Marilyn L. Troup

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Progressive marketing and communication leader with a proven track record of defining strategic marketing direction and developing creative marketing solutions that deliver superior results and bottom line profit. Ability to apply both traditional and interactive communication methods to attract customers and position products. Effectively leads cross-functional teams and builds strong relationships with vendors, partners and media to consistently exceed goals.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Director, Marketing Communications; Commetrex Corporation (6/11 – present) Privately owned technology company that enables Fax over IP (FoIP) communications; Roswell, GA

• Strategic planning for global marketing efforts including website, email campaigns, online fax community, tradeshows, product launches, public relations, media relations, advertising and quarterly newsletter
• Evaluate current corporate website and develop plan for redesign to improve user experience, reduce bounce rate and increase conversion rate
• Manage SEO efforts and Google AdWords campaigns to increase site traffic and improve ROI
• Streamline corporate branding and implement consistent look and feel across all communication vehicles
• Manage social media profiles and communications (Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, Blogspot)
• Oversee tradeshow participation, including all logistics, marketing, communications and media relations
• Manage all marketing for new product launch through sister company, including branding, design and development of new website and sales tools

Project Manager, Solar Velocity (2/10 – 3/11) Web design firm; Smyrna, GA

• Project managed client campaigns and served as account manager for larger clients
• Supervised design and development teams; assigned and managed daily tasks and deadlines
• Wrote and copyedited client and Solar Velocity deliverables
• Monitored the accuracy of all project deliverables, approvals, timelines and change orders
• Used customized SharePoint site and MyIntervals.com for all project management tracking
• Trained clients to use the Sitefinity content management system (CMS) to maintain their new sites

Marketing Consultant, Design Troup (1/09 – Present) Freelance communication and design; Atlanta, GA

• Assisted several small, entrepreneur-owned businesses with their initial marketing efforts, including business plans, branding strategy and marketing/communication plans
• Designed and produced logos, web sites (design and redesign) and marketing collateral
• Created and managed social network marketing campaigns (Facebook, Twitter)
• Provided SEO analysis and recommendations for clients’ existing web sites
• Wrote and copyedited website content and marketing collateral
• Designed and produced event programs for Art Partners of the High Museum of Art

Marketing Communications Director, AirSage, Inc. (1/07 – 12/08) High-tech start-up providing cellular-based traffic information for the ITS/telematics industry; Atlanta, GA

• Directed marketing, branding and communications to increase visibility and drive sales
• Implemented new corporate branding strategy and identity across all communications vehicles (website, advertisements, proposals, stationery, business cards, collateral, presentations)
• Authored comprehensive strategic marketing plans including research, advertising, PR, media and events
• Managed PR agency and campaign to increase awareness and brand recognition; resulted in 100+ media placements including articles in Newsweek, Business Week and Atlanta Business Chronicle
• Redesigned website, improved search engine optimization (SEO) and increased traffic by 500+%
• Managed annual tradeshow exhibition, including signage, marketing and media; reduced costs by $15K
• Developed and implemented marketing plan for launch of consumer product (marketing research, focus groups, radio ads, banner ads and website)

Senior Marketing Communications Manager, BellSouth (4/01 – 11/06) Atlanta, GA

• Developed strategic plans for marketing telecom products at various stages of the product life cycle
• Planned and managed multiple customer events as part of retention and acquisition efforts
• Initiated highly successful integrated print and interactive advertising campaigns generating revenue of up to $2.3 million each and exceeding revenue objectives by as much as 920% each
• Led teams in the development and execution of product launches and integrated marketing programs
• Worked with partner companies on co-branding/co-marketing efforts
• Developed relationships with key industry analysts (Yankee Group, Forrester, Gartner) and served as point-person for competitive intelligence and regulatory impacts on telecom
• Managed $15 million department budget, advertising agencies, MarCom Managers and project timelines

Marketing Communications Manager, BellSouth (12/98 – 4/01) Atlanta, GA

• Managed production of print and electronic sales collateral, websites, HTML emails, Flash and CD presentations, videos, direct response/mail campaigns and events
• Directed and managed external vendors, freelance workers and project managers in the successful completion of integrated marketing programs
• Enforced proper usage of the BellSouth brand and adherence to intellectual property standards
• Wrote communications plans and developed printed communications for employee incentive programs
• Conducted primary research of internal communication vehicles and their use by employees
• Served as editor for monthly newsletter, including developing editorial calendar, scheduling interviews for authors, editing all articles, managing layout and coordinating printing/fulfillment

Marketing Manager, LifeStep Software (1/98 – 11/98) Start-up software company offering a suite of web-based software applications; Norcross, GA

• Wrote comprehensive marketing plans including target markets, product life cycle/TALC forecasting, budgets, pricing, media mixes, trade show schedules and measurement of ROI
• Conducted target market and focus group research
• Designed and created comprehensive corporate web site
• Managed art department in implementation of design and creation of collateral materials

Marketing Coordinator, Byers Engineering (6/96 – 1/98) Information Systems division; produces GIS software for the utility industry; Atlanta High Tech 50 Company; Atlanta, GA

• Redesigned and maintained corporate web site
• Wrote, designed and published marketing materials (brochures, sales sheets, case studies)
• Edited and published quarterly newsletter (brought design in house, saving over $10K per year)
• Wrote press releases and journal articles
• Managed logistics and marketing efforts for trade shows and customer events

AWARDS

• 2005: Bravo Award for rebuilding BellSouth Market In$ite [sic] Intranet site
• 2004: Silver B2B Horizon Interactive Award for BellSouth and MSPP Technology flash/web design
• 2003: Bravo Awards for implementing long distance regulatory compliance procedures and for strategic development and implementation of the e-Repair online trouble ticket submission and tracking system
• 1999: BellSouth department head award for work on frame relay product marketing

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

• Silent Auction Chair for The Big Finish, High Museum of Art (HMA) annual wine auction fundraiser (FY09)
• Member of the Board of Directors (FY06-08) and Executive Committee (FY07) of HMA
• Member of the Board of Trustees of the Woodruff Arts Center (FY07)
• Past President (FY08), President (FY07) and President Elect (FY06) of Art Partners of HMA
• Vice President of Communications, Art Partners of HMA (FY05)

EDUCATION

• M.S., Mass Communication; Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
• B.B.A., Marketing, minor in art (commercial design); Stetson University, DeLand, FL

TRAINING & CERTIFICATIONS

• Inbound Marketing Certified Professional, 2009 (SEO, social network marketing, email marketing, etc.)
• Courses: Project, Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Internet and Interactive Advertising and Dynamic Web Content
• Google AdWords Certification in progress