RONALD R.

MANZKE
740 South Euclid Avenue, Pasadena, California 91106
(626) 796-6556 * rm104e2ba@westpost.net

DIRECTOR, CREATIVE SERVICES / CHIEF BRANDING OFFICER

Strategic Analysis & Positioning ~ Brand Management
Corporate Communications ~ Marketing Strategy
Forward-thinking, hard-working, and creative brand
development and marketing executive in multimillion
dollar enterprises offering demonstrated success in
managing cross-functional initiatives, maximizing
revenues, and spearheading projects. Effective
listener; adept in gauging client needs and
developing on-target solutions. Strong communicator
with innate ability in forging relationships based on
trust and mutual respect. Inspiring leader with a
proactive management style; champion of cross-
collaboration and synergy to ensure work environments
are fun, conducive to innovation, and open to new
ideas. Insightful; experienced in delivering expert-
level advisement to decision-makers in the upper
echelons of organizations. Sample history of
accomplishments includes the following.
* Grew 2 branding firms from startup to $1 million+
businesses within 3 n 4 years.
* Transformed a small design boutique into a full-
service, multi-million dollar branding consultancy.
* Built a nationally renowned creative group for a
global strategic branding firm.
* Played a key role in generating 300% revenue growth
and more than quadrupling the number of employees
over 4 years.
Areas of Expertise
* Relationship Building
* Writer / Designer Management
* Competitive Analysis
* Creative Problem Solving
* Process Enhancements
* Brand Visibility
* Proposal Development
* Resource Optimization
* Strategic Planning
* Profitability Initiatives
* Consultation & Advisement
* Naming & Identity Development
* Client Relationships
* Marketing Positioning
* Project Lifecycle Management
* Startups
* Corporate Identity
* Team Building

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
HEDGEMARK, Pasadena, California * 2002 n Present
Private million-dollar provider of strategic branding
and identity services to the hedge fund community.
Founder, Creative Director: Direct strategic branding
and identity services for high-level clients,
ensuring that their needs are met. Provide effective
leadership and direction to 8 Marketing Specialists
and foster cross-functional collaboration. Manage
projects, perform competitive market research, and
establish marketing positioning and strategy.
Maintain project schedules. Delegate tasks and drive
several creative processes including positioning,
naming and identity. Author proposals, lead brand
management, drive lead generation, and oversee
strategic planning.
* Uncovered opportunity in the Hedge Fund community
for branding services, built firm operations from
scratch, established the company as the premiere
marketing consultancy in the industry, and grew the
business from startup to $1 million over 4 years.
World-renowned hedge fund clients included
HedgeWorld, Tremont Capital, HedgeTrust, American
Masters, FITX, PIMCO, GulfStar, Gabelli Funds,
LifeInvest and MAXAM Capital.
MANZKE ASSOCIATES, Pasadena, California * 1997 n 2002
Private million-dollar provider of corporate and
brand identity consulting services.
Founder, Creative Director: Set the vision for the
company; defining short-term and long-term strategies
focused on growth. Spearheaded business development
initiatives. Wrote proposals. Oversaw creative and
branding execution and management. Conceived product
positioning, developed launch plans, and steered
cross-marketing activities. Kept abreast of
competitor moves and market trends. Orchestrated all
facets of the project lifecycle, through production
and delivery. Directed all on-going projects.
* Led startup operations and grew the company from
zero to $1.5 million in revenues in a 3-year period.
* Strengthened relationships with clients from
different industries, including Fortune 1000
companies.
Key clients included Farmers Insurance, Adaptec, Sun
Healthcare, World Vision, Transamerica, Global
Crossing, ITU Ventures, The Getty and Kahlua.
SIEGEL & GALE, Los Angeles, California & New York,
New York * 1987 n 1997
Global strategic branding firm.
Managing Director/Los Angeles (1991 n 1997): Provided
project leadership. Formed relationships and retained
client business for the long-term. Drove business
development, creative direction and project
management.
* Heightened firmis marketability; grew a small
design boutique into a full-service branding
consultancy.
* Quadrupled revenues in 6 years, from $1 million to
$4.5 million.
* More than tripled the number of employees, from 10
to 35.
Global clients included EMJ, Union Bank, Simpson
Paper, LA Cellular, Countrywide, Transamerica,
PacifiCorp, Aames Financial, HealthNet, Farmers
Insurance and Caterpillar, among other companies.
International Design Director/New York (1987 n 1991):
Oversaw all aspects of business development, project
management and creative execution.
* Recognized for leadership; chosen to orchestrate
the opening of domestic and international offices in
London, Madrid, Hong Kong and Los Angeles.
* Grew revenues three-fold in 4 years, from $6
million to $19 million.
* Expanded the workforce by more than 400%, from 25
to 110 employees.
Major clients included First USA, Prudential, Bank
One, American Medical Association, Hoechst Celanese,
Scudder, World Trade Center, NationsBank, Rockefeller
Group, Citibank and Nortel, among other clients.
Additional roles included Creative Director at Landor
Associates/New York. Details provided on request.
AFFILIATIONS: (AIGA) American Institute of Graphic
Artists
EDUCATION: Bachelor of Arts in Industrial Design, PRATT INSTITUTE, Brooklyn, New
York