JAMES E.

CREEL
8944 Parkcrest Street, Huntersville, NC 28078
Home: 704-875-6374 * Mobile: 704-491-6728 * creeljn@bellsouth.net
Director of Marketing
Strategic marketing leader with an unsurpassed depth of experience in the financ
ial industry, driving results through targeted campaigns that encompass direct m
ail, e-mail, advertising, and channel partnerships. Create opportunities through
in-depth analysis of needs and correlation to existing roadmaps, providing dire
ction in conjunction with executive leadership. Source and motivate individuals
to build focused teams who produce results.
Areas of Expertise
Account Management * Product Marketing & Launch * Brand Management
Internet Marketing * Copywriting **Target Marketing * Team Leadership
Direct Mail * Strategic Planning * Channel Development
Professional Experience
SETTLEMENT ASSET MANAGEMENT, Huntersville, NC 2009 - 2010
Synergy Settlement Services company that meets financial needs of catastrophical
ly injured people through innovative trust products and professional money manag
ement.
Interim director of Marketing, Product Development, and Operations
Developed company brand identity, including Web site, marketing communications,
and collateral pieces for trust products. Negotiated trust services agreement wi
th one of 10 largest regional banks to serve as corporate trustee for trust prod
ucts. Created new bank channel with marketing services agreement.
THE HALPERN GROUP, Charlotte, NC 2007 - 2009
Financial services company providing custom trust products to catastrophically i
njured individuals to meet complex financial needs.
Vice President of Marketing and Sales
Manage new and existing product promotion and positioning, collaborating with Ow
ner on strategies for future marketing planning and penetration to expanded vert
icals. Drove new brand identity for company.
Key Accomplishments
* Secured additional $24 million in principal via development of marketing allia
nce with North Carolina Association of Justice.
* Generated a response rate in excess of 1% on targeted direct-mail and e-mail c
ampaigns.
MASSMUTUAL SETTLEMENT SOLUTIONS, Charlotte, NC 2001 - 2007
Division of MassMutual Financial Group, offering products and marketing services
to settlement planners to provide the most complete financial solutions availab
le for catastrophically injured people and families.
Assistant Vice President of Marketing and Integrated Financial Solutions
Spearheaded new brand identity marketing program, engaging all business stakehol
ders throughout process. Directed product positioning and promotion for new and
existing lines. Developed and implemented marketing plans for personal injury di
vision including product branding, advertising campaigns, product rollouts, prom
otional items, and event planning. Managed relationships with organization publi
cations as creator of best-of-breed marketing campaigns and collateral.
Key Accomplishments
* Quality increased from $200,000 to $5 million in six years following implement
ation of annual broker-recognition event regarded as best in industry.
JAMES E. CREEL * creeljn@bellsouth.net * Page Two
MASSMUTUAL SETTLEMENT SOLUTIONS (continued)
* Added more than $140 million in premium with development of brand identities a
nd Web sites for key brokerage firms.
* Achieved sales growth from $30 million to $247 million by providing best-of-br
eed marketing, recognition events, and sales support for trusts, insurance, and
investment products.
TRANSAMERICA LIFE & ANNUITY CO., Charlotte, NC / Denver, CO 1998 - 2001
Offer a wide array of innovative financial services and products with a common p
urpose.
Director of Internal Sales
Drove sales efforts for fixed and variable annuities, variable universal life, l
ong-term car, and 401(k) product sales, establishing and implementing strategies
for all internal sales efforts. Directed team of 27. Developed department struc
ture, adding tools and measurements to drive sales.
Key Accomplishments
* Realized 312% increase in variable annuity sales from previous year by establi
shing departmental standards, goals, and best practices and hiring and training
staff.
* Boosted variable universal life sales 718% in one year through reorganization
of sales desk and adding more qualified wholesalers.
WACHOVIA INSURANCE GROUP, Charlotte, NC 1996 - 1998
Leading financial and insurance services company with legendary reputation for s
trength and stability that offers resources to reach business and personal goals
. Now part of Wells Fargo.
Assistant Vice President of Marketing, Sales Support, and Fulfillment
Driving force behind strategy development and execution of annuity-marketing fun
ctions, marketing business plan, budgets, and promotions. Established and restru
ctured departments to support $2 billion annual sales. Created first union annui
ty marketing and event planning department. Implemented sales campaigns, contest
s, and incentives.
Key Accomplishment
* Grew annuity sales from $132 million to $1.05 billion in first year, to $1.54
billion in second year, and to $2 billion in third year as a result of combined
team efforts to update strategies.
* Positioned Fulfillment as critically important department supplying sales supp
ort and providing Education with materials to maintain compliance.
* Improved department functions with feedback obtained through use of marketing
research software to capture data through customer and broker testimonials.
* Transitioned Marketing to state-of-the-art business unit via creation of more
than 100 sales tools and top-notch annual sales event.
Additional Experience
WELLS FARGO, Minneapolis, MN
Regional Marketing Manager / Financial Sales Specialist / Personal Loan Officer
FIRST BANK SYSTEM / U.S. BANC CORP., Minneapolis, MN
Commercial Loan Officer
Education & Licenses
B.A., History / Psychology, BETHEL COLLEGE, St. Paul, MN
Series 6 & 63