MARCUS JAMES – 07531 756197 – marcusjames1@gmail.com London. UK

PERSONAL PROFILE:

A tenacious print and online senior sales account manager with good negotiation and closing skills with 8 years of sales experience. Career history has been based on niche publications, non ABC audited, exercising a good understanding of the demographic to sell the titles to B2C businesses and media planners, buyers and directors at all major advertising and media buying agencies. As such a good contact base at agency level has been secured as well as major at PR Firms, with an excellent understanding of how key accounts are managed. I’ve gained experience in creative solutions and advertorials where I have worked closely with PR reps as well as print, online and event sponsorship. Particular strengths in account management, presentations, organising campaigns and engaging with clients to ensure a good understanding of briefs, in turn developing client relationships based on solid interpersonal communication skills.

CAREER HISTORY:

January 2015 – December 2015 Senior Account Manager Attitude Media Ltd

To achieve all Media Sales targets on Attitude magazine, Attitude online and sponsorship for Attitude events. Average sales target of £15K per month.

Account manage existing clients and to source and develop new business each month. Maintain and develop relationships with Media Planners and Buyers at major advertising agencies. To confidently and professionally execute pitch presentations on the magazine and its readership to direct clients and

agency planners and buyers. Pitch for corporate round table events to sell table space and secure sponsorship for the Attitude Awards. Account managed and devised creative pitches to up sell from print to advertorials, competitions and online

campaigns through banner / skyscraper and site take over creative online solutions. Sold solus packages for the Attitude Magazine application on iTunes. KPI targets to have 3-5 meetings a week, direct and agency. Managed the display advertising flat-planning of all client bookings against the editorial dummy Liaised with PR firms to secure editorial and advertorial content.

Agencies/Client portfolio: (All from bookings made in 2015 or ongoing good relationships)

Direct:

LA Tourism, Lyle & Scott, Halcyon Interiors, Harrods, Estee Lauder, Harvey Nichols, Coty Fragrances, Hugo Boss Menswear, Luke Clothing, LA Muscle, Lots Road Auction House, M Restaurants, Milbank Interiors, Mr Porter, Orlebar Brown, Lee Jeans, Nudie Jeans, Loake Shoes, Network Film Distributing, Nite Watches, Oiler & Boiler, Original Bathrooms, Preferred Hotel Group, Protein Dynamix, Selfridges, VISA /Mastercard

Agencies

Havas - Hugo Boss. (Mens Watches), JKK Global  - Hackett, The 7 Stars – HMV, Ministry of Sound, Mediacom – Gillette / Maxinutrition / Universal Music, Mindshare – River Island / Chanel / Ford / Marks & Spencer, Carat – Adidas / Debenhams / British Airways / Barratt Homes, Amplify – Vauxhall Cars / Holland & Barratt, KGA, December 19 –  Ligne Roset, Pery Ellis –Farah / Original Penguin, Think Media : Atlas Building/ Southbank Tower, AMS Media: Red Bull, Lyle & Scott, GoodStuff Agency: Celebrity Cruises, House of Fraser,  Dr Martins., MGS Distribution: Lacoste, Hugo Boss, Ferrari Watches, AKA: Vari-ous West End Shows

Average Full Page Yield/Advertorial: £1,250 / £2,000

Achievements:

Secured a £30K sponsorship package with LA Tourism for the Attitude Hot 100 Event Sold a bespoke advertorial deal with Marks & Spencers direct with an exclusive shoot for the fashion pages. Sold enough packages with cretive solutions to various fashion clients to ensure funding for an exclusive swimwear

shoot in Rio de Janeiro.

December 2013 – March 2014 Business Development Manager Clear Channel Outdoor, UK

To hit a monthly starter target of £10k in direct outdoor advertising sales within the public sector in Central and South West London whilst simultaneously training and learning about the outdoor advertising market.

Account manage existing key clients building on year on year revenue by demonstrating strong commercial awareness.

Deliver excellent pitches for new business clients through presentations with a view to becoming trusted advisor of all Clear Channel products through efficient and organized account management.

Create a database of untouched new business within the designated area and sector. Use Clear Channel tools through videos and tablet presentations to pitch to new business within the public sector.. Gain good understanding of Clear Channel outdoor advertising products and how to plot and plan effective

campaigns through their in-house program Oasis. Deliver accurate weekly forecasts and reports. Demonstrate a good understanding of the outdoor advertising sector as well as identifying key commercial elements

of the businesses I was pitching to whilst understanding the techniques and skills associated with a consultative sales approach.

Developed strong relationships within key areas of Clear Channel, such as credit control and sales delivery to ensure the efficient process of campaigns for clients.

Whilst enjoying what Clear Channel and Outdoor Advertising had to offer, I left this role after my 3 month probation after deciding that this autonomous role of field sales was not best suited to my skill set and that selling within the public sector did not match my personality.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

May 2011 – March 2013 Business Development & Account Manager Carmine SIPP Trusts Ltd. Barcelona. Spain

To develop and build the business through building relationships with portfolio of SIPP (Self Invested Pension Plan) providers

Account manage clients SIPP applications ensuring all deals are completed within the timeline expected. Manage a team of five sales staff who contacted clients by cold calling to discuss pension reviews. Achieve calls and sales targets as set by the Company Directors. Compile reports on a weekly basis to demonstrate deals processed and clients invested. Work closely with varying IFA`s (Independent Financial advisors) to ensure all documents are proofed and

applications are submitted correctly to SIPP providers. Build relationships with staff at SIPP providers to gain information based on the completion of clients investments.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

May 2009 – May 2011 Senior Display & Online Sales Executive Attitude Magazine – Vitality Publishing

To achieve all Media Sales targets on Attitude magazine and Attitude online. Developed new business pipeline, having inherited only limited number of clients - no regulars. Maintained and developed relationships with Media Planners and Buyers at major advertising agencies. Ensured efficiency of order confirmations and cataloguing of orders against each issue. Pitched new business to new contacts at advertising agencies and B2B direct. Account managed and devised creative pitches to up sell from print to advertorials, competitions and online

campaigns through banner / skyscraper and site take over creative online solutions. Developed advertorial opportunities – achieved new business with Pommegreat Juice and USN supplements in the

new Attitude Active health and fitness section including a months online site takeover. Managed and implemented tactical sales for new annual 100 page travel issue. Managed the display advertising flat-planning of all client bookings against the editorial dummy (54 advertising

pages)

Agencies/Client portfolio: Mediacom (Universal Music, P&G) Mindshare (Ford Cars, Diesel Clothing), Zenith Optimedia (L’oreal Kerastase, Bose & Sky),Manning Gottlieb OMD (Sony, Renault, Virgin), Media Junction (Various West End shows), Carat (Nokia, Adidas, Vauxhall Cars), Warnaco (Calvin Klein), Dewynters (National Theatre & Musicals),

Average Full Page Yield/Advertorial: £1,000 / £1,750

Achievements:

Hit personal £25,000 target 8 months out of 12 2010/11. Hit £18,000 target 9 out of 12 months 2009/10. Monthly Group Target of £65,000 was consistently met within the last year and 80% hit in 2009/10

Pitched and won repeat business for 12 month prime display bookings for USN in Attitude Active 2010/11 including up-selling online activity on the magazine web site with three months worth of site takeovers and links on the Attitude application for IPad and tablets.

Won a three month inside cover placement for Ford Cars (Mindshare) into the title after a ten year absence.

Pitched and won a display placement for an inside gatefold cover in June 2010 issue with James Tudor Clothing. The first gatefold that Attitude had ever run and only able to based on this booking.

Won a years advertising deal with Diesel Clothing though pitching to them during ‘Bread & Butter’ fashion trade show in Berlin, January 2010.

Achieved new advertorial business through Pommegreat Juice, USN supplements and Luke Clothing. Won a sponsorship and media partnership deal with the L&G Film Festival (away from previous title I had worked on)

based on good relationships and relevant placements. This was the first time Attitude had been involved with the event.

Nov 2007 – May 2009 Senior Sales Exec / Sales Executive GT Magazine, Millivres Prowler Group

Concentrated on all sales pitches being focused on market leadership, position and reader profile information.

Up sell on-line for all magazine web sites and across the MPG publication portfolio.

Developed new business pipeline ensuring profitable and collectable sales.

Maintained and monitored sector performance, providing accurate forecasting, use of reports to set action points to address any shortfalls and base assumptions on common sense and sound facts, by use of technology and databases to assist accurate reporting.

Confidently employed statistics generated from MPG reader surveys as well as other available statistics.

Flat-planned all display advertising for GT. 42 advertising pages in total

Agencies/Client portfolio: Mindshare, Mediacom, Manning Gottlieb OMD, Zenith, Carat, Media Junction

Average Page Yield/Advertorial: £700 / £1000

Achievements:

Regularly hit target of £18,500 per issue for display advertising. 20-40% repeat bookings, rest new business. Business retention/win back and development via core sectors including auto repeat advertising.

Booked the most profitable GT issue ever for the 25th Birthday issue in April 2008 with the magazine advertising (display and classified) revenue totaling £81,000

First sales exec to book three consecutive Double Page Spreads in same issue of GT (Dec issue 2008)

Booked high profile Madonna “Sticky & Sweet” tour on back cover as the only gay lifestyle title Media Junction Agency and Live Nation used, after having pitched the title to them.

Pitched and booked Landrover (Mindshare) into the inside front DPS for 3 consecutive issues at rate card price. The first time any car company had advertised into the title.

May – Oct 2007 Intern in the Advertising Media Sales Department Wallpaper Magazine, IPC Media

E DUCATION:

September 1992 - June 1994 BTEC HND in Media Studies and Communications: Salford University, Manchester. September 1990 - June 1992 ‘A’ Levels: Communication studies (A), English (C): Oxford College of F.E September 1987 - June 1990 GCSE`s: 9 passes (including English, Mathematics and Spanish): Shiplake College.

LANGUAGES: Spanish: Excellent oral, written and reading skills. French: Good oral and reading skills with basic written skills.

OTHER SKILLS: Good knowledge of Microsoft Office. Including Word/Excel/PowerPoint. Also familiar with FileMaker Pro and SAP.

REFERENCES: Available upon request