�Multi-faceted corporate and channel digital & traditional marketing experience coupled with strong internal and external team leading skills and project management. Extensive “hands on” experience in brand strategy execution from inception to deployment and ultimately evaluation and adaptation. Understands the subtle details required to create effective messaging and the importance of utilizing various tactics to reach the intended audience(s). Fosters teams that are built on accountability, yet embrace creative thinking in achieving both established qualitative and quantitative goals.

Northwest Nazarene University, Idaho Masters of Business, Business Administration and Management 2004-2006 Ø  Delta Mu Delta International Honor Society; Selected for enrollment by faculty at Northwest Nazarene, Masters of Business Administration Department California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Agribusiness, Concentration in Marketing 1990-1995 �

①  Qualification

Summary

② Education

E: Kristin@KMThornton.com T: 208.860.4949 W: KMThornton.com*

Kristin M. Thornton Marketing Specialist

Follow K.M.Thornton & Co:, llc:.

*Visit online for Testimonials & Sample Portfolio of Work

Aug. 2012-Present K.M.Thornton & Co., LLC Proprietor K.M. Thornton & Co. delivers customized strategy plans and marketing management blueprints built primarily for premium businesses within the equestrian industry. Quantitative and qualitative data is used for each customer to create customized solutions. The goal of the business is to identify efficient and effective objectives and the corresponding tactics necessary to create a sustainable business model that may be managed by the customer and their support team, when applicable. Work to date has included building extensive marketing plans, road maps and implementation of strategies. Sample of client work includes: Ø  Der Dau Custom Riding Boots & Shoes: Created corporate brand statement.

Established a cohesive messaging strategy and creative look that was implemented across marketing channels including packaging, social media accounts, consumer P.O.S. (handouts & catalog), print & digital advertising, third party vendor messaging and promotions/retail training (Dover Saddlery). Coordinated public relations inquiries and managed press contacts, created press pitches and releases. Worked closely with in-house marketing coordinator to develop her skills to understand objectives and oversee current and future marketing tactics.

Ø  EquestrianCoach.com: Organized and reviewed digital analytics to identify core

demographics and create a targeted corporate marketing plan. Evaluated multiple pricing strategies using break-even analysis and provided recommendations.

Ø  Morning Shadows Farm & Bridlewood Farms: Created messaging strategies using

interviews to identify each proprietor's business objectives and the needs of their existing clientele. Evaluated current pricing strategies and provided recommendations based on competitive analysis data and regional demographics. Built websites using third party hosted platforms.

Ø  Harris Hill Farm, llc: Created messaging to reflect owner’s new business model.

Updated website content using existing platform. Pitched public relations stories resulting in international print and domestic digital stories. Reviewed social analytics and used data to create list of suggested future posts to increase Facebook reach..

Kristin is also the owner of a popular blog located at www.kmthornton.com. The objective is to “celebrate the artisans, educators and experiences that enhance the equestrian lifestyle.” Blog posts are created to attract the readership of primarily the 25+ years and older female age group. It is promoted using paid targeted Facebook campaigns and social media posts using Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr and Pinterest platforms. Remuneration is not accepted for posts to ensure that the integrity of the objective is maintained. Revenue is achieved through affiliate and ad network relationships.

③

Experience

May. 2003-Sept. 2003 Agri Beef Co. Marketing Assistant Assisted the executive director of marketing with various tasks and multiple projects including , but not limited to, packaging, tradeshows, B to B point of sale materials, customer support, and distributor/customer appreciation events.

Sept. 2003-Jan. 2006 Agri Beef Co./Snake River Farms Brand���Marketing Coordinator���Worked with a specialized team during the development of the company’s second consumer brand. Reviewed consumer data and trends, attended focus groups, and actively participated in defining the product specifications and creative identity of the brand. Developed sales and consumer support tools to communicate brand attributes. Maintained and refined corporate and existing brands’ promotional materials. Developed site map and content for corporate and brand brochure websites and FTP areas. Managed select strategic sales accounts and trade shows.

January 2006– March 2010 Agri Beef Co./AB Foods, LLC Marketing Manager Worked tightly with Executive Director of Marketing and Executive Director of Sales to create the business unit’s corporate identity while refining the product mix and specifications of the brand umbrella and their extensions. Individual responsibilities included defining, coordinating, and overseeing specialized teams to develop and refine all company and brand communications. Corporate and brand responsibilities included maintaining and expanding multiple web-based platforms (public and internal facing web platforms), developing and managing consumer e-commerce website, developing consumer point of sale materials, assisting in consumer packaging development, coordinating consumer promotions and strategic marketing partnerships, developing and creating public facing corporate identity videos and brochures and managing corporate and brand portfolio advertising.

April. 2010- July 2012 Agri Beef Co./AB to C, LLC (Agri Beef Co. to Consumer) Marketing and Business Development, E-Commerce Agri Beef Co./AB to C, LLC (Agri Beef Co. to Consumer): Development, evaluation, & implementation of a dynamic traditional and digital sales & marketing plan that utilized both internal & external resources to achieve established goals. Managed social media team & customer care department. Worked closely with operations and fulfillment teams to coordinate supply chain activities to ensure the delivery of brand propositions using multiple distribution channels. Managed budget, pricing, web content, business development & third party vendors (Williams-Sonoma, Gilt Groupe), and annual KPI goals for division. Gross sales 2011 vs. 2010 increased by 53% and gross margin 2011 vs. 2010 (calculated from launch to end of year, as this was the only time period with identical cost structure) increased by 15%. Storefronts Managed: SnakeRiverFarms.com (luxury) /TheDoubleRRanch.COM (premium) Responsibilities for launch of AB to C, LLC (approx. April 2010-Nov. 2010) included the development and execution of a comprehensive marketing strategy in tandem with the role of lead project manager. Project management functions included establishing aggressive timelines, determining resource allocation and coordinating internal accounting, operations, quality assurance, and IT teams as well as external IT, legal, public relations, digital marketing, marketing research, product development, culinary testing, branding, creative, & new media teams. From launch in Nov. 2010 to year end, gross sales increased by 122% over previous year same period and gross margins increased for same period, although the exact % is not available because cost accounting structure was adjusted to reflect relevant expenses of a stand alone business. Reported directly to Executive Vice-President of Agri Beef Co.

④   Business Awards

BEST E-MAIL CAMPAIGN FINALIST 2012-Public Relations Society of America Developed strategy, copyrighting, and creative direction for "Best of the West" Email campaign for the Double R Ranch Co. brand. Each e-blast capitalized on the synergies of a strategic partner to increase their brand awareness, strengthen each company's premium positioning, and provide relevant information for both sets of customers. ROCKIE AWARD WINNER-2ND PLACE 2009-Idaho Advertising Federation Developed strategy and creative direction for corporate brochure distributed to B to B audience. Brochure simply explained the rich heritage of a 2nd generation agriculture-based company as well as the expansion of a complex vertically integrated supply chain. Worked in tandem with Whiptail Graphics.

June 1995-April 2003 Self-Employed Self employed at multi-faceted privately owned livestock and farming agribusiness operation. Assisted in defining and developing strategic goals, both annually and long-term and performing tasks as required to achieve objectives.

⑤  Resources  

RESOURCES To view a sample of traditional, digital and public relations work, please go to www.kmthornton.com and click on the “consulting” tab. Links to both portfolio and testimonials may be found on the home page.