Mike O'Brien

Experience

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  Cargill Dow - NatureWorks LLC

  Jan 2000 - Jan 2005

  Director Global Marketing Communications

  Created the global marketing communications program for the company during the startup and introductory phase of a more sustainable biopolymer that replaced petroleum-based materials. Also, I developed and led the company's sustainability program that engaged the global environmental community, including authoring the company's first sustainability report. I created a consumer brand for seven business units through research and partnerships with more than 30 major global food, bedding, packaging, and clothing brands. Served as chief spokesperson for the company and designed a public relations program that generated more than 2,000 feature stories per year, including placement in marque media like Wall Street, Fortune, London Times, StarTribune, USA Today, Forbes, Japan Times, and CBS Evening News. The marketing budget grew from $750,000 to $18 million through demonstrating to the CEO and CFO the impact co-branding/marketing activities had on generating company revenues. Show less

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  Prysmian Energy Business

  Apr 2005 - Nov 2011

  Director of Global Marketing & Communications

  Responsibilities included developing the marketing and communications strategy for the global renewable energy (wind, solar, tidal) and oil & gas market electrical infrastructure segments. While in this role, I identified and created a sales and marketing strategy focused on key market segments that yielded a new $300 million opportunity for the division. Working in collaboration with our global network of five electrical infrastructure production facilities in the United States, Singapore, China, Norway, and the Netherlands, along with the sales team and senior management team, required superior communications and project management. A key initiative in this role included re-branding the 100-year-old company's effort into a more relevant and valuable partner for critical customers, especially those engaged in building infrastructure for the renewable energy markets. Show less

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  Growth Energy

  Dec 2011 - Feb 2022

  Vice President of Business Development

  Responsible for the go-to-market business-to-business and business-to-consumer strategies and execution for introducing a new, more sustainable biofuel product for the United States. It was essential to create the process for developing our strategy while engaging and communicating with key stakeholders like employees, the management team, our board, and the biofuels industry. Key results included generating more than $800 million in sales in 2021. Also, more than $150 million in public and private grants were successfully obtained through my leadership. Through innovative partnerships, I created market access through 20 major retailers like Sheetz, Kwik Trip, Casey's General Stores, Kum & Go, Murphy USA, Family Express, Thorntons, Minnoco, and Cenex. Working collaboratively with these retailers, I led the creation of a national brand using consumer research, field trials, and sales analytics to optimize best marketing practices to maximize biofuel sales. Sales grew more than ten percent during COVID as I quickly revised our go-to-market strategy through video technology, online marketing, and more reliance on established customer relationships. Show less

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  O'Brien Inc.

  Feb 2022 - now

  Senior Director of Retirement

  Proficient at celebrating each day like it's Saturday.