Chris Ayotte

Experience

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  General Motors

  Jan 1995 - Jan 1999

  District Sales & Service Manager, Cadillac, Oldsmobile, and Chevrolet Brands
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  General Motors

  Jan 2000 - Jan 2018

  • A one-of-a-kind, uniquely blended role to lead high-impact digital marketing, CRM (Customer Relationship Management), and social media communications and world-class event management for GM's premium truck brand• Directed and managed eight agency teams; highly collaborative approach to leverage best practices to effectively reach various customer groups and increase overall engagement rates• Redesigned owner-focused CRM strategy for an improved consumer journey and drove lead generation for both B2C and B2B channels• Led cross-functional task force team to improve Owner Loyalty rates for six straight months• Negotiated best value for multi-year brand partnerships with Vail Resorts, NFL Teams, premier Home & Garden and Boat Shows, and other national lifestyle platforms • Rigorously managed multimillion-dollar budgets• Led national charity partnership through inspirational team leadership; raised over $2.5M in 2017 Show less • Focused resources on NFL and home improvement to maximize efficiencies • Led high-impact event management for Super Bowl, NFL Draft, NFL Kickoff, and ESPY Awards with increased leads and sales yielding in significant lifts for Brand Opinion and Consideration metrics• Created conquest-oriented 10-market ESPN Monday Night Football Ride and Drive Tour reaching over 53k prospects• Custom designed brand partnership strategies with HGTV Dream Home, This Old House, and Sunset Magazine that attracted renowned media, bloggers and influencers• Managed talent agreements with NFLPA, ESPN, NFL Network and multiple Hollywood celebrities Show less • Shaped brand repositioning; maintained 16 months as fastest growing automotive brand with an overall 85% sales increase and recognition as "One of America's Hottest Brands" by Advertising Age• Negotiated NCAA Official Sponsor of Human Achievement to reach younger demographic resulting in a 51% increase in viewer's opinion of brand; Buick Human Highlight Reel digital marketing program awarded 2012 Effie and finalist for 2012 Sports Emmy• Drove record leads, sales, and brand media value for NCAA Final Four sponsorship• Partnered with Food & Wine Magazine, celebrity chefs and wine experts for the Buick Discovery Tour; achieved 2.4% buy rate and doubled Brand Opinion and Consideration rates• Developed and led Buick Drive for Your Students program to raise funds for high schools Show less

  • National Digital & Experiential Marketing Manager, GMC

    Jan 2016 - Jan 2018

  • National Sales Promotions Manager, GMC

    Jan 2014 - Jan 2016

  • National Sales Promotions Manager, Buick

    Jan 2011 - Jan 2014

  • National Product Marketing Manager, Buick

    Jan 2009 - Jan 2011

  • National Product Marketing Manager, Pontiac

    Jan 2003 - Jan 2009

  • Regional Divisional Marketing Manager, GMC

    Jan 2001 - Jan 2003

  • Regional Divisional Marketing Manager, Oldsmobile

    Jan 2000 - Jan 2001
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  AlphaSights

  Jan 2018 - Jun 2022

  Marketing Consultant (ad hoc)

  • Working with AlphaSights' clients to provide insight on a variety of business topics and discussions • Contracted-based projects focusing on marketing strategy, trends, best practices, continuous improvement, growth and development • Types of customers engaged represent various management/strategy consultancies, hedge funds, and PE firms

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  Global Recruiters of Ann Arbor (GRN Ann Arbor)

  Jan 2019 - Feb 2020

  Executive Consultant

  • Generating new accounts in automotive and related industries through sales and marketing activities• Serving clients' strategic needs, presenting proposals and communicating status updates

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  Crawford Broadcasting WMUZ 103.5 The Light

  Mar 2020 - Jul 2024

  Radio Talk Show Host

  • Daily on-air host for afternoon drivetime (4-7pm), content creator, writer, and community builder: celebrating our modern lives through a Christian lens – news commentary, politics, culture, faith, family, freedom, local and national guests, call-in topics, music/entertainment, and trailblazing, inspirational stories• Educational, encouraging, and motivational• Original content includes: Miracle Mondays, Share-Your-Wednesday Wisdom, Fridays Unplugged, Monthly Pastor's Roundtable, Coach Chris, Heartbeat 4 Life, Culture Where It Counts, and much more Show less

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  Cumulus Media

  Aug 2024 - now

  Multimedia Account Manager

  Serving purpose-driven clients and new account partners build their brands, products and/or services through innovative radio and digital marketing solutions. Reimagining go-to-market strategies that drive results, generate desired leads, and boost sales by focusing on what matters.