Wade Armstrong

Current

Principal at Project: Liftoff

Past

President at Dine to Thrive
Marketing Intern at Intel Corporation
Marketing Account Manager at Casden Properties, LLC

Founder/Project Manager/CFO at Runstrong Design
Project Manager at BigButtons
Account Associate at Pacific Visions Communications (now Marmillion + Company)

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3 more...

Education

University of Southern California - Marshall School of Business
Pomona College
Park School

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Connections

303 connections

Industry

Management Consulting

Websites

Wade Armstrong’s Summary

I've worked in various positions in communications strategy, marketing, and Web development over the past 7 years. I got my MBA from the University of Southern California's Marshall School of Business last year, and have been on an entrepreneurial journey since.

Wade Armstrong’s Specialties:

Branding and identity, message development, feasibility analysis, business concept development, collateral development, Web site development, strategy, information architecture, market and stakeholder research, stakeholder interviews, surveying, Web site programming, bartending

Wade Armstrong’s Experience

Principal

Project: Liftoff

(Management Consulting industry)

November 2008 — Present (1 year 1 month)

Helped start-ups and established businesses develop and refine strategies and product offerings.
• Coordinated business plan, strategy for food industry start-up, leading to multi-million dollar angel funding round.
• Developed product roadmap, strategy, financials for established education industry player to drive re-launch of key product in multi-billion dollar market sector.
• Planned repositioning of cosmetics product into new market niche, leading to successful re-launch and top-line sales growth for established natural cosmetics manufacturer.
• Current clients include education; Web applications; ethnic food; and premium food products.
President

Dine to Thrive

(Food & Beverages industry)

November 2006 — November 2008 (2 years 1 month)

Started, managed company selling scientifically-based gourmet meals to individuals with medically-limited diets.
• Researched and developed concept; wrote 2007 USC Marshall School of Business Business Plan competition-finalist business plan.
• Collaborated with healthcare experts and gourmet chef to rapidly develop scientifically-based gourmet menu.
• Built strategic partnerships with healthcare providers to create awareness and drive sales to consumers.
• Supervised kitchen, shipping staff, and interns to drive weekly production and build company knowledge.
• Managed all operations and finances, including inbound and outbound logistics and all payables and receivables.
Marketing Intern

Intel Corporation

(Public Company; 10,001 or more employees; INTC; Computer Hardware industry)

June 2005 — August 2005 (3 months)

Conceived and managed marketing programs for business units selling Intel products into the embedded market.
• Coordinated documentation, legal approval for launch of product to drive entry into new $2B market.
• Managed creation of three advertorials in EETimes to increase visibility for embedded marketing campaign.
• Developed proposal for mechanism to drive increase in co-marketing and presented to management.
• Worked with colleagues in developing countries to create a central repository for marketing plans and collateral.
Marketing Account Manager

Casden Properties, LLC

(Privately Held; 51-200 employees; Commercial Real Estate industry)

September 2003 — July 2004 (11 months)

Managed $1 million marketing budget for luxury apartment developer in Southern California.
• Coordinated media buys for marketing campaign, including print, online, outdoor, and other special projects. Reduced media budget by over 20% through value-engineering existing buys and negotiating test buys.
• Wrote, designed, and architected Web site, increasing online leads by more than 25%.
• Tracked effectiveness of marketing program and monitored leads using Web resources and central database. Recommendations resulted in stronger marketing program and increase of over 20% in lead generation.
• Designed, conceived, and developed print collateral in-house, saving company $75,000.
• Managed contract design firms, supervising and directing development of additional print and online material.
• Researched target markets and conducted environmental scan to better target marketing plan.
Founder/Project Manager/CFO

Runstrong Design

(Privately Held; 1-10 employees; Internet industry)

September 2000 — August 2003 (3 years )

Designed and developed Web sites, and managed financials, for boutique design firm. Sold full interest to partners.
• Managed information architecture and coded back-end for $60,000 client Web site; costs were covered in less than 9 months and the site has generated more than $2 million in revenue to date.
• Developed strategic partnerships with communications firms leading to more than $150,000 in new business.
• Advised clients on integration of Web sites with existing strategic communications efforts to increase results.
• Analyzed, developed, and presented survey results to direct client naming efforts and communications planning.
• Coordinated with external accountant and handled all day-to-day bookkeeping.
Project Manager

BigButtons

(Privately Held; 1-10 employees; Computer Software industry)

February 2000 — September 2000 (8 months)

Customized and beta-tested software for clients ranging from Internet start-ups to Fortune 500 companies.
• Researched potential clients and their industries and developed software demos to support sales pitches.
• Collaborated with client project managers to develop custom software and train employees.
• Teamed with engineering to develop specifications for and test core software offering.
Account Associate

Pacific Visions Communications (now Marmillion + Company)

(Partnership; 11-50 employees; Public Relations and Communications industry)

August 1998 — February 2000 (1 year 7 months)

Developed communications plans and materials, with Account Managers, for non-profit, governmental customers.
• Wrote content for press releases and nationally-distributed educational materials, resulting in publication of stories on client and generating substantial teacher adoption of national science education campaign.
• Authored graphic style guide for visual identity developed for LA Community Development Commission.
• Developed, distributed and analyzed surveys for multiple clients to inform strategic planning efforts.

Wade Armstrong’s Education

University of Southern California - Marshall School of Business

MBA , 2004 — 2006

Activities and Societies:

Toastmasters President, MarshallWear Marketing Manager, Graduate Marketing Assn., Entrepreneur Assn., High-Tech Alliance, MBA Read
Pomona College

BA , Political Science, Psychology , 1993 — 1997

Pomona College Scholar, 1995-1996

Activities and Societies:

The Student Life, The Coop Store, Dorm President
Park School

High School , 1985 — 1993