Courtney Gates
BIO
A creative and analytical thinker with 18+ years of experience matching business strategy with internal operations and the market needs of Fortune 500 clients. Skilled at simplifying the complex, course-correcting risk, adapting to any audience, and deploying new processes to improve efficiency and productivity. Comfortable with change and ambiguity, due to a diverse background in marketing, retail, and client service. A master of internal and external transparent communications and effortless at asking the hard questions. Specializes in optimizing what’s not working or building frameworks from scratch. Known for leveling up the energy in a room.
STRENGTHS
Marketing Strategy • Business Operations • Client Service • Project & Change Management • Matrixed Organization Management • Workflow & Process Improvement • Relationship Cultivation • C-Level Engagement & Influence
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
ADIDAS, Marketing Operations Consultant Portland, OR // February 2019 – April 2020
? Asked to support the adidas DTC team and led an RFP process for a 3rd party collaboration, a fast-paced project with
prominent account stakeholders, securing $8.6M, 50% above the original budget after building the business case.
? Managed account relationship with new strategic partner; acting as liaison between Field Operations and Visual
Merchandising teams, designing new marketing strategies, and ensuring short and long term agendas being met.
? Delivered a new retail organization structure for adidas, collaborating with key account stakeholders throughout the
organization; including VP of Retail and Directors of Marketing, HR, and Finance.
? Led the strategy, stakeholder workshop facilitation (up to 50 people), entire pilot design and in-store rollout to 35 stores;
increased sales target by 17% and decreased employee turnover by 5%, creating a sustainable business model that will be
adopted by the entire North American fleet and introduced as a glob
FICTION, Operations Director Portland, OR // Aug 2015 – February 2019
? Recruited to evolve the agency from a print production shop to a brand strategy company, a new model designed to help
global brands find their truth; sold in and managed projects with R.E.I, Oakland A’s, Google, and Apple.
? Owned project budgets from $40K to $850K, hitting profit goals, and managing staff requirements for the client’s needs.
? Partnered with internal teams to ensure all client work hit or exceeded expectations and achieved a net profit of 25%.
? Led with a spirit of innovation and encouraged everyone to understand market trends, audiences, and research/insights.
CIP MARKETING CORPORATION Portland, OR // 2006 – 2015
Managing Director // 2011 – 2015
? Promoted as the first female Managing Director, leading a $6M marketing firm with 200+ employees across 40 states.
? Increased annual sales from $2M to $6M over 3 years by introducing new programs and increasing clientele.
? Created a harmonious and empowering culture that inspired the best in employees through a new nationwide program that
also attracted and retained high-performing talent.
? Prioritized data management and analysis, investing in software to collect and report actionable feedback to clients.
Senior Account Marketing Director // 2008 – 2011
? Promoted to lead key client relationships with adidas North America; identified client goals and then ensured that each
program and campaign was executed meticulously through frequently changing deliverables and limited budget resources.
? Promoted open feedback and proactively tackled issues to ensure a smooth client experience.
National Visual Merchandising Manager // 2006 – 2008
? Emerged as an accomplished leader and trainer, creating training tools, manuals, and conducting national training seminars.
? Developed customized survey reports and reporting processes, gathering critical input from field teams, then expediently
delivering that information to clients for maximum impact.
FOREVER 21, Regional Field Implementation Manager Portland, OR // 2003 – 2006
? Assisted with strategy development for all 2D initiatives across the new US retail locations, including fixtures, graphics, and
point of purchase; owned timelines, development, and budget for new store openings.
EDUCATION
B.S., Apparel Merchandising, Business & Mass Communication // South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD
Associate Degree, Fashion Merchandising Management // Fashion Institute of Technology, New York, NY
BIO
A creative and analytical thinker with 18+ years of experience matching business strategy with internal operations and the market needs of Fortune 500 clients. Skilled at simplifying the complex, course-correcting risk, adapting to any audience, and deploying new processes to improve efficiency and productivity. Comfortable with change and ambiguity, due to a diverse background in marketing, retail, and client service. A master of internal and external transparent communications and effortless at asking the hard questions. Specializes in optimizing what’s not working or building frameworks from scratch. Known for leveling up the energy in a room.
STRENGTHS
Marketing Strategy • Business Operations • Client Service • Project & Change Management • Matrixed Organization Management • Workflow & Process Improvement • Relationship Cultivation • C-Level Engagement & Influence
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
ADIDAS, Marketing Operations Consultant Portland, OR // February 2019 – April 2020
? Asked to support the adidas DTC team and led an RFP process for a 3rd party collaboration, a fast-paced project with
prominent account stakeholders, securing $8.6M, 50% above the original budget after building the business case.
? Managed account relationship with new strategic partner; acting as liaison between Field Operations and Visual
Merchandising teams, designing new marketing strategies, and ensuring short and long term agendas being met.
? Delivered a new retail organization structure for adidas, collaborating with key account stakeholders throughout the
organization; including VP of Retail and Directors of Marketing, HR, and Finance.
? Led the strategy, stakeholder workshop facilitation (up to 50 people), entire pilot design and in-store rollout to 35 stores;
increased sales target by 17% and decreased employee turnover by 5%, creating a sustainable business model that will be
adopted by the entire North American fleet and introduced as a glob
FICTION, Operations Director Portland, OR // Aug 2015 – February 2019
? Recruited to evolve the agency from a print production shop to a brand strategy company, a new model designed to help
global brands find their truth; sold in and managed projects with R.E.I, Oakland A’s, Google, and Apple.
? Owned project budgets from $40K to $850K, hitting profit goals, and managing staff requirements for the client’s needs.
? Partnered with internal teams to ensure all client work hit or exceeded expectations and achieved a net profit of 25%.
? Led with a spirit of innovation and encouraged everyone to understand market trends, audiences, and research/insights.
CIP MARKETING CORPORATION Portland, OR // 2006 – 2015
Managing Director // 2011 – 2015
? Promoted as the first female Managing Director, leading a $6M marketing firm with 200+ employees across 40 states.
? Increased annual sales from $2M to $6M over 3 years by introducing new programs and increasing clientele.
? Created a harmonious and empowering culture that inspired the best in employees through a new nationwide program that
also attracted and retained high-performing talent.
? Prioritized data management and analysis, investing in software to collect and report actionable feedback to clients.
Senior Account Marketing Director // 2008 – 2011
? Promoted to lead key client relationships with adidas North America; identified client goals and then ensured that each
program and campaign was executed meticulously through frequently changing deliverables and limited budget resources.
? Promoted open feedback and proactively tackled issues to ensure a smooth client experience.
National Visual Merchandising Manager // 2006 – 2008
? Emerged as an accomplished leader and trainer, creating training tools, manuals, and conducting national training seminars.
? Developed customized survey reports and reporting processes, gathering critical input from field teams, then expediently
delivering that information to clients for maximum impact.
FOREVER 21, Regional Field Implementation Manager Portland, OR // 2003 – 2006
? Assisted with strategy development for all 2D initiatives across the new US retail locations, including fixtures, graphics, and
point of purchase; owned timelines, development, and budget for new store openings.
EDUCATION
B.S., Apparel Merchandising, Business & Mass Communication // South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD
Associate Degree, Fashion Merchandising Management // Fashion Institute of Technology, New York, NY