Marilyn Jones Gould, M.A., C.S.P.
President of MKJ Marketing
Marilyn has evolved as one of the industry’s best known and most popular convention speakers and seminar trainers. Marilyn applies her counseling, communication skills and industry knowledge to the areas of professional sales training, cremation counseling, customer service, and branding.
Beginning with Ohio Funeral Directors Association as Director of Public Relations and later as Director of Batesville Management Services, her experience has prepared her in all aspects of funeral home marketing and counseling.
Marilyn is Co-Founder and President of MKJ Marketing, serving the funeral profession in areas of advertising, market research, public relations, and training seminars. MKJ is the most prominent and comprehensive marketing firm in the death care industry.
Marilyn is the creator of four comprehensive DVD training systems that are recognized as the best in the industry. Her “As Many Ways as Wishes™” program is used by hundreds of firms and increases cremation averages by as much as $1,200. “Handling Price Shoppers” is revolutionary in teaching firms how to overcome cost objections and win every shopper. “How to Package” has been invaluable in getting firms to profit by bundling. Her most recent production is entitled “Good Call™” and teaches non-licensed as well as licensed employees how to make every call the best call from giving directions to taking complaints.
Marilyn has been recognized by Outstanding Young Woman of America, Who’s Who of American Business Executives, Marquis Who’s Who of American Women, and International Who’s Who of Entrepreneurs, the Silver Screen Award from the US Industrial Film Festival and over 25 Addy Awards from the American Advertising Federation.
She holds a Master’s Degree in Communication from Purdue University and is Past President of Tampa Bay Advertising Federation. She is a member of the National Speakers Association, and has been recognized as having received the highest earned international recognition for professional speaking, the Certified Speaking Professional. Only 400 professional speakers in the world have achieved this recognition.
Marilyn served on the board of the National Funeral Service Foundation. She was recognized by CANA and the ICCFA for advertising awards on behalf of MKJ clients, and was honored by the National Funeral Director’s Association with the Initiative Award, which annually recognizes an exceptional individual who has made substantial professional contributions to funeral service.