Resume of Gerald W.

"Jerry" Thacker
Goal: To participate in work that will allow me to enrich the lives of others th
rough continued involvement in research, marketing and the provision of goods an
d services.
Decades of Research, Marketing and Communications Experience:
Right Ideas Inc, Fleetwood, PA President
(6/00 -- Present)
A specialist in marketing research, strategic marketing and marketing communicat
ions. Possess a thorough knowledge of the research business a decades of experie
nce in business-to-consumer and business-to-business research.
A skilled focus group moderator, interviewer and content analyst who has produce
d hundreds of research projects in qualitative, quantitative and mixed designs,
and developed marketing implications and strategies for clients. Have served as
a key resource person to other organizational stakeholders at the top executive
level.
Responsible for strategic client relationship building and new business developm
ent. Decades of experience as a professional writer-from research reports to com
plete product or service copy platforms to sales support and web materials. Good
sales and presentation skills. Have created and overseen research and marketing
budgets of $ millions annually.
Marketing Partners Inc., Wyomissing, PA President/Owner (6
/93 -- 6/00)
Founded company that conducted marketing research, strategic planning, advertisi
ng creation and buying, magazine creation, marketing audits, focus groups, surve
ys, and media production for multiple clients. Also started and sold a credit un
ion/financial marketing company.
Scepter Group, Inc., Morgantown, PA Executive Vice Presiden
t (6/81-6/93)
Grew the company from start-up to more than $5 million in annual collateralized
billings. Specialized in marketing communications for the juvenile products indu
stry and private higher education markets. Responsible for client relationships,
new business proposals and sales. Supervised creative output, and managed a sta
ff of up to 27 writers, designers, artists, clerical, etc. Primary client, in th
e juvenile hard goods market grew from $34 million to $700 million in annual sal
es during our association. Experienced in national advertising and PR as well as
in product recall campaigns involving government agencies such as the Consumer
Product Safety Administration and the National Highway Transportation Safety Adm
inistration.
Consumer Packaged Goods-Creative and Branding Experience
Created and implemented national brand identity for Graco(R) Children's Products
(now a unit of Newell-Rubbermaid) including logo development and use guidelines
; created all national advertising from 1985-2001. Developed master packaging co
ncept utilized on millions of product packages.
Created scores of product names and identity packages including copy platforms,
art, packaging and advertising. Created point-of-sale programs and materials use
d nationwide for Graco(R) in Toy's R' Us/ Babies R' Us, Wal-Mart(R) and K-Mart(R
) stores. Best known brands created include Pack N' Play, Stroll-A-Bed, Tot-Whee
ls, and Lite-Rider. Developed both kraft and full-color packaging templates and
artwork for consumer products as needed.
Created copy platform, art, layout and full-color packaging treatment for the ne
w Graco(R) Ultra-Clear baby monitor line that went to number two in the market i
n sales in less than two years.
Conducted packaging research for Giorgio(R) Pennsylvania Dutchman mushrooms to d
etermine impact of taking "made in USA" off the product can when client wanted t
o reduce product costs by including foreign stems and pieces.
Have conducted multiple simultaneous regional mall-intercept projects for produc
t designs and fashion designs (Renolux(R) of France), new brands and logos, (De
lta(R) Children's Products, NY, NY) as well as testing advertising and copy conc
epts.
Developed award-winning packaging for promotional materials used for the launch
of the BJU-LINC (Live Interactive Network Classroom) satellite education service
for private schools.
Scepter Sales, Inc., Morgantown, PA Executive Vice Preside
nt (6/85-5/91)
Served as executive in charge of a 5-man sales representation force in the giftw
are industry. Grew the company from start-up to $3MM in annual sales in less tha
n 5 years. Staff of 5.
Scepter Signs, Inc., Morgantown, PA Executive Vice Presiden
t (6/81-5/93)
Served as executive in charge of a startup of a digital sign making operation wi
th regional clients. Products used in business and trade shows. Owners eventuall
y sold company.
10 Years of Academic Work Experience--
Alvernia University, Reading, PA Adjunct Professor (8/09 -
- 12/09)
Taught Marketing Research. Received high ratings from students and peers.
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, Kutztown, PA Adjunct Professor (1/08
-- 5/08)
Taught three sections of Basic Marketing and one section of Marketing Research.
Received high ratings from students and peers.
Bob Jones University, Greenville, SC
Professor (9/73-5/81)
Headed Radio and Television Department, Division of Speech, School of Fine Arts.
Taught an average 16 hr per semester. Managed campus radio station and supervis
ed 130+ students in all areas of station business including operations, sales of
print vehicle space and airtime. Academic advisor. Supervised senior projects.
Produced national "Show My People" TV program, 39 fresh half-hour weekly program
s each year for release on a network of 30 stations. Worked for University Press
(Christian school/home school publisher) in summers.

Education-B.A., M. A., and A. B. D

Alvernia University, Reading, PA
(8/06 - 5/11)
Currently ABD in PhD program in leadership studies. Dissertation work underway i
n virtual education services marketing.
Bob Jones University, Greenville, SC (9/72 -
6/74)
Masters degree in Broadcast Management. Combined the best of communications and
business schools including Broadcast Management, Sales Management, Marketing Man
agement, Business Law and other studies.
Bob Jones University, Greenville, SC (9/68 -
6/72)
Bachelors degree in Radio-TV Production. Self-financed education by working at r
adio station and audio editing/duplication facility from freshman year until gra
duation.
Associations/Awards
Professional Member, American Marketing Association
Member, Market Research Association
Member, Berks County Chamber of Commerce
Board Member: Penngift Foundation (DCED Scholarship Organization)
Citation of Merit: Bob Jones University Alumni Association (1995)
Contacting Data:
Jerry Thacker
362 Orchard Road, Fleetwood, PA 19522
O: 800-588-7744 F: 800-588-7744 C: 610-223-5163 H: 610-944-6224
jerry@rightideas.us