Centurions - Barb Cross

Barb Cross

Hallmark Cards, Inc.
Class of 2013
Entrepreneurship Task Force
Curriculum Committee

What does your company do, and what is your role there? For more than 100 years, Hallmark Cards, Inc. has helped people connect with one another and give voice to their feelings. We're best known for greeting cards, but we're much more than that. Our products include paper party supplies, gifts and wrapping paper… ornaments, gift books and decorative items for the home… memory-keeping picture frames, albums and scrapbooks… e-cards and personalized photo cards... even a cable television channel.

My role at Hallmark is that of Innovation Leader-Maximizer, or just "Maximizer." In short, my job is to ensure maximum consumer value and market impact of innovative product solutions. I have a lead role on cross-functional work teams with a focus on developing concepts into larger programs with viable opportunity for revenue, profit, and sustainability in the marketplace. (Simply said, I lead product innovation teams through the process of developing new product and/or service ideas that meet consumers' connecting needs in ways that align with Hallmark's brand strategy and deliver maximum shareholder value.)

First job ever: Sales associate at The Treasure Box gift shop in Appleton, Wisc. We sold lost of Precious Moments and wedding gifts. Thanks to my time at The Treasure Box, I can wrap a mean package!

What’s the last movie, exhibit, concert, or performance you saw? The Descendants.

Which culture’s cuisine would you most like to try? Greek.

Choose one: Sandbox or monkey bars? Monkey bars.

Where do you take out-of-towners when they come to KC? Old Favorite: The Plaza (of course!). New favorite: MLS game at LiveStrong.

Barb Cross

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