Hello, I'm Brian L.
Details
- Professional CategoryBrand, Marketing & Communications
- Location
- Years of Relevant Experience20+ years
- Seniority LevelExecutive
- Consulting Rate (Hourly)152
Headline
Creative and Marketing Brand Professional
Experience
Director of Brand Development
Centrifuge Brand Marketing February 2021 - September 2025Partnered with global industrial manufacturers to develop and execute integrated brand and marketing strategies that built stronger positioning, expanded market reach, and supported revenue growth. Blended creative storytelling with data-driven insights to engage customers and deliver measurable business impact.
Key Achievements & Responsibilities
• Led the creation of brand and marketing campaigns that enhanced visibility, drove market penetration, and strengthened sales enablement across B2B and B2C markets.
• Transformed customer insights, market research, and competitive analysis into strategic brand plans—boosting awareness, lead generation, and pipeline performance.
• Partnered directly with client executives to define positioning, clarify objectives, and solve complex challenges through tailored marketing and creative solutions.
• Directed cross-functional execution, including budgeting, campaign strategy, creative direction, and performance tracking for multiple high-value accounts.
• Served as the primary connector among internal teams, client marketing departments, and C-suite leaders to ensure clarity, alignment, and measurable results.
• Championed a collaborative, insight-driven culture that produced customized campaigns consistently exceeding KPIs.
Vice President, Marketing & Brand Development
Intelliflo (formerly Portfolio Pathway)July 2018 - August 2020Established the company’s first in-house marketing and creative department and spearheaded a strategic corporate marketing alliance with Invesco’s digital wealth management group. Directed the full scope of B2B integrated marketing strategy across all products and services, with a focus on building brand credibility, thought leadership, and driving new client growth. Collaborated with the CEO and executive team to set marketing budgets, align business goals, and support sales initiatives through impactful programs, campaigns, and resources.
Key Achievements & Responsibilities:
• Built the company’s first in-house marketing/creative department and established a strategic marketing alliance with Invesco.
• Directed integrated B2B marketing strategies to strengthen brand credibility, drive new client acquisition, and support sales growth.
• Led company-wide rebrand, creating standards and guidelines to ensure consistency across all channels.
• Redesigned sales collateral, client portal UI, and portfolio platform assets to enhance client experience and usability.
• Spearheaded content strategy, inbound marketing, SEO optimization, and digital campaigns to improve lead generation and discoverability.
• Produced client resources, case studies, and video content—including educational and testimonial campaigns—to boost engagement.
• Managed social media, PR, and industry communications, positioning the company as a thought leader in digital wealth management.
• Directed budget planning, vendor partnerships, trade shows, and live events including the annual industry “roadshow.”
• Partnered with executive leadership and sales teams to align marketing programs with growth initiatives.
Director of Creative & Marketing
Epiq (formerly Hyperion Global Partners)November 2016 - July 2018Led the company’s marketing, creative, and research initiatives, providing strategic vision and operational leadership across branding, communications, and advisory programs. Directed the development and delivery of thought leadership and research work products, ensuring alignment with client needs and business growth objectives.
Key Responsibilities & Achievements:
Marketing & Creative Leadership:
• Developed and executed high-impact integrated marketing campaigns across all products and services, overseeing strategy from concept through implementation.
• Directed all aspects of company budget planning, optimizing investments in campaigns, events, advertising, marketing tools, and memberships.
• Crafted and managed customer-facing messaging, ensuring clarity, consistency, and alignment with brand voice.
• Oversaw content creation, communications, and social media strategies, increasing engagement and strengthening brand presence.
• Designed and maintained marketing collateral consistent with global messaging and brand standards.
• Formulated strategies to support business development and establish “expressions of expertise” across service offerings.
Research Practice Leadership:
• Defined vision and annual goals for the research practice in collaboration with the company president, translating strategy into actionable objectives.
• Developed and refined service offerings, project methodologies, and advisory programs to enhance client value and satisfaction.
• Managed client relationships and business development efforts, fostering growth and repeat engagements.
• Directed marketing strategies and campaigns for the practice group, integrating firmwide initiatives and priorities.
• Scoped, executed, and managed projects, ensuring quality, timeliness, and client satisfaction.
• Negotiated vendor contracts and managed third-party relationships to optimize resources and meet budget requirements.
Creative Director
HBR Consulting/Thomson ReutersNovember 1996 - October 2016Responsible for creation and growth of internal and client-facing creative/marketing department, overseeing brand development, user-focused design, interactive media, event planning, marketing strategy, and PR initiatives. Functioned as both creative visionary and strategic consultant to Fortune 500 companies and legal clients.
Key Achievements & Responsibilities:
• Founded and directed firm’s first full-service creative/marketing team, delivering brand strategy, web development, and interactive media solutions.
• Drove business growth through strategic marketing campaigns, business development proposals, and high-impact branding initiatives.
• Designed and implemented brand strategy and analytics systems, contributing to measurable website traffic growth, enhanced UI/UX, and increased advertising revenue.
• Presented creative vision, project plans, and design concepts while serving as project manager and consultant for high-profile clients.
• Provided strategic consulting, including marketing strategies, business planning, and product launch initiatives for new offerings.
• Advised startups and new businesses on corporate formation, business structuring, privacy policies, and commercial transactions.
• Pioneered web-based and e-commerce products and service features, collaborating closely with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative solutions.
• Spearheaded workflow optimization, usability solutions, internal marketing programs, and multimedia initiatives including animation, 3D imaging, and illustration.
• Led redesign of Thomson Reuters Peer Monitor, improving usability and real-time economic data analysis for better practice performance comparisons.
• Co-invented Thomson Reuters Engage, a client and matter management platform streamlining project workflow, budgeting, and legal team coordination.
• Co-founded internal advisory committee to enhance leadership communication, corporate culture, and organizational growth.
• Two-time recipient of the annual 'high spirit award' for excellence in team management, attitude and participation.
Creative Director
Tribune Media ServicesJuly 1994 - November 1996Revitalized and expanded Tribune Media Services’ internal creative and marketing capabilities, establishing a culture of innovation and collaboration. Spearheaded the creation of the company’s first interactive/web-based development department, aligning creative services with emerging digital opportunities. Oversaw marketing and creative production across print, trade show, and digital platforms, working closely with talent and syndicated content creators.
Key Achievements & Responsibilities:
• Reorganized and scaled the internal creative and marketing department to enhance cross-functional collaboration and efficiency.
• Co-founded and managed the company’s inaugural interactive/web-based development team within creative services.
• Directed production of marketing materials for syndicated products and prominent talent, including Dick Tracy, Dave Barry, Little Orphan Annie, Brenda Starr, Gene Siskel, Andy Rooney, Phil Lempert, and others.
• Collaborated directly with talent to develop and market products, working with Michael Uslan (Batfilm, Inc./Terry & the Pirates), Jeff McNelly (Shoe), Mike Peters (Mother Goose & Grimm), and others.
• Led initiatives to internally supervise, prepare, and produce comic pages for the Chicago Tribune.
• Co-founded WebPoint, an internal web services company delivering digital solutions and web modules for online newspaper publications.
• Recognized with the firm’s Annual Achievement Award for outstanding contribution to company growth and excellence in creative work.
Industry
- Construction
- Consumer Services
- Entertainment Providers
- Financial Services
- Manufacturing
- Professional Services
- Technology, Information and Media
- Transportation, Logistics, Supply Chain and Storage
Specific Jurisdictions That I'm Qualified In or Can Cover
United States: Illinois
Language(s)
- English
Education
Western Illinois University
DegreeMarketing, ArtAugust 1984 - June 1988
I am interested in
- Career Opportunities