GUS J. FORWARD 14339 Fair Knoll Way, Houston, Texas, (832) 588-0924, gusforward84@gmail.com
STRATEGIC MARKETING PROFESSIONAL National Reputational Management / Expanding B2B & B2C Channels / Presenting ROI Solutions Entrepreneurial, creative marketing and business development professional, with six years brand growth experience that includes an award-winning maverick marketing, media relations, branding, promotional, special event, social media and multimedia portfolio, for messaging B2B & B2C audience segments of all age groups and nationalities. Motivated strategist committed to success-driven results through methodical analysis and team leadership. Core competencies include:
Brand Growth Strategies Budget Analysis & Execution Marketing Planning & Positioning Multi-channel Brand Management
Advanced Multimedia Integration Building Alliances & Partnerships Team Building & Leadership Project Management
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Brand Manager: Emerus Holdings, Inc. • May ‘13 to Present Houston, TX
Responsible for assisting in the development and deployment of complimentary, branded emergency hospital locations for our flagship Emerus hospitals and emergency rooms in Houston and Dallas, as well as our partner brands including Baylor Healthcare in Dallas, Baptist Healthcare in San Antonio and Scott & White Healthcare in central Texas. Accountable for leading all internal and external creative services, as well as managing relationships with external agencies, media buying partners, and advertising vendors. Selected accomplishments:
Completely overhauled all media buying, saving $400k in savings while boosting ad placements by 80% Constructed a creative services infrastructure with a project completion rate of 98% Developed and successfully deployed 45-day launch plan for Baylor hospital facilities Built and standardized marketing request ordering system and creative asset sharing programs with brand partners
Assistant Brand Manager: NCI Building Systems • October ‘12 to May ‘13 Houston, TX
Responsible for business analysis, marketing, advertising, and business development initiatives for NCI’s national metal manufacturing brand American Building Components (ABC). Accountable for developing unique messaging, communications, and support collateral for all regional ABC store locations and mobile sales force teams representing hundreds of thousands of
B2B and B2C customers nationwide. Team lead for new growth business development activities along with cross-divisional sales strategy liaising. Selected accomplishments:
Completely overhauled all media buying, saving $35k in savings while boosting ad placements by 20% Led the institutional rebranding and execution of all ABC sales/marketing collateral Developed and successfully deployed a co-op marketing plan with B2B metal wholesalers
Marketing & Communications Manager: University of Houston • May ‘08 to October ‘12 Houston, TX
Built an impressive record of achievement and advancement through a series of progressively responsible positions leading high growth ventures in capital fundraising and brand awareness. Selected accomplishments:
Managed the strategic implementation of marketing budgets and creative teams for the university’s in-house marketing communications agency, including university-wide and community-wide branding projects that contributed to a 4% increase in admissions and unprecedented $25 million increase in donation-based funding Via market research and team planning, co-authored institutional branding standards and best practices to campus and community audiences Organized strategic plans and core content using marketing data that aided in the successful re-launch of the UH brand, which included the development and execution of award-winning Houston campaigns: Road to Tier One, 85th Year Anniversary Celebration, You Are The Pride, Keep Houston Red and Choose Houston Led the planning, development and execution of promotional giveaways and outdoor signage, multimedia presentations and social media blitzes during ESPN’s live College GameDay Tour at the University of Houston Managed videography department, which included creative director of national TV spots, web promos and multimedia presentations for the president’s office, admissions, colleges, and other campus departments and news media outlets
Marketing Intern & Video Contractor: University of Houston • May ‘07 to April ‘08 Houston, TX
Launched campus-wide marketing projects for the Office of University Relations and C.T. Bauer College of Business that boosted student life participation and college enrollment analytics. Responsible for managing the office’s maverick marketing internship program, devising strategies and tactics for student-run grassroots projects. Selected accomplishments:
Developed a multimedia campaign for President Khator’s100 Days campaign Negotiated a $10,000 account to self-produce student life videos for current and prospective student audiences at UH, including the That Bauer Girl web series Developed press releases and email marketing messages for institutional communicators
Campus Activities Leader: University of Houston • Aug ‘04 to May ‘08 Houston, TX
As a campus activities leader, found my core competencies in marketing, corporate communications and film, engaging in multi-platform networking, non-profit fundraising, policy making, executive presentations and creative development. Selected accomplishments:
As station president, successfully rebuilt the university’s student-run TV network that led to the official designation as an student fee organization, 70% increase in membership and over $70,000 in solicited donations Write and producer of the collegiate short film production “The Cougar Experience” that solicited over $20,000 in collegiate and community donations As a student senator, published and lobbied numerous campus bills and programs that served the student body AWARDS & HONORS
AMA Crystal Awards:
Best Non-profit Social Media Campaign (Keep Houston Red), '12 Judges Favorite (Keep Houston Red), '12 Best Advertising TV Single (Choose Houston), '12 Best Nonprofit Event (Legacy of the Pride), '11 Best Marketing Video (Legacy of the Pride), '11
IABC Bronze Quill Awards:
Graphic Design (Tier One Heritage Mark), '12 Outdoor (QB Case Keenum), 12 Photography (Case Keenum Photo), '12 Advertising, Conventional Media (Tier One Campaign), '12
PRSA Excalibur Awards:
Integrated Marketing Campaign (Tier One), '12 Grassroots Program/Guerilla Marketing (Keep Houston Red), '12 Collateral Poster (Interlocking UH), '12
American Advertising Federation Awards:
University Video Series (Inspiring Excellence), '08
Collegiate Accolades:
Campus Activities Outstanding Leader, '08 Student Video Network Member of the Year, '07 Student Government Member of the Year, '07 Student Video Network Producer of the Year, '07