Bill Folsom
bill //at// pissedoff.com
PROFILE: Diverse experience in marketing, sales, new business development, IT management and production. Key competencies in online marketing and promotion, strategic planning and implementation of online business objectives. Excellent communication, teambuilding, and cross-discipline skills. Flexible and effective problem-solver.
EXPERIENCE
- Vice President, Business Development and Developer Relations
Responsible for creating key partnerships for this downloadable PC independent game publisher, including cultivating game developers, creating a suite of developer support services and introductions to venture capitalists.
- Organizer of videogame industry trade event
High-resolution vs. Low-resolution Graphics: A Game Design Debate
- Director, Sales & Business Development
Responsible for licensing Arkadium's tournament-based online multi-player game software as well as business development for both advergaming and custom game development projects. Clients included The Onion, Scholastic Entertainment, Court TV, Turner Broadcasting
- Director of Business Development, Online Media [2002]
- Director, Online Marketing and Technology [1999-2002]
Directed marketing and web development for TravelandLeisure.com and FoodandWine.com including business development, online advertising,
e-commerce initiatives and value-add for print advertising. Managed 3-6 staff, freelancers and consultants. Selected achievements include:
- Tripled number of 2001-2002 magazine subscriptions generated from the web by: creating a 100% reliable order system; pay-per-click keyword buys on Google and Overture; online sweepstakes; partnerships with AOL Time Warner, Earthlink, Theknot.com, etc.; creating and testing of new advertising creative.
- Managed the conversion of web content management system from a rigid, non-dynamic single-user type, to a flexible, scalable one based on an industry standard. As project manager, selected the platform and supplier. Completed the project in aggressive 3-month timeframe and fulfilled AOL partnership contract terms.
- Created customized online marketing enhancements for online and print advertisers, working with a diverse variety of clients: Volvo, Audi, Starwood Properties, Celebrity Cruises, Nike, KitchenAid, Weber, Absolut.
1992-1999: Independent Marketing & IT Consultant, New York, NY
Completed a variety of projects including:
- For Crossover Technologies: analyzed online and CD-ROM game developer's client proposal generation process. Created proposal templates combining strategies of standardization with sound marketing principles, including recommendations for website redesign.
- For Kaiser Productions: complete responsibility for the company's IT strategy and implementation, including: design of a customized MS Access database for production materials tracking; installation and maintenance of a PC network including automated daily backup system; creation of company website.
- For POD Associates: Conceived, designed and administrated a community-based website. Created graphics, hand-coded HTML and debugged PERL scripts.
- For O'Reilly & Associates: sold ad sponsorships on GNN, the first commercial web magazine. Followed up on e-mail inquiries with sales materials and onsite demos.
1994-1995: Wolff New Media (Publishers of Net Guide Books Series), New York, NY
- Marketing Manager/Research Editor
Involved in the full range of company's activities including: online research, writing and editing, promotion, publicity and advertising sales for books and their companion website, YPN (Your Personal Network).
- Director, Special Markets
Marketed trade and mass market paperbacks to specialty markets, including premium sales, mail order, specialty wholesalers, school book clubs. Developed Berkley's direct mail program, including list analysis, product selection, catalog design, list rental/management. Managed staff of 2.
- Assistant Manager, Trade Book Sales [1989-1990]
Served as liaison with Random House trade sales. Created sales materials and made presentations to the sales team. Planned and implemented advertising and promotion. Developed robust client-mainframe Paradox database application allowing better management of sales/inventory in multiple warehouse locations.
- Production Supervisor, Book Group [1987-1989]
Coordinated the production of general interest hardcover illustrated books, including scheduling, cost estimating and reconciliation, purchasing of raw materials, quality control, and direct mail order fulfillment.
- Manager, Billing Department
Hired as a stockroom, inkroom and magazine bindery worker and promoted. Supervised 2 clerks.
EDUCATION:
Researched business opportunities on the internet, independently and in conjunction with Prof. Ajit Kambil, responsible for the EDGAR SEC database internet project. Independent research completed on the future of electronic publishing, including professional journals and ebooks.
Activities included Outward Bound, Barbary Coast Jazz Ensemble, Foreign language study
AFFILIATIONS:
INTERESTS:
cave exploration, videogames, technology, baritone saxophone
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