SARA KIES
MARKETING DIRECTOR // BRAND STRATEGIST // DESIGNER
Strategically aligned marketing and communications can be a challenge in any organization. It requires an understanding of what a client, employee, or customer needs to see, hear and feel; an innovative mind to challenge what’s always been done; and the confidence to pivot when the metrics are sporting red.
I am an award-winning marketing professional with a 20-year track record of providing marketing vision, brand strategy and leadership for various clients in the financial, food service, and higher education industries. My experience includes in-depth brand development, marketing strategy, market research and analysis, marketing automation, budget development/management, and team building.
MARKETING STRATEGY
SOME OF MY PLANS. SEE MORE >
75%
branding & design
70%
95%
SOME OF MY PROJECTS. SEE MORE >
85%
80%
85%
80%
Experience
2013-PRESENT
SARA KIES
MARKETING & DESIGN
Digital Marketing Consultant
Develop and execute traditional and digital marketing strategies for a variety of local and national contractual clients
2021-PRESENT
UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN IOWA
Asst. Director of Marketing & Brand Strategy
Strategic development, implementation, and management of marketing and branding activities that serve to advance awareness of the university brand and recruit prospective students into the recruitment funnel
2015-2021
UNIVERSITY OF
NORTHERN IOWA
Marketing and Communications Manager
Directed all digital and traditional marketing, advertising, and communications initiatives for the College of Business at the University of Northern Iowa
2013-2015
MARTIN BROS. DISTRIBUTING
Marketing Manager
Managed marketing strategy, team, budget and creative initiatives for Midwestern-based food service distribution company
2012-2013
SPINUTECH
Digital Marketing Strategist/Web Designer
Designed websites and developed online web strategies for a variety of clients and industries.
2001-2012
PFGBEST/WASENDORF GROUP OF COMPANIES
Director of Marketing and Creative
Managed marketing, communications and creative initiatives for the Wasendorf family of companies including, PFGBest, W&A Publishing, Traders Press, MyVerona Ristorante Italiano.
EDUCATION
12/1999
BACHELOR OF ARTS (BA)
Communications: Electronic Media
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
12/2020
MASTER OF SCIENCE (MS)
MIS: Digital Marketing
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA