Experience

Email me: debloisv@hotmail.com

Call me: 954-609-4140

To download a Word version of Veronique’s resume, CLICK HERE.

RAND MCNALLY, Skokie / Virtual Office

July 2008 – present

Tripology, acquired by Rand McNally in March 2010, is an online referral service matching travelers with travel professionals; launched in June 2007; 140,000 consumer travel requests to date.

Director, Marketing & Business Development March 2010 – present

Executive charged with all business development, marketing and strategic partnership activities for both Rand McNally and Tripology. 

• Build and leverage partnerships — charged with creating strategic alliances to drive consumer traffic for randmcnally.com and tripology.com. Also tasked with re-engaging Tripology partners – partners solicited, agreements negotiated and contracts signed within a 3-week period.
• Develop / launch online and offline, PR and social media campaigns — engage media companies to deploy rich B2B and B2C campaigns.
• Establish strategy for video content acquisition — lead efforts to secure thousands of travel videos to build library for Rand McNally.

Vice President, Sales & Marketing – Tripology July 2008 – February 20010

Member of senior leadership team; charged with all business development, marketing and strategic partnership activities to position company for sale. Established brand identity that won US Travel Association 2009 ‘Innovator of the Year’ Award and two Gold Magellan Awards for 2009.

• Created print/electronic marketing materials targeting travel partners—increased new travel specialist registrations by 154% in first 18 months; grew purchases per specialist by 25%.
• Solicited National Accounts—signed 45 accounts in 18 months, including Travel Leaders, Vacation.com, AAA Travel and Ensemble Travel, accounting for 71% of total revenue.
• Conceptualized / launched print, PR, social media, web ad campaigns—exceeded target B2C and B2B response rates utilizing less than 50% of projected budget. Set blog, Twitter, Facebook strategies.
• Developed strategic alliances to drive consumer traffic—signed alliances with high-traffic online partners such as Trip Advisor, CheapFlights, and Kayak.

WYNDHAM WORLDWIDE, Parsippany, NJ

2006-2008

Group RCI (a subsidiary of Wyndham Worldwide) is the global leader in non-hotel leisure accommodations, with more than 60,000 properties in over 100 countries; 2008 revenues of $23M.

Senior Manager, Channel Marketing, Group RCI  2007-2008

Key member of business development team formed to represent Wyndham’s 3 brands to affinity groups (Sam’s Club, Entertainment, AARP, etc.) and travel agency partners (Carlson Wagonlit Travel, Ensemble Travel, etc).

• Created/executed sales and marketing plans for partners—established partnerships with email, direct mail, media advertising, and search engine marketing companies; managed $1M budget.
• Led B2C and B2B marketing for the company’s incentive program, including development of B2B website and creation of sales support materials—grew partner revenue by $2M in one year.
• Created and launched “Vacation Outside the Box” vacation rental concept—obtained 8,500 travel agent registrations within 15 weeks of launch and over 15,000 in  first 12 months.

Marketing Manager, RCI Global Vacation Network 2006-2007

Developed brand image, strategy, and positioning for new division.

• Led development of B2B travel agent website with a password-protected booking engine—enrolled 15,000 travel agents in first 12 months after launch.
• Charged with developing initial marketing budget—won executive team approval for $3M.

LIBERTY TRAVEL – GOGO WORLDWIDE VACATIONS, Ramsey, NJ

2005-2006

One of the largest travel companies in the world, operating 200 retail stores, and serving more than 1 million travelers per year.

Business Development Manager, Las Vegas

Led support to 40 premier hotel partners;  region accounted for $65M in annual revenue / 450,000 room nights/year.

• Initiated process improvement task force—created electronic inventory notification system, improving employee productivity and reducing refunds to unsatisfied customers by 27%.
• Directed web and newspaper advertising—managed placements in over 40 national media.
• Solicited advertising and secured creative from business partners for annual brochure—brought in over $100K in incremental revenue.

VANGUARD CAR RENTAL USA (ALAMO and NATIONAL), Ft Lauderdale, FL

1996-2004

Alamo Rent-A-Car and National Car Rental operate from more than 1,500 locations, with combined fleet of more than 275,000 vehicles; 2004 revenues of $2.9B.

Partnership Marketing Manager 2000-2004

Developed partner programs with travel agency groups (American Express, Carlson Wagonlit, Travelsavers and Virtuoso, etc.) generating over $800M/year; managed $6M marketing budget; served on strategic team developing financial models for major bids.

• Promoted during this period from Alamo brand only to both Alamo and National.
• Introduced tiered loyalty program with targeted promotions campaign—increased member base by 30%, engagement rate by 40%, and retention by 15%.
• Led development and launch of all new products, including bundled products—exceeded revenue goals by 30% in first year after launch.
• Introduced new reporting tools—improved senior management access to key financial results.

Corporate Marketing Analyst 1998-2000

Led design of branded collateral and sales-support materials/programs for Alamo’s top 5,000 corporate accounts and top 15,000 small business accounts, generating 60% of company revenue.

• Led development department website—created web-based promotional materials.
• Led RFP development, negotiations, and account support for $20M federal government contract.

Corporate Sales Representative 1996-1998

Managed 2,000 small business accounts generating $5M annually.

• Launched direct mail and telesales campaigns— grew account base 20% and tripled revenue in first 12 months.
• Won—Quarterly Salesperson Award 3 times.