HHSE VP/Sales Tom Sims Professional BIOgraphy With Photos
Tom Sims - Hannoover House (HHSE) Vice-President of Sales
A key watershed moment in June for HHSE was the announced hiring of Tom Sims, a highly respected and proven executive with over 20-years of experience in the home video industry that will help take HHSE past the $20-mm annual revenues level! Mr. Sims brings to HHSE much experience, business relationships and industry contacts.
A.) Former Buyer for Walmart / Anderson Merchandisers (13-years)
B.) Former Universal Studios / Vivendi Executive (6-years)
C.) Former VP for Allegro Media Group (5-years)
Vice-President Sales Tom Sims Professional Profile From LinkedIn
Tom Sims's Overview
Current
* VP of Sales at Hannover House
Past
* VP Corporate Development at Allegro Media Group / Softland International
* Senior Director of National Accounts at Vivendi Entertainment
* Sales Director at UMGD / Vivendi Entertainment
* Video Merchandise Manager at Anderson Merchandisers
* Video Buyer at Anderson Merchandisers
* Music Analyst at Anderson Merchandisers
* Systems Analyst at Anderson Merchandisers
* Department Manager at Anderson Merchandisers
* Dedicated Merchandiser at Anderson Merchandisers
* Set Crew Associate at Anderson Merchandisers
Education
Amarillo College
Tom Sims' Summary
Ambitious, results oriented with experience in all phases of a supplier/mass merchant - studio/retailer relationship. Demonstrated track record of sales increases combined with proven efficiency. Qualified and eager to conduct sales/leadership functions in the mass merchant/club channel.
Specialties
* National Account Management
* Entertainment Category
* Sales and Marketing Strategies
* Strategic Planning and Execution
* Leadership and Team Building
* Store of the Community
* Niche Title Placement
* Merchandising
Tom Sims' Experience
VP of Sales
Hannover House
Entertainment industry
May 2014 – Present (2 months) Bentonville, AR
Hannover House is a full service media company, specializing in the production and distribution of feature films for theatres, home video and the Video-On-Demand formats for the North American retail marketplace. Formed in 1993, Hannover House concentrated it’s activities exclusively in the literary, book-publishing industries until 2003 when the company entered into the DVD marketplace.
Now, with over 250 titles in its growing film library -- over half of which are in active distribution -- Hannover House has quickly ascended to a dominant role as a leading, independent distributor in the U.S. market. The company is particularly noted for its successes in placing DVD titles within mass merchandisers and key chain stores. Retailers carrying Hannover House products include thousands of independently owned and operated retail video stores and book stores, and most mass merchants and major retailers. In addition to this "core" distribution activity, Hannover House is launching two, major new ventures in 2014. "VODwiz" is a new video-on-demand portal for independent films, structured similarly to Netflix and Amazon's streaming services; "Medallion International Pictures" is the company's international sales and financing operation, designed to provide Hannover House with up to five, high-profile theatrical features each year.
VP Corporate Development
Allegro Media Group / Softland International
February 2010 – May 2014 (4 years 4 months) Bentonville, AR
Focus growth in DVD, Blu ray, and Digital distributed content and Studio/Account relationships along with managing overall direction and initiatives for the category and Allegro.
• Coordinated a 980% growth in overall sales with licensed Video content.
• Manage Sam’s Club business including initiating direct business along with establishing sales at WalMart stores.
• Assist in account visits with Sales Representatives (selling of product and managing account relationships).
• Negotiate licensing and distribution deals with Independent video studios and accounts to help strengthen the overall growth and visibility in the market (includes digital, physical, and VOD placement of titles).
• Manage key marketing initiatives including coordinating Allegro’s New Release Video books , release schedules for monthly new releases, launch catalog re-promote programs (corporate and account specific), facilitate monthly new release calls.
• Direct all Rental, VOD, TV, and Digital business (Studios, titles, programs, and accounts).
• Wide interaction within Allegro and its divisions, Studio partners, Accounts, and direct reports.
Senior Director of National Accounts
Vivendi Entertainment
Public Company; 51-200 employees; VIVDY; Entertainment industry
January 2008 – February 2010 (2 years 2 months)
Responsible for the placement and sales growth of UMGD: Vivendi Entertainment’s DVD product in WalMart, Sam’s Club, and Hastings Entertainment including direct reports handling Target and Toys R Us.
• Direct interaction and responsible for accounts making up 40% of overall VE business.
• Led sales team that represented Vivendi Entertainment at WalMart, Sam’s Club, Hastings, Best Buy, Target, and Toy R Us including personnel in Bentonville office.
• Managed team with consistent sales increases in each account in a declining industry.
• Developed and executed plans for title placement, promotions, and discount programs.
• Created programs and pricing initiatives to achieve placement and plan on WalMart and Sam’s new release and modular sets including the development and implementation to support each.
• Cultivated relationships at buyer and executive levels in accounts.
• Consistent Retail Link analysis / reporting, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Executive interaction and reporting within Vivendi, studio partners, and accounts.
• Effectively managed budget and placement fees for VE titles in accounts.
• Initiate and execute account specific promotions for key catalog and new release titles.
Sales Director
UMGD / Vivendi Entertainment
July 2004 – January 2008 (3 years 7 months)
Responsible for the placement and sales growth of UMGD: Vivendi Entertainment’s DVD product in select mass merchant accounts, club accounts, and specialty market accounts (WalMart, Sam’s Club, Costco, Virgin Megastore, Tower Records, and Hastings). Innovative ideas, experience, and solid rapport with buyers and marketing teams helped produce double digit sales increases in all accounts year after year.
• Executed title selection and placement for WalMart and Sam’s new releases and modulars.
• Facilitated and delivered presentations for account specific meetings and conference calls.
• Negotiated pricing and placement on all selections.
• Worked title life cycle at accounts through tiered pricing strategies.
• Managed office personnel and Latin field team including executing Anglo and Latin initiatives in the market place.
• Performed administrative duties such as advertising authorizations, weekly reports to executive team, weekly title forecasting with studio partners, promotional plans and coop approvals, sales tracking and projections.
• Assisted in acquisitions and overall sales direction for Independent video product.
• Assisted in acquiring and setting up distribution deals with Independent video studios to help strengthen the overall growth and visibility in the market.
Video Merchandise Manager
Anderson Merchandisers
Privately Held; 1001-5000 employees; Retail industry
April 2002 – July 2004 (2 years 4 months)
Responsible for the sales growth and purchasing direction of all Anderson supplied Independent video product to WalMart stores with goals to increase business, lower returns, and increase margins for both WalMart and Anderson.
• Successfully executed plans and programs that produced a $265M category for Anderson.
• Liable for negotiation, promotions, co-op, and overall profitability of the video category.
• Communicated buys and priorities to operational team for implementation.
• Responsible for communicating WalMart’s video initiatives in regards to sales, execution, instocks, and plans for Independent video to WalMart and Anderson.
• Created additional business through store promotions and increased title selection within WalMart stores.
• Aggressive negotiating that produced low costs for titles selected. Final product sold to WalMart obtaining all margin requirements/goals for all parties.
• Maintained double-digit sales increases for 3 years straight.
• Upheld strong communication between WalMart corporate, Anderson Merchandisers, Suppliers, and WalMart stores.
Video Buyer
Anderson Merchandisers
Privately Held; 1001-5000 employees; Retail industry
January 1999 – April 2002 (3 years 4 months)
Responsibilities included the negotiating, selling, buying and distribution of video product to WalMart stores. Effectively managed category and personnel. Maintained store and DC inventory levels with a growing Independent title selection in stores. Increased sales, ships, margins and lowered returns for an overall growth and revenue increase. Facilitate communication throughout the supply chain.
Music Analyst
Anderson Merchandisers
Privately Held; 1001-5000 employees; Retail industry
March 1997 – January 1999 (1 year 11 months)
Responsible for preparing timely and accurate reports/analysis for all aspects of the Music category including title specific reporting, store by store analysis, and Sound Scan. Experienced with spreadsheet software Lotus, Excel, AS400 queries, and WalMart Retail Link reporting.
Systems Analyst
Anderson Merchandisers
Privately Held; 1001-5000 employees; Retail industry
February 1996 – March 1997 (1 year 2 months)
Investigate systematic opportunities and errors in regards to the Anderson Replenishment system and WalMart stores. Responded to stores and representatives aiding them in proper merchandising of stores while helping to eliminate system problems at store level.
Department Manager
Anderson Merchandisers
Privately Held; 1001-5000 employees; Retail industry
June 1993 – February 1996 (2 years 9 months)
Managed 35 employees while overseeing the Book Returns Department with an average inventory of $10 million. Reduced Anderson Merchandisers’ payroll costs by increasing efficiencies, motivating employees, and cross training. Downsized department to 21, enabling 14 associates to work in other areas of the Returns Center. Position led to managing Music and Video departments responsible for recycling product back out to 3 distribution centers.
Dedicated Merchandiser
Anderson Merchandisers
Privately Held; 1001-5000 employees; Retail industry
August 1992 – June 1993 (11 months)
Assisted in the servicing of WalMart’s book, music, and video departments. Duties included returns processing, stocking of orders, product ordering, inventory, and general organization of merchandise.
Set Crew Associate
Anderson Merchandisers
Privately Held; 1001-5000 employees; Retail industry
February 1992 – August 1992 (7 months)
Traveled the Eastern United States aiding in the constructing of WalMart book, music, and video departments. Helped coordinate store sets with assistance from Anderson store representatives, district managers, and WalMart store managers.
http://www.linkedin.com/in/tomasims
HHSE
Tom Sims - Hannoover House (HHSE) Vice-President of Sales
A key watershed moment in June for HHSE was the announced hiring of Tom Sims, a highly respected and proven executive with over 20-years of experience in the home video industry that will help take HHSE past the $20-mm annual revenues level! Mr. Sims brings to HHSE much experience, business relationships and industry contacts.
A.) Former Buyer for Walmart / Anderson Merchandisers (13-years)
B.) Former Universal Studios / Vivendi Executive (6-years)
C.) Former VP for Allegro Media Group (5-years)
Vice-President Sales Tom Sims Professional Profile From LinkedIn
Tom Sims's Overview
Current
* VP of Sales at Hannover House
Past
* VP Corporate Development at Allegro Media Group / Softland International
* Senior Director of National Accounts at Vivendi Entertainment
* Sales Director at UMGD / Vivendi Entertainment
* Video Merchandise Manager at Anderson Merchandisers
* Video Buyer at Anderson Merchandisers
* Music Analyst at Anderson Merchandisers
* Systems Analyst at Anderson Merchandisers
* Department Manager at Anderson Merchandisers
* Dedicated Merchandiser at Anderson Merchandisers
* Set Crew Associate at Anderson Merchandisers
Education
Amarillo College
Tom Sims' Summary
Ambitious, results oriented with experience in all phases of a supplier/mass merchant - studio/retailer relationship. Demonstrated track record of sales increases combined with proven efficiency. Qualified and eager to conduct sales/leadership functions in the mass merchant/club channel.
Specialties
* National Account Management
* Entertainment Category
* Sales and Marketing Strategies
* Strategic Planning and Execution
* Leadership and Team Building
* Store of the Community
* Niche Title Placement
* Merchandising
Tom Sims' Experience
VP of Sales
Hannover House
Entertainment industry
May 2014 – Present (2 months) Bentonville, AR
Hannover House is a full service media company, specializing in the production and distribution of feature films for theatres, home video and the Video-On-Demand formats for the North American retail marketplace. Formed in 1993, Hannover House concentrated it’s activities exclusively in the literary, book-publishing industries until 2003 when the company entered into the DVD marketplace.
Now, with over 250 titles in its growing film library -- over half of which are in active distribution -- Hannover House has quickly ascended to a dominant role as a leading, independent distributor in the U.S. market. The company is particularly noted for its successes in placing DVD titles within mass merchandisers and key chain stores. Retailers carrying Hannover House products include thousands of independently owned and operated retail video stores and book stores, and most mass merchants and major retailers. In addition to this "core" distribution activity, Hannover House is launching two, major new ventures in 2014. "VODwiz" is a new video-on-demand portal for independent films, structured similarly to Netflix and Amazon's streaming services; "Medallion International Pictures" is the company's international sales and financing operation, designed to provide Hannover House with up to five, high-profile theatrical features each year.
VP Corporate Development
Allegro Media Group / Softland International
February 2010 – May 2014 (4 years 4 months) Bentonville, AR
Focus growth in DVD, Blu ray, and Digital distributed content and Studio/Account relationships along with managing overall direction and initiatives for the category and Allegro.
• Coordinated a 980% growth in overall sales with licensed Video content.
• Manage Sam’s Club business including initiating direct business along with establishing sales at WalMart stores.
• Assist in account visits with Sales Representatives (selling of product and managing account relationships).
• Negotiate licensing and distribution deals with Independent video studios and accounts to help strengthen the overall growth and visibility in the market (includes digital, physical, and VOD placement of titles).
• Manage key marketing initiatives including coordinating Allegro’s New Release Video books , release schedules for monthly new releases, launch catalog re-promote programs (corporate and account specific), facilitate monthly new release calls.
• Direct all Rental, VOD, TV, and Digital business (Studios, titles, programs, and accounts).
• Wide interaction within Allegro and its divisions, Studio partners, Accounts, and direct reports.
Senior Director of National Accounts
Vivendi Entertainment
Public Company; 51-200 employees; VIVDY; Entertainment industry
January 2008 – February 2010 (2 years 2 months)
Responsible for the placement and sales growth of UMGD: Vivendi Entertainment’s DVD product in WalMart, Sam’s Club, and Hastings Entertainment including direct reports handling Target and Toys R Us.
• Direct interaction and responsible for accounts making up 40% of overall VE business.
• Led sales team that represented Vivendi Entertainment at WalMart, Sam’s Club, Hastings, Best Buy, Target, and Toy R Us including personnel in Bentonville office.
• Managed team with consistent sales increases in each account in a declining industry.
• Developed and executed plans for title placement, promotions, and discount programs.
• Created programs and pricing initiatives to achieve placement and plan on WalMart and Sam’s new release and modular sets including the development and implementation to support each.
• Cultivated relationships at buyer and executive levels in accounts.
• Consistent Retail Link analysis / reporting, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Executive interaction and reporting within Vivendi, studio partners, and accounts.
• Effectively managed budget and placement fees for VE titles in accounts.
• Initiate and execute account specific promotions for key catalog and new release titles.
Sales Director
UMGD / Vivendi Entertainment
July 2004 – January 2008 (3 years 7 months)
Responsible for the placement and sales growth of UMGD: Vivendi Entertainment’s DVD product in select mass merchant accounts, club accounts, and specialty market accounts (WalMart, Sam’s Club, Costco, Virgin Megastore, Tower Records, and Hastings). Innovative ideas, experience, and solid rapport with buyers and marketing teams helped produce double digit sales increases in all accounts year after year.
• Executed title selection and placement for WalMart and Sam’s new releases and modulars.
• Facilitated and delivered presentations for account specific meetings and conference calls.
• Negotiated pricing and placement on all selections.
• Worked title life cycle at accounts through tiered pricing strategies.
• Managed office personnel and Latin field team including executing Anglo and Latin initiatives in the market place.
• Performed administrative duties such as advertising authorizations, weekly reports to executive team, weekly title forecasting with studio partners, promotional plans and coop approvals, sales tracking and projections.
• Assisted in acquisitions and overall sales direction for Independent video product.
• Assisted in acquiring and setting up distribution deals with Independent video studios to help strengthen the overall growth and visibility in the market.
Video Merchandise Manager
Anderson Merchandisers
Privately Held; 1001-5000 employees; Retail industry
April 2002 – July 2004 (2 years 4 months)
Responsible for the sales growth and purchasing direction of all Anderson supplied Independent video product to WalMart stores with goals to increase business, lower returns, and increase margins for both WalMart and Anderson.
• Successfully executed plans and programs that produced a $265M category for Anderson.
• Liable for negotiation, promotions, co-op, and overall profitability of the video category.
• Communicated buys and priorities to operational team for implementation.
• Responsible for communicating WalMart’s video initiatives in regards to sales, execution, instocks, and plans for Independent video to WalMart and Anderson.
• Created additional business through store promotions and increased title selection within WalMart stores.
• Aggressive negotiating that produced low costs for titles selected. Final product sold to WalMart obtaining all margin requirements/goals for all parties.
• Maintained double-digit sales increases for 3 years straight.
• Upheld strong communication between WalMart corporate, Anderson Merchandisers, Suppliers, and WalMart stores.
Video Buyer
Anderson Merchandisers
Privately Held; 1001-5000 employees; Retail industry
January 1999 – April 2002 (3 years 4 months)
Responsibilities included the negotiating, selling, buying and distribution of video product to WalMart stores. Effectively managed category and personnel. Maintained store and DC inventory levels with a growing Independent title selection in stores. Increased sales, ships, margins and lowered returns for an overall growth and revenue increase. Facilitate communication throughout the supply chain.
Music Analyst
Anderson Merchandisers
Privately Held; 1001-5000 employees; Retail industry
March 1997 – January 1999 (1 year 11 months)
Responsible for preparing timely and accurate reports/analysis for all aspects of the Music category including title specific reporting, store by store analysis, and Sound Scan. Experienced with spreadsheet software Lotus, Excel, AS400 queries, and WalMart Retail Link reporting.
Systems Analyst
Anderson Merchandisers
Privately Held; 1001-5000 employees; Retail industry
February 1996 – March 1997 (1 year 2 months)
Investigate systematic opportunities and errors in regards to the Anderson Replenishment system and WalMart stores. Responded to stores and representatives aiding them in proper merchandising of stores while helping to eliminate system problems at store level.
Department Manager
Anderson Merchandisers
Privately Held; 1001-5000 employees; Retail industry
June 1993 – February 1996 (2 years 9 months)
Managed 35 employees while overseeing the Book Returns Department with an average inventory of $10 million. Reduced Anderson Merchandisers’ payroll costs by increasing efficiencies, motivating employees, and cross training. Downsized department to 21, enabling 14 associates to work in other areas of the Returns Center. Position led to managing Music and Video departments responsible for recycling product back out to 3 distribution centers.
Dedicated Merchandiser
Anderson Merchandisers
Privately Held; 1001-5000 employees; Retail industry
August 1992 – June 1993 (11 months)
Assisted in the servicing of WalMart’s book, music, and video departments. Duties included returns processing, stocking of orders, product ordering, inventory, and general organization of merchandise.
Set Crew Associate
Anderson Merchandisers
Privately Held; 1001-5000 employees; Retail industry
February 1992 – August 1992 (7 months)
Traveled the Eastern United States aiding in the constructing of WalMart book, music, and video departments. Helped coordinate store sets with assistance from Anderson store representatives, district managers, and WalMart store managers.
http://www.linkedin.com/in/tomasims
HHSE
