MICHAEL ALBERT

Redondo Beach CA 90278310.968.1045 • michaelalbert@pobox.com

Linkedin Profile: http://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelalbertinla

Marketing • Sales • Merchandising

Marketing and sales strategist and agent for change with a proven hands-on track record devising and managing unique and effective food demonstration/sampling and promotional merchandising programs for CPGs at Costco, Walmart, Safeway other major retail accounts. Extensive experience developing and implementing creative and innovative strategies to penetrate new markets, secure major accounts

that deliver multimillion-dollar revenue increment enhancements for enterprises for highly differentiated new and existing CPG brands

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

ADVANTAGE SALES & MARKETING, IRVINE, CA • 2012 – presentRetail Sales MerchandiserMajor Contributions:• Successfully introduce, sell and implement special promotional campaigns and products at over 60

major supermarket chain stores and Walmarts to boost sales, increase product awareness and secure preferred additional-to-shelf product placements exclusively for dozens of Unilever health & beauty and grocery products (from Dove and Axe to Ben & Jerry’s and Best Foods brands).

• Using retail experience and relationship building skills, gain agreement and support from store managers, secure preferred product placement, re-merchandise, place signage, and generate awareness and enthusiasm with employees prior to launch and during promotions.

• Continually exceeds quotas for displays, secondary placements and products sold.

ALBERT & ASSOCIATES VENTURE CONSULTING, Redondo Beach, CA • 1997 - presentDevise and implement strategic marketing and sales solutions for startups, corporations & small business clientele. • Served as Costco Retail Launch Program Champion for NY Deli Patrol’s ready-to-heat, center plate

meat Carvery Division, creating record-breaking product launch & food sampling multi-state road show program, exceeding sales goals by over 200%.

• Led covert USA ad agency and media buying team searches for Toyota’s Scion Division. • Drove product and brand development of Brazil Chill acai/superfruits product line by creating

successful supplier programs targeting reliable raw foods and ingredient brokers.

OPEN BLUE SEA FARMS, Miramar, Panama & New York City, NY • 2007 - 2011Sustainable seafood farming enterprise utilizing cutting-edge environmentally friendly cultivation techniques. Advisor, Marketing & Communications • 2010 – 2011 Vice President of Marketing • 2007 – 2009Major Contributions: • Created and implemented strategic branding, sales and promotional plans and investor pitch deck

and related fund-raising collateral raising over $7 million in venture capital.• Launched a successful “green” campaign, raising awareness of cutting-edge aquaculture

methodologies, securing media coverage by major Internet and broadcasters and publishers, e.g., ABC, CNN, PBS, Forbes, Fortune, and National Geographic eliciting interest from investors, distributors and key sales targets.

• Formulated an innovative push-pull sales strategy and campaign to brand seafood fueled by selling to both retail/food service users and their brokers/distributors.

• Produced global award-winning videos (Cinema Prosperite/Winner + Earth Award/Finalist) promoting Open Blue Sea Farms’ mission to synergize environmental/societal concerns with business goals.

Michael Albert Marketing & Sales

CAFFÉ CLASSICO FOODS, Concord, CA • 2003 – 2007 Private company manufacturing and marketing super-premium gelato and sorbetto products sold in upscale supermarkets, club stores and ice cream, smoothie and other foodservice operations.Vice President of Sales / Director of Promotions Major Contributions: • Expanded market reach of gourmet food manufacturer from a regional SF customer base to retail

and foodservice placement throughout the USA and Canada.

• Closed major retail and food service accounts, such as UNFI, SunOpta, Costco, Wegmans, Central Markets, Bristol Farms, Gelson’s, Melt Gelato, Juice It Up!, and Robeks. Warehouses – creating & building portable displays, uniforms, inventory management + recruitment, training and retention for 8 demonstration programs/staffs, with P&L and merchandising responsibilities.

• Created all aspects of new brand Belizza (açaí-based) superfruit sorbet product line achieving #2 ranking in North America within the açaí product category, producing 95% of overall $5MM sales.

• Enhanced annual revenue by $1M+ by instituting a first-time retail private label program.

BODY RENAISSANCE MEDICAL CORPORATION, Redondo Beach, CA • 2001 – 2003 Operator of first mobile clinic offering minimally invasive and non-invasive cosmetic medical procedures.Vice President of Marketing & Operations / FounderMajor Contributions:• Pioneered the first full-range, portable cosmetic medical service serving medical practices, clinics,

spas & salons.• Developed and implemented successful business infrastructure to generate $600K in revenue within

the first 2 years, one year sooner than planned.• Recruited physician and nursing practitioner staffs and worked directly with California medial and

nursing government agencies and professional associations to ensure proper legal and clinical compliance.

RARE MEDIUM GROUP, Marina del Rey, CA • 2000 – 2001 Internet firm known for building Amazon’s, eBay’s & major CPG firms’ web infrastructures while incubating a dozen online ventures including Speak4Free, the first web-based free phone service.Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales, Speak4Free.comMajor Contributions: • Development of the first web-based free phone service, Speak4Free.com, the forerunner of popular

VoIP service providers, e.g., Skype and Vonage. • Collaborated with CTO to devise data mining-driven CRM program to identify user tastes and desires

with custom targeted advertising, which in turn attracted major advertisers (Sony, CBS, Sears, etc.).

JFAX.COM / FAX4FREE.COM, Los Angeles, CA • 1998 – 2000 Start-up offering the first free web-based fax services that ultimately grew to industry prominence (eFax) and subsequently acquired by J2 Communications, Inc. Director of MarketingMajor Contributions: • Secured 250K individual and 1200 NPO and corporate users.• Landed major corporate clients by creating customized private label programs for firms such as Fox

Sports, UCLA, Wired, and MLB’s San Francisco Giants. • Drove revenue of start-up operation to $500K within 18 months, directly supporting acquisition exit

strategy achieved 2 years ahead of schedule.• Managed internal staff while directing external marketing, advertising and PR agencies.

Michael Albert Marketing & Sales

ADDITIONAL CAREER HISTORY

HOLLYWOOD PARK CASINO, Inglewood, CADirector of Marketing

BICYCLE CLUB CASINO, Bell Gardens, CADirector of Marketing and Advertising

AUSTIN KNIGHT ADVERTISING, Los Angeles, CA & New York City, NYVice President, Branch Manager; National Sales Director; National Media Director

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Arts in PsychologyCity University of New York

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Certified Social Media Strategist Certified Food HandlerSocial Media Marketing University (2011) ServSafe/National Restaurant Association (2012)

AFFILIATIONS

American Marketing Association - Past President, Southern California Food and Beverage Sales and Marketing Global Network – Current Manager

Marketing & Communications LinkedIn Group – Current ManagerRetail & Wholesale Food Network

Nontraditional Marketing ProfessionalsImpact Investment Forum / Sustainable Investment Forum

MILITARY SERVICE

US Marine Corps

Michael Albert Marketing & Sales