Jesse Cortez

Jesse Cortez | Durham, NC | - |-| www.JLCORTEZ.com Profile An enterprising Brand Strategy professional with 13 years’ experience utilizing strategic thinking to solve problems, having a gift for building rapport and connecting with people, and self-reflection for developing skills necessary to take decisive action with the mental and physical stamina to achieve all goals. Summary • • • • Branding – Develop brand identity, increase brand awareness with consistent brand messaging, establish brand culture through thoughtful community management and aggressive public relations strategies. Marketing – Direct market research, develop strategies and tactics for integrated marketing plans, including design and production of advertising and marketing collateral for digital, traditional, and experiential marketing campaigns. Business Development – Identify strategic opportunities, conduct effective research, and develop business proposals for profitable initiatives and partnerships. Relationship Management – Establish and maintain trust and rapport, manage partner concerns, and utilize effective communication leading to long-term business relationships. Skills • • • • • Brand Strategy Public Speaking Project Management Art Direction Graphic Design • • • • • Copywriting Procurement Research Digital Photography Adobe CC: Photoshop, Illustrator, Lightroom Work Experience BRAND DIRECTOR | Graybeard Distillery | Durham, NC | 2017 – current Increased brand awareness for the flagship product of a start-up distillery by developing brand identity, curating the brand experience and crafting effective brand messaging. • • • • Work closely with the CEO to develop marketing and sales strategies, including planning and execution of 7-figure budget for all communications and media actions on all channels, traditional and online, including event sponsorship and social media. Secured 6-figures in new revenue with national restaurant chain partnerships by establishing strong customer relationships, demonstrating an understanding of their business models, identifying opportunities for brand alignment and presenting successful proposals. This increased Graybeard’s market size by 500%. Established the in-house development and design of all social media content, advertising and promotional collateral which reduced external expenses by $250,000. This included management of related budget and procurement. Managed and executed numerous brand activations, interacting with 500,000+ event attendees, from trade shows to highprofile events like the national Country Music Awards. GENERAL MANAGER | Giorgios Hospitality Group | Durham, NC | 2016 – 2017 • • Increased monthly revenue by 30% by redesigning all menus with refined brand guidelines, sales psychology, design and copywriting principles. Spearheaded partnership with Single Platform to optimize online menu distribution, increasing organic traffic by 5x, with live, editable menus that are SEO, Mobile, and Social Media friendly. MARKETING AND SALES | Beerstream Distribution | Ft. Lauderdale, FL | 2016 • • Increased brand awareness and sales by developing a cross-channel campaign with a radio media partner utilizing livementions, radio spots, digital campaign, sales promotions, and brand activation at local music festival. Instrumental in acquiring new distribution contracts with two brands through relationship development and the ability to offer graphic design, collateral procurement, and event marketing services in-house. Education Pennsylvania State University | Integrated Arts w/ Marketing Focus | 2005 – 2007