Doug Brown
Star
Summary
Experienced business development and partnerships leader with 15+ years of success in driving growth strategies across SaaS, technology, retail, and hospitality. Proven ability to build strategic alliances, negotiate complex partnerships, and align cross-functional teams to deliver revenue-driving programs. Skilled at transforming unstructured challenges into actionable strategies while fostering collaborative relationships across product, marketing, sales, and operations.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director, Customer Success and Onboarding
Appfront
New York, NY
05.2024 - Current
- Designed and optimized customer success processes, aligning onboarding and ongoing support with business goals to drive retention and expansion across enterprise and mid-market accounts
- Partnered with product and sales teams to identify and prioritize feature enhancements aligned with customer feedback and market trends
- Acted as a customer advocate, representing client needs in roadmap planning, ensuring product-market fit, and enabling scalable growth
- Developed the Enterprise Marketing Program, creating a new revenue stream through marketing services for clients, strengthening relationships and driving loyalty
Director of Marketing and Public Relations
Mikuni Restaurant Group, Inc.
Sacramento, CA
06.2021 - Current
- Developed and executed brand, digital, and public relations strategies across 9 locations, aligning marketing campaigns with sales and operational goals
- Led development of the Mikuni app and website, integrating online ordering, loyalty, and CRM systems to enhance guest experience and data capture
- Cultivated and managed partnerships with technology providers, marketing agencies, and local community organizations to amplify reach and revenue
- Achieved 87% growth in mobile app adoption and 66% social media audience growth within 3 years by aligning cross-functional marketing and technology initiatives
Marketing, Branding & Technology Consultant
Wyld Lyfe Business Group
07.2014 - Current
- Partnered with SaaS and MarTech providers (Appfront, Humanly.AI) to develop go-to-market strategies, build product integrations, and source new business opportunities
- Facilitated partner negotiations, onboarding, and relationship management with key vendors across POS, inventory, loyalty, and marketing technology sectors
- Advised multi-unit restaurant and retail operators on technology adoption, marketing automation, and digital customer engagement strategies
- Created scalable loyalty programs and CRM automation strategies to enhance customer lifetime value, leveraging integrations across POS, CRM, and ecommerce platforms
- Built strong relationships across vendors, agencies, and technology partners to deliver integrated solutions aligned to client needs
Head of Marketing, Communications, and Technology
Buckhorn Restaurant Group
Sacramento, CA
05.2019 - 05.2021
- Defined and implemented comprehensive marketing, technology, and growth strategies across 13 locations
- Negotiated partnerships with technology vendors, including POS, online ordering, CRM, and loyalty platforms, ensuring seamless integration and operational efficiency
- Developed and executed data-driven campaigns, leveraging customer insights to drive personalized offers, promotions, and loyalty activations
- Partnered with finance and operations teams to evaluate partner performance, optimize spend, and drive maximum ROI from marketing and technology investments
Director of Marketing and Communications
Chicago Fire
Sacramento, CA
06.2017 - 05.2019
- Rebranded company identity, website, and customer engagement strategy, aligning with evolving guest expectations and market trends
- Established partnerships with technology vendors, delivery platforms, and loyalty providers to support omnichannel sales and customer retention
- Collaborated with executive leadership to develop multi-year marketing plans, aligning digital transformation initiatives with revenue and operational objectives
Business Relations / Advertising and Sponsorship Manager
California Dental Association (CDA)
Sacramento, CA
10.2014 - 06.2017
- Developed and managed corporate partnership and sponsorship programs, generating non-dues revenue through strategic alliances with national and regional brands
- Negotiated multi-channel sponsorship agreements spanning events, publications, digital advertising, and cause marketing initiatives
- Conducted ongoing competitive and industry analysis to identify new partnership opportunities and craft compelling value propositions tailored to key targets
- Partnered with marketing, product, and sales teams to align partner programs with CDA’s broader brand strategy and member engagement goals
Education
Associate of Science - Marketing
Sierra College
Rocklin, CA01-2008
Skills
- Strategic Partnerships & Alliances
- Business Development & Negotiation
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- SaaS & Technology Ecosystem Expertise
- Go-to-Market Strategy
- Data-Driven Decision Making
- Retail & Restaurant Industry Knowledge
- Digital Transformation & Automation
- Customer Success & Lifecycle Management
Accomplishments
Partnership Development: Negotiated technology, media, and brand partnerships across hospitality and retail sectors, delivering integrated programs aligned to business objectives.
Cross-Functional Leadership: Collaborated across product, marketing, sales, and finance teams to develop partner strategies, evaluate performance, and optimize partner impact.
Retail & Restaurant Technology Expertise: Deep understanding of POS, online ordering, CRM, and loyalty ecosystems — enabling effective identification and evaluation of potential retail tech partners.
Data-Driven Decision Making: Developed and managed performance dashboards tracking partner KPIs, customer engagement metrics, and ROI across campaigns and channels.
Executive-Level Communication: Presented partnership proposals, performance updates, and strategic recommendations to executive leadership and board-level stakeholders.
Entrepreneurial Mindset: Proven success in navigating ambiguity, identifying market opportunities, and driving strategic initiatives from concept to execution in fast-paced environments.
Certification
- Google AdWords Certified
- Google Analytics Certified
- Hubspot: Inbound Marketing Optimization
- Hubspot: Digital Advertising
Timeline
Director, Customer Success and Onboarding
Appfront
05.2024 - Current
Director of Marketing and Public Relations
Mikuni Restaurant Group, Inc.
06.2021 - Current
Head of Marketing, Communications, and Technology
Buckhorn Restaurant Group
05.2019 - 05.2021
Director of Marketing and Communications
Chicago Fire
06.2017 - 05.2019
Business Relations / Advertising and Sponsorship Manager
California Dental Association (CDA)
10.2014 - 06.2017
Marketing, Branding & Technology Consultant
Wyld Lyfe Business Group
07.2014 - Current
Associate of Science - Marketing
Sierra College