Resume for Pete Van Baalen
As a marketing and media professional an advertising focus, I have built a successful career by driving profitability and content excellence in various markets and formats. My passion for quality and dedication to continual improvement results in top line growth and bottom line savings. A creative mind, I’ve increased revenue through traditional and non-traditional streams while maintaining efficiencies to achieve increased profits. Driving these outcomes has resulted in recognition for excellence in editorial and advertising competitions on state and corporate levels. Success in business has been a result of developing high performing teams, and building strategic partnerships within the community. Career satisfaction has come from positive outcomes from team building and innovation.
Director of Marketing
January, 2019 to present
Sweet Family Businesses,Â
Sweetwater, Fort Wayne, IN
General Manager
Fort Wayne Newspapers
May, 2016 to December, 2018
Day to day management of entire Fort Wayne Newspaper operation, including content for News-Sentinel
and Fort Wayne Magazine, the manufacturing and distribution of all our associated publications,
commercial printing and business operations.
Helped stabilize sales department through implementation of training and recruitment programs
Building community partnerships to help strengthen the community we serve as well as ourselves and our selected partners
Extensive overhaul of products, expense reductions and operational structure which dramatically improved the corporate P & L.
General Manager / Publisher
The Elkhart Truth - Federated Media
November, 2014 to May, 2016
Management responsibility for a multi-million dollar operation and award winning multi-media
organization serving the Elkhart, Indiana area. Operation included daily paper, TMC, niche print
publications and digital product line.
Reengaged the community through involvement and strategic partnerships to better position our organization.
Extensive overhaul of products, expense reductions and operational structure which dramatically improved the corporate P & L, and the value of the company prior to the family’s decision to sell.
Vice President of Sales and Marketing / Regional DirectorÂ
Community Newspapers Holdings Inc.
August, 2007 to October, 2016
Led a regional sales team of 14 direct and 17 regional reports along with an 8 person call center team, responsible for selling a variety of products throughout the Midwest. Oversaw 30 sales organizations, consisting of 18 daily, 10 weekly and 2 shopper products, developing advertising and marketing strategies. Built a diverse sales team that focused on innovation while maintaining our core business. Created goals, tracking and managed day to day activities as well as long range goals and plans, with a focus on driving revenue.
Worked with multiple business units to increase productivity, reduce waste and find bottom line improvements to business operations.
Directed the successful launch of multiple new products and diversified revenue opportunities.
Regional Publisher
Community Newspapers Holdings Inc.
April, 2006 to December, 2007
Management responsibility for a multi-million dollar operation and award winning multi-media
organization serving Greensburg – Rushville - Batesville, Indiana. Operation included two daily newspapers, a twice weekly newspaper, niche print publications and digital product line.
Award winning newsroom and advertising department.
Maintained one of the highest profit papers within the organization.
Group Publisher
Community Newspapers Holdings Inc.
March, 2005 to April, 2006
The Hendricks County Flyer and Westside Flyer – Regional suburban newspapers with combined 50,000 circulations, freestanding niche products including weekly employment magazine and weekly lifestyle magazine in high income market. Responsible for the entire organization including advertising, editorial, distribution, finance and corporate P & L responsibilities. Developed and implemented the annual strategic plan for all departments.
Additional experience in sales, sales management, writing and radio broadcasting