1. Michael W. Player
320 NE 8th St.  Abilene, KS 67410  913-709-3644  MWPlayer@Gmail.com
Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau, Abilene, KS
Executive Director, 12/2015 to Present
Accomplished one of the greatest achievements of the “American Dream” by founding and leading an award
winning regional Advertising Agency/Digital Marketing and Public Relations Firm. My greatest achievement
was being able to sell it following its 25th Anniversary. Because many of my clientele were part of the
hospitality industry (Hotel, Travel Agencies, Golf Course Management and Fixed Based Operators), I
succeeded in transitioning into the destination marketing organization industry as the Executive Director of
the Convention & Visitors Bureau for the City of Abilene. As a Behavioral Scientist I understand what
travelers needs are and how to successfully write and implement a winning marketing plan as well as
evaluate it to keep it successful in meeting the needs of the potential patron. Regardless of the media
experience being in television, radio, newspapers, magazines and/or digital media my expertise in
advertising, marketing, hybrid-benevolent marketing, special events, and public relations is superior while
discerning project requirements and communicating client needs to my creative teams. Built executive-level
relationships and managed the daily workflow of concurrent projects to ensure deliverables are completed
on time, on budget and on strategy.
Work Experience
MVP Marketing LLC, Spring Hill, KS
President/Founder, 01/1989 to Present
Managed hundreds of agency’s accounts throughout the years, serving as the primary contact between client
marketing and development teams, my Agency’s staff and outsourced vendors. Define client requirements
and project parameters and guide my Agency’s teams consisting of web developers, graphic designers,
publicists and system administrators in the development and delivery of campaign strategy and multimedia
collateral. Adhere to budgets, oversee account billing and conduct evaluations and updates to client teams.
Highlights:
 Project-managed dozens of multimedia campaigns. Collaborated with clients
from concept to production and launch of nationwide print, TV, Web, mobile-
device and social-media campaigns that routinely exceeded client expectations.
Portfolio available upon request.
 Played a lead role on pitches to current and prospective accounts, delivering
presentations that won new and increased existing business to drive
multimillion-dollar revenue growth.
 Handled challenging accounts known for “agency hopping” and last-minute
changes. Effectively managed expectations and avoided scope creep. Efforts
helped retain one such client and increased annual billing from $600,000 in 2009
to over $1.8 million annually.
 Provided on-going work for loyal sub-contractors throughout the years (some
able to retire just from working with my Company). Maintained ongoing
communications with all accounts and fostered loyal, lasting relationships.
MidAmerica Nazarene University, Olathe, KS
Assistant Director, 04/2011 to 01/2012
Secured an Agency contract for MVP Marketing to launch the Center For Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
Held the title of Assistant Director of the Center during its first year. Raised the seed money to completely
fund the Center and built positive relationships for community support, gathered competitive intelligence
and assisted in business-development initiatives and special event fundraising activities.
Highlights:
 Certified Entrepreneurial Program Director for FastTrac® from the Ewing
Marion Kauffman Foundation teaching FastTrac® NewVenture™ and
GrowthVenture™ courses.

2.  Conducted focus groups and other market research, gleaning insights into
consumer behavior and preferences to ensure accurate targeting of advertising
campaigns.
 Developed all campaign-management tools (e.g., creative briefs, proposal
templates, estimate forms and project-tracking spreadsheets) that improved
flow of communication and elevated client satisfaction.
Education
M.S., Human Relations & Business, Minor: Marketing May 1982
Abilene Christian University Dallas, TX
GPA: 3.8, Major GPA: 3.8.
My Masters degree is in Behavioral Science with an emphasis in
Marketing (Human Relations & Business) from Abilene Christian University.
B.B.A., Marketing, Minor: Biology May 1979
University of North Texas Denton, TX
GPA: 3.8, Major GPA: 3.8. My Bachelors degree is in
Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing.
Experience
Executive Director
Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau
City Director over Destination Marketing Organization
Founder/President
December 2015 to Present
Abilene, KS
January 1989 to December 2015
MVP Marketing LLC Spring Hill, KS
Full-service Advertising Agency/Digital Marketing & Public Relations Firm
(25+ years, Present) • Recently sold and retained the name for consulting
Founder/President April 1997 to December 2015
Universal Financial Systems, LLC Spring Hill, KS
On-Line Transaction Processor (15 years, Present) • Residual Sales Company
Assistant Director April 2011 to January 2012
MidAmerica Nazarene University, Center for Entrepreneurship Olathe, KS
I wrote the Business Plan and served as the first Assistant Director
Director of Marketing March 1987 to January 1989
Alex R. Masson, Inc. Kansas City, KS
Director of Marketing (1.5 years) for the largest Horticulture Purveyor
(185+ employees) in the Midwest, headquartered in Kansas City, KS.
Sales Manager May 1979 to March 1987
M&M/Mars, Inc. Dallas, TX
Sales Manager in Dallas, TX for the worlds largest confection company,
Mars. Inc. (M&M/Mars).

3. Teaching Experience
Adjunct Professor in Entrepreneurship January 2013 to April 2015
University of Missouri at Kansas City Kansas City, MO
Adjunct Professor for 1.5 years in January 2013 to April 2014
• Henry W. Bloch School of Management,
Regnier Institute for Global Entrepreneurship and Innovation,
Teaching an Introductory Entrepreneurship course.
Adjunct Professor in Adult Studies January 2000 to Present
MidAmerica Nazarene University Olathe, KS
Adjunct Professor for 15+ consecutive years at MidAmerica Nazarene University
Teaching Applied Organizational Leadership, Marketing and Management courses.
Adjunct Professor in Graduate Marketing September 1997 to December 1999
Baker University Overland Park, KS
Taught Graduate Marketing courses for 2 years.
Affiliations/Memberships
• Certified Entrepreneurial Program Director for FastTrac® from the
Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation teaching FastTrac®
NewVenture™ and GrowthVenture™ courses. – since October 2011
• Honorary Member of the Tillinghast Society (Society of Golf Course
Design and Marketing) since February 2007
• ISO designation~ Signature Card Services, Inc. - since March 2008
• ISO designation~ Meritus Payment Solutions, Inc.- since May 2009
• United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship
• The Gideons International – since September 2015
Other
My Interests include:
• Judging national website developments along with a panel of
independent judges known as the 3-Marketeers.
• Mentoring former students following graduation.
• Growing companies’ profits through implementing my successful
end-user marketing principles.
Summary
Skill Areas/Professional categories:
• Marketing / Advertising / Sales / Digital Media / PR
• Advertising Concepts • Digital Marketing Communications (Web
Development, SEO, SEM & SMS)
• Business Plans / Marketing Plans
• Product/Brand Management
• Public Relations Management (PR)
• Professional subcategories:
Brand Management, Consumer Goods, Consumer Services, Financial
Services, Banks, Builder/Developers, Hotels, Restaurants, Clubs,
Other Leisure, Media, Advertising, Publishing, Entertainment, Retail,
Wholesale, Internet Service Provider, Web Development & Digital
Marketing, Business Start-up

4. Summary
Other skills:*Note: These skills are endorsed on:
www.linkedin.com/in/marketingwaterhole
• Advertising copywriting
• Art Direction and Project Management
• Brand Development
• Campaign Development
• Content Direction
• Copywriting
• Corporate Communications
• Creative Concepts
• Digital Media Management
• Event Conception and Production
• Graphic Design and Direction
• Logo and Identity Direction
• Media Relations (TV, Radio and Print)
• PowerPoint Presentations
• TV, Radio and Print Production
• Public Relations