Latest Project: PlayPOD

2007-10-14T06:48:00.001-07:00

Game Center is a subsidiary of a furniture-manufacturing conglomerate; with a rich history of aesthetics and ergonomics, we're bringing our designs to the gaming industry.

Our new company will address the emerging needs of the interactive entertainment market.

Home entertainment centers crowd our living rooms, yet no one has filled the need to find a home for all of our interactive media. Gamecenter is dedicated to creating and producing products for that need.

2005-10-18T05:25:00.000-07:00

Lava sales 1988 $1.8 Million vs 1997 $50 Million

2005-10-18T05:20:00.000-07:00

Mouse surface and controller FPS device

2005-10-18T05:19:00.000-07:00

Gamer gear - The Christopher Group

2005-10-18T05:18:00.000-07:00

Gamer gear - The Christopher Group

Resume

2005-10-17T06:31:00.000-07:00

Christopher S. Baldovin
Contact me here: CBaldovin@gmail.com

MARKETING / SALES EXECUTIVE

Entrepreneurial executive offering a track record of creating successful sales efforts.

CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS

Lumisource:

Top sales person

Designed and launched successful new product Boom Chair

Led company into new lucrative markets

Added BIG BOX retailers such as Best Buy and created partnerships with Microsoft, Apple and XM Radio

Adams Apple:

Launched two new catalog's creating new brand identities

Invigorated older product lines while developing new products

Invented WiseCracks telephone

Introduced 2 new collectible lines in three years

Revamped direct mail program growing sales

Lava World International:

Increased sales from $1.8 million per year to over $50 million per year

Managed new product development, introduced 5 new lines in three years

Won Item of the Year award from Spencer Gifts, Inc. six years running

Won New Product of the Year award from Spencer Gifts, Inc.

Implemented a worldwide public relations campaign resulting in press, radio and television recognition of the company and its products

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

GAMECENTER, Bensonville, Ill 1/07 - Present
Techthusiast

Home of PlayPOD a first ever Gamer Theater.

Started new company dedicated to interactive entertainment furniture. Designed PlayPOD as ultimate Gamer furniture. Premiered concept at CES 2008 received media attention and created web site. Led key account program to companies like Dell Computer and Best Buy. Designed additional product for Gamecenter to increase sales.

LUMISOURCE, Elk Grove Village, Ill 8/04 - 12/06
National Accounts Marketing

Lumisource is a manufacturer of stylish lighting products and distinctive occasional furniture.

Working with ownership developed a new product that attracted many new feature retailers. Rose to top sales producer in my first year achieving planned sales goals. Contribute to numerous projects and assist in all aspects of sales and marketing. Designed and launched new website for Lumisource. Created and filmed first ever commercial for Lumisource products. Mentor inside sales team and assist them with key accounts.

ADAMS APPLE, Glenview, Ill 7/01-5/04
Vice President and General Manager

Adams Apple the largest American distributor of novelty and gift items.

Joined company as consultant and was quickly hired as General Manager. Started by developing marketing plan that invigorated the customer base by creating new products and new brands. Published redesigned catalog's with over 500 new items. Managed inside sales force and recruited network of over 50 outside manufacturer's representatives. Post 9/11 focused on dramatically changed market place by reducing inventories and driving increased revenue through trade shows. My global sourcing efforts reduced costs and led to new products for the company. Invented Wisecracks novelty phone that was awarded a patent in the United States. Opened two new divisions of the company geared toward novelty lighting and collectible figurines. I expanded profit by reducing costs and increasing sales.

THE CHRISTOPHER GROUP, Chicago, Ill 4/00-Present
Marketing Consultant

Freelance project based consulting

Worked with various clients on projects ranging from technology to new product development.
Hired by firms to work on creative ideas for their customers such as Audi America, Gateway Computer and General Motors.

IMAGEWORKS, Park Forest, Il 4/99-4/00
Vice President of Marketing and Sales

Customized nameplates, mouse pads, counter mats, and point-of-sale products.

Joined company as consultant and was then hired as Vice President to revamp sales and marketing department. I added point-of-sale products and led efforts to add key account companies such as Dell Computer and McDonald's. Worked with company on a technology product ultimately selling it for 10 million dollars.

LAVA WORLD INTERNATIONAL, Chicago, Ill 11/88-7/98
Executive Vice President

The original and only manufacturer of the LAVA® lite lamp.

Worked several areas promoted to Vice President. I started as a Project Manager and quickly moved to Marketing Director for the entire company. Moved the company from a product driven mentality to market driven. Re-imagined the Lava brand by changing the look of the entire product presentation. My team kicked this off by holding media events celebrating the 25th birthday of the Lava Lite. These events sparked a media frenzy resulting in the company appearing on every major American television network and in over 400 newspapers worldwide. Created the first telemarketing team for the gift industry dramatically increasing sales and profits for Lava World.

Record sales with our retail partners garnered awards for the company. Spencer Gifts, a retailer with over 700 stores, awarded Lava World Top Selling Item six years in a row. In 1997 Lava World also was awarded New Product of the Year. I was responsible for setting and achieving these goals. Together with ownership my marketing plan led the company to growth rates as high as 100 % per year.

Beyond sales, my responsibilities also included Strategic Planning, New Product Development and International Marketing. Considered a key employee by ownership, mission critical objectives were routinely assigned to me. Set sales and production goals and created forecasting tools that improved profit and reduced inventory.

EDUCATION

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY, Evanston, Il
CARDINAL STRITCH COLLEGE, Milwaukee, Wi

2005-10-17T06:29:00.000-07:00

The Boom Chair gets attention.

2005-10-17T06:23:00.000-07:00

Boom Chair and Boom Cube by Lumisource