Experience

Expertise

Before Vicky Jones was a consultant, she was an employee. And she's always been a volunteer.

She's worked in a lot of industries with a lot of companies, small and large, with budgets to match.

What follows is an overview of her professional and community experience.

Or you can just download her resume.

Professional Experience

Community Experience

Awards and Honors

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If you're looking for more than just her job history, click on the area of expertise you're interested in learning more about.

Advertising & Promotion	Market Research
Education & Training	Organizational Development
Event Planning	Public Relations
Fund Raising	Strategic Planning
General Management	Writing, design, and editing
Integrated Marketing Communications

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Advertising & Promotion

Developed and managed national/regional/local advertising campaigns across all media -- television, radio, print, newspaper, outdoor, direct, skywriting -- against consumer and trade audiences.	Developed communication strategy and agency selection criteria for WEAC's "Great Schools" initiative; coordinated agency review.
Planned and coordinated national/regional consumer/trade promotion programs, utilizing sweepstakes, contests, product sampling, coupons, refund offers, display materials, advertising, and trade deals.	Coordinated efforts of over three dozen Wisconsin cheese companies in execution of Hello Wisconsin Look Call & Win sweepstakes, resulting in over 250,000 entries and sales increases of as much as 400% in some areas.
Developed creative strategies, designed campaigns, wrote copy, and designed advertisements, web sites, and collateral materials for manufacturing, service, university and organizations across Wisconsin.	Developed unprecedented on-pack Xmas consumer promotion; innovative thinking and rapid response to unusual lead time pressures earned OLD SPICE the Shulton Brand of the Month award.
Consistently earned category and best-of-show awards from BPAA, NAMA, and Madison Advertising Federation.	Successfully managed programs in cooperation with licensors such as the NFL and DC Comics.

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Education & Training

Guest lecturer for Marketing Institute (UW-Madison), Small Business Development Center (UW-Madison), Agricultural Journalism (UW-Madison); Marketing, Promotions, Advertising (UW-Platteville); Marketing, Promotions, Advertising (UW-Whitewater).	Mentored a young woman from age 12 through her teenage years. through Big Brothers/Big Sisters program.
Organized WMMB-wide meeting effectiveness training program.	Wrote Telephone Marketing Service's sales manual; trained all new sales reps.
Lead advisor for high school youth group.	Managed four-preparation, six-class load, grades 7-9.

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Event Planning

Managed "Wisconsin Cheese Tailgate Cook-off Competition" between Green Bay and Chicago chefs at Lambeau Field on opening day; event attracted over 10,000 onlookers and nine camera crews.	Seven years as co-organizer for two-day Madison Folk Music Festival: secured venue, contracted with performers and workshop leaders, sold advertising, managed publicity, wrote performer biographies for festival program, managed house.
Raised k$60 over four years as organizer of First Unitarian Society's largest annual event: coordinated supper, entertainment, publicity, and three auctions for 200+ families.	Coordinated three-day, district-wide conference for 300 high school youth.

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Fund Raising

Grew First Unitarian Society annual campaign pledges to k$600, a 30% increase versus prior year.	Generated a 50% increase in FUS Cabaret/Auction proceeds versus previous year.
Initiated a year-end fundraising drive at FUS that increased contributions by k$5.	Led YRUU youth in fundraising activities to enable them to host a district-wide conference.

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General management

President of the second largest Unitarian Universalist congregation in the U.S.; shared oversight for all business and programming, including budgeting, staffing, and policy decisions.	Developed Mayfair Games' first business plan, resulting in tripled productivity, improved product quality, most accurate new product release schedule in industry, and emergence of the firm as an industry leader.
Developed strategic objectives for Dean Foundation.

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Integrated Marketing Communications

Successfully built and managed integrated marketing communications programs with annual marketing budgets ranging from $1,000 to $10,000,000.	Organized and wrote marketing communications plans for Wisconsin Education Association Council, Howick Associates, Hari Om Multi Media, and Womenºs Philanthropy Institute.
Introduced WMMB to an integrated marketing communications approach to program planning; led development, implementation, and evaluation of national/regional marketing communications strategies for Wisconsin dairy products, within $7M budget.effectiveness tracking of advertising, promotions, and public relations programs.	Introduced consumer focus to Pope & Talbotºs marketing posture through development and implementation of a comprehensive marketing communications program for FULL LIFE® brand introduction, integrating package design, consumer and trade advertising, promotions, public relations, and consumer tracking.
Developed positioning platforms for a range of clients in construction, law, consulting, fundraising, network services, academia, consumer products/services.	Honored with Marketer of the Year Award from Madison chapter of American Marketing Association.

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Organizational Development

Researched and ghost-wrote The Compleat Facilitator, a handbook authored by Howick Associates organizational consultants.	Organized WMMB-wide meeting effectiveness training program.
Aligned Wisconsin Education Council communications staff profiles with marketing deliverables, resulting in that department's first performance-based review process.	Recruited, motivated, and managed 100+ volunteers in execution of Cabaret/Auction fundraising event.
Reorganized First Unitarian Society staff in response to the organizationºs growing size and complexity.	Coordinated development of sales, customer service, and distribution functions to support FULL LIFE® brand rollout; assisted in hiring of direct and telemarketing sales force.
Coordinated implementation of Vision 2000 recommendations; recruited six task force teams; developed charges for teams and for standing committees; facilitated intercommunications among lay groups, staff, ministers, and board.	Analyzed and reorganized Mayfair Gamesº corporate structure; developed companyºs first personnel policy, including job descriptions and a performance-based salary structure, tripling productivity and significantly improving morale.
Managed nine agency account teams; supervised and fostered professional growth of Product Communications Manager and Marketing Assistants.	Wrote Telephone Marketing Serviceºs sales manual; trained all new sales reps.

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Public Relations

Achieved newspaper, television, and radio publicity for Picture Parties, Kicks Unlimited, Dean Foundationºs Benevolent Specialists Project, Madison Folk Music Festival.	Represented congregation as four-time delegate to Unitarian Universalist Association General Assembly.
Oversaw product communications efforts against consumer and trade audiences for Wisconsin cheese; developed advertorials with Cooking Light, Bon Appetit, Gourmet, and other leading epicurean and women's service magazines.	Commended by Game Manufacturers Association for diffusing industry-threatening controversy by spearheading national grassroots PR program to educate press, educators, parents, and trade about adventure games.
Preempted controversy surrounding church school curriculum through targeted public relations mailing.	Developed plan for handling consumer questions regarding FULL LIFE® brand by staffing 800-lines with health care professionals.
	Successfully advocated to keep folk music programming funded and intact on Wisconsin Public Radio.

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Market research

Developed, implemented, and analyzed qualitative and quantitative research Cat Care Clinic, Community Business Bank and UWºs International Institute to identify positioning, marketing, product development, and fundraising opportunities.

Initiated, designed, and executed market research to assess Madison Folk Music Societyºs membershipºs needs and to direct program planning.

Designed a comprehensive, intergenerational congregational survey, generating a 32% response rate.

Initiated qualitative and quantitative research and developed positioning platforms for Wisconsin cheese and fluid milk

Initiated WMMBºs first consumer tracking study, integrating advertising, promotions, and public relations.

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Strategic planning

Led day-long strategic planning retreat for Friends of Yahara House board of directors, resulting in the development of a vision statement, strategic objectives, and fundraising goals for the group.	Commended by Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board senior management as best team-builder and most strategic member of marketing department.
Initiated an industry-wide endeavor to unite all Wisconsin cheese brands under an umbrella positioning: recruited an advisory board of key industry decision-makers; oversaw research, development, and registration of the "Craftsman" family of certification sealmarks; established licensing criteria; developed an integrated marketing communications program to support the logo's launch.	Managed development and launch of Pope & Talbot's first national brand into an underdeveloped HBA category -- from competitive analysis, to product pricing and positioning, to integrated marketing strategies.
Spearheaded a three-year, lay-led strategic visioning initiative, including qualitative and quantitative research, data analysis, and plan development.	Advanced Pope & Talbot's commitment to marketing through team building; successfully integrated manufacturing, sales distribution, purchasing, finance, and R&D efforts with marketing goals.
Developed strategic positioning platforms for all Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board marketing communications programs.	Initiated, designed, and executed market research to assess Madison Folk Music Society's membership's needs and to direct program planning.
Developed and wrote all WMMB marketing plans.	Coordinated all product development for Mayfair Games.

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Writing, design, and editing

Researched and ghost-wrote The Compleat Facilitator by Howick Associates.

Designed and wrote speaker profiles for Eliason Law, Christenson Law, and speakers bureau of Womenºs Philanthropy Institute.

Developed and designed Techniquality Recruiting web site and print brochure.

Wrote marketing plans for Howick Associates, Hari OM Multi Media, Wisconsin Education Association Council.

Developed web content for Silver Stone Construction, and Hestad Law Office.

Developed brochure content for CM Business Services, Luttig Law Office, Restoration Specialists.

Wrote press releases for CM Business Services, Kicks Unlimited, Ducks-In-A-Row, Picture Parties, Catalyst CRM, Howick Associates, Dean Foundation Benevolent Specialists Project, NAWBO, First Unitarian Society, Womenºs Philanthropy Institute.

Designed and wrote advertising and promotional copy for NAWBO (print advertisement), Ducks-In-A-Row (posters), Mac Madison (direct mail), Kicks Unlimited (door hangers).

Ghost-wrote and edited newsletter and newspaper columns for Hestad Law and Christenson Law offices

Wrote First Unitarian Society's Vision 2000 strategic plan, which has been used as a model in UU congregations across the U.S.

Developed story copy for Mayfair Games' award-winning DC Heroes Role Playing Game

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Professional history

1998-present Victoria Jones Strategic Marketing Communications / Madison, WI

Provide strategic marketing consulting for for-profit and non-profit organizations and boards. Projects include: Strategic marketing planning, tactical marketing planning and implementation, plan writing, visioning, qualitative and quantitative market research, product/service positioning, meeting facilitation, agency sourcing and management, meeting management training.

1996-98 Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board / Non-Profit Assn. Madison, WI

Led product teams in development, implementation, and evaluation of national and regional marketing communications strategies and programs for Wisconsin dairy products, within $7mm budget. Developed and managed consumer advertising in television, radio, and print. Planned and coordinated promotions, utilizing purchase incentives, point-of-sale materials, and media support. Oversaw public relations/product communications efforts against consumer and trade audiences. Responsible for trade advertising against retail, foodservice, and food processing industries. Initiated and oversaw consumer research.

1988-89 Pope & Talbot Inc. / Private Label Paper Mfr. Eau Claire, WI

Managed launch of company's first national brand into an underdeveloped, growing, health and beauty aids category. Developed and implemented marketing plan with national theoretical budget of $36mm, in preparation for national rollout in 1990; developed three-year marketing and sales plan, including volume and spending projections; presented programs to corporate board of directors; readied product for introduction into test market. Developed package design and consumer and trade advertising, promotions and public relations programs. Initiated consumer research and tracking studies. Set up financial tracking system for marketing communications spending. Assisted in hiring of direct and telemarketing sales force; coordinated development of customer service and distribution functions. Participated in defining product specs and R&D objectives; provided purchasing and production direction.

1986-88 Shulton USA / Consumer Products Mfr. Clifton, NJ

Managed $60mm OLD SPICE® fragrance business. Developed, executed, and evaluated national and regional consumer and trade support programs, within $9mm budget, e.g., sampling, media-delivered coupons, refunds, and point-of-purchase buying incentives and display materials, on-pack promotions, print and POP advertising, and national trade deals. Initiated market research and analysis. Coordinated packaging and production planning. Participated in copy and media strategy development, research, and analysis.

1984-86 Mayfair Games Inc. / Adventure Games Publisher Chicago, IL

Coordinated new product development and introductory programs, within k$15 budget. Developed sales support materials; administrated promotion/advertising programs; managed press and consumer relations; initiated market research and analysis; coordinated production planning and scheduling. Managed personnel development; represented firm at consumer and trade shows. Served on board of directors.

1983-84 The Quaker Oats Company / Grocery Products Mfr. Chicago, IL

Awards and honors

Consistently earned category and best-of-show awards from BPAA, NAMA, and Madison Advertising Federation.

Commended by Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board senior management as best team-builder and most strategic member of marketing department.

Commended by Game Manufacturers Association for diffusing industry-threatening controversy by spearheading national grassroots PR program to educate press, educators, parents, and trade about adventure games.

Received Edwin L. Shuman award for excellence in creative composition.

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Community service

1993-98 First Unitarian Society / Unitarian Universalist Congregation Madison, WI

President. Vision 2000 team leader. Cabaret/Auction co-chair. Delegate to Unitarian Universalist Association General Assembly. Society choir. Lead advisor for high school youth group (YRUU). Church school teacher.

1990-98 University of Wisconsin Madison / Platteville / Whitewater, WI

Guest lecturer for Agricultural Journalism (Madison); Marketing, Promotions, Advertising (Platteville); Marketing, Promotions, Advertising (Whitewater); Marketing Institute (Madison).

1990-94 Madison Folk Music Society / Non-Profit Arts Organization Madison, WI

Member, board of directors. Co-chaired Madison Folk Music Festival committee.

1990-97 Big Brothers/Big Sisters / Non-Profit Mentoring Organization Madison, WI

Mentored a young woman from age 12 through her teenage years.

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Developed, implemented, and analyzed qualitative and quantitative research Cat Care Clinic, Community Business Bank and UWºs International Institute to identify positioning, marketing, product development, and fundraising opportunities.	Initiated, designed, and executed market research to assess Madison Folk Music Societyºs membershipºs needs and to direct program planning.
Designed a comprehensive, intergenerational congregational survey, generating a 32% response rate.	Initiated qualitative and quantitative research and developed positioning platforms for Wisconsin cheese and fluid milk
Initiated WMMBºs first consumer tracking study, integrating advertising, promotions, and public relations.

Researched and ghost-wrote The Compleat Facilitator by Howick Associates.	Designed and wrote speaker profiles for Eliason Law, Christenson Law, and speakers bureau of Womenºs Philanthropy Institute.
Developed and designed Techniquality Recruiting web site and print brochure.	Wrote marketing plans for Howick Associates, Hari OM Multi Media, Wisconsin Education Association Council.
Developed web content for Silver Stone Construction, and Hestad Law Office.	Developed brochure content for CM Business Services, Luttig Law Office, Restoration Specialists.
Wrote press releases for CM Business Services, Kicks Unlimited, Ducks-In-A-Row, Picture Parties, Catalyst CRM, Howick Associates, Dean Foundation Benevolent Specialists Project, NAWBO, First Unitarian Society, Womenºs Philanthropy Institute.	Designed and wrote advertising and promotional copy for NAWBO (print advertisement), Ducks-In-A-Row (posters), Mac Madison (direct mail), Kicks Unlimited (door hangers).
Ghost-wrote and edited newsletter and newspaper columns for Hestad Law and Christenson Law offices	Wrote First Unitarian Society's Vision 2000 strategic plan, which has been used as a model in UU congregations across the U.S.
	Developed story copy for Mayfair Games' award-winning DC Heroes Role Playing Game