Personal resume of
Douglas Barry Lacombe, MBA
Executive Summary
MBA sales and marketing professional with over 20 years leadership experience in the media, software, wireless, and newswire industries. I have excelled in everything from advertising sales at a daily newspaper to web publishing, software marketing, product marketing of wireless solutions (voice and data) and business-to-business public relations services. I enjoy leading teams, driving sales, consultative selling, strategic planning, brainstorming campaigns, writing, public speaking, and generating client satisfaction.
Professional Experience
2009 – present President, communicatto
communicatto is a digital marketing, public relations, and investor relations agency helping companies integrate new and old media. If your company is seeking to advance its digital communications, particularly in the area of social media, communicatto can help. For more detailed information, check out our website.
2004 – 2009 Vice-President, Western Canada, Canada NewsWire (CNW Group)
Responsible for sales and service for Western Canada (Manitoba to BC inclusive) for CNW Group representing approximately $12 million in revenue. Five direct reports including two sales managers, one each in Calgary and Vancouver, and each with their own sales team. Under my direction Prairie region revenue doubled from $4 million to $8 million between 2003 and 2007, while managing through restructuring, centralization, and an office move. Took charge of and halted revenue loss in BC and restored corporate reputation between mid-2007 and 2009.
As an Executive Committee (ECOM) member I helped steer CNW, developing sales and marketing strategy, compensation plans, core systems, and service offerings. I co-sold with Account Executives to senior communications professionals (Investor Relations and Public Relations). I actively participated in industry associations (CIRI, CPRS), conferences, seminars and events, and acted as an ambassador for CNW to the community. In addition to the above sales and public relations functions, each year I worked with the marketing team to create, manage, and deliver “Breakfast with the market” and “Breakfast with the media” events.
2001 – 2003 Manager, Enterprise Marketing, TELUS Mobility
Instituted product marketing strategy for wireless voice, Internet and data solutions specific to the enterprise segment. Set marketing mix, guide product development, promote product line and TELUS Mobility in trade shows, develop collateral, plan and host customer events, set pricing, develop channel strategy, launch sales campaigns and special incentives, analyze marketing mix results. Develop communications and marketing plans for new 3G network launch. Deliver sales training and provide sales support to strategic accounts.
2000 - 2001 Director Internet Applications, net-linx Publishing Solutions
Set Internet product strategy. Establish Internet publishing product offering. Negotiate supplier contract and oversee relationship. Manage product development. Implement processes for training, installation, product support, and sales support. Develop marketing plan and materials for new product suite. Build and manage a team of professionals to sell, demo, install, and support net-linx software.
1995 - 2000 Electronic Media Manager, The StarPhoenix
Created and launched on-line newspaper product (www.TheStarPhoenix.com). Developed comprehensive business plan for electronic publishing. Trained production staff in web page coding (HTML), layout, and design. Planned and launched electronic subscription business to federal government. Planned and implemented Internet connectivity for LAN. Installed and configured Wingate Proxy server (”firewall”) on Windows NT 4.0 platform. Provided desktop Internet access for users on the LAN. Planned and set up Internet server (e-mail, ftp, web, and DNS server). Continuous monitoring of user feedback. Ongoing management of interface re-design and editorial content. Responsible for sales and marketing of The StarPhoenix Online and associated services. Planned or built over 100 websites.
1994 - 1995 New Product Sales Supervisor, The StarPhoenix
Executed sales strategy for new products. Supervised three sales people. Sought out special section advertising sales opportunities. Created promotional events/themes around which to sell advertising. Coordinated a team of writers, artists, and production staff. Developed sales support material.
1992 – 1994 Promotional Sales Supervisor (Term), The StarPhoenix
Increased sales by $200,000 in 1993 over 1992. Developed marketing programs and made media buying recommendations to clients. Sought out special section advertising sales opportunities. Created promotional events/themes around which to sell advertising. Supervised a staff of four. Coordinated a team of writers, artists, and production staff. Co-op advertising as below. Market research analysis. Setup of Macintosh based presentation system “Ad Director”.
1990 – 1992 Research/Coop Coordinator, The StarPhoenix
Reduced advertising costs for clients by seeking out Co-op advertising dollars. Sold advertising directly to manufacturer’s sales representatives. Provided market research consulting services to clients. Used NADbank study and other sources to assist clients in segmenting and targeting.
Education
Masters in Business Administration
University of Saskatchewan, 1999
Bachelor of Arts (psychology)
University of Saskatchewan, 1989
Administering Windows NT 4.0
Heinze Institute, 1999
Supporting Windows NT 4.0, Core Technologies
Heinze Institute, 1999
Networking Fundamentals
Compumaster, 1998
Administering Windows NT
Compumaster, 1998
Activities
Social Media Communications
Calgary Reads annual book sale, 2009
Volunteer, Marketing Committee/Gala Committee
CIRI, 2006/2007
Volunteer, Web Committee and Newsletter
CPRS Calgary, 2005/2006/2007/2008
Volunteer, Marketing Committee
Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce, 1996
Volunteer, ESIS Program
Junior Achievement, 1995, 1996
Computer Trainer/Consultant
1994 - 1995
Instructor, “Introduction to the Internet”
Kelsey Institute & Western Business Machines, 1994 - 1995
Volunteer, Sponsorship Committee
Saskatoon Freenet
1994 - 1995
Volunteer Coordinator
PR, Newsletter, Fundraising, Volunteers
Child Find Saskatchewan, 1988 - 1991
Featured Speaker at
IABC BC - Vancouver Sun Speaker Series
Vancouver, 2009
Calgary Marketing Club
Calgary, 2009
Social Media Roundtable
CPRS Vancouver
2008
TSX Investor Relations seminar
TSX Group
2005/2006/2007
Mount Royal College
2005/2006/2007
Wave First Contact – Shaw ISP launch
Shaw Communications
Fall 1997, winter 1998
Government Electronic Media Monitoring
Ottawa, 1997
Effective Advertising Techniques
Kindersley, 1997 and Rosetown, 1996
Annual General Meeting
Canadian Daily Newspaper Association
Toronto, 1996
Various Club Meetings
Rotary, Optimist, Breakfast Clubs
Saskatoon, 1996
New Media Conference
Canadian Daily Newspaper Association
Hamilton, 1995
Doing Business on the Internet Seminar
Western Business Machines
Saskatoon, 1995
Published in
- Saskatoon StarPhoenix
- Saskatoon Sun
- Saskatoon Mirror
- Trade and Commerce Magazine
- University of Saskatchewan Sheaf
Languages
- English (native tongue)
- French (conversational)
- Brazilian Portuguese (fluent in the 1970s)
References
Available upon request or see my LinkedIn profile for a comprehensive listing.
