KRISTEN WALSH
Norwood
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Event Specialist
Mark Anthony Brands
12.2023 - Current
- Manage agency partners (Geaux, G7) to execute field marketing programs.
- Train festival staff, brand ambassadors, and sellers on product knowledge and brand standards.
- Lead logistics calls to align activation needs with agency and festival requirements.
- Coordinate with partners, sales, and distributors on product delivery and event planning.
- Negotiate sponsorship packages to align with brand goals and maximize value.
- Oversee event ticketing requests and distribution.
- Serve as on-site lead, ensuring proper setup, brand presence, and competitive insights.
- Identify growth opportunities to boost brand visibility and engagement.
- Develop regional 'Scan to Win' and retail activation programs.
- Assist with budget planning and media strategy alongside Regional Marketing Manager.
- Support contract reviews and approvals as needed.
- Create and distribute a monthly marketing newsletter for the sales team.
- Attend monthly sales meetings and stay aligned with market needs.
On-Premise Manager – New England
Mark Anthony Brands
08.2021 - 12.2023
- Maintain existing distribution and account relationships while developing new business opportunities.
- Manage relationships with major buying groups, local chains, and national wired accounts.
- Oversee on-premise budgets and use them strategically to grow distribution and volume in both new and existing accounts.
- Book samplings and marketing programs in high-volume accounts to leverage non-buys and promote innovation.
- Create incentives for distributor sales reps and servers to foster friendly competition and drive results.
- Educate sales reps and account decision-makers on products through the Taste the Difference technique and IRI data.
- Build rapport with distributor brand managers and sales reps to influence in-market decisions.
- Analyze on-premise INBI data for each distributor in the region and ensure accountability and support where needed.
- Present on-premise trends and initiatives during monthly distributor general sales calls.
- Serve on the National Crew Drive Committee, organizing crew drives across markets to promote cross-functionality and best practices.
Field Sales Representative
Burke Distributing
10.2019 - 08.2021
- Serve as the primary on-premise representative for Burke Distributing.
- Identify major opportunities as seltzers entered the on-premise market for the first time.
- Educate bar owners and managers on the differences between hard seltzer and vodka soda consumers.
- Conduct full market surveys to analyze competitor brands, pricing, and advertising strategies.
- Plan and execute sampling events around key dates and holidays to support brand visibility.
- Support off-premise initiatives by closing distribution gaps, hitting incentives, and building large displays.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Marketing
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth – Charlton College of Business
North Dartmouth, MA01.2013
Skills
- Strategic planning
- Communication
- Team collaboration
- TIPS Certified
- Cicerone Level 1
- Power of presenting
- Microsoft Office
- Salesforce
- POS systems
- IDIG-VIP
Timeline
Event Specialist
Mark Anthony Brands
12.2023 - Current
On-Premise Manager – New England
Mark Anthony Brands
08.2021 - 12.2023
Field Sales Representative
Burke Distributing
10.2019 - 08.2021
Bachelor of Science - Marketing
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth – Charlton College of Business