Karen Vargo

Experience

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  Independent Contractor

  Aug 2012 - Aug 2017

  Promotional Model/Brand Ambassador

  ~Worked with 100+ agencies and clients, which included jobs at charity auctions, On and Off Prem accounts, car shows, trade shows, etc.

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  Mosaic Sales Solutions

  Sept 2012 - Jan 2014

  Team Lead/On-Off Premise Specialist

  ~Conduct Spirits promotions for Campari Group (American Honey, Wild Turkey, Skyy etc).~Manage all POS shipments and recapping per event, in the On and Off Prem accounts.~Work closely with promotional models and make sure guidelines, KPI's and expectations are met.

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  Select Promotions LLC

  Feb 2013 - Jan 2016

  Spirits Event Manager

  ~ Hire and staff employees/promotional models, specifically for the spirits industry, across PA.~Communicate all expectations and train all staff on a wide range of spirit brands (Patron, Stoli, Dreamcatcher, Frangelico, etc.), for On and Off Prem accounts.~Proactively report to owner, weekly activity reports and time sheets for my employees and myself.

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  PGW Experience

  Jul 2014 - Mar 2017

  Field Market Manager

  ~Responsible for upkeep and inventory of company assets such as branded vehicle, display phones and televisions, uniforms and premiums.~Successfully complete daily photo recaps of activations. Reports indicate customer comments, sales numbers, impressions, activation feedback and completion of detailed expense reports if needed.~Keep strong relationships with brand clients and upper management.~In charge of routing activation locations throughout each week and effectively communicating this with clients and regional management.~Occasionally travel to manage activation teams and complete trainings.~Supervise a team of Brand Ambassadors overseeing a mobile marketing campaign.~Recruit, train, schedule, and coach my employees (brand ambassadors), to ensure everything runs at best.~Communicate job expectations.~Enforce policies and procedures to brand ambassadors~Proactively report to regional manager, daily, and weekly activity reports and time sheets for my employees and me.~Set up/break down events and festivals. Show less

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  Frank B Fuhrer Wholesale Co

  Jul 2016 - Mar 2018

  Brand Activation Manager

  ~Responsible for conducting secondary sales calls and activations at On-Premise retail accounts (bars, restaurants, etc.).~Work with wholesalers to plan and execute Anheuser-Busch budget in order to maximize ROI of investment.~Goals are to increase sales volume, number of draughts at key accounts, increase points of distribution of Anheuser-Busch product through consistent targeted account visits.~Appropriately staff events according to account selection, target consumer, and program KPI’s.OFF Premise Sales/Account Manager - Oversee Western PA accounts - Focusing on inventory, signage and merchandising for Anheuser-Busch, Coors and Yuengling divisions. Show less

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  2020 Companies

  Jan 2017 - Dec 2017

  Experiential Market Manager

  ~Serve as the POC for the client's local marketing team.~Ensure 100% event staffing in my region -PA, West Virginia and Ohio, by maintaining a solid bench of available Event Reps. This includes hiring and training my team.~Responsible for leading an experiential marketing team driving brand advocacy and daily sales performance by attending local events to provide coaching/guidance.~Clearly communicate objectives, timelines, project status, and budget updates, as well as risks/opportunities to the team on a regular and consistent basis.~Drive internal communications plan and oversee launch of customer/partner meetings strategy, implementation, execution and reporting.~Ensure 100% accuracy in event scheduling and reporting; Augment workforce when necessary to accommodate anticipated turnover or scheduling conflicts.~Maintain a relationship with local client leadership to ensure customer satisfaction.~Ensure compliance with company policy and procedures.~Ensure event(s) and team members are meeting client expectations.~Resolve customer complaints on a daily basis.~Maintain upkeep of event merchandise, event transportation (when needed), signage and equipment.~Executes quality control checks to ensure satisfactory representation of the client's brand.~Ensures all shifts are recapped and reported timely.~Performs additional and administrative duties as assigned. Show less

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  Productions Plus – The Talent Shop

  Aug 2017 - Oct 2017

  Field Marketing Manager

  *2 Month Marketing Program-Responsible for the hiring, training and supervision of a sampling team around the Pittsburgh area.-Manage an event timeline for the correct target audience and set up the events with the proper venues/clients during the duration of the program.-Handle all recaps, time sheets, expense reports, and scheduling, as well as maintaining storage facilities.

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  Geometry Global

  Mar 2018 - Apr 2020

  Regional Market Manager

  Territory Spirits Manager of PA - Beam Suntory

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  Experiential Marketing and Promotions, LLC

  May 2020 - Nov 2022

  Co-Owner
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  Mosaic North America

  Apr 2023 - now

  Senior Logistics Event Manager

  ~Luxury Spirits Logistics Event Manager for the Mid-West and Eastern United StatesOversee the execution of logistics and warehousing nationally, directing teams of remote logistics coordinators and promotional specialists, from task request to execution for a luxury wine and spirits team, while hiring, training and staffing a team across all regions.● Support and manage all field operations, program budgeting, end-to-end task process, training and field execution, vendor management, and event reporting.● Own Vendor and Shared Services relationships for Logistics Team.● Work closely with HQ team (CST, Operations) to manage the Field-HQ relationship and ensure clear lines ofcommunication.● Serve as the primary contact for execution partners; national and regional clients for portfolio.● Provide strategic insights and analysis during planning, budgeting, execution and reporting.● Administrative oversight (HR, recruiting, accounting) to support portfolio and LM team.● Tracking and maintaining all program budgets with revenue accountability.● Issues management - identify field challenges and develop solutions.● Provide status updates on program results/personnel, client program reporting and reviews. Show less