Bio

My career in marketing started like many others: a $5 per hour internship and free bus pass. Today, I am the Vice President of Integrated Marketing and Media for Unilever North America, responsible for building our brands in a digital age. I oversee our paid and earned (i.e., PR and Influencers) media strategy, internal creative content studio, scale brand marketing initiatives, and partnerships and sponsorships ranging from Google and NBCU to Walmart and the NCAA. From leading iconic brands such as Dove and Axe as a marketer to reimagining the performance marketing and media model for the world’s second largest advertiser, I have had the opportunity to create and lead across the marketing funnel, from brand building to digital conversion. My 20 year journey with Unilever continues to present extraordinary opportunities, challenges and amazing professional and personal growth. Additionally, I sit on the Executive Board of our North American business. Prior to joining Unilever, I worked for two start-ups, which yielded enormous learning on the value of good management, thoughtful strategy, human nature and yes, failure. I consistently draw upon those lessons today. I’ve had experiences throughout the agency world with opportunities to work on some of the most recognizable brands. I made the leap from agency to client, joining the Taco Bell marketing team when it was still part of PepsiCo, and after completing my MBA I had a brief marketing stint at the Walt Disney Company. The common thread throughout my more than 25 + year career in marketing and media has been the ability to follow my passion, building brands to connect with consumers in new and meaningful ways. I am fortunate to hold positions that allow me to help transform our industry in today’s rapidly changing landscape, having held executive leadership roles with the ANA (Association National Advertisers) and Ad Council and currently the IAB (Interactive Advertising Bureau). Additionally, I have been at the forefront of the convergence of marketing, commerce and media as the Unilever representative on a range of Marketing Client Councils from Amazon and Twitter to Instacart and WarnerMedia. I am also proud to sit on the Board of Visitors at the University of Wisconsin – Madison School of Journalism and Mass Communication. While I love the work I do, I also cherish my role as Husband, Father and Coach of everything my kids play.