The Marketing & Sales Executives of Detroit (MSED) recently named the winners of its Platinum Awards for sales and marketing excellence at the 18th annual MSED Black-Tie Gala Dinner held October 25 at The Townsend Hotel in Birmingham, Mich.
The Platinum Recognition Award for the top individual went to Tony Lovell, vice president of sales and marketing, Grede Holdings LLC. The Platinum Recognition Award for the top team went to the Priority Health East Region Development Team.
“We received a record number of nominations this year, so choosing the winners was even more of a challenge,” said Dave Harries, chairman for the 2011 MSED Gala and president, Spartan Marketing Services. “However, the individual and team we selected stood out with their successful approaches and excellence in their respective fields.”
The Platinum Award finalists were evaluated by a panel of their peers, chaired by Len Damico, executive vice president of sales and marketing, H.C. Olsen & Associates. Factors considered included nominees’ track records in sales, utilizing new ideas or approaches, meeting challenges imaginatively, exhibiting exemplary teamwork and impacting a business or industry.
As vice president of sales and marketing at Grede Holdings LLC, a newly formed manufacturing company, Lovell has been responsible for putting together a sales force, directing sales and marketing efforts, creating brand awareness, diversifying its customer-base and generating new sales revenue growth. Through leadership, drive and creativity, Lovell was able to direct an extensive communications program, which included participation in industry trade shows, sponsorships and coordinating speaking engagements for the company’s CEO. He also doubled the sales team and exceeded new business goals by more than 20 percent in 2010 and 2011.
Being new to the southeast Michigan region, Farmington Hills, Mich.-based Priority Health East Region’s Development Team had to develop brand recognition, an agent relations program and a provider network. The team utilized a variety of marketing tools to build recognition and relationships, which helped to nearly double membership. The southeast region now accounts for approximately 25 percent of Priority Health’s statewide membership.
Also at the gala, the MSED Executive Leadership Award was presented to Sandy Pierce, president and CEO, Charter One, Michigan, who was introduced by Beth Chappell, president and CEO, Detroit Economic Club. Pierce was recognized for her accomplishments in the banking industry and her involvement and support in the
Detroitcommunity.
In addition, new to the Gala this year was the Trailblazer Award, which awards an emerging business leader who is recognized for effective implementation and use of technology-based marketing tools. The inaugural recipient of this award was Scott Monty, global digital and multimedia communications manager, Ford Motor Co.
In its 18th year, the MSED Gala continues to celebrate the exceptional achievements of business executives and sales and marketing professionals in southeastern Michigan. The proceeds from this pre-eminent event help support scholarships, educational seminars and charitable contributions.
“The Gala gives us an opportunity to not only recognize the great achievements of our peers in the marketing and sales industries, but also take time to celebrate the positive changes happening in
Michigan,” Harries said.