Andrea is available for hire
Hire AndreaAndrea Barsotti
Verified Expert in Finance
Management Consulting Expert
Location
Florence, Italy
Toptal Member Since
February 23, 2022
With +20 years of experience in management consulting at Kearney and startups development, Andrea is keen on helping clients with strategy definition, business planning, and market research. His background in the US and major European countries–also thanks to his dual US-Italian citizenship–allowed him to develop deep market knowledge, valuable to support international expansion plans. Furthermore, Andrea founded and continues to grow a money-making eCommerce startup in the luxury travel niche.
Career Highlights
Founder – General Manager
Blue Travel LLC
Manager
Kearney
Education Highlights
Master’s Degree
Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University
Bachelor's Degree
Bocconi University
Case Studies
Expertise
Work Experience
Founder – General Manager
2010 - PRESENT
Blue Travel LLC
- Created a new eCommerce startup in the travel business. Achieved growing revenues each year since the launch day (18% CAGR), resulting in a highly profitable small business–20% after-tax cash flow.
- Launched three new brands, registered as trademarks, and created a portfolio of more than 100 services, including vacation packages and experiences, to the travel luxury segment.
- Developed the go-to-market strategy, including the website, social media channels, content strategy, sales channels, and partnerships with Viator, Expedia, Luxury Retreats, Airbnb Lux, and Urban Adventures.
- Became an expert in web marketing with in-depth knowledge of pay-per-click advertising using AdWords, Bing, Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram. Personally managed and optimized over 20 advertising campaigns and more than 100 ad groups.
- Set up two companies, one in Boston and the controlled entity in Florence, Italy, and opened two offices. Selected and hired a team of 12 employees and over 30 external contractors.
- Designed an IT back-end system to manage bookings, scheduling, and client and suppliers database, with an integrated eCommerce module. Oversaw the team of developers that realized the coding for the project.
- Administered finance and accounting, setting up bank accounts in various countries and currencies and negotiating to finance with credit institutions.
Focus areas: Business Planning, Demand Sizing & Segmentation, Marketing, Web Marketing, Sales & Channel Enablement, Marketing Mix, eCommerce, Brand Marketing, Advertising, Social Media, Pay-per-Click (PPC), Google AdWords, Bing Ads Center, B2B Partnerships, Human Resources (HR), Organization Building, Unit Pricing, Pricing RFQ, Startup Growth Strategy Development, Italy, Tourism, United States, Luxury Industry, Business to Business (B2B), Business to Consumer (B2C), Business Analysis, Small Business Management, Business Strategy, Customer Experience Management, Digital Strategy, Digital Marketing Strategy, Revenue Modeling, Partnerships, Go-to-market Strategy, Strategy Development, Storytelling, Product Strategy, Growth Strategy, Value Proposition, Marketing Strategy, Business Design, Workforce Management (WFM), Marketplaces, Branding, User Experience (UX), Startups, Business Modeling, Financial Statements
Director of Strategy and Business Analysis
2020 - 2021
Wings Mobile
- Conducted the negotiation for a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) contract with Vodafone and created a model to evaluate the financial impact of the terms being discussed. The negotiation concluded successfully and the contract was signed.
- Created a business plan to launch mobile services in the Italian market, analyzed market evolution scenarios, and performed simulations. Also produced the new offering of mobile services for residential clients.
- Performed analysis on the smartphones market, including tech specs, pricing, competitors, and consumer preferences. It completely redefined the smartphone lineup by introducing new models and changes in product features, pricing, and positioning.
- Managed negotiations for the new market launch of mobile services in Latam markets, including Chile, Bolivia, and Ecuador.
Focus areas: Business Planning, Pricing, Financial Modeling, Strategy, Marketing Mix, Market Sizing, Project Management, Business Analysis, Business Strategy, Revenue Modeling, Go-to-market Strategy, Strategy Development, Direct to Consumer (D2C), Change Management, Brand Positioning
Founder – Head of Strategy and Marketing
2009 - 2012
Spotvisor
- Founded a startup that offered advertising and market analysis services directed to advertising and media planning agencies. Used a SaaS based on proprietary algorithm/platform able to analyze commercial breaks on TV and Internet channels.
- Created the strategy, business plan, and investor presentations resulting in the acquisition of seed financing from private angel investors.
- Built and implemented the go-to-market strategy by creating the new brand, developing the website and social media channels, managing advertising campaigns, and supervising content creation and influencers, bloggers, press, and traditional media.
- Managed product development and marketing mix. Created and led a sales team targeting advertising and branding agencies, media planning agencies, and corporate marketing departments.
Focus areas: Advertising, B2B Partnerships, Bing Ads Center, Brand Marketing, Business Planning, Strategy, Web Marketing, Marketing Mix, Google AdWords, Seed Fundraising, Market Research, P&L Analysis, P&L Management, Italy, Angel/Seed Funding, Business Strategy, Go-to-market Strategy, Partnerships, Strategy Development, Storytelling, Strategic Planning, Growth Strategy, Monetization Models, Value Proposition, Branding, Brand Positioning, Digital Marketing Strategy, Startups
Strategy and Marketing Director
2007 - 2009
Tiscali
- Started up the digital television business unit: designed the organizational structure, recruited key people, defined the content strategy, and negotiated content deals with key providers like SKY, Mediaset, and RAI.
- Directed the strategy and planning department by managing the business plan, financial analysis, simulation, pricing strategy, promotion plans and tactics, and profitability analysis.
- Led the marketing department overseeing a team of seven and a budget of €24 million.
- Played a key role in handling product—VOD and linear channels line-up, packages, and features—and communication, including TV platform video promos, ATL, BTL, events management, and physical displays.
- Handled the sales channels, working on retail, inbound and outbound call center, and web.
Focus areas: Advertising, B2B Partnerships, Marketing Mix, Strategy, Business Planning, Content Marketing, Organizational Design, Human Resources (HR), Video Streaming, Marketing, Market Research & Analysis, Consumer Trends, Italy, Market Entry, Business Strategy, Go-to-market Strategy, Partnerships, Strategy Development, Product Strategy, Strategic Planning, Strategic Planning & Execution, Strategic Partnerships, Go-to-market Plans, Direct to Consumer (D2C), Marketing Strategy, Change Management, Branding, Brand Positioning, Brand Guidelines
Manager
1998 - 2007
Kearney
- Performed the strategy definition, financial modeling, and company valuation for an M&A deal. The project delivered an $800 million acquisition of a fixed-line operator listed in the Paris exchange – Client: Confidential – Country: France.
- Conducted cost savings analysis for the procurement function of the integrated telecom operator. Project delivered 6% cost savings worth €36 million – Client: Telecom Italia – Country: Italy.
- Produced the growth strategy and business plan for the internet access and value-added services of a fixed-line telecom provider – Client: Retevision – Country: Spain.
- Created the market entry strategy and marketing plan to launch 3G services and phones in Italy – Client: NTT Docomo – Countries: Japan and Italy.
- Forecasted the market evolution of the television streaming services over satellite, fixed, and mobile platforms for a leading national TV broadcaster – Client: RAI – Country: Italy.
- Performed the due diligence, turnaround plan, and financial analysis for a management buy-out in the vending machines business. The project supported a successful MBO deal – Client: Confidential – Country: Italy.
- Supported an investment bank with the due diligence of an industrial batteries producer for an M&A deal. Delivered the financial impact of industrial synergies and cost savings – Client: Confidential – Country: Confidential.
- Created a model to forecast and simulate the evolution of the electricity prices to support an M&A deal. The model was based on macroeconomic and market scenarios: power generation market, oil prices, and more – Client: Confidential – Country: Italy.
- Provided pricing analysis of electricity production and interconnection prices as the technical advisor in support of a civil lawsuit for a leading European electric utility – Client: Confidential – Country: Switzerland.
- Led a cross-functional team in developing a corporate strategic plan for a major EU electric utility. This was the company's first-ever strategic plan and supported its privatization and listing on the Milan and NYSE – Client: ENEL – Country: Italy.
Focus areas: Business Consulting, Business Planning, Growth Strategy, Due Diligence, Startup Consulting, Market Sizing, Marketing Mix, Change Management, Project Management, M&A Modeling, M&A (Buy-side), Competition Research, Competitor Analysis & Profiling, Competitive Strategy, Market Research, Due Diligence Consultant, Italy, United States, Spain, France, Poland, United Kingdom, Greece, Small Business Consultants, Startup Growth Strategy Development, Churn Analysis, European Union (EU), Demand Sizing & Segmentation, Telecommunications, Business Strategy, Business Analysis, Revenue Modeling, Revenue Analysis, Customer Experience Management, Strategy Development, Go-to-market Strategy, Partnerships, Market Entry, Business Unit Strategy, Corporate Planning, Storytelling, Strategic Planning, Strategic Planning & Execution, Go-to-market Plans, Monetization Models, Value Proposition, Monetization, Market Research Analyst, Business Design, Workforce Management (WFM), Management Consulting, Business Models, Branding, Brand Positioning, Brand Guidelines, Workshops, Stakeholder Engagement, Startups, Business Modeling, Financial Statements
Financial Analyst
1994 - 1996
Nestlé
- Supported the budgeting process and the creation of financial reporting for top management.
- Performed analysis to support the marketing department: profitability and product pricing.
- Carried out analysis to help the manufacturing area: plant efficiency, make and buy, and cost savings.
Focus areas: Finance, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Budgeting, Reporting, P&L Analysis, Profitability Analysis, Unit Pricing, Control & Cost Analysis, Market Entry, Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), Financial Statements
Education
1996 - 1998
Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA)
Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University - Chicago, IL, USA
1988 - 1993
Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and Economics
Bocconi University - Milan, Italy