Richard Knox

3124 Gansett Pkwy., Elgin, IL 60124 rkdigitalx@yahoo.com (847) 637-3783 http://www.linkedin.com/in/richardrknox @rkdigitalx

Director Business Development

New business architect with 20+ year successful track record identifying, and exploiting new growth opportunities, while strengthening relationships with existing clients. Expert at quickly developing and implementing strategic marketing plans, that increase market share and drive profit growth. President - Consultant
Rich took an idea we were building at Follett, a library eBook platform, and turned it into a content gathering machine. Michael Johnson Past COO, FDR

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Richard is one of those rare people who completely understand the issues that the content industry faces making the difficult transition to digitalbased products and services. Able to think way beyond the book, he has a wealth of experience and knowledge of the digital sector and I would not hesitate to recommend him. Jon White, Digital Publishing Director at Macmillan Education. (former)

Aspire Digital Online Ltd. 06/ 2009 06/2013 Provided digital publishing strategy consultation to a range of publishers and technology companies. Service focused on marketing in the new digital economy. Guided ACCESS Systems Americas (formerly Palm Source) on the introduction of their Digital Storefront Merchandising Solution for mobile/tablet platforms, to the US/UK Publishing community Envisioned and developed branded digital storefront solutions for several publishers; providing them with branded merchandising Apps on the Apple iOS platform.

VP Sales & Marketing

Albert Whitman & Company, Park Ridge, IL 2008-2009 Repositioned 90 year old childrens publisher for growth through developing and executing new brand strategy and tactics; integrated marketing communication plan, and sales management; achieving positive sales growth in 2008 Managed sales, marketing, design and eCommerce teams through transformation process; responsible for multi-million dollar P&L.

Director Publisher Relations

Follett Digital Resources, McHenry IL 2005-2008 Lead Folletts eBook acquisition efforts. Successfully presented Folletts digital distribution platform to C-Level and Sr. publishing executives resulting in a 100% increase in Folletts eBook offering; signing more than 100 new publishers to digital distribution agreements.

Richard helped our organisation - which is UK based - develop our interests in the US marketplace to great effect. He combines a strong knowledge of his field with wide experience of the international business environment. Richard Parry, Director UK Education Sector

Vice Consul Trade - UK Trade & Investment

British Consulate General, Chicago/London 1999-2005 The UK governments Lead US Trade Officer and sector specialist for several industry sectors (Publishing, Printing, Sports and Leisure). Researched wrote, and delivered strategic business plans, white papers, and seminars to hundreds of UK companies, trade associations, and government bodies. US Program Manager for Kellogg UK/US Marketing Scholars Program. A scheme that brought 120+ senior UK executives to the US to study marketing best practice.

Director of Publishing and Broadcasting

Domain Communications/Oasis Audio, Carol Stream IL. 1996-1999 Domain is comprised of several business units including: recording studios, radio broadcast production and syndication, audio duplication facilities and Oasis Audio, a spoken word audio publishing company.

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Richard's extensive knowledge and network of relationships within publishing community attributed to our triple digit growth. Trudy Conti , Manager eContent Acquisition FDR

Managed and directed two of Domains three business units: Radio program development and Audio Publishing. Envisioned and launched Oasis Audio, a spoken word audio publisher; managing all aspects of the company from product acquisition and production to sales and marketing. The company is now in its 12th year with over 1000 active titles Developed and managed Domains radio program acquisition and syndication business; resulting in 100% growth in less than 2 years. Working with clients such as: Youth for Christ, Open Doors, Phyllis Schlafly, Prayer for the Persecuted Church, CTI, and Prison Fellowship...

Independent Consultant, Elgin, IL,

Richard is a pro at explaining complex procedures or relationships ... A delight to work with...! Annie Johnston , Online Content Mgr, IPG

1994 -1996

Provided a variety of sales and marketing services to a range of Publishing and Media clients. Researched and wrote marketing plans to help clients open new market channels Managed sales and marketing to key national accounts, distributors, libraries, wholesalers, academic/educational and licensing partners Nav Press, Colorado Springs, CO Combined Book Exhibits, Buchanan, NY Motorola, Schaumburg and Arlington Heights, IL Davidson Titles, Jackson, TN

I give Richard Knox my highest recommendation. He provided a high level of service to his clients, and developed plans we will be using for years... Mark Kuyper, CEO ECPA (Managed Rich at NavPress)

Channel Manager
NTC Publishing Group, Lincolnwood, IL 1992 1994 NTC Publishing/Passport Books was an independent publishing company with significant sales in all main book markets including Trade, Educational (Text & Supplemental), Library, Special, International, and B2B. At one time consisting of several hundred employees and approx. 3,000 active titles, the company was subsequently acquired by the Tribune Company, and later sold to McGraw Hill Publishers Responsible for sales and marketing to three main market channels: Educational Dealer/Distributors, Libraries, and Special Market (book clubs, mass merchants, catalogs, custom publishing, travel, premiums, etc...) Directed all sales and marketing activities for three key market channels, increasing sales by 35% while servicing over 200 key national account accounts

Richard Knox

Motorola Account Manager Team Sales, COM Sector

Richard's knowledge of publishing is extensive, and his insight into the digital applications within the publishing sector goes beyond the norm. Janet Fritsch , President, American Collective Stand

Motorola Communications, Schaumburg, IL 1990 1991 In 1990 Motorola Communications was organised into five (approx.) sector groups, with annual sales of approx$12B. Motorolas Communication Sector group consisted of paging and two-way radio products and related technologies. National Account Team member responsible for sales of Motorolas Communication Sector products to all Motorola sectors, business units, and subsidiaries; contributing to the design and processing of over $9 million in new business in 1991. Achieved 180% of personal new business sales quota of $2 million in 1991 Selected to manage Motorolas $1M contribution to the US Olympic program, designing radio and paging systems for Lake Placid, NY and Colorado Springs, CO Olympic facilities

Special Markets and Academic Manager

Crossway Books, Wheaton, IL 1988-1989 Independent publisher specializing in inspirational and theological works. The primary markets were CBA trade, academic, special markets, and direct to the church/denominational markets. Successfully sold publishers list to special market accounts including national retail chains, independent retail, wholesalers, book clubs, cataloguers, colleges, distributors, mass merchants, jobbers, etc contributing to the companies 200% growth during 1988 & 1989

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As a design and art director in publishing and advertising, I've known Rich through 20 years as a professional. He has always shown skill and insight in understanding or learning the marketplace, and has consistently impressed me with his ability to solve problems and provide proactive ideas for change, efficiency, and profitability. Brian Godawa Owner, Embedded Pictures

Trade Sales Rep./Academic Manager/Audio Product Manager

Intervarsity Press, Westmont, IL 1986 1988 Independent publisher of theological, inspirational, philosophical, and critical thinking books and periodicals. Primary markets were CBA trade, denominational, consumer catalogs, academic, and special markets. Sold publishers book list to key trade accounts across a 20 state territory, achieving annual sales goals. Promoted to Academic Manager directing all sales and marketing efforts to over 10,000 college & seminary professors; generating $700K in new supplemental textbook sales Created and launched Sound Words audio, a spoken word audio line..

Education

Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL Bachelor of Arts

1980 - 1984

Additional Qualifications

Digital thought leader: Founder / curator of Publishing in The Digital Age group on LinkedIn (5K members approx.). Extensive international trade show experience: London, Frankfurt, BEA, etc

Richard Knox