaders to grow RYP to be viewed as best-in-class.

 

·         Captured the interest and attention of Rochester’s business & Political community and assertively advanced community discussion on young professional topics, becoming a recognized authority on the topic in Upstate NY.

·         Drove organizational activities and strategy execution to achieve growth from 0 to 1,500 members over my tenure.

 

 

 

 

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