Rivershark Inc

Keeping the company funded, staffed and serviced.

Senior Vice President of Product Development

Cox Media Group

Gerard McLean joined the NIE Department at the Dayton Daily News in 1998 when newspapers were just considering the transition to digital spaces. In addition to revamping the workflow of the various ediucational products for K-12 including a bi-weekly page targeted to the Ohio Proficiency Test, he was responsible for bringing the department and all its content online, building a community and maintaining outreach with educators and students. His contributions over the 4 1/2 yrs at the DDN included various original editorial on a variety of topics from the environment to pizza, in additional to external and internal marketing that promoted the editorial-focused NIE of the DDN. His signature contribution to the DDN was piloting the fledgling daytondailynews.com through Sept 11, 2001.

- Successful implementation of a materials design and production workflow for a Newspapers In Education department.
- Create graphics and support materials to illustrate and facilitate understanding of original reporting by education specialists
- Write, copyedit and develop curriculum-based reporting for NIE pages

Newspapers in Education

SPAR Group

Develop and support programs that integrated technology and human resources for a field-based IC labor force as well as all general staffing needs for the main office.

VP, HR/Technology

Huffy

Create training programs that increased the efficiency and quality of a field-based, decentralized employee workforce.

Training Manager

Target

Sporting goods, Stock Team Supervisor, Housewares, Mensware/Shoes/Luggage/Boys

Area Specialist

If you're doing it right, somebody is talking about you and your company right now on a social network you probably haven't heard about yet. You need a guide. Hire me.

https://rivershark.com

Go there. Have a look around. Drop us a line. We’ll get stuff done.

What?! You want to know more? 

I like you already as you are not one to be content hanging out on the shore, peering at the ocean. You want to dive in, feel the cold splash of life on your skin as your face cranes toward the warmth of the sun. 

Here’s stuff about me. If I’m the kind of person you think would be fun business, then we really should be talking.

This profile space has been left intentionally blank as I ponder a re-write, re-brand and re-launch from the ground up. I promise it will be pithy, almost truthful and mostly, memorable.

You are invited to be connected to me via the LinkedIn algorithms by following me (I don't know how you do that) or requesting a connection (I DO know how you do that!) Every request will be scrutinized thoroughly for the tracking code IFIWEREARICHMAN and the hashtag #TeamYellowPeanutMM to determine your sanity in wanting this dubious honor. No generic requests will be granted; you must personalize the message .... the selection process will be brutal.

You still want more? Are you kidding right now? What do you think I do all day, poop out words? 

Ok, I do kinda do that... sometimes I can even control which end they come out, though there is no guarantee. No, I will not make a car video or a parody of a client call video. I know, I know, they are all the rage but you probably guessed by now that I roll just a little bit to the left and uphill.

Hey, you asked ... Oh, what's that? You DIDN'T ask? Well, now you know. TMI is my game and I know I have already gone on one sentence longer than you can tolerate. Yet, you kept reading. Who is the crazy one now?

Who stole my Wite-out? Just bring it back, no questions asked.

Hey, if you got this far, condolences... but also here is my original headline before LinkedIn decided that 4 characters was enough for everyone... they are wrong, right? 

Author, Copywriter, Word Slinger, Digital Hobo, Roustabout, Publisher. I also CEO at Rivershark Inc and TourneyCentral in my spare time.

In case you are wondering, the hair in my profile photo is the best it is ever going to look. If you want to know more about my hair, I suggest you buy my book, Monkey with a Loaded Typewriter on Amazon. Just do it... go there now... really, wallet out; I need coffee and a haircut.

Gerard McLean

The Entrepreneur's Source

As a Career Ownership Coach, I help people explore their dreams of self-sufficiency in a safe environment. Through a process of education, awareness and discovery, I help my Clients clarify their personal income, lifestyle, wealth and equity goals, and evaluate possibilities. Further, I help my Clients stay on track while thinking outside of their comfort zone so that they can reach for new goals and greater heights. 

Veteran-Owned Small Business

Business Owner - Career Ownership Coach

Vestcom, Inc.

Vestcom is a marketing technology solutions provider for retail and CPG manufacturers. 

Key member of Leadership Team that tripled annual revenue. Recruited to develop and implement a comprehensive marketing discipline, create digital sales tools and marketing collateral materials and train sales teams to use them effectively. Worked closely with engineering and operations teams to define and differentiate solution value proposition for clients. 

Led the strategic planning process, product team creation and team lead, developed white space analysis process, established and managed IP portfolio.

• Drove a 10-year CAGR of 11.6% as part of the Leadership Team to create $1b of market value
• Developed holistic strategic direction, including creative elements, value proposition and branding
• Collaborated with engineering and IT teams to innovate and promote seven unique solutions
• Created external analytics partnerships to set baselines and improve solution outcomes by 30%
• Worked to develop and execute go-to-market strategies that exceeded plan by 12% 
• Grew IP portfolio from three patents to 50, and two trademarks to more than 120
• Developed and led multiple product teams for both print and digital solutions 
• Led onboarding of acquisitions to align marketing focus and public relations plans

Vice President, Marketing & Strategy

CBS Corporation

CBS Outernet - formerly SignStorey, Inc. - then a division of CBS Corporation. I was recruited to provide marketing and strategy for out-of-home digital media networks and content, and expand reach to third-party B2B clients. Later I took in the lead sales role as well. 

• Ran sales operations and created a targeted marketing strategy for supermarkets and drug stores
• Created critical targeting programs from customer research insights 
• Expanded third-party advertising clients to drive revenue results up by more than 50%
• Enhanced overall content marketing presence without increasing budget by moving external programs to internal resources

Vice President, Sales and Marketing

Supervalu, Inc.

• Led transition team for Marketing through corporate acquisition, executing a successful transition 
• Expanded role into wholesale B2B business and expanded corporate marketing reach by 40%
• Built and led new creative services team and delivered expanded output with 20% savings
• Developed and executed "Crazy About Food" campaign for Supervalu-owned banners
• Partnered with merchandising teams to launch new store brands, exceeding targets by 18%

Vice President, Brand Advertising

Albertsons

Drove marketing and advertising initiatives for combining Lucky and Albertsons banners. Corporate lead for all television, radio, and print advertising, including campaign creation and execution in multiple markets for all Albertsons-owned banners. 
• Led agency team in development and execution of name-change campaign resulting in double-digit shopper volume increase across division
• Working with multiple agencies developed targeted campaigns for general and multicultural markets
• Transitioned in-house print shop to external providers, saving $10M annually

Director, Corporate Advertising

Lucky Stores, Inc.

Responsible for division print advertising programs and managed print shop. 
- Updated image repository to more accurately show product images
- Refined mailing areas for store base to reduce mailing costs
- Consolidated print operations to a single provider

Advertising Manager

•	Statewide category manager for HBC and promotional categories
•	Created destination back to school promotions with CPG backing
•	Developed holiday show program for store pre-buying

Category Manager

•	Opened and operated four company flagship stores
•	Opened the first Lucky/Sav-on “combo” store in Southern California 
•	Converted three Alpha Beta stores to Lucky post-acquisition
•	Go-to store manager for board and stockholder tours 
•	Selected to attend USC Food Industry Management Program

Store Manager

United States Air Force

Avionics, Targeting Systems, FLIR, STV, Radar (B-52)
97th Bomb Wing
Strategic Air Command

Bomb Navigation Systems Specialist

As a seasoned Career Ownership Coach, I empower individuals in career transition to take control of their future by exploring self-sufficiency and gaining clarity on their next steps. 

I won't steer you in any particular direction. My role is to help you pause, reflect, and figure out the right path forward based on your goals, your needs, and your expectations. 

I’m not a recruiter, and I don’t focus solely on job seekers. My clients are individuals exploring self-sufficiency, curious about whether it’s the right move for them. I help people uncover how their transferable skills and past experience can lead to a career shift that offers more control and a better lifestyle—outside the confines of traditional corporate America.

I don’t sell businesses, courses, or anything else - and I don't charge clients for my services. My work is supported by the portfolio businesses I collaborate with, which means I’m able to focus on genuinely helping you. What's the catch? Your bring the commitment, curiosity, and willingness to put in the effort.

If that doesn’t resonate with you, no problem - I wish you all the best in your search.

But if you’re ready to explore new possibilities and expand your horizons, I’d love to have a conversation.

jweidauer@esourcecoach.com
https://jweidauer.esourcecoach.com/
Call or text: (833) 230-9888

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The Battle

Gerard McLean

Jeff Weidauer

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