Strategic Initiatives Manager | Growth & Impact through Collaborative Partnerships

I help people and organizations work together in ways that make a real difference. My creative and analytical background gives me a mix of practical and strategic skills that I use to solve problems and bring ideas to life

I’ve built partnerships with universities, industry, and government, and I’ve managed programs and projects from start to finish. I excel at connecting people, creating opportunities to work together, and making sure goals turn into results

I also focus on sharing knowledge and stories that others can learn from and carry forward. For me, the most important part of my work is building connections that last and lead to positive outcomes

Summer Applegate🍏

Sopra Banking Software

Executive Director - Sales and Partnerships North America

Highroad

We are a dynamically built platform that allows private sellers to easily search, compare, validate and select offers from one place while helping dealers competitively source the inventory they truly need.

Founder, CEO

Scout Creative Group, Inc

A Growth Studio with a unique structure at the intersection of brand strategy, creative, and business strategy - geared towards helping new and growing brands establish their market position.

Scout Creative Group is a fractional-based studio. Built to support the early stages of brand development, marketing and growth strategies. We know the importance of remaining nimble early on, and the negative impact of a top heavy marketing team. It's about managing your balance sheet and your resources. That's why we started Scout. In times of growth you can't afford to make sacrifices to your brand or the consumer experience. Look to Scout as your in-house marketing team - with any size throttle you need. We bring 25 years of startup, tech and marketing experience at a fraction of the cost.

We’re a diverse team with broad category experience. We are fortunate to have worked with some of the world’s most innovative companies to define markets, design customer-centric brand strategies, execute end-to-end experiences, and position all of this for accelerated growth.
We are fortunate to have worked with some of the world’s most innovative companies to define markets, design customer-centric brand strategies, execute on beloved end-to-end experiences, and position all of this for accelerated growth.

Co-Founder, President

Blinker

Launched and led the company’s first national B2C & C2B programs. Opened Blinker Direct as a Retail Automotive Dealership. Responsible for all vehicle disposition, procurement, logistics, growth, sales & marketing.
• Created a nationally tiered online dealership, licensed in CA, CO, FL
• Orchestrated our largest contract, an exclusive remarketing partnership with Audi & Volkswagen
• $2.6M in revenue in our first 6 months, with an industry-leading 97% conversion rate
• Launched Blinker’s nationwide, door-to-door, 5-day test drive model

Head of Operations, General Manager

Blinker Product Launch
• Led sales and marketing efforts including Blinker’s launch. Cross-channel media plan.
• Directed outside agencies, executing our fully-digital product launch. 
• Led the ‘first’ launch and sales effort that sold our first 100 vehicles on the Blinker platform. 
• Led directional growth for product teams using sales data, UX reporting and shopper scores.
• Using qualitative sales data, I prioritized company objectives and new feature roll-outs.

Director of Sales & Marketing

Joined the Founding Team to Build First MVP, Prototype, Establish Key Business Objectives and Develop Auto/Tech Partnerships
• Reported to the CEO & President
• Managed all business partnerships that supported the platform’s technology and UX
• Hired department heads, responsible for operational output and early growth targets
• Responsible for launching Blinker’s first product MVP
• Supported investor relations, presentations and pitch decks

Director of Business Development

Summit Automotive Partners

Implemented Strategy and Marketing with OEM/Franchise Partners; Toyota, Lexus, Ford, Chevrolet, Jeep, Kia, Fiat, Nissan, Mazda, Subaru, Honda
• Leader of online and showroom CX and core brand experiences
• Created and executed national OEM campaigns with general managers and market presidents
• Launched brand experiences through key partnerships with Live Nation, Nashville Zoo, Altitude Sports, Nissan NA, and the Tim Tebow Foundation

National Marketing Manager, Brand Director

Saxbys

• Led national growth strategy in 2005, directing 32 new store openings in 12 major cities. 
• Oversaw 6 regional F&B teams, supporting store development, operations, marketing and sales strategies.
• Built and executed the sales and marketing strategy that realized $12.2M in annual franchise revenue. 
Key openings in; Las Vegas, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Houston, DC, Phoenix, Sacramento, Denver

Co-Founder, VP of Marketing, Franchise Developer

Signature Advertising

Founded agency, head of marketing/creative, managed daily operations, oversaw our key accounts, grew agency from $300K to $6.5M in annual revenue. Recipient of 2 National Addy Awards, 10 Advertising Industry Awards. Key accounts; Qdoba, National Beef Council, Holiday Inn, Grand County Tourism, Omni Resorts, Eldora Resort

Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer

Putting people first. 
23 years of leadership; Founder, President, VP, and Manager in the following industries; B2B, B2C, Automotive Franchise, Retail Franchising and Fin-Tech. Responsible for team management, franchise development, growth strategy, operations, value statements, consumer insights, sales, franchise marketing, investor & partner relations, U.S. patents, as well as e-commerce and online marketing. 

Who I’ve helped. I’ve worked with the following national and global brands; Toyota, Lexus, Ford, Chevrolet, Jeep, Kia, Fiat, Nissan, Mazda, Subaru, Honda, Qdoba, National Beef Council, Holiday Inn, Grand County Tourism, Omni Resorts, Eldora, Blinker. I've led openings and operations in cities around the country; Las Vegas, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, Washington DC, Phoenix, Denver, Los Angeles, Orlando.

taplio

The Battle

Summer Applegate🍏

Shane T Reinert

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