Jimmy Fleming

Background

About Jimmy Fleming

For almost twenty years, I was a sales and marketing specialist in composition for Bedford/St. Martin’s, an imprint of Macmillan Learning. It was a unique job, one I created and adapted to meet changing editorial and marketing needs, achieve sales goals, explore sustainable revenue streams, and service the needs of customers - first-year college writing teachers and program directors at two- and four-year colleges and universities. I traveled extensively and talked with writing instructors of all types – grad students, adjuncts, WPAs, writing center directors, etc. – about the challenges of teaching writing for college and career. I promoted Bedford’s books and media, of course, but mostly I met with directors whose writing programs were changing. In deep consultation, we explored ways to combine Bedford’s texts, media, and services, customized and aligned as necessary, to meet student learning outcomes and program goals. As a content expert in the field of composition textbooks, media, and writing instruction, by working closely with authors and editors, and by consulting with key decision-makers in writing programs across the country, I was able to • Consistently exceed sales targets and create new revenue streams • Foster collaborations with writing programs and achieve short- and long-term goals resulting in high return, long-term partnerships • Lead team of editorial and marketing colleagues to create high-impact events delivering strong sales, robust professional development, and fostering partnerships • Commit individualized attention to teacher and program needs leading to new sales opportunities • Provide forward-thinking team leadership in sales training with focus on customer needs and market analyses • Inform marketing and development teams with cogent analysis of market forces, competition, and pricing dynamics