Michael (Mike) Klein

Experience

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  Tonka Toys

  Jan 1984 - Jan 1990

  Product Manager

  Various positions at Tonka - Starting in Finance. Made a career change and moved into Product Management, with responsibility for the basic vehicle line, with annual revenues of $50 million.

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  Mattel

  Jan 1990 - Jan 1991

  Senior Product Manager

  Worked on the largest car brand in the world; Hot Wheels!

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  Benetton Sportsystem USA, Inc. (Rollerblade, Inc)

  Jan 1992 - Jan 2000

  Benetton Sportsystem USA (BSS) was owned by the Benetton Group, S.p.A., a $2.5 billion apparel, footwear and sporting goods company located in Ponzano, Italy. BSS’s brands included Rollerblade, Prince, Nordica, Ektelon and Killer Loop. Benetton completed the purchase of Rollerblade, Inc. in 1996 and closed Rollerblade’s operations in Minneapolis and consolidated the brand with the rest of the Sportsystem during 1999. I was recruited by BSS management in Italy and the BSS USA President to be a part of an entirely new senior team to run the US operations and to assist in the integration of the Rollerblade brand into BSS operations.• Responsibility for the marketing of all BSS hard-goods lines. Directed the launch of over 500 new products for the 2000 season including entries into new clothing and footwear categories. • Worked with research and development groups to transfer all product development responsibilities to central R&D facility in Italy. Show less Responsible for directing the Brand Management group in setting and implementing long term strategic and annual marketing plans. Plans included strategies for: market research, new product development, distribution policies and pricing, consumer advertising and promotion and trade support. • Managed a team responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Blade Runner business unit: Sales - Key account management and sales administration; Marketing - Strategic planning and Brand management; Operations - Product design and development, sourcing / production management and project management. • Directed International Sales and Marketing efforts for all countries outside of Europe and Japan. Show less

  • VP Marketing

    Jan 1998 - Jan 2000

  • VP Marketing

    Jan 1992 - Jan 2000
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  Manhattan Toy

  Feb 2000 - Oct 2015

  Directed a workforce of 50 in 3 locations (including subsidiary in London, England) with full profit and loss responsibilities while aligning organization structure with strategic direction of the organization. Reported directly to the Chairman of the Board. Heavily involved in all sales, marketing and product development strategies. • Created a multi-channel go-to-market strategy and vision for the company due to the changing nature of retailing which resulted in expanded distribution and increased sales. • Led the effort expanding distribution of the Company’s brands and products into broader distribution channels, including: Target; Barnes & Noble; JC Penney; Meijer’s; Kohls; John Lewis Department Stores; Boots, Ltd.• Directed sales, product design and development teams, developing unique product appropriate for broader channels that resulted in distribution gains for our brands and products. • Profitably grew the e-commerce channel with aggressive sales and marketing promotions. • Re-launched the Company’s soft toy line in 2014, resulting in sales growth of over 100% for the category and expanded distribution into targeted chain stores.• Developed digital marketing strategy, increasing awareness of the Company’s brands and products, and convert “fans’ to customers, resulting in a +200% increase in fans.• Led the strategy, regaining relevance in the independent specialty market by introducing over 250 new products in 2010. • Researched and analyzed our European go-to-market strategy and developed plan, changing our distribution model, which will turn a loss situation to a positive EBIT contribution.• Regularly developed/presented strategic plans, annual budgets, operating forecasts and financial results to Board of Directors. Show less Directly responsible for top-line revenue results for North America through our US headquarters, the UK and Europe though our London office, and the rest of the world through independent distributors. Define and implement long and short-term objectives for all selling and marketing functions. Recruit, hire and motivate a sales and marketing staff, including internal Sales Managers, all customer service personnel and an independent sales force of 100+ independent Sales Reps. • Developed sales plan and restructured sales management group to achieve over 100% sales growth from FY2000 to FY2002.• Direct the creation and design of all advertising and marketing campaigns, including: trade advertising, trade shows, POP merchandising displays, web-site development, promotions, licensing program and product packaging. • Developed and implemented sales plan to expand distribution to mass retailers (Target, TRU, Shopko…) resulting in significant revenue increases in 2005-2009. Show less

  • President and CEO

    Mar 2009 - Oct 2015

  • VP Sales and Marketing

    Feb 2000 - Feb 2009
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  Canvas

  Nov 2015 - now

  President / Founder

  I work closely with owners, CEO’s and Sr. Managers of consumer product companies to identify problems, provide solutions and optimize implementation of strategies to deliver results. I have consulted with established brands, as well as start-ups, on various sales, marketing, product development and sourcing issues.

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  Peters Billiards

  Nov 2016 - now

  President