todd@toddkarner.com (312) 869-4863 linkedin.com/in/toddkarner


SUMMARY
Strategic content development and communications professional. Combines more than ten years of head-turning copywriting experience with the ability to originate and expand valuable branding. Does more than simply communicate value. Develops unique, durable concepts for a variety of platforms and industries. B2B and B2C background includes deadline-sensitive internet, mobile, print, advertising, email and direct mail production. Journalism degree with a proven track record in the technology, financial and insurance industries. Portfolio includes work in the corporate card, investment, healthcare and not-for-profit markets.

EXPERIENCE
The Karner Household, Deerfield, Ill. CEO and director of child development 2010 - present
Raising two fabulous daughters as the primary, at-home parent. This ultimate brand rollout includes responsibility for all touchpoints such as event planning, internal training, traffic coordination, messaging and just a bit of public relations.  

Allstate Insurance, Northbrook, Ill.   Copywriter and project manager 2008-2009, 2010
Managed strategy and wrote content for a variety of products including life insurance, mutual funds, motor club and 529 college savings plans. Directed budgets and cross-functional teams of designers, developers and sales teams for these and many other initiatives:

  • Originated content and a message architecture for the introduction of two mobile apps - ECHO-finalist, Allstate Mini Road Assist and Allstate Motor Club (roadsidemobile.com/amc).

  • Lead the creative launch of a unique Allstate product combining life insurance, mutual funds and college savings funds. Worked with product teams and outside agencies to develop the target market, product name and print materials.

  • Delivered presentations to C-level executives and sales teams to ensure consistent branding and performance objectives.

BMO Capital Markets / Harris Bank, Chicago, Ill.   Marketing manager 2007-2008
Collaborated with 50-person product and sales team to write copy for targets of $116 million commercial treasury management division. Also supervised online and print production for these tactics:

  • Managed the introduction of a Deutsche Bank partnership to clients, prospects and employees. “Bye-Bye to Borders” campaign increased awareness through direct mail, brochure and internal training.

  • Established a new communications program for multiple, yearly product launches. Vehicles included internal training events, multimedia demos, product sheets and pitch-book presentations.

  • Blended Remote Deposit, Accounts Payable and Healthcare Remittance in a 2007 trade show campaign. Deliverables included a custom web-based video game, customer tracking tool, email and direct mail.

  • Directed trade show presence including branding, product strategy, premiums, direct mail, conference sponsorships and booth design. 

TransUnion, Chicago, Ill.        Copywriter 2006
Developed successful concepts and communicated brand direction on multiple platforms including advertising, brochures, direct mail, trade show campaigns and the internet. Wrote more than 30 pages of a redesigned B2B internet site in my first two months.  

JPMorgan Chase / Bank One, Chicago, Ill.      Copywriter and communications mgr. 2002-2005
Partnered with senior management, merger transition teams and sales teams in nationwide commercial division to develop marketing materials for $25 million+ clients. Directed design and web development teams as part of an internal department that produced online and print sales tools for these projects: 

  • Wrote a centerpiece brochure and introduced sales positioning for a $5 billion corporate card division. This creative approach was adapted to companion services such as travel cards and middle market services.

  • Developed several interactive demonstrations and print materials for the launch of a high-profile, commercial, internet banking service.

  • Wrote content and code for more than 80 pages on bankone.com.

  • Managed and wrote more than 300 product marketing sheets as part of a four-person team.

CNA Insurance, Chicago, Ill. Senior marketing communications mgr. 2001
Implemented a communications strategy for the launch of a B2B, insurance quotation site (cnacentral.com). Worked with
e-business design teams and business experts to write online content and print collateral in support of these accomplishments:

  • Helped increase site usage to more than 15,000 hits per week, less than one year after its premiere.

  • Managed the strategy of a nationwide ad campaign, developed a CD demo and wrote print brochure to promote site launch.

  • Worked with outside agencies to create brand guidelines and style templates based on a company-wide branding. 

SBC Communications, Mount Prospect, Ill.                   Internet manager and                                   1995-2000
marketing communication mgr.
Managed the strategic direction and daily operation of B2B internet site for $1 billion network integration division. Worked with outside web developer and internal business groups to write all site content in less than 90 days. Results also included:

  • Wrote and managed the production of one of SBC/Ameritech’s more popular sales collateral packages. This three-piece series introduced a network integration philosophy, combining an executive summary, “white-paper” technical detail and customer case studies. Produced during tenure as a marketing campaign manager from 1997 to 1999-merger with Ameritech and SBC.

  • Authored and managed the development of an internal-video and customer-presentation CD that redefined Anixter International's sales strategy. Transformed costly, two-day training seminars into local, afternoon follow-up sessions.

  • Introduced a clickable, 360-degree photographic internet technology for remote tours of a network simulation laboratory.

  • Promoted to marketing manager responsible for $12 million in U.S. Robotics sales after 13 months at Anixter.

  • Began tenure as a marketing communications project manager for Anixter. Regularly managed as many as 40 projects simultaneously.

EDUCATION
Indiana University, Bloomington, Ind.
Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in journalism and political science.